Byron Conroy: Iceland

Wetpixel Editor Adam Hanlon and renowned underwater photographer Alex Mustard offer some guidance for topside photographers that may be wishing to take their photographic skills “below the surface.” Some of the differences in equipment selection and the techniques used are obvious, but some are more subtle and profoundly impact the quality of imagery produced.
Some of the most discussed topics on the Wetpixel Forums are about Nauticam’s range of water contact optics. To get some answers to some of these queries, Adam chats to Nauticam’s owner, founder, and lens designer, Edward Lai. He provides a perspective on what the lenses are designed to do and some insight in to how to get the best from them.
Adjusting an underwater housing’s buoyancy and trim can help improve imaging productivity. Depending on the type of diving being carried out, some divers prefer to dive with neutrally or negatively buoyant housings. Alex and Adam discuss the importance of buoyancy and how to add buoyancy to a housing if required.
Nauticam has been responsible for designing a range of excellent water contact optics, specifically designed for underwater image-making. Adam chats to Nauticam’s founder and owner, Edward Lai, about the process that he goes through when he is designing these lenses.
In response to questions in Maldivian People’s Majlis or parliament, the Minister of Fisheries, Zaha Waheed, has stated that the ministry was considering lifting the country’s current ban on shark fishing. The reasons stated for this are that this would allow the exploitation of sharks as an economic resource, which ignores the economic benefits that tourism provides. Please click through for ideas about individual advocacy, research, and statements of support from the global marine conservation organization for maintaining the current ban.
One of the most critical components of an optical system for use underwater is the device that interfaces between air and water or the port. Incorrect port choice, or choosing an incompatible lens and port combination can seriously affect image quality. Alex and Adam discuss the types of ports that are available, when to use them and how to choose the right port.
Sigma has announced the fp L mirrorless camera. It has a full frame 61MP Bayer sensor with on-chip phase-detect AF (along with contrast), with a potential upper native ISO of 100,400, and uses L mount lenses. It will record 8 Bit CinemaDNG UHD 4K at 24p internally or 12 Bit CinemaDNG 30p or RAW to an external drive/recorder.