Articles
New product: Nauticam Flash Trigger for Canon
Nauticam has announced the imminent release of its flash trigger for Canon cameras. This will allow for fiber optic strobe triggering for Canon cameras that do not have built-in flashes, or faster recycle times for those with them. The strobe trigger supports manual exposure only and will work with a wide variety of Inon and Sea & Sea strobes.
Egypt travel warnings issued
The UK’s Foreign and Commonwealth Office is currently advising that foreign citizens should avoid traveling to some areas of Egypt in the light of the current instability. Their advice does not include travel to Red Sea resort areas: “In view of the continued unrest in Egypt, the FCO recommends against all but essential travel to Egypt except for resorts on the Red Sea in South Sinai and those resorts on the Egyptian mainland in Red Sea governorate.”
Japan in the dock: Australia and New Zealand go to court over whaling
A hearing is currently underway in the International Court of Justice (ICJ), The Hague, Netherlands which will rule over Japan’s use of a “scientific” rationale for continuing whaling in the Southern Oceans. Australia brought the case against Japan in the ICJ, which is highest court in the world. Historically, Japan has justified its whaling by using Article VIII of the International Convention for the Regulation of Whaling which allows for the harvesting of animals for research purposes.
Canon announces the EOS 70D
Canon has announced its release of the EOS 70D SLR. Positioned as a mid-level camera, it features a new APS-C 20.2 megapixel sensor with enhanced low-light performance and a native ISO range of 100-12800. It is also equipped with Canon’s new Dual Pixel CMOS AF phase detection autofocus and a new DIGIC 5+ image processor. For video, it will shoot 1080p full HD video up to 30 fps in either ALL-I or IPB codecs.
Federal government denies protection to great white sharks
The U.S. Federal National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) has declined to protect great white sharks (Carcharodon carcharias) off the coast of California under the Endangered Species Act. This was despite there being significant scientific evidence that the Californian populations consists of less than 350 animals. (Image from Shutterstock)
Lionfish found at depth off Florida
The submersible Antipodes has just found significant concentrations of invasive lionfish (Pterois sp.) at depths of between 100 and 265 ft off Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The fish are very efficient predators and since 1985, when they were first sighted in Florida, have been out-competing native species for prey.
Cenderawasih dive resort forced to close
Reports are coming in that Ahe Dive Resort, Cenderawasih Bay, Indonesia has been forced to close by the West Papua provincial government. Ahe was owned and operated by the local West Papuan community and was known for proving tourists with access to the interactions between local fishermen and whale sharks. (Photo from Shutterstock)
Sony updates its top-end compact cameras
Sony has announced upgrades to its top-end compact cameras. The RX100 II has an 20.2 megapixel back-illuminated APS-C Exmor sensor, which gives superior low light performance. It also now has a “multi interface hot shoe and HD filming in 24p/25p. The full frame sensor RX1 has been changed to the RX1R by having its low pass filter removed, giving superior details.