Underwater Photography and Videography, News, Forums, Trips, Photo Contests :: Wetpixel.com

Aquatica has sent us some photos of their upcoming A70 underwater housing for the Nikon D70 Digital SLR. The housing should start shipping in about a week, with a retail price of $1689 USD.

Inon America is now stocking new AD Bayonet Mount Bases and fiber optic kits for the Nikon WP-CP1 and WP-CP2 housings, Fijufilm WP-FX701 housing, and Olympus PT-024 housing. The Mount Bases securely attach to the housings to provide stable attachment points for various accessories.

For more information, see Inon's website:

Nikon CP1 & CP2 Housing Support [Press Release] [News Release]

Fujifilm FX701 Housing Support [Press Release] [News Release]

Olympus PT-024 Housing Support [Press Release] [News Release]

A bit late on this one, guys, but I've been away. :) Canon has announced their new flagship professional SLR, the 1Ds Mk II, which features a 16.7 megapixel full-frame sensor and 4 frame-per-second shooting speed. It appears to share the same body as the Canon 1D Mk II, which will be good news for those of you who are on the list for Seacam housings. Read the press release at Steve's Digicams, or see a preview report at DPReview.

Today, Nikon announced the upcoming release of their Coolpix 8400 compact 8 megapixel digital camera. This compact uses the 8 megapixel Sony sensor popular in the Sony 828, Oly 8080, and Coolpix 8800. However, unlike these cameras, it doesn't sport a long zoom lens - instead using a 24-85mm equivalent optic, just about the perfect focal length for a mid-range zoom. This small unit may be just what compact underwater camera users are looking for as a replacement for the 5 megapixel Oly 5050 and Coolpix 5000. [Ed]It's been a while since I've been excited about a compact camera, because manufacturers have been leaning toward massive "prosumer" models. If Nikon or a 3rd party comes out with an affordable housing, this will be the camera I recommend.[/Ed]

Nikon today announced the long-awaited D2x professional digital SLR camera.  This camera captures twice as many megapixels as the body that it replaces, using the same DX format sensor size.  Some of the important specs for underwater shooters:

12.4 Megpixels CMOS
ISO 100 - 800
iTTL and dTTL compatible
5fps
Shutter flash sync at 1/250th with high speed iTTL sync
High (12.4) and low (6.8 megapixel) resolution shooting modes
Enhanced Wifi features

Excellent news for underwater shooters is that a number of housing manufacturers have already developed housings for the Nikon D2h which shares the same body as the D2x so hopefully housings will be available soon.

Looking for the ultimate in underwater imaging innovation? Look no further than Light & Motion’s completely re-designed Bluefin VX2100 housing for Sony’s 3 chip VX2100 and PD170 camcorders...

The deadline for the 42nd Annual International Underwater Photographic Competition is closing in fast!! All entries must be received by September 24, 2004. The results of the judging will be posted on the web by November 19, 2004. Awards include liveaboard and land-based dive trips, video and photo equipment. Categroies include slides, prints and videos.

The Monterey Shootout 2004 results have been posted. Very impressive shots, in both film and digital categories.

José A. Fernández wrote me to tell me that Subtronic has announced the mini EOS 300D ETTL strobe, which apparently does ETTL with the Canon EOS 300D Digital Rebel. More information can currently (as of now) be seen on Subtronic's home page, and in a pdf with the same information in it. Check out the thread in the forums for a translation!

Ikelite has recently posted a note on their website about the October availability of a eTTL to TTL bridge, which will allow Ikelite DS-50 and DS-125 SubStrobes to do TTL with the Canon EOS 300D Digital Rebel. Existing housings will have a retrofit option available starting in December. [discuss this in the forums]