Wetpixel/Under The Jungle Cenote Workshop 2021
Articles
eTTL2 Converter with 2nd Curtain Sync
Wetpixel user Laz Ruda reports that Matthias Heinric has completed his eTTL2 converter and is in the final development stage of a firmware upgrade that will support 2nd curtain sync on the Rebel, D60, 10D and 20D at all shutterspeeds. The digital adapter is a solid state circuit that goes between your camera’s hotshoe and the camera’s internal bulkhead wiring. Currently, 2nd curtain sync with a Canon body can only be obtained when using a Canon speedlite, so this is a major feature addition for Canon shooters.
Favorite photographers discussion
Who are the photographers you admire the most, and why? Please join us in the forums area and let us know your thoughts.
Polecam discussion in the forums
There’s a great discussion going on in the Wetpixel forums about using still cameras on the end of poles (often called “polecamming”).
Topics so far include hardware used to connect a pole to your camera, manual vs. electronic shutter release, getting “pole swiped” when standing behind a polecammer, and more.
Remember to check out the Best of Wetpixel forum area for must-read topics!
Sea & Sea announces 8000G/DX-8000G digital underwater camera
Sea & Sea Japan has announced the 8.2-megapixel 8000G digital camera and DX-8000G underwater housing (sold in a set). The DX-8000G housing works with both the 8000G camera and its 5-megapixel predecessor, the 5000G.
The 8000G features a brisk, 0.10-second shutter lag (including autofocus—quite good for a point & shoot), movie mode, 26MB of built-in memory (expandable, using SD media), manual exposure control, and a “Color Depth” setting that “allows adjustments to chroma and contrast to match the demanding conditions of underwater lighting.”
The 8000G itself looks to be a re-branded Ricoh GX8. I haven’t heard anything about whether the Sea & Sea has any additional features over Ricoh’s version.
Backscatter Neutral Density Underwater Filter System
At this month’s Seaspace convention, James Watt showed some photos during his Digital Workshop that he took in Indonesia using a new filtering technique that results in dramatic improvement in the appearance of the sun in the frame. The photos were taken using a system under development by Berkley white of Backscatter.com. I had a discussion with Berkley today about his use of neutral density filters to aid underwater photography. He has developed a system where this type of filter can be mounted on a fisheye lens and the camera housing’s zoom control can be used to position the dark part of the filter to help control the sunburst effect.
Berkley White Socorro D2x Gallery
Berkley White has posted a gallery of photos from his recent trip to Socorro Island. He used a Subal ND2 Housing and the FE2 dome with the 12-24DX lens. There was a recent discussion here at Wetpixel about this lens’ performance and these photos provide an example of putting this lens to its ideal use.
Olympus Announces a Dome Port for the “E” System
Olympus announced yesterday on their website the upcoming release of a dome port, extension ring, and zoom gear, to use the Zuiko 7-14mm F4 wideangle zoom lens underwater in the PT-E01 housing. Olympus expects to release the port system in July, but no pricing info was given - however the dome is glass so it will not be a “budget” accessory. According to Olympus they: “now offer a range of 4 underwater lens ports and 2 underwater extension rings to support professional underwater photography using its 6 “Designed for Digital” ZUIKO DIGITAL lenses.” Of special interest was a hint that they plan to offer a fisheye lens in the future.
Inon Z220F Strobe Replaces Z220
Inon has released a new strobe, called the Z220F. The Z220 has been discontinued and replaced by this new strobe. The main difference between the two is that the “F” model has a focus light that can be turned on and off by the photographer, and it does not have an aiming laser. Click on the full article for a larger photo and the press release from Inon.