UnderwaterUnderwater PhotographyPhotography
a web magazine Issue 42 May/June 2008
Aquatica Canon 1DS Mk111 Sealux CD300 Nikon D300 Seasons Subal 45° viewnder Heinrichs iTTL Converter Wakatobi Olympus E3 / Nexus E3 Strobes and water colour FakFak Subal ND3 Nikon D300 Djibouti whale sharks Parting Shot
Contents UnderwaterUnderwater PhoPhotogrtographyaphy 4 Editorial A web magazine UwP42 May/June 2008 5 News & Travel 21 Subal Nikon D300 14 New Products by Martin Edge 33 Heinrichs iTTL 46 Wakatobi by Mark Webster by Michael Wicks
50 FakFak by Tim Rock and Miyuki Konda 38 byWater Alexande colourr Mustard 26 Sealux D300 18 Nexus/Olympus E3 by Colin Gans by Karin Brussaard
54 Seasons by Mark Webster 41 Whale sharks by Morris Gregory
Underwater Photography Cover shot 2001 - 2008 © PR Productions by Publisher/Editor Peter Rowlands [email protected] Alexander Mustard 62 Parting Shot
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Editorial DIVEQUEST Questionnaire ndings The Ultimate in Diving
It appears that I didn’t need to future advertisers, please take note...)
responsesdon my tin to hat our when questionnaire. reading your 134 questionnaireThe serious asked side about of the what sort readers have completed it over the of articles you would like to see in past two months and it has, for me, the future and 67% said equipment thrown up some interesting results. reviews and theory/tutorials, while For instance. The split between 87% wanted Tips & Techniques. Only DSLR and compact users is 30% wanted Photographers proles approximately 50/50 with around 22% but 58% wanted Destinations and using both and about 17% shooting more Marine life.
userslm. Inalso truth had nearly some alldigital of the capacity lm 97% Finallyof readers and thought most reassuringly that UwP was TurksBahamas & Caicos BikiniPalau, AtollYap, Truk so I would read that as ‘have the as good as, if not better, than printed Tobago, Dominica Australia’s Coral Sea capability of shooting lm’ rather than magazines which only leaves 3% who Bonaire, Venezuela Papua New Guinea, Solomons ‘only shoot lm’. begged to differ. Now 3% equates Little Cayman, Cozumel, Belize French Polynesia It surprised me that 41% dive to just 4 readers, one of whom, Honduras, South Africa & Fiji, Hawaii, temperate/green water although in you’ve guessed it, works for a printed Mozambique Sea of Cortez fairness maybe we should have given magazine. 1 out of 4 is 25% so that’s Thailand, Sipadan, Mabul Revillagigedo Islands the option to answer ‘both’. Even so a quarter who are biased leaving only Layang Layang Cocos & Malpelo Islands it’s an interestingly high gure. Going 75% of the original 3% who are not Derawan & Sangalaki The Galapagos the other way I was surprised that happy with UwP. Of those 75%, 33% Bali, Komodo, Wakatobi, Wrecks of Palau only 25% chose liveaboards. They (i.e. 1) still shot lm exclusively and Manado, Kungkungan Bay have always seemed to me to be the somehow managed to go on ‘less than most efcient way to maximise dive 1’ dive trip a year. y s e time but, obviously, what do I know. Somewhat depressingly, as far Plus Underwater Photography Group Trips and Courses with leading i s r One statistic which amazed me as I’m concerned, only 25% wanted photographers: Martin Edge, Linda Dunk, Malcolm Hey, o with envy was that 65% go on 3 or more Humour. Charles Hood, Gavin Anderson and Alex Mustard. M t a more trips per year. Another which P y impressed me was that 51% said they The Ultimate in b had bought equipment as a result of t o Peter Rowlands Underwater Photography Adventures o seeing an advert in UwP (potential [email protected] DIVEQUEST h ATOL Protected 2937 Telephone: 01254-826322 P 42/4 e-mail [email protected] website: www.divwww.uwpmagequest.co.uk .com
News, Travel & Events Mark Webster’s Underwater Photo Workshops 2008 13 – 20 June & 1 – 8 October
Ocean Optics Relocates to Action Underwater Studios
Ocean Optics and Mavericks Visions has already signed up to run
ActionDiving Underwaterhas relocated Studios. to Essex The based theunderwater tank”. photography courses at move will provide the underwater For teaching complex skills, photography and diving specialists like underwater photography or with access to Action Underwater buoyancy control, being able to talk Studios unique lming tank. The to the student is highly effective 10 x 12 metre tank is fully 6 metres and makes time in the tank far more The Red Sea is a perfect For 2008 we have two live deep. According to Steve Warren, productive. We think we may be photographic studio and has long been aboard photo workshops on offer. owner of Ocean Optics and Mavericks the only UK dive school that offers Diving, “ sharing Action Underwater this service”, explains Steve. Action a favourite location for underwater The rst in June will depart from photographers and with very good Hurghada and move south initially Studios facilities means that we can Underwater Studios, located at reason. The variety of corals, sh, towards Safaga and then make the provide our underwater photography Archers Fields, Basildon, is equipped spectacular colour and water clarity crossing to the spectacular Brothers equipment clients with a basic in - with classrooms, individual changing are hard to beat. islands when the weather is right. water camera familiarisation session rooms with showers and free car Mark Webster made his rst visit The second workshop in October at the time of purchase. We’re parking. The studio is associated here in 1976, when things were much will depart from Port Ghalib near also consulting with underwater with the lming of the “Star Wars”, more basic, and has been returning Marsa Alam to dive the reefs of Fury photography guru Martin Edge on “Bourne”, “Bond” and “Harry Potter” here every year since. There are so Shoal, Sataya and Ras Banas in the constructing a dedicated underwater blockbusters. set to meet the needs of wide angle experiencemany subjects or interest here that in whatever photography your southern Egyptian Red Sea . and other specialised underwater www.oceanoptics.co.uk photography courses. Ocean you are going to be spoiled for choice. www.oonasdivers.com www.uwpmag.com 42/5
U p c o mVideo i n g Internationa Compet i t i ol n Ps h o t o &
As the summer kicks in, several competition deadlines approach. Good luck!
