Thursday, May 20th, 2010

Alert Diver magazine spring 2010 issue available online

By now, the spring edition of the DAN magazine, Alert Diver, should be arriving in most DAN U.S. member mailboxes.

For those outside of the US, it is also available online via the Alert Diver web site, or via a direct link to the magazine

The magazine features articles on diving in the Cayman Islands by David Doubilet, the Maldives by Stephen Frink, a profile of underwater filmmaker Howard Hall, and articles by Alex Mustard, Eddie Tapp, Berkley White, and Eric Cheng. In addition, there are a host of articles on equipment, diving safety and decompression research.

Tuesday, May 18th, 2010

Issue 36 of X-Ray Magazine available for download

Issue #36 of the X-Ray International Dive Magazine is out and available for download

This issue includes information about the rugged coasts, drop-offs, clear lakes and centuries-old wrecks of Sweden, a wetsuit review and a host of environmental articles including studies that shows that off-shore wind turbines are good for marine life, that an ocean “superhighway” for tiny life forms exists and that there is a massive Southern Ocean current that is as yet little known.

Also featured among the many articles in the free pdf are items about the NOAA response to the Gulf oil spill, a profile of underwater filmmaker Mike Valentine and a guide to the popular Florida dive site, Blue Heron Bridge.

Tuesday, May 18th, 2010

The 2010 Peter Benchley Awards / Blue Frontier Campaign

Join MC Philippe Cousteau at the 2010 Peter Benchley Awards / Blue Frontier Campaign on Fri, June 25, 2010 at the California Academy of Sciences in San Francisco, CA.

The Blue Frontier/Peter Benchley Awards recognize outstanding achievements leading to the protection of our coasts and ocean and the communities that depend on them. In addition they provide an opportunity for leaders and innovators in different aspects and sectors of ocean work to meet and acknowledge each other, and to celebrate what we have accomplished and the wonders of our blue world.

Tickets are available immediately, and are expected to sell out.

Sunday, May 16th, 2010

Wetpixel’s Eric Cheng to show/speak at Maker Faire, May 22-23

If you’re in the San Francisco Bay Area, come see 14 of my large aluminum marine-life prints on Sat/Sun, May 22-23, 2010. I’ll be exhibiting at Maker Faire (the ultimate do-it-yourself gathering) at the San Mateo County Event Center. My 30’ x 30’ exhibition space will be inside somewhere, so come find me!

These are the same prints I showed at G2 Gallery in Venice Beach last year; if you missed them there, come see them in San Mateo!

I’m also giving a talk about sperm whales and flashlight fish on center stage at 1pm Sunday, May 23.

Thursday, May 13th, 2010

Gates announces underwater housing for Sony PRS-300 eBook reader

Our friends over at Gates Underwater Products are planning to bring to market an underwater housing for the Sony PRS-300 eBook reader. The new PRS300 housing was created upon request by commercial divers who routinely spend hours on deco stops on the way up from deep dives. Gates is taking deposits; if they get enough, it will bring the overall price of the housing down to $700 (from $1100).

I asked Gates why they are doing a housing for the Sony and not for a Kindle, and they responded that it was a decision made based on the size of the devices. Click through for full details.

Thursday, May 13th, 2010

British Underwater Image Festival (BUIF) 2010 results

The results of the British Underwater Image Festival were announced at the recent Dive Fest held at Pentewan Sands, Cornwall, UK . There were a total of 24 awards, including DVD and video. Dive Fest itself hosted a splash in competition, with a further 9 prizes being awarded for pictures taken that day.

Congratulations to the many Wetpixel members who won awards!

Please click on for the full list of winners

Wednesday, May 12th, 2010

New Sony HD camcorder to feature APS HD “Exmor” sensor

Today, Sony announced the development of a new HD camcorder. It will feature interchangeable lenses, a new sensor and will share key technologies with the NEX-5 and NEX-3. The sensor is the same “Exmor” APS HD CMOS sensor as used in the new digital cameras.

The camcorder will be fully compatible with the new “E-mount” lenses, as well as the “A-mount” lenses from the existing “α” DSLR camera lineup via a mount adapter. Please click through for a video of the new camcorder.

Monday, May 10th, 2010

Sony NEX-3 APS-C compact digital camera leaked

Details about Sony’s upcoming NEX-3 APS-C rangefinder camera were leaked today by Digital Photography School. The new camera uses a Sony “E Series” lens mount and captures 14.2 megapixel images at 7 frames per second. APS-C-sized CMOS sensor. No details on video, but the specs do note that the camera will save videos in MP4.

It’s great to see the revival of large imaging areas in compact cameras; previous to the recent proliferation of APS-C-sized sensors in small cameras, it was virtually impossible to capture a high-quality image using a compact digital camera. Continue reading for full specs and photos of the NEX-3.

UPDATE: DPReview has published a preview.

Monday, May 10th, 2010

Christmas Island Underwater Festival 2010

The fourth annual Underwater Festival 2010 was recently held on the Christmas Islands, the first three having been held at Byron Bay on the Australian Mainland East Coast. It was co-organized by the Christmas Island Tourism Association. Linda Cash, staff members and local volunteers all put in a fantastic effort and provided a welcoming atmosphere, great food, social events and a seamless festival for the 34 participants.

The timing of this year’s Underwater Festival coincided with the end of the wet and whaleshark seasons on the island and the expectations of the visiting divers for the event were high…

Monday, May 10th, 2010

Fantasea release new, generic accessory lenses

Fantasea have announced the launch of a series of new lenses adapters and accessories designed to complement existing compact camera housings. The new line is branded Fantasea Eyes.

Primarily, there are two new lenses: the BigEye (wide angle) and SharpEye (macro). These can currently be attached to housings from Sony, Canon and Fujifilm, either via built in adapters, or by a 67mm threaded adapter, the EyeDaptor, that is also part of the line. The lenses are all “wet” meaning that they can be changed underwater, adding versatility.

In addition, Fantasea plan to have external red filters and lens holders included in the range.

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