Monday, May 10th, 2010

Sony NEX-3 APS-C compact digital camera leaked

Details about Sony’s upcoming NEX-3 APS-C rangefinder camera were leaked today by Digital Photography School. The new camera uses a Sony “E Series” lens mount and captures 14.2 megapixel images at 7 frames per second. APS-C-sized CMOS sensor. No details on video, but the specs do note that the camera will save videos in MP4.

It’s great to see the revival of large imaging areas in compact cameras; previous to the recent proliferation of APS-C-sized sensors in small cameras, it was virtually impossible to capture a high-quality image using a compact digital camera. Continue reading for full specs and photos of the NEX-3.

UPDATE: DPReview has published a preview.

Monday, May 10th, 2010

Christmas Island Underwater Festival 2010

The fourth annual Underwater Festival 2010 was recently held on the Christmas Islands, the first three having been held at Byron Bay on the Australian Mainland East Coast. It was co-organized by the Christmas Island Tourism Association. Linda Cash, staff members and local volunteers all put in a fantastic effort and provided a welcoming atmosphere, great food, social events and a seamless festival for the 34 participants.

The timing of this year’s Underwater Festival coincided with the end of the wet and whaleshark seasons on the island and the expectations of the visiting divers for the event were high…

Monday, May 10th, 2010

Fantasea release new, generic accessory lenses

Fantasea have announced the launch of a series of new lenses adapters and accessories designed to complement existing compact camera housings. The new line is branded Fantasea Eyes.

Primarily, there are two new lenses: the BigEye (wide angle) and SharpEye (macro). These can currently be attached to housings from Sony, Canon and Fujifilm, either via built in adapters, or by a 67mm threaded adapter, the EyeDaptor, that is also part of the line. The lenses are all “wet” meaning that they can be changed underwater, adding versatility.

In addition, Fantasea plan to have external red filters and lens holders included in the range.

Friday, May 7th, 2010

Gulf of Mexico oil spill

The fire and subsequent explosion on the Deepwater Horizon drilling platform on April 20 this year has set in motion the worst oil pollution incident in the Americas since the Exxon Valdez disaster on March 24 1989. The uncapped oil well is releasing an official estimate of 5000 barrels (21000 gallons) per day, although many are saying that this may actually be closer to 60,000 barrels (252,0000 gallons). By comparison, the Valdez incident released an estimated total of 250,000 barrels.

Thursday, May 6th, 2010

Underwater Photography magazine issue 54 available

The May/June 2010 edition of Peter Rowland’s online Underwater Photography magazine is now available for download. In UwP issue 54, Berkley White and Jim Decker present their round up of point and shoot cameras, Dan Bolt presents a study of the John Dory and Kristian Taylor rounds up Florida muck diving, and more.

A always, UwP is a free download in PDF form.

Tuesday, May 4th, 2010

Spots still open for Wetpixel’s Alaska 2011 trip

Join Eric Cheng and Alex Mustard in an underwater photography expedition to Alaska in June 11-23, 2011. We’ll be aboard the liveaboard dive vessel, the Nautilus Explorer, for 13 days of exploration between Sitka and Ketchikan.

Photographic subjects will likely include beautiful Alaskan topside scenery, kelp forests, white plume anemone forests, Steller’s sea lions, rockfish, anemones, crabs, shrimp, amphipods, ratfish, and much more. Reef walls are nearly 100% covered in bright orange, red and yellow invertebrates! I can’t wait to go back.

Click through for full details! (and be sure to check out the Wetpixel expeditions page for all of our trips)

Tuesday, May 4th, 2010

Dive and Travel Expo to be held in Tacoma, WA, 22-23 May 2010

The Dive and Travel Expo is holding its second annual photo and video contest on May 22-23, 2010 at the Tacoma Convention Center, Tacoma, Washington. It will give amateur photographers and videographers a chance to compete with their peers from across the Northwest and around the world to win great prizes and have their work published in the “Northwest Dive News Magazine”. The contest is open to all amateurs who enjoy capturing underwater scenery.

Tuesday, May 4th, 2010

Olympus Launches the Pen Your Story Challenge

Olympus is running a contest for the best “vision” of what you’d do with your own Olympus PEN camera (and underwater housing, for this community). We think there could be some really great proposals from underwater photographers.

Six proposal winners will get PEN cameras and the funds to bring their proposals to life, and one winner will have his/her work displayed on the giant video board at the US Open. Continue reading for full press release.

Monday, May 3rd, 2010

Nature’s Best Ocean Views 2010 winners announced

Nature’s Best Photography Magazine has announced winners of its 2010 Ocean Views photo contest. Selected from more than 10,000 images, 29 photos have been selected as winners and highly honored. All winning images will be published in the next issue of Nature’s Best Photography magazine due out later this month.

A full list of winners follows, but you’ll have to wait until the magazine ships to see the actual images.

Monday, May 3rd, 2010

Aquatica’s housings for Sony HDR XR550V/CX550 & Pro HXR-MC50 HD

Aquatica has announced another new housing in their HD Wave series for the popular Sony HDR XR550V/CX550 and Pro HXR-MC50 HD cameras. This all aluminum housing features mechanical controls for all key camera functions, and a new 30 degree angled 3.5” viewfinder. It also has a touch screen control for all menu access, including the manual white balance function. The 6.5lbs(3kg) housing has a wide angle port with macro capabilities, giving a multi-purpose performance lens with about 90˚ FOV and full zoom through, right up to 15” from the subject. A dedicated macro flat port is also available as an extra.

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