June 1st Subios 2008 - Seychelles www.subios.com June 26th We are excited to announce big animal experience. We are seeking GDT European Wildlife Photographer of the Year a very special trip for 2009 to the best opportunities for giant Pacic www.gdtfoto.de the Revillagigedos Archipelago, Manta Rays, various shark species June 30th more commonly called Socorro, including schooling Hammerheads, 4th annual underwater.com.au photo competition located in the eastern Pacic Ocean Dolphins, dense schooling sh, Whale www.underwater.com.au approximately 250 miles south of Sharks, large Tuna and Humpback July 1st Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, at the tip Whales. San Diego Undersea Film Exhibition
aboardof the Baja dive peninsula, vessel the onSolmar the live V. expeditionWe have for scheduledlate March this when the www.sdufex.com These islands have been compared to water varies between around 70F - July 1st the Galapagos Islands in Ecuador or 74F, when the humpback whales visit 38th Annual National Wildlife Photo Competition Cocos Island in Costa Rica because Socorro during these cooler water www.nwf.org of the big animal encounters they months. You can usually hear these provide. gentle giants singing on almost every The Solmar V and crew have dive and underwater encounters with dived this area since 1992. They these whales are increasing every have hosted many underwater year. photographers and lm crews and have the knowledge to maximize our www.divephotoguide.com
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Antibes Film Festival Shoot to thrill 2008
Q U A R T E R L Y
Photographers and photojournalists Jeremy and Amanda Cuff have recently published a new brochure called “Shoot To Thrill The 35th World Festival of Policy” which showcases a sample Underwater Pictures will be held in SPECIAL OFFER FOR UwP READERS magazine feature article and an Antibes – Juan-les-Pins – France, at accompanying selection of images. the Convention Centre from October Jeremy said, “The aim of 29th to November 02nd 2008 Wetpixel are offering UwP readers a US $5 discount on Wetpixel Quar- producing “Shoot To Thrill” is During the Festival, the terly subscriptions. mainly for the purposes of expanding competitors’ lms, slides and slides- show will be screened into three our portfolio of photojournalism work See why Howard Hall described Wetpixel Quarterly as "a magazine for and is a good example of the type of rooms. underwater photographers featuring the best underwater photogra- commission that we can produce. It 1000 m2 of space will be phers in the world." will be sent to editors and publishers, reserved for exhibitors. The main hall but we’re also happy to send a copy to of the Convention Centre will host To claim your discount, enter coupon code UWPM2008 at checkout anyone who may be interested in our magazines, the exhibition of works in or call +1.415.449.1456. work.” competition (still photographs)... and Copies of “Shoot To Thrill the bar of the Festival. Policy” can be requested from Jeremy and Amanda’s website. www.underwater-festival.com SUBSCRIBE ONLINE: www.ja-universe.com WWW.WETPIXELQUARTERLY.COM
M a r i n e C o n s 2 5 e r v a t h a n t i o n n i v e S o c i e r s a r y t y y e a r Plymouth Local Group Open Photographic Competition Marine Conservation The good, the bad and the ugly Photos should illustrate some aspect of marine conservation – they could include wonderful coastal landscapes worth conserving, people working with conservation, marine or beach pollution or litter, marine related animal or plant species at risk………let your imagination roam! Classes for land and underwater, for adults and juniors. For a full list of • rules • judges • prizes • copy of the entry form go to www.mcsplymouthlocalgroup.co.uk/photocompetition Closing date is Friday 18th July 2008 The winning and highly commended photographs will be displayed at Wembury Marine Centre th Prizes include from 9 to 16th August Prizes presented Wednesday 13th August £100 in vouchers sponsored by Bags2Keep in conjunction with London Camera Exchange £100 in dive shop vouchers sponsored by Aquanauts and In Deep plus entrance tickets for Paignton Zoo and Living Coasts and more!
