Wetpixel/Under The Jungle Cenote Workshop 2021
Articles
Canon to use new MPEG2 50mbps rather than H264
In an interview, Tim Smith from Canon has hinted that Canon may use its propriety MPEG2 50mbps codec in the new SLR models they plan to release this year, rather than the industry standard H264. Similarly, it is reported on Canon Rumours that the new codec will be based on the one used by the XF305, will have a 4-2-2 color space and that bitrates will be variable up to 50mbit.
The reason for the change is being cited as an unwillingness to pay the licensing fees for the AVCHD/H264 formats. Adobe and Apple have already taken up the new format, so compatibility should not be a problem. There are also lots of rumours that Canon are looking into Apples new Thunderbolt high-speed peripheral connection technology and that they will release the much-awaited 5D MkIII SLR sometime in the early part of this year.
Chilean senators call for shark finning ban
Fish Information and Services (FIS) reports that several Chilean senators have filed a motion to ban shark finning. The senators demand that the practice of forcing fishermen to land sharks with their fins attached to every body be implemented, as indicated by the National Action Plan for the Conservation of Sharks, which was adopted by the Government of Chile in 2006.
This bill is driven by the organization Oceana, whose executive director, Alex Munoz said:
“Chile has become a major exporter of shark fins, this practice is severely affecting the conservation of these animals, so we hope that this country will introduce a law banning shark finning as soon as possible.”
Tsunami hits Northern Japan and is threatening Pacific
As many of you will know now, Japan was hit by an earthquake of 8.8 magnitude at 2.46 local time today (Friday). It has triggered a tsunami, that has already hit Northern Japan and is now travelling out across the Pacific. Officials warn of the potential for a 6 meter (18 feet) wave.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to all those who have been or are in the path of this cataclysm, we hope you and your loved ones are holed up somewhere safe and that the waters do not cause devastation to your homes and property.
Review: Triggerfish remote slave trigger
A review of the Triggerfish remote slave trigger. This optical device allows strobes to be triggered remotely, creating new creative potential. Whilst this is not a new technique, finding a reliable method of firing off-camera strobes has been a challenge. This new device works with most strobes, is simply attached to the strobe via a standard 5-pin Nikonos sync cable and can work when the master strobe is in either manual or iTTL modes.
The review is based on underwater experience with the unit.
Solmar V rescues a dolphin
A group from the Solmar V live-aboard were diving at San Benedicto when they came across a dolphin tangled up in fishing line and having trouble swimming. It actually came over to the divemaster, Rey, as if to to ask for assistance. Rey says that he could clearly feel the dolphin communicating with him and asking for help. While he was assisting her, she turned belly up and patiently allowed him to unwrap the line from around her fins and tail. At one point, the dolphin even swam to the surface for more air and then returned to Rey so he could finish the job.
Adobe announces release candidates for Lightroom and Camera RAW
Adobe has released new release candidates for Lightroom and Camera RAW. These, entitled versions 3.4 and 6.4 respectively, introduce RAW support for: Canon EOS 600D (Rebel T3i / Kiss X5),Canon EOS 1100D (Rebel T3/Kiss X50), Hasselblad H4D-40, Olympus E-PL1s, Olympus E-PL2, Olympus XZ-1 and Samsung NX11 cameras. In addition, the updates improve on the existing lens correction profiles and introduces thirteen new ones. Lastly there are a number of bug fixes from the previous versions.
Lightroom 3.4 and Camera RAW 6.4 release candidates are available to download from Adobe Labs.
Photographer records remarkable nudibranch behavior
Brad Pryde captured an image of mating nudibranchs whilst diving in Tulamben, Bali in November 2010. He entered the image into the Ocean Art Photo competition 2010 in the compact camera behavior category where it received third prize and as a result of which it was viewed by Dr. Richard Willan, Curator of Molluscs at the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory, Australia. He determined that the image shows reciprocal mating between two different species, the first time that this has been recorded. For the record, the two molluscs are a Risbecia tryoni (above) and a Risbecia pulchella(below.) He concluded that:
“So certainly, these species have never heard of sex as a species-isolating mechanism!”
Daily Mail reports on manta and mobula fishing.
The UK Daily Mail has published an article about the fishing of manta and mobula rays. The paper states that Chinese practitioners believe the consumption of the ray’s gills helps reduce toxins in the blood by purifying and cooling it, reducing body temperature and aiding blood circulation, and that they boost the body’s immune system. One kilogram of gill rakers from a mature Indonesian manta sells for up to $200 in the dried seafood markets of China.
The rays are pulled from the ocean, either with fine gill nets or spears, and slaughtered to meet this growing demand and it is reported that in some fishing villages in Indonesia alone, fishermen are catching more than 2,000 mantas each year. Due to slow maturation and reproductive cycles, this level of harvesting is likely to be unsustainable, the paper reports.