Articles
Irix announces 150mm macro lens
Irix has announced that they will be producing a manual focus 150mm f/2.8 macro lens. It offers a 1:1 magnification ratio at 0.345 m (0.92 ft) and a maximum aperture of f/32. It will be available with Nikon F, Canon EF, and Pentax K mounts and is constructed with 12 elements in 9 groups, and an 11 bladed aperture diaphragm.
Don Silcock: The Incredible Leafy Seadragon
Don Silcock has shared a detailed and comprehensive primer focusing on Australia’s iconic leafy sea dragons (Phycodurus eques). He discusses where to find them, their biology, threats to the species and how best to find and photograph these amazing creatures underwater.
Maldivian police destroy Jason deCaires Taylor sculpture
Jason deCaires Taylor’s “Sculpture Coralarium” has been destroyed by police in the Maldives. The semi-submergerd structure and sculptures was destroyed using pick axes, ropes, and saws in front of the Fairmont Maldives Sirru Fen Fushi resort on Friday of this past week. The move came after a civil court ordered the destruction of the artwork. Former president Abdulla Yameen, who did not win re-election this weekend, ordered the removal in July.
Basking sharks recorded breaching off the coast of Ireland
Basking sharks have been recorded breaching off the coast of Ireland. Scientists used a monitoring device secured to a 25 foot basking shark that recorded a breaching event after three hours. Additionally, the team recorded 20 breaches from basking sharks while being filmed from shore. Although the team was able to record breaching events as well as estimate speeds during the events, the question of why basking sharks breach is still unanswered.
GoPro announces HERO7 cameras
GoPro has announced three HER07 cameras. The Black camera offers Hypersmooth in-camera image stabilization and recording in 4K60 video, 1080p240, and 12MP photos. Both the Silver and White versions have some stabilization with recording at 4K30 and 1440/60 respectively. All the models are waterproof to 33 ft (10 m) without a housing.
Episode 6 of Timor-Leste From Below has been released
Episode 6 of the Scubazoo web series Timor-Leste from Below has been released. This episode focuses on the very special sperm whales of Timor-Leste. “Once feared by sailors on the high seas, sperm whales hold a special place in human history. However despite being the largest predator on the planet these ocean giants are greatly misunderstood. Bertie ventures into the waters off Dili, Timor-Leste to try and encounter a real life Moby Dick!”
Alien Skin releases Exposure X4
Alien Skin has released Exposure X4 RAW photo editing and organizing tool. It has a new rendering engine that improved highlights and shadow recovery, light effects, perspective and keystone correction, smart collection and performance improvements.
Lone narwhal adopted by beluga pod in St. Lawrence River
A wayward narwhal, that has been spotted for the last three years in the St. Lawrence River, has been hanging out with some friendly beluga whales. A video shot in July shows the narwhal swimming among a pod of juvenile male beluga whales. The video was shot by the Group for Research and Education on Marine Mammals (GREMM), a not for organization that focuses on whale research, conservation, and education.
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