AugustFirst 9Annual – 16 or Fish ID Challenge August 16 - August 23, 2008
Join Sand Dollar and Bonaire during their stay. Attendees will Dive & Adventure this summer for receive a Bonaire specic, custom their First Annual Fish ID Challenge printed Fish ID guide of the top 100 in conjunction with Fish ID experts most commonly sighted sh found in Patti & Scott Chandler of ReefNet, Bonaire’s waters as well as a H2YO Inc. and the island of Bonaire’s Dive Noisemaker (underwater signaling Into Summer Program. devise designed by ReefNet, Inc.) For many years, Sand Dollar plus one Reef Fish Interactive DVD and Bonaire Dive & Adventure have per couple. During the week, Patti actively supported education and and Scott along with Bonaire Dive & conservation programs designed Adventure Naturalist Jerry Ligon will to contribute to the preservation of lead guided shore dives on Bari Reef. Bonaire’s magnicent underwater Several evenings each week, Patti and Marine Park. Join them this Scott will share raw, uncut video of summer for their latest endeavor, in these and other dives with participants conjunction with Fish ID experts Patti discussing sh ID and swapping the & Scott Chandler of ReefNet, Inc.. days “sh stories.” One of Scott’s Well known for their work in marine specialties is shooting in Hi-Def life identication and documentation, macro, capturing on tape, interesting the Chandlers have spent the last shes and creatures too small to be 17 years documenting sh species, noticed by the naked eye and sh behaviors and creatures for future behavior not normally seen by most study and identication. divers. Participants will enjoy multimedia Fish ID seminars targeting www.sanddollarbonaire.com novice to advanced sh watchers www.uwpmag.com 42/9
Eco Divers – new Turks & Caicos Uw diving at luxury Photo Competition resort Kima Bajo June-Sept 2008 This Event has become a major Competition offering $10,000 US in cash prizes and approximately $15,000 in subsidiary prizes such as dive travel, cameras, photographic equipment and SCUBA gear from be operating brand new, purpose built leading manufacturers. boats designed by Eco Divers with Also, the best twelve the diver in mind. They are spacious, photographs taken during the built in traditional design but with Competition will also be included contemporary interior facilities such in the Turks & Caicos annual,
From May 2008, Eco Divers will salonas sundecks, and powerful, rinse tanks, energy WC, efcient shaded international “Out Of The Blue” be offering diving and snorkelling Calendar with each photograph double outboard engines. services at the attractive upscale assigned to a particular month of the Kima Bajo is the ideal place for The result being that guests boutique Kima Bajo Resort, Manado. year. divers and non-divers alike with its travel to the dive sites with speed The resort beautifully compliments Underwater photographers who bar, restaurant, Mayana Spa, private and in extreme comfort. As with all Eco Divers’ Kungkungan Bay Resort wish to enter the Competition must beach and excursions to nearby places Eco Divers’ diving, the guest-to- in Lembeh being of the same high take their photographs in the Turks of interest. guide ratio is kept small at 4 to 1 and standards. This exciting development Accommodation includes 19 & Caicos during the months of June, with a maximum of just 8 guests per sees Kima Bajo and Eco Divers luxurious villas with a sunken outdoor July, August or September of 2008 boat. Snorkellers and non-divers are offering highly competitive new dive bathtub and shower, an exclusive welcome to join any of the trips. when diving conditions and tropical package prices. water temperatures are optimal. two-villa suite with its own private “We are delighted to be involved With its own private beach, Each participant must apply either swimming pool and 12 spacious with Kima Bajo – our experience this phenomenal, unspoilt location online or in the Islands for an Ofcial longhouse suites. The design is of Kungkungan Bay and Tasik Ria is idyllic for diving and relaxation, ID Card so they are recognized as constructed from the nest natural stands us in good stead and the team located just a short boat ride away materials available locally to create a competitor, but the Competition is looking forward to welcoming our from world renowned dive sites of the a style that is contemporary and yet imposes no restrictions on artistic rst guests,” explained Eco Divers’ Bunaken National Park. This means expression. very much in keeping with the North owner, Jim Yanny. that Eco Divers will offer two dives Sulawesi image. in the morning and one dive in the Eco Divers will be offering www.eco-divers.com www.underwaterphoto.tc afternoon with a leisurely lunch back its usual high calibre of customer at the resort. service to the diving guests and will
