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Lytro releases light field camera
Lytro has announced the release of a consumer light field camera. This new technology captures all the light rays in a scene, which provides new capabilities to the user, such as post-capture movement of the focus point. The new camera features a constant f2 lens with an 8x zoom and as it has no need to auto-focus, has no shutter lag. Lytro has desktop software in a Mac format available now, with a Windows version due in 2012. Wetpixel Publisher, Eric Cheng is Director of Photography at Lytro, so it would seem likely that an underwater housing for the new camera will be developed soon.
The Lytro 8GB camera will retail at $399 and the 16GB at $499, with both being available in early 2012.
Watershot releases new and upgraded video lights
Watershot has announced new and upgraded STRYKR LED lighting products. These new models feature dive and video lights heads that range from 900 to 3000 Lumens. The STRYKR video light heads now come in three varieties: 900, 1800, and 3000 Lumen. They use a separate battery pack, and Watershot offers a variety of these packs allowing the option of one or two light heads to be powered per battery pack.
The new models’ release dates and prices are still to be confirmed.
Mustard to speak at International Nature Photography Festival
Wetpixel Associate Editor, Alex Mustard, will be speaking at the nineteenth International Nature Photography Festival in Lünen, Germany on the 28 to 30 October. The event attracts a large audience from across Europe and also includes the award ceremony of the European Wildlife Photographer Of The Year. Presentations will be in English with translation into German.
The main festival is already sold out, however, Alex will be giving an additional full day seminar on “The Techniques of Underwater Photography”, aimed specifically at underwater photographers. Tickets are still available for this extra event which will take place on Friday 28 November, before the Festival.
Nauticam announces housing for Panasonic LUMIX GF3
Nauticam has announced the release of the NA-GF3 housing for the Panasonic LUMIX GF3 EVIL camera. It incorporates many existing Nauticam features including a shutter release sculpted into the housing, a four-way controller with a set button, rotary locking latches, mini locking port system and optical flash connectors. The new housing has an improved larger, concave video record and set button. Ports are currently available for: Lumix 14-42mm, Lumix 14mm/2.5, Lumix 8mm Fisheye, Lumix 7-14mm, Leica 45mm macro, Olympus 14-42mm and Olympus 9-18mm.
The NA-GF3 will be shipping on 31 October at a retail price of $1650.
Washington Post features article on Taiwan shark finning
The Washington Post has featured an article on the extent of shark finning that is going on in Taiwan. Featuring images shot by Wetpixel Senior Moderator, Shawn Heinrichs and Paul Hilton, as part of an awareness campaign by the Pew Environmental Group, the story emphasizes just how big a role Taiwan plays in the shark finning industry.
““These images present a snapshot of the immense scale of shark-fishing operations and show the devastation resulting from the lack of science-based management of sharks,“ said Matt Rand, director of global shark conservation at the Pew Environment Group. “Unfortunately, since there are no limits on the number of these animals that can be killed in the open ocean, this activity can continue unabated.”
Results of Wildlife Photographer of the Year announced
The results of the Veolia Environnement Wildlife Photographer of the Year have been announced. In the Underwater World category, Paul Solder took first place with his image of walruses entitled “The grace of giants”. In an interview, he describes capturing the image thus:
“‘Even before I slid off the iceberg into the sea, my heart was racing and my lips were turning blue,’ says Paul. ‘I had no idea what to expect, other than that, under water, these huge masses of flesh and tusk would swim with grace and power. And that’s what I wanted to show.’ Paul had gone to Svalbard in Arctic Norway hoping to photograph walruses under water. He knew they could be dangerous, but he planned to appear as unthreatening as possible and hoped that the walruses would just be curious about him. The first sight of one approaching out of the gloom was the gleam of white tusk. Paul instinctively used the glass dome of his camera housing as a shield. The walrus investigated him, pressing up against the dome, while its giant herd-mates slowly circled Paul. ‘Their curiosity satisfied,’ says Paul, ‘they moved off in search of something more entertaining than a hyperventilating photographer.”
He also took the Runner Up award in the category with an image of a swimming bear swiping at a passing salmon, with Specially Commended going to Clark Miller and Highly Commended awards to Alex Tattersall, Louis-Marie Préau, Thomas P. Peschak and Nuno Sá. The images will be displayed at the Natural History Museum, London until 11 March 2012. As always, many congratulations to all the finalists.
Wetpixel/DivePhotoGuide party at DEMA 2011
The by-now infamous Wetpixel/DivePhotoGuide DEMA party is being held on the poolside at the Rosen Center, International Drive, Orlando on Thursday 3 November, kicking off at 8pm. This event has become a major annual meeting of underwater image makers from all over the world and one of the few occasions when so many like-minded people meet under one “roof”. Wetpixel will be represented at DEMA this year by Adam Hanlon, Abi Smigel Mullens and Alex Mustard. We will be handing out invitations to the party on the DEMA floor over the first couple of days of the show so please feel free to grab one of us and demand one!
Many thanks to the party sponsors this year who are: Reef Photo and Video, Backscatter, Nauticam USA, Scubapix, Asian Geographic and Zen Underwater.
Pictures from the 2009 and 2010 party show just how good a time was had by all. 2011’s event is shaping up to be another humdinger. For those of you who can’t make it, all is not lost; we promise to report fully on all the events and happenings right here on Wetpixel.
Amphibico announces Genesis housing
Amphibico has announced the release of the Genesis housing for the Sony FS100U HXCAM HD camcorder. The new housing is machined from aluminum, and features full access to camcorder controls, a top mounted 3.5” window to view the camera’s LCD, a bayonet lens port mounting system that accepts existing Aquatica ports and an option to mount an Atomos Ninja HD recorder using an optional accessory.
Prices and expected release dates are still to be announced.