EdgeDiveTech has announced that it has added an additional dimmer switch to its Ultra Series video light canister. This allows the user to fine-tune the output of each light head independently.
The Ultra Series video lights feature an output of 18,000 total lumens, via two 100 watt LED heads each fitted with a “Pulse Width Modulator” controller.
Tal Mor has reviewed the Nikon Coolpix P7000 compact camera and the Fantasea FP7000 housing. He finds that overall the combination represents excellent value in a small and light package with excellent image quality, although it still seems to have a common problem associated with compacts: Long write times with RAW files.
DiveFilm HD Video has released Rusty Sanoian’s Florida cave and cavern scooter dive video, “Ginnie Springs, Diving with the Devil” as a high-definition podcast on iTunes. The film was shot entirely with a Canon 5DMkII mounted onto a DiveX Cuda scooter. Original soundtrack music is by Jim Decker.
DiveFilm HD Video podcasts are available as free downloads on iTunes and are produced in association with Wetpixel.com.
Andrew Schär has published results of tests he has conducted using a Canon 60D in video mode at various ISO settings. It has been rumoured for some time, that Canon SLRs have a “sweet” ISO if the setting is 160 or a multiple thereof. The tests show that the best ISO’s to use for video, starting from lowest noise level to highest are as follows: 160, 320, 640, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1250, 125, 250, 500, 1000, 1600, 2500, 2000, 3200, 4000, 5000, 6400.
Interestingly, Andrew has found that 160 is also the best setting for still photography. The results of his test are published on Vimeo.
X-Ray International Magazine issue 42 is out and available to download. It features articles by Nuno Sá on diving the Azores; Kelly LaClaire and Kate Clark on a dive trip to Grenada; Rémi Masson on freshwater diving in the River Rhône; Scott Johnson on Humpback Whales in the Dominican Republic; Lawson Wood on False Killer Whales in Dominica and Christian Skauge on space diving in Germany. Matt Weiss and Joseph Tepper write on composition in underwater photography and American textile artist Betty Busby shares her intriquite quilts of underwater scenes and marine life.
The magazine is available as a free pdf download.
Maria Damanaki, EU commissioner for fisheries, will unveil a trial project in the Mediterranean this month, which will see fishermen equipped with nets to round-up plastic detritus rather than their more customary catch. The plastic will then be recycled, and although the scheme will initially rely on subsidies, the aim is that the sale of the recyclable material will eventually meet the costs of the operation. The collection of plastic will also help prevent the damage that it causes to fish, marine animals and birds.
The Guardian goes on to report that Ms Damanaki will offer the scheme as an incentive to appease fisheries groups as she pushes forward to legislate against the wasteful practice of discarding by-catch. Two-thirds of the fish caught are currently discarded, usually dead, as fleets exceed their quota, unintentionally catch juveniles or species for which they lack a quota, or because they prioritize higher value fish and throw away lesser species.
Underwater Journal issue 20 is now available to download. Articles in this issue include Joseph Dovala’s Kelpology: the anatomy of a Kelp Forest, a feature on Guam’s marine preserves by Tim Rock, a full review of Light & Motion’s Sola 600 Photo and diving at British Columbia’s God’s Pocket.
The magazine is available as a free pdf download or as an iBook version for iPad users.
LensRentals.com offer a service providing lenses, camera bodies, lighting and accessories for hire. This is an ideal way to experiment with different equipment, or to fill a short-term gap due to breakage or loss. They offer lenses and equipment from all the major manufacturers, including those for EVIL cameras. They will allow their goods to be used internationally by arrangement, but due to issues around customs, they must be delivered to (and returned from) a US address. They have agreed to offer a 5% discount to Wetpixel members on rentals if they quote the coupon code “wetpixel”.
The May/June issue of Underwater Photography (UwP) magazine is now available to download. Issue 60 includes articles about: Raja Ampat by Carlos Virgili, Antarctica by Chris Sterritt, the Amazon by Oliver Lucanus and Blue Heron Bridge by Mark Sagovac. Product and technique reviews include the Fantasea FP7000, Sigma 8-16mm lens, snorkeling, selective lighting, and photographic technical diving. In addition, there are pages of news, announcements and editorial content.
UwP magazine runs to 84 pages, and is available as a free download in pdf format.
Volker and Nimu Bassen have posted an excerpt from their World Best Dive Destinations DVD onto the forum. “Papa Shillingi” is a documentary made by Volker and Katrin Ender about East African whale sharks, and the threats they face. The title comes from the Kenyan legend that God and his angels were so pleased with their creation of the whale shark that they sprinkled silver coins over it (reflecting its markings). Shillingi means silver coins.
The proceeds of the sale of their DVD will go to the East African Whale Shark Trust.