UUnnddeerrwwaatteerr PPhhoottooggrraapphhyy a web magazine Issue 45 Nov/Dec 2008 Aquatica Nikon D700 Nekton RED housings Patima Canon G9 Great White Shark S c h o o l ’s out FIX LED1000DX Shooting Magic DVD Sony A350 and BS Kinetics Chalkidiki Coding a vessel Subal Nikon D700 Olympus Mju770SW Wetpixel Quarterly Bimini magic Parting Shots INON macro fisheye lens Cheap pole-cam Cornwalls King of Prussia East Kalimantan Canon SLR-DC Housings EOS 5D EOS 20D The Ikelite SLR-DC housing takes full EOS 30D advantage of the digital SLR camera’s EOS 40D EOS 50D innovative features. The housing is EOS 350D, Rebel XT injection molded of clear, lightweight EOS 400D, Rebel XTi polycarbonate for strength, visual EOS 450D, Rebel XSi access to the camera, LCD screens and EOS 1000D Rebel XS camera controls. The housing provides Nikon D40, D40x controls for most camera functions. D50 Most Ikelite SLR-DC housings include D60 Substrobe DS160 Compact Digital Housings for conversion circuitry that provide TTL D70, 70s compatibility with the latest Ikelite D80 From its first introduction in 2001, the • Canon • Fuji • Nikon D90 DS Substrobes. Many housings also Substrobe DS125 became the overwhelming D200 • Olympus • Sony include a Flash Compensation Module D300 choice of professionals and discerning which provides over and under- D700 photographers the world-over. Now the best Ikelite offers housings for more than fifty exposure compensation in the TTL Olympus is even better. Introducing the new and different digital still camera models to meet mode and easily allow you to switch to E3 improved Substrobe DS160. the diverse demands of the underwater E330 Manual Exposure Mode which provides The Substrobe DS160 is compatible with photographic community. Ikelite’s Compact E-400, E410 eight power settings. All exposure E420 all Ikelite TTL systems and current digital and ULTRAcompact Digital Still Housings compensation is done on the back E510, E520 cameras, as well as all older TTL film cameras are molded of clear polycarbonate. Dive of the housing. There is no need to Sony including the Nikonos system. A variety of while knowing your system is safe and access complicated camera menus. A-100 sync cords, sensors, and TTL adapters are have complete visual access to the camera, A-200 available to connect to almost any camera LCD, monitor and control functions. Most A-300 A-350 system currently on the market. housings are rated to 60m (200’). A-700 Underwater Systems • 50 W. 33rd. Street • Indianapolis, IN • 46208 • 317-923-4523 www.ikelite.com Contents UUnnddeerrwwaatteerr PPhhoottooggrraapphhyy 4 Editorial A web magazine UwP45 Nov/Dec 2008 5 News & Travel 29 Patima Canon G9 40 King of Prussia 56 East Kalimantan 14 New Products by John Cesere by Mark Webster by Alex Tyrrel 44 Great White 33 Sony A350 and by Julian Cohen BS Kinetics 62 School’s out by Karin Brussaard by Mark Webster 22 Olympus Mju770 by Rob Spray 47 Chalkidiki by Nicholas Samaras and Rabae Latridou 66 Coding a vessel 36 Wetpixel review by Charles Hood 26 Cheap pole-cam by Douglas David Seifert by Alex Mustard 72 Parting Shots by Dave Bluck, Joe Dovala, 53 Bimini magic John Natoli & Tobias Reitmayr by Tim Rock & Yoko Higashide Underwater Photography Cover photo by 2001 - 2008 © PR Productions Alex Tyrrel Publisher/Editor Peter Rowlands www.pr-productions.co.uk [email protected] www.uwpmag.com 45/ Editorial DEMA and Antibes Is enough enough? Please contribute to the contributors Apologies for the late arrival of An interesting situation was UwP45 but I’ve just got back from brought home to me recently when exhibiting at DEMA in Las Vegas and I tried to burn an HD footage video At the risk of sounding repetitive, Antibes in the south of France. Both about Shooting Magic Filters onto UwP can only be downloaded for free were very pleasant events but rather DVD. Imagine my surprise when because the contributors don’t ask for than include details of them in this I found out that I had to compress/ any payment. issue I’d like to point you to some downgrade the image quality If you feel you have benefited excellent coverage at slightly in order for it to fit onto a from or simply enjoyed the contents www.wetpixel.com conventional DVD. I say conventional of UwP why not make a donation and referring to the universally popular which will be divided pro rata www.divephotoguide.com single sided DVDs rather than the amongst the contributors. Last year double sided or Blu-Ray discs with they were very grateful for your their increased capacity because the generousity and any donations this Digital capability latter two, whilst capable of storing year which are received before Dec much more information, are not at 1st 2008 will be divided up amongst The old chestnut used to be “Will all popular. It seems that the general this years contributors. digital ever be as good as film?” but public can see no reason to upgrade You can donate by PayPal or now, with the advent of cameras such their DVD players and computer credit card at as the Nikon D and D700, we have manufacturers have not fully www.uwpmag.com/donate.html a situation where digital cameras are embraced Blu-Ray. easily