Sea&Sea Announces Release of Nikon and Canon TTL Converters June 7, 2006
Posted by Andy Carroll in : Equipment, Photography , add a comment
If you are using a Sea and Sea DSLR underwater housing then this news might be useful for you. Sea & Sea have just released a true Through the Lens (TTL) flash unit for the DX-DX200 and the DX-5D Housings;
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New underwater HID (Xenon Arc) Video Light from NiteRider May 18, 2006
Posted by Andy Carroll in : Equipment, Photography , add a commentDivelights International, Inc. have introduced a new dual beam U/W video light for professional quality filming and video. Here is the press release;
The HID Pro 40 U/W Video Light is a compact yet powerful lighting system comprised of two light heads, each housing two 10-watt HID lamps producing a combined light output equivalent to 160 watts of conventional light. The 4 lamps produce an exceptional 6000-degree color temperature and each dual beam headlamp comes with a selectable power switch allowing for a full range of filming modes from close up to wide angle. The switches located on each headlamp give you the choice of having 1 to 4 lamps on at any time. For macro shots only one or two lamps are needed. For wide-angle distant shots you can switch on all 4 lamps. The adjustability solves the problem of the “white out” effect that other hi-wattage HID video lights have during close ups…
The compact and lightweight 13.2-volt 4-amp hour NiMH battery can be easily mounted under most underwater video housings. Burn times are from 50 minutes with all 4 lamps to 4 hours with one lamp. This complete video light system comes with two articulating light arms, an advanced 2.5 hour international smart charging system and a handy travel / storage case. Also included is a hand mount so the light can be used as a dive light. Price $2,599.00 For further information on this and other NiteRider products, call +1-858-268-3850 or visit http://www.niteriderdive.com
SanDisk Sponsors 2006 Red Sea UnderWater Photography Competition In Israel April 13, 2006
Posted by Andy Carroll in : News, Photography , add a commentIt appears that underwater photographers are starting to attract the major manufacturers. I saw this latest news piece today regarding SanDisk, who manufacture a number of things including memory cards for cameras;
SanDisk Corporation will sponsor the Red Sea International Underwater Photo competition in Eliat, Israel on April 24 – 29. The contest is already attracting photographers from all over the world, representing Denmark, Egypt, France, Germany, Israel, Italy, Hungary, Poland, Philippines, Russia, Spain, Switzerland, Sweden, and the USA.
The participating underwater photographers will have three days to shoot their photographs before the submission deadline. In order to get the best shots, divers usually dive to about 100 feet. The photographers are restricted to only 25 minutes of shooting time per dive due to water pressure and air supply constraints. There is no room for error. Fast read and write speeds with their digital film cards as well as reliable, high capacity storage are needed because while submerged, changing or replacing flash film cards is impossible and every shot taken is critical.
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Olympus E-330 Underwater Photography Pro kit March 29, 2006
Posted by Andy Carroll in : Photography , 1 comment so farOlympus have specifically targetted scuba divers underwater photographers with this latest announcement. I like Olympus cameras and use the 7070 myself, but this looks like an ideal package.
Olympus E-330 Underwater Pro kit : Olympus will introduce the Olympus E-330 Underwater Pro kit to accompany the sales start of the Olympus E-330, and thereby provide customised, professional solutions. Key element in the kit is, of course, the Olympus E330 DSLR body, a remarkable feat of technology. It is the world’s first digital SLR to provide continuous live previews. Now, instead of being forced to frame compositions by looking through the viewfinder, photographers have the freedom of framing while looking at the live preview on the camera’s large 6.4cm HyperCrystal LCD. Extending usability even further, the screen can be tilted up 90° and down 45° to provide unparalleled shooting and framing ease.
PowerShot A540 Digital Camera ideal for Scuba divers, says Canon February 22, 2006
Posted by Andy Carroll in : Photography , add a commentCanon have recently announced their new range of digital cameras and one model in particular looks like it is worth considering from a scuba diving point of view. Here’s a few details of the range from Canon’s press release;
Canon’s newest A-Series digital cameras - the six-megapixel PowerShot A700 and the PowerShot A540 models, add an array of advanced, enhanced, yet easy-to-use features into compact and eminently affordable packages.
Among the featured enhancements on the PowerShot A540 and A700 digital cameras is a newly designed six-megapixel image sensor that together with Canon’s proprietary DIGIC II image processor helps to dramatically reduce “noise” for better image quality and achieves ISO equivalent speed ratings ranging from 80 to 800. This increased sensitivity allows the use of faster shutter speeds, thereby reducing the effects of camera shake and subject blur during hand-held photography in low light.
The A700 and the A540 can brilliantly capture fleeting images in the blink of an eye. What’s more, a quick review of the shot on any of these cameras’ big and bright LCD monitor reveals whether that image comprises the perfect moment captured forever or whether it should be condemned to death by deletion (in time to take another photo worth keeping).
From close-ups capturing the unabashed joy of a baby’s face, all wide-eyed innocence, chubby cheeks and gummy grin; or powerful panoramas, vast vistas and once-in-a-lifetime looks at nature’s wonders, to the family functions and memorable milestones that punctuate life’s journey, these new pocket- or purse-sized PowerShot digital cameras easily create enduring images that depict and define special moments in time.
It looks like it is only the A540 model which will have an underwater housing and Canon has this to say;
PowerShot A540 Digital Camera
Except for its retractable 4x optical zoom lens with a focal length of 35-140mm (35mm equivalent); the PowerShot A540 digital camera is virtually identical to the PowerShot A700 model. Like the PowerShot A700 digital camera, the PowerShot A540 model features six-megapixel resolution and a 2.5-inch LCD screen. It also accepts Canon’s optional wide and tele converter lenses as well as a close-up lens and wireless flash. An optional waterproof housing system (with a depth rating of 40m/130 feet) is available expressly for the PowerShot A540 camera, making this model a natural for underwater photo enthusiasts, SCUBA divers and even snorkelers. Replacing 2005’s top-selling PowerShot A520 model, the PowerShot A540 digital camera will be available in March for an estimated selling price of $299.99.
Pentax Optio W10 underwater camera reviewed February 16, 2006
Posted by Andy Carroll in : Photography , add a commentDPreview have collected loads of info on the new Pentax Optio W10 camera. One interesting point about this camera is that you can use it without a housing to a depth of 1.5 mtrs. Although this doesn’t sound like such a big deal it will be ideal for shallow snorkelling or just having a camera to use on the boat without worrying about it getting wet.
Regarding the underwater performance of the camera, the Optio W10 complies with JIS class 8 waterproof performance, enabling it to withstand up to 30 minutes of continuous operation at an underwater depth of 1.5 meters. Furthermore, the Optio W10 has also been proven to conform to Class 5 dustproof performance of category 2 (machines produced to prevent internal changes in atmospheric pressure). Such capabilities make it ideal for use when skiing, taking part in marine sports, going fishing or enjoying other outdoor events. Waterproof performance of this kind also means users can simply rinse the camera off any time it becomes dirty.
As well as the underwater performance the camers general performance seems pretty good. It includes a 3X optical zoom lens that covers focal lengths from 6.3 to 18.9 mm (equivalent to 38 to 114 mm for 35mm film) and features a folding optical system so the lens never protrudes from the camera while zooming. Optical components have been redesigned for higher resolution, delivering advanced image quality that takes full advantage of the raw power of 6.0 effective megapixels.
Maybe one to put on your shopping list next time you look for a camera for light underwater use and for use on the boat.
