Thursday, November 22nd, 2012

Sony NEX-FS100 firmware v2.0 removes gain control in lanc

Wetpixel member Simon Spear writes about his experience with the NEX-FS100 firmware update V2.0, which adds many features but removes gain control from lanc access. Since firmware cannot be backgraded, this functionally makes the gain controls on his Amphibico Genesis housing useless. According to Simon, neither Sony or Amphibico gave any notice about this feature removal before he purchased the housing and upgraded the firmware on the camera. Simon’s correspondence with Sony has come up with a possible fix to retrograde the firmware with some parts replacement for yet unknown total costs. Stay tuned for updates when Simon attempts to get back gain control through this fix.

Thursday, November 22nd, 2012

EU votes for shark finning ban

In what may be the best news this Thanksgiving, the European Parliament has voted, with an overwhelming majority, to force all EU registered vessels to land shark carcasses whole, rather than just the fin. The EU, one of the largest exporters of shark fins to Asia, banned finning in 2003, but this legislation still allowed companies with freezer vessels to apply for “special fishing permits”. These allowed them to continue to land fins separately from the bodies and the issuing of these permits became standard practice. Today, the Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) voted 566 for to 47 against to close this legal loophole, effectively ending the legal trade of shark fin by EU vessels.

Thanksgiving 2012 is a great day for sharks! Now there really is a great result to celebrate. Happy Thanksgiving to the Wetpixel community.

Thursday, November 22nd, 2012

Dust issue with Nikon D600

The new Nikon D600 SLR seems to be suffering from an issue with dust on the sensor. Kyle Clements has posted a timelapse video onto YouTube showing significant dust accumulation on a brand new camera’s sensor. The key issue is not the dust per se, but the fact that the dust is coming from inside the camera. During the timelapse, the lens is not removed from the camera. When approached on the issue, Nikon USA gave the following statement:

“Measures to reduce effects of dust or foreign matter are optimized for each model. Therefore, the dust reduction system’s internal mechanism varies with each model,” the Nikon statement reads. “If the effects of dust or foreign matter on photographs become bothersome, customers are encouraged to consult their local Nikon service center.”

Wednesday, November 21st, 2012

DEMA 2012

During DEMA 2012, Wetpixel moderator Dave Burroughs was able to join the Wetpixel team and give his input into our show coverage. He has subsequently written a full report giving his personal perspective of the show. He describes his brief:

“Considering this, and looking at myself as an average Wetpixel participant I thought I would share a few impressions of what may not be necessarily the latest and most technically advanced new products. In particular I was interested in what a few of the manufacturers feel are the best compact cameras to take underwater.”

Wednesday, November 21st, 2012

UK photographers get new copyright protection

Amateur Photographer has posted a report about a new guide from the UK’s Courts & Tribunal Service that states that: “The general principle that the unsuccessful party will pay the legal costs of the successful party does not apply on the small claims track”. This opens the potential for photographers to sue for breach of copyright within the small claims courts for settlements of up to £5,000 (to be extended to £10,000) without worries about ruinous legal fees. Interestingly, it seems that the US government may also be looking into something similar as it has scheduled hearings through November.

Wednesday, November 21st, 2012

New protection for sharks postponed

Science Insider reports on an attempt by conservationists to get the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT), to add sharks to its management list. The organization has just concluded its annual meeting in Agadir, Morocco and has not added sharks, but has agreed to potentially open its treaty to new species in future. This could include sharks. ICCAT currently manages 30 species, including swordfish, marlin, and other tunalike species and does not currently set catch limits for sharks. It is hoped that they may do so in future.

Monday, November 19th, 2012

Results of HP Red Sea shoot out announced

The HP Red Sea World of Underwater Images has announced the full results of the 2012 event. It was held from 5 to 10 November in the Red Sea resort of Eilat. The best of show prize or Jury’s prize was won by Amir Stern of Israel with a stunning perspective of a whip gobie. The National prize was won by the Spanish team.

Congratulations to all the winners.

Monday, November 19th, 2012

Wetpixel coverage from DEMA 2012

Wetpixel begins its annual coverage of the DEMA show from Las Vegas. Wetpixel Publisher Eric Cheng, Editor Adam Hanlon and Moderators Abi Smigel Mullens and Dave Burroughs will be posting up to date reports on what is going on at the show over the next four days. DEMA is the diving industry’s traditional showcase for new products, and this includes those companies involved with underwater imaging, so it is likely that we will be covering many new product releases. Please keep checking back here to see the updates.

For those of you at DEMA, please come and say hi to us, and don’t forget the Wetpixel/DivePhotoGuide party on Thursday night.

Thursday, November 15th, 2012

Aquatica introduces the Water Wizard

Aquatica has announced the release of the Water Wizard housing for the Pocket Wizard Plus III wireless flash triggers. The Pocket Wizard triggers are widely used in studio and specialized photography applications. As the wireless signal does not transmit through water, the triggers must float at the surface or be supported in some way. Aquatica has added the ability to attach floatation from their TLC system and multiple tripod screw attachment points. In addition to triggering flashes, the units can also be used to remotely trigger the camera’s shutter.

The Water Wizard will be available soon at a retail price of $209.

Wednesday, November 14th, 2012

Mozambique creates MPAs

Mozambique has announced the creation of two new Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), reports Mongabay. The two areas consist of 10,411 square kilometers (4,020 square miles) of coastal marine waters and are called the Primeiras and Segundas Archipelago. They represent the biggest MPAs on the continent and include ten islands, mangrove forests, coral reefs, and seagrass ecosystems.

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