outperforming film, certainly in In the old days there was a terms of high ISO capability. This, in distinct advantage with DVDs over turn, should release a whole new set VHS tapes. The quality was visually of images, never practically possible much better, the size smaller and the before, of , for instance, deeper loss-less copying capability quite wrecks in sharper detail. I say wrecks groundbreaking so there was an because they are of particular interest almost universal takeup. to me but what is so exciting about Now it seems that the general underwater photography at present is public are staying put for the time how these new capabilities are being being and I suspect that the preferred embraced and will be used to produce method of video delivery in the future a whole new genre. will be online rather than on disc. www.uwpmag.com 45/4 News, Travel & Events Greenpeace Surrenders to the Japanese Whaling Sea Shepherd Operation Musashi Fleet Seatool Nikon D300 housing Greenpeace has officially announced that they will not be sending a ship to the Southern Oceans to oppose whaling by the Japanese Whaling fleet. This means that Sea Shepherd will be alone in our high seas opposition to illegal Japanese whaling operations when the whaling season opens in a month. The Sea Shepherd Conservation intend to save the lives of as many “As a Greenpeace co-founder, I Society has announced its fifth whales as we can with the resources Small and light enough am deeply offended that Greenpeace Antarctic Whale Defense Campaign to available to us. We have been the to hand carry on aircraft, the has been raising millions of dollars the Southern Oceans to defend whales cause of the Japanese whaling fleet Seatool ND300 offers exceptional in the name of defending whales all underwater balance. from the Japanese whaling fleet. This losing profits for three years in a row. year and now two weeks before the All camera controls are placed year’s campaign has been named We intend to make it a fourth year of Japanese whaling fleet is scheduled within easy reach, even for divers Operation Musashi in reference to red ink for the whaler’s books.” with small hands. The command to depart, they announce they will not the legendary Japanese strategist, The Japanese whaling fleet will dials and shutter release are be going,” said Captain Paul Watson. Miyamoto Musashi (1584-1645) depart from Japan next month. The exactly where you expect them to “In my opinion they collected funds be for effortless operation, even known as a great samurai warrior, Sea Shepherd ship Steve Irwin will under false pretenses and now they one handed. strategist and tactician and a personal also depart at the end of November have abandoned the whales. Shame on Your new Seatool ND300 role model and hero to Captain Paul from Brisbane, Australia. The housing comes standard with them.” Watson, Founder and President of Sea Japanese fleet and the Steve Irwin connections for optically fired Shepherd. should arrive in the Southern Ocean strobes with opional single or dual www.greenpeace.org y Nikonos style bulkheads. e “We intend to sink the Japanese Whale Sanctuary around the same s The Seatool ND300 offers s i fleet economically,” said Captain Paul time. Sea Shepherd will not depend r three viewfinder options: Optical ro Watson. “Our strategy is to prevent on the government of Australia to help window, 45° or 180° Inon M whales from being killed, to force the the whales. Magnifying Viewfinders. ta P Japanese whalers to spend money on y www.reefphoto.com b fuel without killing whales. We will www.seashepherd.org o t once again intervene against illegal www.seatoolusa.com o h P Japanese whaling and once again we www.uwpmag.com 45/5 Alex Mustard U/w Photography Workshop Red Sea. 27th June to 4th July 2009. DivePhotoGuide Awarded Best Seatool Sony Website At Antibes HDR-SR11/12 Popular underwater photography & video portal DivePhotoGuide has been presented with the best website award at the 5th Annual World Festival of Underwater Images, one of the most prestigious underwater photo & film festival in the world, held annually in Antibes, France. The Seatool SR11/SR12 Founder and Publisher Jason underwater housing for the Sony Heller said: “We are honored to HDV Handycam HDR-SR11/SR12 receive this recognition from such a is one of the smallest, lightest prestigious competition and I want to underwater video housings ever Join underwater photographer wide angle techniques such as strobe take this opportunity to thank all of produced. Alex Mustard for his 2009 workshop positioning, working with models our readers from around the world as At just 1.5kg it’s small and light enough to hand carry on in the northern Red Sea. As in and filter photography. The workshop well as our exceptional team - Wendy aircraft and because the housing previous years, this workshop is will also cover fish portraiture and Heller, Matt Weiss, Gyula Somogyi, body conforms so closely to the scheduled specifically to coincide photographing marine life behaviour. Richard Morris, Andrea & Antonella camera, the housing attains with the aggregations of snappers, MV Whirlwind has been Ferrari, Keri