Nikon’s new products at the CP+ show are limited. All that has been announced thus far is a version of the D810 with a modified IR filter specifically for astrophotographers (D810a) and several new compacts. Perhaps the most interesting of these is the AW130, a waterproof compact camera capable of being used to 100ft (30m).
Filmmaker Jonathan Bird has written an article suggesting that people re-evaluate the use of SLR cameras for filmmaking. He points out that there are significant drawbacks in doing so, particularly underwater, and that there are very good video camera alternatives available. The article is meant to create discussion and debate, so we have created a topic on the Wetpixel forum for this to spread over on to.
The eagle-eyed amongst you may have noticed that we had posted two different deadlines for the Our World Underwater contest. Please accept out most humble apologies if this caught you out and you have tried to enter, only to find the site would not accept your entry. To try and remedy this, we have reopened the site now and will accept entries through until 11.59 PM PST on 10 February.
Canon has announced the release of two new EOS Rebel cameras. The Rebel T6s and Rebel T6i both have a new 24.2 megapixel Canon CMOS sensors with native ISO Ranges of 100-12800. AF has 19 cross type points and 1080 video recording is available at 30 fps.
The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) reports that the government of Madagascar has created the country’s first shark sanctuary. Antongil Bay, the largest bay in Madagascar, now offers protection to 19 species of shark and also restricts international fishing trawlers from fishing in the area.
Earthtouch has been posting a series of videos entitled “Wild Oceans” onto their YouTube channel. The latest entitled “Creepy critters of the tidal lagoon,” features cameraman Bart Lukasik exploring Mozambique’s mangroves and captures some of nature’s underwater oddities on film, including sea moths and snake sea cucumbers.
This is your last chance to enter the 2015 Our World Underwater Contest. The competition is viewed as being one of the most prestigious in the world and offers over $50,000 in prizes. The deadline is Saturday 7 February at 11.59 PST, so if you haven’t entered yet, now is the time to do so!
Canon has released details of their new EF 11-24mm f/4L USM Ultra Wide-Angle Zoom Lens. Billed as having the widest angle of view of any rectilinear full-frame lens, the L series lens has 16 elements in 11 groups. However, the minimum focus distance of 11 inches may present some optical challenges with conventional dome ports.
As widely rumored, Canon has announced the EOS 5DS and RDS R SLR cameras. Both feature a new 50.6 megapixel full-frame image sensor and Dual DIGIC 6 Image Processors, with the 5DS R not having a low pass filter. AF is provided by a “61-Point High Density Reticular AF array” including up to 41 cross-type AF points and the EOS Scene recognition system. Native ISO range is 100 to 6400 and HD video is 1080p at up to 30p.
Samsung has announced the NX500 compact camera. This offers 28MP still images and 4K video recording at 24fps (UHD at 30fps) and uses an “Back Side Illumination” APS-C sized sensor offering native ISO from 100 to 25600. It has the DRIMeV processor, offering 9fps continuous shooting.