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The wreck of the El that are forming an actual layer our kit and during the swift ride back of sh over the top of the wreck, we start to discuss all the things we’ve Arish El Tor, Safaga sweeping back and forth as some see on this dive! By Laila Popper, Emperor Safaga large mackerels shoot through them in We continue recalling more and dive centre Manager pursuit. It’s time to ascend and during more details all the way through the our safety stop we watch a group of beautifully cooked BBQ at the Safaga Indian mackerels shing for plankton, Beach Club restaurant until it’s time their mouths wide open as they swim for our next dive. in synchronised splendour. As we nally break the surface www.emperordivers.com the captain is ready to help us with
Captain Karmi starts the two outboards and the speed boat ‘Mimi’ roars to life. It takes only a few minutes until we reach the site. A back roll gets us into the water where we of this ship did not cost any lives. descend on the line. On the chimney we discover the International Kemer Underwater Days All I can see in the beginning logo of the Sayed Nasr lines and I 16 - 19 May 2008 is blue water and a school of fusilier spot a blue spotted sting ray that has but as I continue down, at 17 metres made its home here while a very large International Kemer Underwater International Kemer Underwater we reach the wreck. She came to rest school of soldier sh attempt to hide Days (IKUD) is a week of activities Days includes many activities and on her starboard side and we start in the wreck. We swim through what organized jointly by the Center a meeting program on underwater our dive right at the bow. The name once was a shaded seating area. Now for Mediterranean Underwater imaging and underwater archaeology. ‘El Arish El Tor’ is still legible and only metal frames and the roof of Archeological Research (AASAM) It also contains underwater the anchor chain is covered with soft corrugated metal are left; re sponges (www.aasam.net) and the Foundation photography and videography corals. and purple fan coral give it new for the Promotion of Kemer (KETAV) competitions which happen in the We dive past what has once life. As we round the stern the two (www.ketav.org) , whose goal is to crystal waters of Kemer at every year been the bridge, descend further to 35 enormous propellers are silhouetted introduce to the world the natural and in May. metres and shine our torches beneath against the surface, covered with huge the archeological beauties of the deep the vessel. The orange rescue boats soft corals and I stop to take a few waters of Kemer - Antalya (Turkey) in www.kemerfest.net are tucked underneath and life vests pictures. the Mediterranean. This activity is a are hanging all over the place. It’s an On our way back we encounter member of EUIFA and the partner of eerie scene, but fortunately the sinking thousands (!) of yellow tail barracudas UNEP/MAP – Info RAC.
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Experience the best in liveaboard diving and learn how to take great pictures underwater at the same time. Cameras Underwater have teamed up with Tony Backhurst Scuba With some of the most diverse muck diving with a wide variety of Travel to bring you “Snapper School” macro underwater photography dive underwater critters. - the opportunity to enjoy diving at its sites in Indonesia, classic Indonesian Our specialist underwater very best and whilst you’re at it we’ll muck diving, and great wide-angle photography macro guides have been
yourshow camera you how underwater. to get the best out of videounderwater opportunities, picture and it’s underwater no wonder aroundguiding Bali underwater for years, photographers and have a Aimed at the diver who is just the best underwater photographers practiced macro photographer’s eye. taking their rst pictures underwater visiting Indonesia always dive From a simple one day (two or someone who feels they could do Bali. Whether you are just starting dive or three dive) trip, up to an with a little help, you’ll learn simple out in underwater photography, extended Bali Diving, Transport & techniques like how to use manual or are already an experienced Accommodation custom diving safari, white balance and the benets of wide marine photographer, our specialist let Bali Scuba handle all the diving angle lenses to more elaborate ideas underwater photography guides can logistics leaving you to concentrate on like using exposure compensation. help you achieve your goals in Bali. capturing your perfect marine image. We’ll have equipment on board so out to a standard of luxury that puts For underwater pictures or Depending on your diving you can try out the latest kit without the rest most denitely in the shade. underwater video of big pelagics in itinerary we are happy to provide any commitment to buy. This is Jacuzzi, plasma screen and a host of Bali, Manta, and Oceanic Sunsh/ FREE NITROX to divers already underwater photography for all, no other mod cons including a fridge in Mambo (Mola mola) then join us for Nitrox certied. exotic equipment and no terrifying every cabin! Are we talking about a speedboat diving in Nusa Penida. Let us know how many divers price tags. You’ll work with down liveaboard here or a ve star hotel! For macro underwater & how many diving days, and any to earth guides like Paul ‘Duxy’ Price for all this? Just £995.00. photography in Bali, Tulamben is the special requests, and we’ll get back Duxeld. See you on board. most well-known dive site. Those to you with some suggested dive You’ll be staying aboard with more time can also dive ‘Secret itineraries. Typhoon, part of the illustrious www.camerasunderwater.co.uk Bay’, Seraya, Pemuteran and PJ Tornado Marine Fleet. They are tted dive sites, all of which offer classic www.baliscuba.com