Wilk and Miguel nearly neutral buoyancy (slightly emperors, trevallies, batfish, barracuda especially chosen for this trip because Novey. I’m honored to have such negative) for effortless handling underwater. and unicornfish at Ras Mohammed. of her underwater photographer- an amazing bunch of people on our The housing utilizes a But we will also dedicate time to friendly design, great hospitality team who share an intense passion for flip out mirror & lcd reversing photographing the photogenic wrecks and the diving freedom essential for underwater imagery and the ocean.” circuit, allowing the user to take and reefs that characterise this region. producing stunning images. The cost advantage of the camera’s LCD The workshop is aimed at DSLR is £1050. London to London – full www.divephotoguide.com Screen for composition. Optional 3” external monitor now available. photographers and is designed to help package price. you progress from taking images that For more details please contact www.reefphoto.com come out to photos that stand out. The Alex at www.seatoolusa.com workshop will also focus on various [email protected] www.uwpmag.com 45/6 12th International Divequest 2009-2010 shops, clubs or societies groups of 10 or more often qualify for special rates. Underwater Film catalogue We also arrange our own group dive Festival in Belgrade, adventures, including photographic expeditions and courses, that are Serbia Subal ND30 Housing guided by skilled and experienced December 12th to 16th leaders. for Nikon D300 2008 Wonderful diving, efficient with GS Magnifying travel arrangements, high quality or 45° viewfinder dive operations and mostly superior accommodation combine to make Divequest holidays rather special. We select our dive centres with great care, looking for attention to quality, safety and a friendly and personal approach rather than budget prices. Wherever possible our accommodations are We are very pleased to announce Divequest arranges chosen because they conform with the Nikon and Subal. the 12th International Underwater professionally organized, dedicated Divequest philosophy of high quality Romeo and Juliet. Film Festival in Belgrade, Serbia . diving holidays of the highest quality combined with the personal touch. Monty and Python. This event will be held, like every to the finest dive destinations in the We provide all our clients Reef Photo & Video year, during the beginning of world. with comprehensive pre-departure Simply perfect. December, from 12th to 16th 2008. Our aim is to make your holiday information, including a detailed Films for the contest would have a rich and unforgettable experience. description of each holiday in our Free international shipping to be 2007. or 2008. production, with Dive in warm, crystal-clear waters. brochure, and all relevant information on Subal packages at least 0% underwater shots and Float effortlessly through underwater about such matters as visas, customs, formats are BETA SP, DV Cam or forests and gardens of coral currency, health, flight details, luggage Nikon D700 orders MiniDV (PAL) surrounded by rainbow-coloured reef allowances, transfer arrangements, being taken now The subject is free. Competition fish. Enjoy the thrill of an encounter travel insurance, clothing, equipment admission is free. Deadline is with a swirling school of barracuda, and guide books. All our information Call Toll Free November15th, 2008. an elegant White-tipped Reef Shark is computerized and is constantly 877.453.8927 www.kpa.co.yu gliding by or a breathtaking meeting being updated. International or with Manta Rays. Divequest makes it Ft. Lauderdale: www.divequest.co.uk possible for peopDivequest caters for 954.537.0644 individuals, couples, families or small groups of friends and larger groups www.reefphoto.com originating from dive centres, dive www.uwpmag.com 45/7 important reasons to make Reef Photo and Video your choice for underwater photo and video We are divers and photographers Everyone on our friendly staff is an underwater photographer. We use the gear that we sell, and we keep up with the latest imaging products for both underwater and topside. Eco Divers teams up with Oxygène Diving U/W photography is our only business We’re not a dive shop and we’re more than a camera store. From October 2008, Eco “We are delighted to be We concentrate all of our energy on the constantly changing Divers is teaming up with Oxygène working with Eco Divers,” says world of underwater imaging. Diving. With its roots in Scandinavia, Henrik Almers, CEO of Oxygène Selection and Inventory Oxygène is an international network International. Eco Divers’ Managing Our huge inventory from over 58 manufacturers means that of dive retail stores, dive resorts and Director, Jim Yanny, added, “We we probably have what you need in stock. Orders for liveaboards in Sweden, Finland, have always aimed high to provide in-stock items placed by 4pm EST ship the same day! England, Malta, Egypt, Philippines, excellent service levels and products. Pemba, Croatia, Estonia, Canada and We immediately recognized a high Service After the Sale Tenerife. The Oxygène Diving core level of affinity with