Backscatter has posted an interesting -- and extremely comprehensive -- article about digital SLRs (in particular, the Nikon D100): "Digital is the best solution for all new shooters that are remotely comfortable with computers. The value of instant feedback is priceless. Experienced shooters that have a working knowledge and a high success ratio with film techniques will need to evaluate their options more closely. For myself, the new digital SLR’s offer me the user interface and exposure control that I have been looking for and are o­nly inhibited with their inability to capture extreme highlight detail at the same quality as film. Based o­n my experiences detailed below, digital, specifically the Nikon D100 is about to become my choice for 90% of my underwater work." [read the article]

Housing Photographs from Eric Cheng and photos of modifications by Jim Watt

The BOOT EXPO in Duesseldorf, Germany is taking place from 18.01.2003 - 26.01.2003. It is a great water-sports exhibition with a complete sector for the diving industry. As many divers gather there every year, the team at digideep.com takes the chance to organize user meetings for all digital underwater photographers who plan to visit the BOOT. Digideep has opened a discussion where everyone can make suggestions for the meeting. You are invited to share your thoughts and schedule.

The Vosonic X'S-Drive VP-2030 is a combination battery-operated portable data storage device and a 6-in-1 flash memory card reader / writer. The unit itself is small (5.5 x 3.2 x 1.1 inches) and weighs just 10.1 oz including the hard drive and battery pack.

GB Undersea, maker of quality accessories for underwater camera systems, today announced the availability of a new product called the Digital Lens Dock(TM). The Digital Lens Dock(TM) provides a convenient, secure place to hold any 67mm diameter threaded add-on lens when not in use. With it, you can safely remove your add-on lens when you wish to use your camera's built-in optics. Operation is quick, easy, and o­ne-handed, as the lens slips quickly in or out without threading.

In addition to the many inquiries about there current digital product line, visitors to Aquatica's booth at D.E.M.A. 2002 wanted to know when the company would produce an aluminum housing for the Fuji S2. Because of the overwhelming demand, Aquatica's R&D department has begun work o­n a housing design that will accommodate the S2. Like Aquatica's D100 housing, the new design will use the same ports and gears as the Aquatica 90, 100 and F5 housings. The new S2 housing will be ready for delivery in the Spring of 2003. Watch this space,or visit www.aquatica.ca for more details.

Minolta US has announced the availability of the Minolta DiMAGE X Marine Case (we saw the housing at DEMA, and it had been previously announced by Minolta Japan back in May). We have ordered o­ne of these housings, and will post a review at some point in the future.

James Wiseman discusses how to get started in underwater digital photography.

James Wiseman discusses the advantages of use strobes with digital cameras.

Those of you who connected your computers to the Las Vegas Hilton during DEMA should check your computers for viruses! From Tim Baskin, posted o­n the uw-photo mailing list:

Just a little FYI. I was at the Hilton in Las Vegas this last week during DEMA. I logged o­n the high speed Internet offered in the hotel room. Lo and behold I got hit with the first virus I had encountered. It appears it was located o­n the hotel sever and infected any computer the logged o­n that had sharing turned o­n. My mistake. Luckily my virus software caught it in time. Just FYI. (I got a a derivation of the Nimda virus the comes from network connections)