Articles
James Wiseman’s Buoyancy Collar Review
Since I started underwater digital photography, I’ve dove with a number of different camera and housing combinations. The one thing they all shared is that they all had different handling characteristics underwater…:-) For me, the two most important of these characteristics have always been size, and in-water weight. This article describes a way to optimize the in-water weight of your rig – and shows how I made a buoyancy collar for my system. If you are interested in making some kind of buoyancy module for your set-up, I encourage you to make a closed-cell foam ring to fit around your port, or around your strobe arms. For a few hours of work and less than $100 you can make a useful underwater photography tool, and one that will help you take better photographs.
Message from 32,000 feet
As far as we know, Wetpixel co-administrator Alex Mustard has set a new record, participating in an active discussion in the forums from 32,000 feet above sea level! We highly encourage more of our members to do the same. Have a great time in Bali, Alex. We look forward to seeing what you return with.
Sea & Sea VX-G1 housing for Panasonic NV-GS250
Sea & Sea has launched the VX-G1 housing for the Panasonic NV-GS250 digital video camera. Designed for simplicity, the new housing uses an optical viewfinder, can support an optional external monitor, and is depth rated to 60 meters.
Epoque Patima housing for Canon Digital Rebel XT
Epoque/Patima have announced the development of a new housing for the Canon Digital Rebel XT. We don’t have any photos of it yet, but it will be made out of high-quality aluminum and stainless steel, and will support two housed Canon Speedlight 580EX strobes (optional). A macro port and fish-eye dome port (for the Canon 15mm fish-eye lens or Sigma 8mm fish-eye lens) will also be available.
If it’s anything like Epoque’s Patima housing for the Olympus C-7070, it should be pretty and compact. Continue reading for details…
UWP Issue 26 Available
The latest issue of UWP Magazine is out and available to download. This current issue features a profile on Zena Holloway and a selection of her inspiring dream-like images, as well as articles by Wetpixel members Rod Klein, Mark Webster and Alex Mustard. There is also an article on South Africa’s Tiger Sharks by former Wildlife Photographer of the Year, Tobi Bernhard. The magazine is still free, but now requires simple registration before downloading.
Serbian Film Festival
For all you video and film makers out there, the organising committee of the 9th International Underwater Film Festival in Belgrade, Serbia and Montenegro is pleased to announce that this competition is open with a deadline for dispatch of entries on the 1st November. The competition is open to everyone and has two categories: A GROUP films (professional productions, broadcast quality, TV) and B GROUP films (amateur film makers, independent producer).
New DIY Do-It-Yourself forum
Because so many Wetpixel users have modified their housings in various ways, we’ve created a new DIY - Do It Yourself forum category. You may want to use it to ask James about the time he drilled a hole in his housing—with predictable results upon his next dive.
Digideep’s European Open
Digideep today announce their first European Open digital shootout. The event is being held in Sweden, with diving in the clear waters around the Weather Islands and runs from the 22nd - 25th September 2005. Digideep are providing a selection of optional test equipment and there are prizes on offer for the best images from Green Force, Hugyfot and Dyk Magazine.