the core values Our in-house technicians are experts in repair and service values are: Caring, Competent, and of the Oxygène group and believe that of your equipment. In addition, our custom shop can fabricate Fun. this cooperation will bring benefits to those ‘outside-the-box’ parts that you may require. Oxygène was looking to our business and, more importantly, to expand its dive centre chain to North our customers.” Free Ground Shipping! Sulawesi, in order to offers its client- FREE Orders over $200 qualify for base more destination choice and saw www.oxygenediving.com Eco Divers as the most suited dive www.eco-divers.com domestic Ground shipping via UPS! centre for their high standards, so the marketing cooperation was formed. www.reefphoto.com Photographers of all levels World Underwater, now in its 9th DIVEQUEST will help celebrate the beauty and year and one of the largest consumer delicacy of the marine environment scuba diving expos in the US, and presents as the 4th annual international DEEP Indonesia, the first and only underwater photography and scuba diving and watersports expo in Explore the Caribbean’s barrier reef video competition series hosted by Indonesia. UnderwaterCompetition.com kicks off New this year is a novice with Sam Bean this week. category in the Our World Underwater The competition has become competition, which opens up the 22nd May – 31st May 2009 the “Superbowl” of international competition to a far greater number underwater imagery competitions, of scuba divers who are casual with over $75,000 of world-class underwater photographers. prizes, major industry involvement, Deadline for submissions Jan 15, and the opportunity to have your 2009 Sam Bean is an up and coming talent in underwater images showcased to the world Winners for each respective photography. Her focus and determination enable her to capture as some of the best. Esteemed competition will be announced live and present award winning images. judges include leading professional on stage at either the Our World This trip to Roatan is a fantastic opportunity to learn how to underwater photographers, Underwater film festival in Chicago achieve your photographic best whilst diving on some of the cinematographers and magazine (February 20-22, 2009), or at DEEP Caribbean’s most stunning barrier reef sites. editors from around the world. Indonesia in Jakarta (March 27 – 29, Sam will be there to support and help you to develop your The unique competition 2009) existing photographic expertise, to work with the strengths of series was founded by professional www.underwatercompetition.com underwater photographers Jason your own photographic system and to explore your creative ideas. Heller & Eric Cheng and hosted by For further details, contact Divequest. As with all popular websites DivePhotoGuide. UnderwaterCompetition.com events, com and Wetpixel.com. The series is 15% of entry proceeds will be donated The Ultimate in held in association with two leading to marine conservation efforts. DIVEQUEST Underwater Photography Adventures scuba diving expos on opposite sides of the world, simultaneously - Our ATOL Protected 2937 Telephone: 01254-826322 www.uwpmag.com e-mail [email protected] website: www.divequest.co.uk 45/9 UWPMAG_KIMA_07_08 30/7/08 12:26 Page 1 Kima Bajo Resort & Spa and Eco Divers Lembeh Straits Photo Workshop with Mark Webster The best of both worlds 31 Oct to 7 Nov 2009 Dive from traditional style boats with modern facilities.Small dive groups Lembeh Straits is now known the secrets of Lembeh and will even of no more than four and a maximum of eight guests per boat. to most underwater photographers as help you search for a specific critter to the muck diving capital of the world. complete your portfolio. New Kima Bajo dive and accommodation packages for 2008 Almost every weird critter you can The workshop will be suitable 4 nights all inclusive package (2 dives per day) US$ 690 imagine is found in Lembeh Straits – for both DSLR and compact users. 4 nights all inclusive package (3 dives per day) US$ 750 from mimic and ‘wonderpus’ octopus, Mark will be on hand to help and Includes diving,accommodation,meals,airport transfers,taxes & service Rhinopias scorpion fish, hairy frog advise on the best techniques and fish to the diminutive pigmy seahorses solutions whatever equipment you and a host of other colourful and choose to use and make a number of astonishing subjects in between. themed presentations on techniques Mark’s workshop will to ensure successful results. The week combine this with the luxurious closes with a competition to find the accommodations of the Lembeh best image taken during the workshop. Resort on the shores of Lembeh The cost of the workshop with Island, just minutes away from more will be $1625. Kungkungan Bay Resort,Lembeh Tasik Ria Resort,Manado than 40 dive sites. If you need the 4 nights all inclusive package US$ 750 4 nights all inclusive package US$ 540 variety then Lembeh also has some www.photec.co.uk (free transfer when you combine Kima Bajo) excellent reef diving on offer and even some shipwrecks. The dive centre has remarkable guides that know all www.uwpmag.com 45/10