Wetpixel/Under The Jungle Cenote Workshop 2021
Articles
Nikon releases firmware update for D4 and D800
Nikon has announced firmware updates for the D4 (v.1.01), D800 (B v.1.01) and D800E (B v.1.01) SLRs. In the former case, the updates fixes: Camera hangs when a still image was captured while viewing existing images in playback mode, an issue that occurred when sending JPEG images via a network, the camera sent RAW images too and lastly, when an option that utilized the main command dial was selected for Custom Setting f15: Playback zoom, and an image was zoomed in or out with playback with certain settings applied, shooting shutter speed, aperture, and exposure compensation settings were sometimes changed.
In the case of the D800, the updates fixes the camera hang issue as above, and also the network issue when the camera is used with a wireless transmitter. It also fixes the problem of a dark shadow sometimes appearing at the bottom edge of images captured with Active D-Lighting set to any option other than Off with Image area set to 5:4 (30x24). The firmware update for the D800E fixes the same issue. The updates are free for camera owners and full details are on the Nikon Europe support site.
Underwater extendable monopod for GoPro cameras
I get asked every couple weeks about the underwater monopod / polecam pole I use with GoPro HERO cameras while SCUBA diving. There are probably quite a few options out there, but the monopod I’ve been using for over a year now is the Quik Pod DSLR Monopod
Howard Hall interviewed about filming sharks
Filmmaker Howard Hall has shared his experiences filming great white sharks, sea lions, leafy sea dragons and cuttlefish in South Australia in an interview carried out by One World One Ocean and posted on their YouTube channel. The interview also features footage from his trip.
Howard has been featured by the organization as one of their “Ocean Heroes” as he:
“…has been capturing amazing underwater images since the 1970’s, inspiring millions with his work.”
Inon announces LE-700-S light
Inon has announced the release of the LE-700-S LED torch which is being marketed as a “serious lighting device for underwater imaging with its wide variety of filters as well as powerful dive light”. It is powered by 3 x AA batteries which give it a burn time of 110 minutes. It is supplied with a set of filters and is constructed of aluminum with a rotary switch that cannot be completely unscrewed. There is also a variety of mounting options available for the light.
The LE-700-S is available now and local retail prices are still to be confirmed.
Berkley White on the 5D Mark III
Berkley White has posted some thoughts and demo video from early video testing of the Canon 5D Mark III in the cenotes of the Yucatan, Mexico. He was using a “hacked” housing which gave him limited access to controls, but found that the high ISO performance was far superior to that of the 5D Mark II in terms of noise. He debates the pros and cons of the new ALL-I video codec and finds that the 6fps frame rate and improved autofocus on the new camera rectify significant weaknesses in its predecessor. He concludes:
“And while it may be hard to distinguish between the 5D II clips and 5D III clips in the video above, you’ll be able to get the shot with the Mark III in conditions where you just simply couldn’t pull it off with the 5D Mark II.”
Getty Images prepares for sale or public offering
Hellman & Friedman, the U.S. private equity fund which bought the stock agency, Getty Images, four years ago is looking to either sell, or issue a public offering of the business, The Financial Times reports. Getty Images was founded in 1996 by Mark Getty and Jonathan Klein to bring the fragmented stock photography business into the digital age. It is now the world’s largest supplier of stock imagery but has been unpopular with content providers for some time, as it has been reducing costs, primarily by enforcing stricter contracts and paying less royalties.
Dpreview publishes in-depth review of Canon 5D Mark III
Dpreview.com has just published a review of the Canon 5D Mark III. The comprehensive 30 page review contains many sample images and a specific review of the camera’s performance in video mode. The reviewers find that it is weak in JPEG mode, and the video mode is not significantly improved over that of the 5D Mark II. They do find that it is “an extremely versatile photographic tool that is capable of great results in many shooting situations” but also feel that for those buying in to a top end system, the Nikon D800 may be a viable alternative.
GoPro features free-diving at Tiger beach
GoPro’s marketing for their new underwater housing features free diving sequences with Italian super model Roberta Mancino and pro surfer and free diver Mark Healy in the Bahamas. The filming was carried out at various dive sites on the island, including Tiger beach. Andy and Emma Casagrande were responsible for the footage which was all shot using GoPro HERO2 cameras in the new underwater housing.