Wetpixel/Under The Jungle Cenote Workshop 2021
Articles
Apple releases RAW Compatibility update 3.8
Apple has released Camera RAW Compatibility update 3.8. This adds support for RAW files from the following cameras: Konica Minolta DiMAGE A200, Olympus PEN E-P3, Panasonic LUMIX DMC-G3, Panasonic LUMIX DMC-GF3, Samsung NX11, Samsung NX100, Sony Alpha NEX-C3 and Sony Alpha SLT-A35.
Please see the Apple support site for a full list of supported cameras. The update is also available to download from the support site or via software update.
Shark Hope on YouTube
A trailer for the forthcoming documentary “Shark Hope” has been posted on YouTube by Shark Defenders. Walker Films and Ratu Manoa Rasagitale teamed up with Coral Reef Alliance and Pew Environment Group to produce the film, which will be a 30 minute documentary on the plight of sharks in Fiji and efforts to create a Fiji National Shark Sanctuary.
Panasonic announces the HDC-Z10000 3D camcorder
Panasonic has announced the release of the HDC-Z10000 3D camcorder. It offers 3D via integrated twin lenses and boasts a macro focus point of 17.8” (45cm). In addition, it utilises the new AVCHD 3D Progressive standard, uses 2 3MOS sensors with a Crystal Engine Pro II processing engine, its LCD screen can deliver 3D to the naked eye and it records to dual SD cards. Lastly, it is equipped with a f1.5 lens and has built-in optical stabilization.
Expected delivery dates and prices for the HDC-Z10000 are still to be announced.
Underwater Photography magazine issue 62 available
The September/October issue of Underwater Photography (UwP) magazine is now available to download. UwP is currently the only dedicated underwater imaging magazine and as such often offers a wealth of great articles. Issue number 62 is no exception with reviews of the Light and Motion SOLA 4000 and Nauticam GH2 housing, articles on the A6M Zero fighter wreck in Papua New Guinea and diving off of Plymouth, UK, and a primer on using fluorescence filters to capture unique images.
UwP 62 is available as a free download.
JPEGmini reduces photo file sizes
JPEGmini, a start-up based in Tel Aviv, Israel has developed a new recompression technology that claims to preserve the perceptual quality of JPEG image files whilst reducing the file size up to five times. The technology works in the domain of baseline JPEG, resulting in files that are fully compatible with any browser, photo software or device that support the standard JPEG format.
The new process will allow users to:
“store more photos on your hard drive and online photo service account, attach more photos to your emails, and upload your photos faster to the web. If you have an image-intensive website, your pages will load faster, and you’ll also reduce your storage and bandwidth costs.”
The conversion engine is a online tool which is available once you sign up for a free account. Unfortunately it will not do anything for those of us with thousands of RAW files!
Thoughts on viewfinders and mini-review: Nauticam 45 degree
Wetpixel’s Alex Mustard shares his thoughts on the very personal decisions involved in choosing an external viewfinder for your SLR housing. With a specific discussion about the positives and negatives of angled viewfinders
The article also includes a mini-review on the new Nauticam 45 degree viewfinder.
Researcher uses Facebook to identify specimens
Devin Bloom, a PhD candidate in evolutionary biology at the University of Toronto at Scarborough (UTSC), has used a Facebook page to identify 5,000 specimens from a scientific expedition to the Cuyani River, Guyana. This was accomplished within 24 hours of images of the fish being posted on the site. This is a novel use for Facebook and introduces the idea use using it to accurately crowdsource scientific data and could change the way academics view social networking. Bloom has been quoted as saying:
“Social networking is so powerful, and scientists should be using it more to connect with the world-at-large,” he says. “I can’t take credit for the idea, though.” Bloom’s friend, an ichthyologist at Texas A&M named Nathan Lujan, has been using Facebook to identify fish for years. “And Nathan?” says Bloom.“Nathan is a real fish-head.”
The Wetpixel Rinse Tank
Welcome to the second in the weekly series of Wetpixel Rinse Tank features. Wetpixel editor, Adam Hanlon talks about his recent photographic projects, and the equipment that he has been using. Featured are some thoughts on macro ports, using the Scubacam fiber snoot and some simple modifications on housing handles. Lastly, he introduces his forthcoming review of the ZEN D-230 dome port.
The Rinse Tank will feature different Wetpixel staff in rotation, each writing about current projects and equipment related issues.