seansrs968 (Sean Sydnor)

Forum username: seansrs968
Posts: 227
Active years: 2007–2025
Primary forums: Photo / Video Showcase, Photography Gear and Technique, Shooting Technique / Workflow / Editing
Specialization: Macro photography, Canon DSLR systems, wreck diving photography

Community Role

Sean Sydnor (seansrs968) is a long-tenured Wetpixel community member active from 2007 through 2025, making him one of the forum’s most enduring participants across nearly two decades. Based in southern California, Sean is primarily a macro photographer who shoots Canon DSLR systems and has contributed steadily to discussions about lens selection, housing choices, and strobe compatibility.

Sean’s posting pattern reflects an engaged hobbyist who regularly sought advice from the community, shared trip reports and images, and contributed to gear discussions. His 86 posts in the Photo / Video Showcase forum demonstrate active image sharing, while his 49 posts in Photography Gear and Technique show consistent engagement with equipment topics. He also posted frequently in the Shooting Technique / Workflow / Editing forum (33 posts), indicating interest in improving his craft.

Notable Contributions

Gear Discussions

Sean started the “60mm vs 105mm macro” thread (33 replies), which became a valuable reference discussion about the tradeoffs between the 60mm and 100/105mm macro lenses for underwater use. The thread drew expert input from experienced shooters on working distance, depth of field, diopter compatibility, and the use of teleconverters with the 60mm as an alternative to the 105mm (^[1]).

He initiated the “Canon 5dS and 5DR” discussion (16 replies) in February 2015, asking whether the new 50-megapixel Canon bodies would be suitable for underwater macro photography. The thread drew a detailed response from Alex Mustard explaining the diffraction limitations at high pixel densities and small apertures, with supporting test data from the Nikon D7100 review. Paul Kay also contributed observations about optimal aperture ranges (^[2]).

Sean also explored mixing housing and strobe brands, starting the “Aquatica housing and Ikelite strobes” thread (8 replies) about using Ikelite DS-161 strobes with an Aquatica housing, learning about manual strobe exposure as an alternative to TTL (^[3]).

Housing Flood Experience

Sean’s “Ikelite housing and floods” thread (15 replies) documented his experience with an Ikelite housing port detaching while soaking in a tote bag filled with water, destroying his camera. The thread drew responses from multiple experienced shooters discussing port lock systems, rinse tank safety practices, and the evolution from two-lock to four-lock port designs. Several respondents shared their own flood stories, making it a valuable reference on housing safety (^[4]).

Compact Camera Work

Before moving to DSLR systems, Sean used a Sea & Sea DX-2G compact system. He started the “Dx2g Review” thread (14 replies) in 2009, sharing his early experiences with the Ricoh-based camera and housing (^[5]).

Travel and Dive Photography

Sean was an active dive traveler, posting about destinations including:

• Anilao, Philippines — Posted critter identification requests from his 2013 trip to Anilao, sharing images of nudibranchs and scorpionfish (^[6])
• Chuuk (Truk) Lagoon — Shared wreck photography from the Fujikawa Maru during the 70th anniversary of Operation Hailstone in 2014, including the iconic “R2D2” air compressor shot (^[7])
• Lembeh Strait — Discussed shooting at this macro destination (^[8])
• Southern California — His regular diving waters for macro photography

Equipment History

• Compact era (2009): Sea & Sea DX-2G
• DSLR era (2012–2015): Canon 7D (crop sensor), Canon EF-S 60mm macro, later Canon 100mm macro; Ikelite housing with DS-161 strobes; later explored Aquatica housings
• Later years: Continued discussing Canon systems including the 5Ds/5DR

Activity Profile

• Peak years: 2009, 2013–2014
• Forum focus: Photo/Video Showcase (38%), Photography Gear and Technique (22%), Technique/Workflow (15%), Classifieds (9%), Lights/Strobes (4%), Critter ID (4%)
• Style: Asked practical questions, shared trip photos, contributed to gear comparison discussions