A free eBook guide to diving in Bali, Indonesia has been released by Stefan Russel and Mads Rode of Vilondo Vilas. The 35 page book describes the diving at Nusa Dua, Nusa Lembongan, Nusa Penida, Amuk Bay, Gili Islands, Amed to Gili Selang, Tulamben, Pemuteran, Menjangan Island and Gilimanuk Bay to Secret Bay.
The eBook is available now as a free download.
Zen Underwater has announced a new 100mm (4”) optical glass dome for the Olympus PT-EP08 housing for the OM-D E-M5 EVIL camera. The DP-100-EP08 dome supports the use of the Panasonic Lumix G Fisheye 8mm f/3.5 lens. In addition, Zen has launched an adapter allowing the use of ports from previous PT series housings on the PT-EP08.
Both the new dome and the adaptor will be available from 15 October. They are priced at $799 and $100 respectively.
Inon has announced the release of a new 350 lumen focus or video light. The LE350 has an aluminum body, a rotary on/off switch and can be used both underwater and topside. It will burn for about 165 minutes on three AA batteries. The torch has a 30° beam, which can be widened to about 60° by using the supplied “w” filter and it is also supplied with a red filter, which can be used to avoid disturbing sensitive marine life.
The LE350 will be available from 13 October with prices to be determined. Inon are also offering an upgrade light head for owners of previous LE series lights.
DEMA has released its schedule of talks and events to be held at the Imaging Resource Center during the 2012 DEMA show. The show is changing its venue for 2012 to the Sands Exhibition Center and will run from Wednesday, November 14 to Saturday, November 17. Wetpixel will, as usual, be attempting to bring the show to those who can’t be there, with Editor Adam Hanlon, Senior Moderators Abi Smigel Mullens and Dave Burroughs and Publisher Eric Cheng attending. Norbert Wu will also be providing us with show coverage.
For those that will be there, the infamous Wetpixel/DivePhotoGuide party is definitely the one event you cannot miss! Details are still being worked out at present, but as soon as we have finalized things, we will post about it here.
Hugyfot has released a buoyancy arm kit that allows the user to adjust the buoyancy offered during a dive. The floating arm system, announced on Hugyfot’s Facebook page, consists of 4 arm segments with appropriate clamps. Two of the segments are standard fixed buoyancy versions, whilst the other two have a valve that allows them to be partially flooded. By allowing them to be partially flooded, the user can adjust the buoyancy of the arms as required. When empty, the arm system will be 2.5kg positive.
The arms are available now and the complete kit costs 750 Euros.
The Ticotimes reports that President Laura Chinchilla of Costa Rica has signed a presidential decree that bans the practice of shark finning, as well as the importation and transportation of shark fins. The country has been used by fishermen operating throughout the area to land catches of shark fin, including those of sharks illegally caught in Marine Protected Areas like the Cocos Islands.
The new laws outlaw the practice of shark finning, make it illegal to import shark fins from any other country, states that all sharks must be inspected upon landing and the implementation of a strict zero-tolerance policy for any boats found transporting shark fins. Owner of the Virgin Group, Sir Richard Branson, was at the signing ceremony and, when asked about whether the justice system has the will to monitor the new decree replied:
“All of the young people I have spoken to in Costa Rica have been outraged for a long time about the slaughter of the species in the oceans,” and, “I think the public of Costa Rica will monitor it for the government.”
The Eilat Red Sea World of Underwater Images has announced that in addition to their normal shoot-out categories, there will be an additional one for National Teams that is being billed as the “International Underwater Photography Olympics”. This will consist of teams of three photographers from the same country, either as an organized party, or as independent individuals who are attending the event. Images can be entered into both the team and individual events. The judging will consist of a “Eurovision” style vote-off, with national teams voting for the other teams’ images.
The Eilat Red Sea shoot-out will be held in Eilat, Israel from 4 to 10 November 2012.
Canon’s new EOS 650D (Rebel T4i) seems to have taken a retrograde step in sensor performance according to DxOMark. DxO Labs tested the 650D (Rebel T4i) against its predecessors; the Canon 600D (Rebel T3i) and Canon 550D (Rebel T2i). The color depth, dynamic range and low-light ISO performance test ratings were all lower than that of the earlier cameras. DxO concludes that:
“Canon chose to focus its efforts on designing a camera with such ergonomic improvements as a capacitated touchscreen display and an innovative, quick, quiet, and powerful hybridized autofocus. In video mode, the autofocus operates continuously and takes full advantage of the emerging new line of lenses equipped with Stepping Motor (STM) technology.” And, “for the EOS 650D’s sensor, however, even its hybridized autofocus cannot deflect the conclusion drawn from our DxOMark test results: “same old, same old.””
GoPro has announced an update to the firmware for its HD HERO2 POV cam. The ProTune update was announced at NAB earlier this year, but is only now available. The major change is Protune’s 35Mbps data rate which provides less compressed footage hence giving more flexibility in post production. There is also a new neutral color profile, which captures more detail in both highlight and shadow areas, and the camera can now record in 24fps, to ensure compatibility with other source media.
In a post on the forum, Wetpixel Senior Moderator, Paul Wags, suggest that the higher data rate will enhance blue water shots. The Protune update is available as a free download from within the GoPro CineForm Studio app.
If you are still undecided about whether to visit Indonesia for some of the best diving and photography on the planet, now is the time to decide! We have a few spaces left for the upcoming Wetpixel Ultimate Indonesia trips. Dec 08 to 19, Kaimana to Sorong: stateroom and standard cabin; This trip is a “once in a lifetime” trip, and it is rare for there to be any free spaces available.
Full details are available on the Wetpixel Expeditions page. For more information and bookings, you can also contact Dan Baldocchi via email or by telephone on +1-773-564-9579.