Wetpixel/Under The Jungle Cenote Workshop 2021
Articles
Backscatter appointed as Olympus distributor
Monterey based retailer, Backscatter Underwater Photo and Video, has been appointed as the distributor for Olympus Underwater products for North America and the Caribbean. They will assume responsibility for selling Olympus products to dive and watersports outlets. Backscatter CEO, Jim Decker said:
“In the past few years Olympus has shown a renewed commitment to the dive market with their PEN and tough series lines. We look forward to working with Olympus, dive shops, and dealers. Weʼll also be distributing third party accessories so our dealers will be able to offer to their customers a complete ready to dive underwater camera system.”
Discounted RED Scarlet cameras available
In perhaps direct comparison to this morning’s GoPro announcement, RED are offering a “truckload” of used RED Scarlet cameras at a significant discount. The cameras have been used once on a specific project, and have less than a minute of recording time each, but are being offered at a $4,800 discount. They are being supplied with an SSD module, Canon mount and full warranty with an option to exchange the MX sensor to RED’s upcoming Dragon model.
Full details of the deal are available on the RED user forum.
Review: Snake River Prototyping Dome for GoPro
Fabrice Charleux, owner and editor of Plongeur.com, provides a review of the Snake River Prototyping (SRP) Dome filter for the GoPro HERO2 POV cam. The GoPro benefits from color correction underwater, and the Dome, produced by SRP in conjunction with URPRO sets out to restore the lack of red light, and to enhance contrast. Fabrice was able to test a prototype version in Tahiti, and found that it provided very good results at reasonable depths.
Group witnesses illegal fishing in Komodo
A group diving on castle rock in the Komodo National Park has witnessed a liveaboard crew hand-line fishing within the no-take zone of the park. The crew ceased fishing when asked to by the divers, but their actions called into question the viability of asking local people to observe conservation oriented fishing practices when the “tourist” boats do not practice them. The groups raised these issues with the boat’s owners upon their return and received a very positive response to their complaints.
Whilst the issues around fishing within the National Park remain, this story shows how people can positively effect a change by simply they have observed.
eBook guide to diving in Bali released
A free eBook guide to diving in Bali, Indonesia has been released by Stefan Russel and Mads Rode of Vilondo Vilas. The 35 page book describes the diving at Nusa Dua, Nusa Lembongan, Nusa Penida, Amuk Bay, Gili Islands, Amed to Gili Selang, Tulamben, Pemuteran, Menjangan Island and Gilimanuk Bay to Secret Bay.
The eBook is available now as a free download.
Zen Underwater to support Olympus EP08 housing
Zen Underwater has announced a new 100mm (4”) optical glass dome for the Olympus PT-EP08 housing for the OM-D E-M5 EVIL camera. The DP-100-EP08 dome supports the use of the Panasonic Lumix G Fisheye 8mm f/3.5 lens. In addition, Zen has launched an adapter allowing the use of ports from previous PT series housings on the PT-EP08.
Both the new dome and the adaptor will be available from 15 October. They are priced at $799 and $100 respectively.
Inon announces LE350 focus light
Inon has announced the release of a new 350 lumen focus or video light. The LE350 has an aluminum body, a rotary on/off switch and can be used both underwater and topside. It will burn for about 165 minutes on three AA batteries. The torch has a 30° beam, which can be widened to about 60° by using the supplied “w” filter and it is also supplied with a red filter, which can be used to avoid disturbing sensitive marine life.
The LE350 will be available from 13 October with prices to be determined. Inon are also offering an upgrade light head for owners of previous LE series lights.
DEMA 2012: IRC schedule released
DEMA has released its schedule of talks and events to be held at the Imaging Resource Center during the 2012 DEMA show. The show is changing its venue for 2012 to the Sands Exhibition Center and will run from Wednesday, November 14 to Saturday, November 17. Wetpixel will, as usual, be attempting to bring the show to those who can’t be there, with Editor Adam Hanlon, Senior Moderators Abi Smigel Mullens and Dave Burroughs and Publisher Eric Cheng attending. Norbert Wu will also be providing us with show coverage.
For those that will be there, the infamous Wetpixel/DivePhotoGuide party is definitely the one event you cannot miss! Details are still being worked out at present, but as soon as we have finalized things, we will post about it here.