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Canon EOS 5D Ikelite Compact Digital Still Housings for EOS 20D EOS 30D Canon • Fuji • Nikon • Olympus • Sony EOS 40D EOS 350D, Rebel XT Ikelite offers housings for more than fty EOS 400D, Rebel XTi different digital still camera models to meet SLR-DC Housings EOS 450D, Rebel XSi the diverse demands of the underwater The Ikelite SLR-DC housing takes Fuji photographer community. Ikelite’s full advantage of the digital SLR S-5 Pro Compact Digital Still Housings are camera’s innovative features. The Nikon molded of clear polycarvbonate. Dive housing is injection molded of D40, D40x while knowing your system is safe clear, lightweight polycarbonate D50 and have complete visual access to for strength, visual access to the D60 D70, 70s camera, LCD screens and camera the camera, LCD, monitor and control D80 functions. Most housings are rated to controls. The housing provides D200 controls for most camera functions. D300 60m (200’). Most Ikelite SLR-DC housings Olympus Ikelite AF35 AutoFlash Kit include conversion circuitry that E-330 Fits most compact digital camera housings. provide TTL compatibility with E-500E-410 the latest Ikelite DS Substrobes. Ikelite • Canon • Olympus • Sony Many housings also include a E-510 E-3 The AF35 AutoFlash replicates your camera’s ash Flash Compensation Module which for automatic exposure in any provides over and under-exposure Sony A100 situation. You only have to know compensation in the TTL mode and A-700 easily allow you to switch to Manual how to point. Exposure Mode which provides The AF35 AutoFlash kit is an eight power settings. All exposure effortless and affordable way compensation is done on the back to add an external ash to your Underwater Systems point-and-shoot camera system. of the housing. There is no need to 50 W. 33rd. Street access complicated camera menus. Indianapolis, IN Everything you need to get started 46208 is in the box - just attach it to the 317-923-4523 bottom of your housing and start www.ikelite.com taking pictures!
SPECIFICATIONS New Products Depth rating: 300 feet/90 meters Precision machined from a single Aquatica Canon 1DS aluminum block. It is fully anodized to military specications and coated Mark III housing with robust wear resistant coating. All function labels are pad printing so Aquatica is proud to announce they will not peel off or fade. its latest addition, the housing for the Accurately balanced ergonomic fabulous Canon 1DS mark III, with design - all controls are within easy 21.1 mega pixels this camera/housing reach. combination will push the boundaries Excellent underwater balance. of underwater photography to another Replaceable sacricial anodes level. Machined from solid aluminum, protect the housing from electrolysis. treated and anodized to military specication, then painted with a www.aquatica.ca robust weather and wear resistant nish, this addition to our already wide selection of housings will benet from the same 300 ft. depth rating that set us apart from our competitors. Lens release lever for easy lens The 1DS Mk III housing has changing through the front port with the same mounting bayonet that will camera installed. accept our existing accessories as lenses for rapid changing without Built in remote control well as ports, including our tack sharp having to remove the SLR from the compatibility, no modication or Megadome, Aqua View nder and housing. Allows use of lenses from a special connectors to install. remote control cord, it is therefore in a 15mm sheye lens to a 180mm macro The most critical aspect of position to address every aspect of this lens. Tele-converter port extensions underwater SLR photography is the demanding activity that is underwater are also available. viewing system. The Aquatica 1DS photography. Fingertip access to all camera Mk III uses a viewnder that derives Key features: menu controls include On-Off, Mode, the biggest and the brightest image Bayonet Port: Positive bayonet bracket, Meter positioning, focus possible in full frame viewing to mounting and locking leaves no doubt control and AE/AF lock as well as your eye. An accessory Aqua View that your ports are secure in place AF preferences. Access to all menu Finder is also available giving the user and water tight. The bayonet system features include review, enlarge and dome, macro ports and extension delete, histogram and internal SLR viewnderunparallel viewing for sharp of focusing the camera’s and rings, offers the fastest access to preferences. exact composition.
