ssra30

Forum username: ssra30
Posts: 470
Active years: 2004–2017
Primary forums: Photography Gear and Technique, Photo/Video Showcase
Specialization: Nikon DSLR macro photography, Subal housings

Community Role

ssra30 was a dedicated Nikon DSLR underwater photographer who contributed actively to the Wetpixel community from 2004 through 2017. With 470 forum posts across more than a decade, he established himself as a knowledgeable voice in gear discussions, particularly around Nikon DX and FX macro systems and Subal housings. His shooting style favored macro and supermacro photography, with extensive experience using teleconverters and diopters to achieve extreme magnification.

He was a regular visitor to Lembeh Strait, Indonesia, one of the world’s premier muck diving destinations, where he produced impressive macro work of rare critters including pygmy seahorses, blue-ringed octopuses, and frogfish. His equipment choices reflected a serious commitment to macro: he paired a Nikon D2X with lenses like the Nikkor 60mm with Kenko 2x teleconverter and Nikon 6T diopter, and the Nikkor 70-180mm macro zoom (^[1]).

Notable Contributions

• “Upgrade bug time, where to go from D2X” (55 replies): Started a widely discussed thread in 2009 about upgrading from the Nikon D2X to a full-frame system, weighing the tradeoffs between DX crop factor advantages for macro and full-frame benefits. The discussion drew expert opinions on Nikon vs Canon migration, autofocus performance, and lens selection for underwater macro on full-frame sensors (^[2]).

• Nikkor 105mm VR AF-S and Subal ND2 housing (41 replies): Contributed to technical discussions about fitting the Nikkor 105mm VR into Subal housings, a common compatibility concern for macro shooters (^[3]).

• 14-24mm vs 17-35mm for underwater use (25 replies): Participated in lens comparison discussions about Nikkor wide-angle options for underwater photography (^[4]).

• D70 with Nikon 12-24DX lens (23 replies): Engaged in early Nikon DX wide-angle discussions, showing his involvement from the early days of DSLR underwater photography (^[5]).

Activity Profile

ssra30 was most active from 2004 through 2010, with peak engagement during the Nikon D2X era. He contributed 470 posts across 28 threads started. His posting tapered off after 2010, with sporadic activity in 2014 and a final appearance in November 2017. His discussions focused heavily on macro technique, Nikon lens selection, and the DX-to-FX transition debate that occupied many Nikon shooters during 2008–2010. He was mentioned in one Wetpixel article, reflecting his standing as a recognized community contributor.