Sony has announced two new pro compact cameras. The RX100 IV is of interest for underwater use and features up to 40x slow motion capture (at 960p) and up to 5 minutes of 4K filming. Autofocus has been improved and there are new customizable controls. It features a ZEISS® Vario-Sonnar T* 24-70mm (35mm equivalent) F1.8-F2.8 lens.
Sony has announced the a7r II full frame mirrorless camera. It has a back-illuminated 42.4 MP sensor and on-sensor phase detection autofocus. ISO is expandable up to 102,400 and video can be captured in 4k (UHD) video at 30p/25p or 24p in the XAVC S format.
Scientists with the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI) recently discovered the deepest known hydrothermal vents in the Pacific Ocean during expeditions in the Gulf of California. The location of the vents are in a portion of the Gulf of California known as the Pescadero Basin, approximately one hundred miles east of La Paz. At 3,800 meters below the surface, this newly discovered field of hydrothermal vents are the deepest known in the Pacific Ocean.
In related news, a team from the Center for Coastal Studies, Massachusetts, USA, is seeking funding to undertake a rescue mission to remove a rope that has entangled a spem wjhale off Dominica and Fourth Element has launched their new range of OceanPositive clothing made of fiber from recycled ghost fishing nets
Google Street View has added 40 new locations around the world to their catalog of underwater locations just in time for World Oceans Day on June 8, 2015. Street View has worked in partnership with XL carlin Seaview Survey, NOAA’s office of National Marine Sanctuaries and the Chagos Conservation Trust. The locations include American Samoa, Bali, Bahamas and the Great Barrier Reef.
In this week’s episode of underwater photographer Norbert Wu’s favorite images column, he talks about his return to diving in Monterey Bay and an image of a juvenile crab in a pelagic jellyfish (Pelagia colorata) that he shot with a Nikonos equipped withe extension tubes.
Today, 8 June is World Oceans Day. This year, the theme is Healthy oceans, healthy planet and the aim is to persuade people to use less plastic in order to reduce pollution. There are over 400 events planned worldwide to celebrate the day and to help the planet’s oceans.
Maybe the shark action is a little too intense or maybe you’re just done diving for the day, TTRobotix has just launched an ROV meant to carry a GoPro camera.
The recent BBC series, “Shark” features an amazing sequence of mobula rays (Mobula munkiana) jumping and breaching. Filmed in the Gulf of California, Mexico, the rays jump some 6ft (2m) into the air and then seem to land awkwardly, creating a big splash.
American Photography’s Pro Photo Daily has published an article entitled “Protecting your Photo Files”. It contains valuable advice on how to use and look after memory cards in order to prevent data loss.