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Heinrichsweikamp power the RSU. The trigger voltage Subal 45° viewnder Tokina 10-16mm can be up to 30 Volts. Instructions to Remote Slave Unit measure the voltages can be given on An interesting lens announced request. by Tokina is the AT-X 116 Pro DX, a Furthermore all strobes known to wide 11-16 f2.8 zoom for Nikon and us with 4-pin Sea&Sea Motormarine Canon crop sensor cameras boasting a connector are compatible to the RSU- S version. Modications to the strobe f/2.8focal maximumlength of 11-16 aperture. mm Whilstand constant the could be necessary. A dual sync cord zoom range is not exactly what you can also be used without limitations. might call extensive, this lens is likely to generate considerable interest with www.heinrichsweikamp.com its 17-25 mm approx. equivalent focal length (on Nikon DX, Canon APS-C Fantasea Canon users will get around 18-26 mm). The Remote Slave Unit RSU is a very sensitive microprocessor housing controlled photosensor that triggers The new WS45 Finder affords www.kenro.co.uk a comfortable view of the camera underwater strobes over large viewnder at 45° viewing angle. Sealux JVC housing distances. No TTL function is build As the GS180 viewnder the WS45 in the RSU as in the Digital Adapter. features an enlargement factor of The RSU does not work with active 150%, with the visible nder area preashes. Hence in most cases an enlarged to 2 ½ times of the original. additional external strobe is necessary WS45 pivots through 360°, with stops to suppress the TTL preashes of every 90°. most digital cameras. Under mint conditions distances exceeding 25 Fantasea Line announces the The 45° viewing angle offers distinct advantages when taking close- meters can be covered with the release of a new housing specically up pictures close to the sea oor or RSU system underwater. The major designed for the Canon PowerShot when shooting above/below type The Sealux Universal JVC application range is creative pool, SD1100 IS / IXUS 80 IS digital situations with semi immersed camera housing has an integrated high- wreck and cave photography. camera. housing. Top quality optical elements resolving 16:9 color monitor . All JVC All underwater strobes (TTL The FSD-1100 housing, depth assure a bright and brilliant nder camcorders can be used which are and non TTL) with 5 pin Nikonos rated to 60 meters/200 feet, is fully image. equipped with IR for remote control. connector are working ne with the functional providing photographers They must not be larger than 190mm, following limitations. The strobes are with access to all camera functions. equipped with a strobe ready signal wider than 132mm and higher than www.subal.com 116mm. of at least 4 Volts on the connector to www.fantasea.com www.sealux.de www.uwpmag.com 42/15 42/15
Nexus 1017 Tokina Light & Motion Stingray Dome Port HD and Bluen HC7 compatible with Sony HDR-HC9
Nexus introduces the new super coated glass dome port DP1017-10 made specically for the Tokina 10-17 sheye zoom lens. This small dome, only 4.75 inches diameter overall, is another in the line of dome specic Light & Motion is announcing ports that Nexus offers. Rather than that its Stingray HD and Bluen use big oversized domes the Nexus HC7 Video housings are now 100% approach is to match a glass dome, compatible with the new Sony HDR- small in size, to individual lenses. HC9 HDV camcorder. The Sony With a zoom lens like the Tokina HDR-HC9 camcorder offers high 10-17 you have a zoom range for wide quality video and is compatible with a angle coverage from 180 degrees to wide range of editing suites. Pairing 100 degrees of coverage. The small it with either the Light & Motion dome port keeps the camera housing Stingray HD or the Bluen HC7 video manageable underwater and very housings allows you to take your small for travel. The HG 725 zoom video to a new level…underwater. gear is used for the zoom control. www.uwimaging.com www.usanexus.com
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Aquatica Nikon D300 housing
TRAYS, PIVOTS AND ARMS FOR CAMERAS, HOUSINGS, STROBES AND LIGHTS
Aquatica is pleased to introduce the Aquatica D300 housing for the Nikon D300 DSLR camera. This new housing has an ergonomic design and gives the user easy access to vital controls to deliver a high performance, user-friendly experience for the underwater photographer. Accessible from the right hand are the Main and quick dial controls as well as the shutter release and AF- strobe connectors, giving the user lock control all this with out having to a wide array of underwater strobes remove your hand from the grip. to choose from and the exibility to Thefor original ease of armuse. with Accept O-rings no imitations. in the balls Developed based on our tested mix brands and models of strobes as and proven port system, the rugged desired. The secondary connector is Your quest for the best arm system is over. yet compact Aquatica D300 is ready to accept the new underwater Once you have an Ultralight arm compatible with all of our bayonet remote control for pole camera use ports and accessories, The 100 meters or for long exposure in low light you will never need to upgrade. (over 300 feet) pressure certication is situation. There is a tapped hole on the sure to please even the most technical top of the housing in the same axis as Used by more underwater photographers
of diver.The housing is supplied with two the lens for mounting a focusing light. than any other arm system. universally accepted Nikonos-type www.aquatica.ca Visit our website www.ulcs.com www.uwpmag.com E mail: info@ulcs com 42/17 p g E mail: [email protected] 42/17
