Wetpixel/Under The Jungle Cenote Workshop 2021
Articles
1st Annual DEEP Indonesia Photo Contest
On the heels of announcing the 2nd-annual, U.S.A.-based international photo and video competition, Wetpixel & DivePhotoGuide have organized a second international competition in association with DEEP Indonesia, Indonesia’s first-ever diving, adventure-travel and water-sports expo. Never before have 2 international competitions associated with dive expos on opposite sides of the world cooperated to establish a complementary series of categories and prizing opportunities.
Photographers will compete in 7 themed categories to win photo equipment, dive gear, premium dive travel packages to some of the top photo destinations in the world, and more…
Amphibico’s EVO PRO HDV Underwater Housing Review
Wetpixel video moderator Paul Wags has posted an in-depth review of the Amphibico EVO PRO HD underwater housing for Sony HVR-A1 and HDR-HC1 HDV camcorders:
While the Phenom is a solid housing and has been designed to last for many years, for the average diver or a diver who travels frequently, the huge Phenom may prove to be a little cumbersome. However, Amphibico have overcome any concern with size when designing the EVO housing for the smaller Sony A1/HC1 HDV cameras, allowing everyone to shoot high-definition underwater video…
Be sure to also read Wags’ review of the Amphibico Phenom housing for the Sony FX1/Z1.
Pre-Photokina 2006 Announcements
Digital Photography Review is doing a great job posting pre-Photokina 2006 announcements. In pre-show craziness so far, there have been 74 new products announced, including a Leica M8 digital rangefinder (which I am really excited about even though it will have little-to-no impact for underwater photography). Most of the announcements so far have been incremental updates to existing models, with 10-megapixel compact cameras being the new standard.
In other trends, new SLRs are all featuring anti-dust sensor vibration, and compact cameras are starting to produce acceptable high(er)-ISO images. In particular, Fujifilm compacts have been producing images with relatively low noise levels when compared to offerings by other brands.
Digideep Apparel!
Our good friends at Digideep have announced a line of clothing designed for the underwater photographer. Sweaters, polo shirts, and different styles of t-shirts are all being offered with the words digital snapper or strobe power featured on the back, at a price range of 15 to 39 Euros ($20-$50 USD) before shipping.
For sample photos and ordering information, check out the apparel...
Divester/Wetpixel T-shirt Design Contest
Wetpixel and the fabulous photo-folks at Divester are pleased to announce our first joint t-shirt design contest, and we need your help! Deadline for entries is September 30. After the deadline, Divester and Wetpixel will narrow the submissions to a slate of finalists. Then, we will reveal the finalists and allow you to vote for your favorite shirt. Thereafter, we’ll accept orders for the shirts for about 2 weeks. Depending on the design, expect each t-shirt to cost roughly $15-18. Any profits will be donated to a non-profit involved in ocean conservation.
Gates Sony HVR-Z1U HD Housing Review
Wetpixel member Mark Thorpe (CamDiver) has written an excellent comprehensive review of the Gates Underwater Housing for the Sony HVR-Z1U 3CCD High Definition Video Camcorder. Based in Palau, Mark had the opportunity to put the housing and its accessories through a number of dives to fully understand and evaluate the capabilities of the system. Mark writes:
For professional everyday use it is a compliment to any serious shooter. It’s relatively straightforward to use and is a means to an end. It allows the user full access to the required controls for all applications of underwater shooting ... This system certainly allows you to shoot exactly to your style.
The 14-page PDF review is full of photos of the housing in various stages of assembly, of the system in use, and from videos of the dives. A must-read for anyone in the market for a new video housing.
Apple Spotlights DiveFilm Podcast Video!
DiveFilm Podcast Video, produced in association with Wetpixel.com, has been chosen by Apple as one of its “Featured Video Podcasts, TV & Film,” along with other video podcasts including National Geographic Video Shorts and HBO Documentary Films. DiveFilm Podcast Video is the first diving-related podcast to achieve this level of recognition at iTunes.
Prior to the announcement, Apple released an updated version of iTunes to handle its new feature film download service, and revamped the iTunes interface in the process placing more emphasis on its video podcast selections.
The move comes as DiveFilm Podcasts released its latest episode, “Video Lives” by Paul and Kelly Wags. The two are videographers and dive professionals based in Western Australia, and they created “Video Lives” about their region and its diving.
“‘Video Lives’ is a wonderful introduction for a general audience to the ocean, diving and underwater imaging. It’s a great film to have up as the episode that will be seen first by new subscribers who learn about the podcasts through Apple’s promotion,” said DiveFilm producer, Mary Lynn Price.
Pentax K10D
Today Pentax announced it’s newest dSLR. The 10.2 megapixel K10D, designed for “advanced photo enthusiasts.” It has a number of very interesting features that are dSLR firsts. It has a 22bit analog to digital converter which Pentax claims improves colour graduations. Most importantly for underwater photographers, it has a TAv mode where you choose the shutter speed and aperature, and the camera picks the ISO automatically for proper exposure. In other modes, when in auto ISO, you can input upper and lower limits for the ISO. (Why has it taken so long for camera makers to realize how useful these two very easy to implement features would be?) The K10D body will ship by November 2006 for US $899.95, and as a kit with the DA 18-55mm lens for US $999.95. Continue reading for the full press release from Pentax.