Marc Montocchio specialises in underwater images of game fish and fishing. In a video published on YouTube, he takes us through the steps he took to get a series of sailfish images. The film is entitled Getting the Shot | Shades of Grey and the footage was shot at Quepos, Costa Rica. Luke Pearson of Lift Films shot and edited the video.
Alexander Benedik has posted a trailer of a film that he is making from footage captured during a trip to Alaska onto the forum. The trailer is entitled “Alaska Appetizer” and features amazing macro shots.
Alexander is complaining that his final film is going to be too long at 7 minutes, but he has so much great footage he can’t leave any out!
Zacuto has posted the first episode of their 2011 Great Camera Shootout to their website. Entitled The Tipping Point, cameras tested included the Arriflex-435, Alexa, Canon 5D Mk II, Canon 1D Mk IV, Weisscam-HS2, Nikon D7000, Sony F35, Phantom Flex, Panasonic AF-100, RED ONE M-X and Sony PMW-F3. The tests used a new Single Chip Camera Evaluation (SCCE) devised by Robert Primes, and were carried out independently of the Zacuto team, who simply filmed the testing process. The 2010 tests focused on SLRs, whereas the 2011 test also includes “cinema” cameras like the RED ONE.
The tests incorporated shooting scientific charts as well as real-world scenes. Episode one focuses on dynamic range and exposure latitude.
Andrej Belic is the owner of the first production Subal ND7000 housing. In this review, he presents a personal review of his initial ideas about his new housing, as well as some information about his thought process in choosing the Nikon D7000 SLR. In addition, he has added some background to Subal and the accessories available for the housing. We look forward to his thoughts once he has been diving with it too.
Wetpixel will be presenting part one of the definitive review of D7000 housings next week. The housings supplied and reviewed so far include those from Aquatica, Nauticam and Ikelite. Sea and Sea have a housing on the way to us, and we look forward for the opportunity to trial the others soon.
Steve Douglas provides us with a review of the Zoom H4n Audio Recorder. As Steve says:
“It would be redundant of me to, once again, emphasize just how important the quality of the audio is both when planning preproduction, when shooting, and in post production.”
The H4n is a tool that is designed to specifically do this.
Nauticam has announced the release of the NA-EPL2 housing for the Olympus E-PL2 EVIL camera. Alongside the new housing is a range of new lens ports to allow users to use the Lumix 14-42mm, Lumix 14mm/2.5, Lumix 8mm Fisheye, Lumix 7-14mm, Leica 45mm macro, Olympus 14-42mm, and Olympus 9-18mm lenses. Strobe triggering is via optical cables, and the E-PL2 can perform TTL flash metering in manual exposure mode. The optical mount is removable to allow the user to use the built-in flash if desired.
The housing will be available from 10 July at a suggested retail price of $1750.
Alert Diver and Nature’s Best Photography magazines are calling for entries to their annual Ocean Views Photo Contest. The competition, in existence since 2010, welcomes images from all photographers with an ocean related theme.
The competition is open for entries now, with a deadline of 30 November, and full details, entry forms and competition rules are listed on the Nature’s Best Photography website.
SeaWeb has announced that it is now accepting entries for the Marine Photobanks fourth-annual Ocean in Focus Conservation Photo Contest. The competition attempts to raise public awareness of the threats facing the marine environment. Dawn M. Martin, President of SeaWeb asserts that:
“Compelling images illustrating both the grandeur and the threats to the ocean can be the spark that inspires action.”
The competition is open until 30 September, and the winners will be announced in the fall.
Sea and Sea has announced the release of the RDX-600D housing for the Canon Rebel EOS 600D/T3i. The polycarbonate case accepts ports from the Sea and Sea NX, CX and RDX ranges, and comes equipped with fiber optic strobe connectors. A sync cord bulkhead can be fitted by the user as an extra option.
The RDX-600D is available now and can be supplied as a package with various port options. The housing is priced at $1,395.00.
The Island of Dominica will be hosting its seventeenth annual Dive Fest from 8 to 17 July. Dive Fest is an annual event held to educate the public about diving, and to raise awareness about Dominica’s stunning and unique marine environment.
During the festival, Sealife cameras will be hosting several photography competitions and events.