Olympus E3 / Nexus E3 By Karin Brussard Besides underwater housings Nexus also manufactures various The Olympus E3 is the new bayonet mount lens ports. Olympus agship based on the Four Thirds also has a pack of ports developed for standard E-System. The E3 is an use on their own underwater housings extremely advanced camera that can but they have a screw mount. An be used for every assignment and fully adapter can be used to utilize ports complies with the strict requirements from Olympus and other brands of DSLR photography. that also work with screw mounts Olympus have put their own (Inon for example) on the Nexus underwater housings, made of housings. This is very convenient polycarbonate, on the market for for photographers already in the the E-330, E-300 and E410. For possession of Olympus ports but also their underwater housing of the E-3 for those who don’t own ports yet and Olympus have sought to cooperate can thus choose Olympus compact with Nexus. Nexus have been ports. angle lens like this. Olympus delivers dome port has been equipped with producing aluminium underwater I have tested the camera with a special zoom ring for this lens but a lens hood that is attached to the housings for many years now, initially some Olympus ports. The PPO-E3 unfortunately it can not be used with port with a number of socket screws. for traditional SLR cameras and now has been designed specically for the Nexus housing. The cogs on There was one problem I encountered DSLRs of various brands. the 50mm macro lens. This port has the zoom ring don’t coincide with when using it. The lens hood was in Nexus has a lot of experience a wide base at the screw connection those of the cog-wheel of the Nexus the correct position when I used the developing underwater housings and tapers towards the end, making housing (contrary to the cog-wheels of port with the extra ring. But when and you can tell by the E3. The it extremely compact. This is very the Olympus housings). I think this is I attached the dome port directly to underwater housing looks neat and convenient when photographing a real pity because you have to decide the housing, the lens hood stayed on well thought-out. The Olympus E-3 macro subjects. The 7-14mm wide- which setting the lens has to be in one side. And no matter how I tried, ts nicely in the housing and the way angle lens not only requires the dome before going into the water. Hopefully I couldn’t get the word Olympus to Nexus has built the housing it enables port PPO-E04 but also an attachment Olympus and Nexus will develop a appear on the top, but only a quarter the internal ash to be folded up. This ring (PER-E02). The wide-angle new zoom ring for this. turned. We did two dives on the allows operating the ash with an lens is that long it won’t t directly For the 8 mm sheye lens the same location that is why I wanted to optical cable. Despite this Nexus was on the dome port. The dome port is same port can be used but without change lenses in between. The whole able to keep the housing compact. The strikingly compact. The dome port the extra ring. It makes the system of Dahab went looking for a tting Nexus housing is suitable for a depth shows some distortion at 7mm but I travel-friendly since you only need hexagon socket wrench, because mine up to 70 meters. nd that very acceptable for a wide- one dome port for two lenses. The stayed behind in the hotel room….
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The Nexus housing is standard equipped with other photographers liking them. All camera functions are operable underwater two ash connections for electronic cables and The underwater housing comes with two with the exception of folding up the ash. The two connections for optical cables. The electronic magnifying glasses that you can place in the functions are not displayed on the housing and due connections have a standard Olympus mount and viewnder of the house. The magnier strongly to the fact the housing is not transparent you can’t are meant for connecting Olympus ash units. magnies the image but it only leaves a small part take a peek as to which button you have to use for Using the FL-36 in the PFL-E01 underwater of the viewnder visible. This is excellent for macro a certain function. This can be very tricky if you housing or its smaller brother FL-20 in the PFL- shooting as you will have an excellent view whether still don’t know the camera that well. I had set the 01 housing TTL ash is enabled. However; I have your object is sharp or not. The disadvantage camera in the manual mode during the rst dive, used two Sea & Sea YS 110 ash units that can not however is evident; you miss a large part of the with an aperture of f/5.6. During the dive I could directly be attached to the ash connections. They image which makes it hard to decide on an accurate not remember how to change aperture. I had to work require a special Athena adapter. Unfortunately this composition. About the other glass unit, the pick-up with the same aperture the entire dive. And because adapter was delivered to my house one day too late. unit, I am not entirely sure of its purpose. I thought of using the 50 mm macro lens I had a limited depth If you want to operate the ash units through afterwards that it might be meant for people wearing of eld. Still I carried on shooting and in the end I the optical cables you should not forget to fold up glasses, as some sort of correction. I have used both got some surprising and unusual results. the ash of the camera because there is no button on glasses a few times but I really prefer working with The auto focus on the E-3 works fast and the underwater housing to do it. the housing without magnier or pick-up unit. very precise and the 11 focus points are ideal to The underwater housing has a handle on both The capacity of the battery lasts for about capture sh. Although the camera ts perfectly sides. My hands are quite small and I am very well two dives. Since I operate the ash with an optical in the housing, it once shifted and I was unable capable of operating the shutter release button and cable the ash of the camera has to do a lot of work. to operate the camera underwater. It meant I had the command dial without having to move my hand. Thankfully it does not inuence the battery life to ascend, take my diving gear off, get out of The handles have grooves on them which I did not signicantly. It means that I don’t have to open the the water, dry myself and the camera, open the nd very pleasant to hold. Although I can imagine underwater housing. underwater housing, t the camera properly, close www.uwpmag.com 42/19 p g 42/19
the underwater housing, go back into cables. When using the optical cable, the water, put diving gear on, descend do not forget to fold up the camera’s and nally shoot. My buddy was not ash before closing the housing. The amused! Nexus housing comes with an adapter The Olympus E-3 has been so the Olympus ports can be used equipped with Live View just like also. its younger brothers. The LCD monitor of the E-3 has a nice large Karin Brussaard size (2.5 inch) and its brightness can be adjusted in 15 stops. It makes it www.karinbrussaard.nl easy to decide a composition even underwater. I have tried out Live View while making pictures of my buddy. That is not as easy as it sounds. I decide on the correct composition, I see my buddy in the right spot, not breathing out and press the shutter release button. When I view the picture I see bubbles in front of her eyes because of breathing out, due to the shutter lag when using Live View. Live View works great for still objects but not for moving objects, it needs an experienced photographer to deal with the limited focus speed. The Olympus E-3 and the Nexus housing make a great combination. The E-3 is a DSLR camera with www.ScubaCam.nl fast auto focus and 11 focus points. The Olympus E-3 has absolutely no problem with the light areas caused by the sun. The shutter lag makes Live View less suitable for moving objects. The Nexus housing is well built and has a number of special specications. External ash units can be operated underwater photo-videocenter through electronic as well as optical
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Nikon D300 and Subal ND3 by Martin Edge
When the Nikon D300 was hold, it feels the same. But then you released last summer (07) I along with notice the huge 3” LCD screen. Now, many other underwater photographers I am a rm believer that the larger the recognised that its introduction LCD the easier and more accurate it coupled with the relatively low retail is to review the result underwater. I price would substantially inuence cannot emphasise this enough. It’s no uwp world over. In my role as uwp use nding out that you have clipped educator I decided to ‘jump on the the composition or chosen the wrong bandwagon’ and up – grade from my angle when you’re back on dry land! trusty, reliable and much loved D200. The time to review and correct an You need to know that I have error or to pursue a new idea on a favoured Nikon since my days with a subject is underwater at the time of Nikon F2 and Oceanic housings of the shooting. The 3in LCD of the D300 80’s. I have owned and used Subal is bright, clear and easy to view even housings since the introduction of the in shallow water. There is a one Nikon F801 in the early 1990’s. In nger - press - zoom button on the my teaching role I regularly instruct rear of the housing. In practice I was design. If we cannot see clearly heard criticisms that for users with in Ikelite, Sea & Sea, Nexus and able to determine sharp focus on my and accurately what we are trying to small hands the shutter release is too Hugyfot DSLR housings. Whilst I’ll macro/close up subjects and on many shoot then what is the point? Doesn’t far away from the right handled grip. endeavour to be impartial as I can, occasions I persisted with the subject it frustrate when a manufacturer My suggestion is to simply release the to correct my focusing/compositional the inuence that Nikon and Subal produces a housing where the user velcro strap to allow the right hand mistakes. I doubt if I would have have had on my own photographic is unable to see all four corners of closer access. noticed underwater (at the time) these career cannot be ignored. I am unable the viewnder to compose a subject The On/Off switch has changed to compare the D300 against our small imperfections/mistakes by correctly. Enhanced viewnders like to a circular design. In my opinion Canon cousins but I do have sufcient viewing my Nikon D200 LCD. Subal and other housings, though this is an improvement and I feel the experience using the D200 to compare I receive many enquiries expensive are denitely worth the sensitivity to turn the camera on and concerning whether of not the Subal against the Nikon D300 money IMHO. off both on land (without the back GS viewnder is worth the money. On rst appearance the Subal The front main dial (aperture) plate) connected and underwater have ND30 is very similar to the ND20 In my opinion the viewnder of any the rear main dial (shutter speed) and a more positive feel to it. camera housing is without doubt the (Nikon D200). It weighs the same, shutter release control are in exactly The Mode and +/- exposure looks the same and when you take most signicant feature of the entire the same position as before. I have compensation push down controls www.uwpmag.com 42/21 www.uwpmag.com 42/21
A similar design improvement situated just below the ‘pop up’ ash Press the Info/Lock button and is evident on the left hand side of the button of the camera. The addition the shooting display information housing with the ‘QUAL’ quality, of this control is for users of Nikon comes up on the LCD screen. ‘WB’ White Balance and ISO push SB ashguns in housings to control Information including the Aperture, down controls. With the ND30, Subal exposure compensation. Shutter speed, Exposure Mode, etc have disposed with the small black Moving down the rear back-plate are displayed on the LCD monitor. circular base on which these three towards the LCD screen the BKT The implications of this I found to push buttons were situated on with the ‘bracket’ button of the ND20 has been be a signicant I did not have to look situated behind the On/off switch are ND20. replaced with the ‘playback’ button through the viewnder to ascertain my now raised up slightly. Whilst on rst Now, I always change the and next to it remains the ‘Delete’ exposure settings or exposure mode glance this would not appear to make ‘Quality’ and ‘ISO’ setting via the button. Below this in order are the The viewnder’s built in the slightest difference, underwater I ‘My Menu’ in the rear LCD screen but following ve push down buttons: exposure meter is also displayed. noticed that it was much easier for me with ‘WB’ White Balance I do need Menu, ? Info and Lock, Zoom out –, Indicating if a scene will be under or to locate both the ‘Mode’ and +/- to easy access to this button. My WB Zoom in +, OK over exposed. push down and make changes without settings uctuate between ‘Auto’ and Many readers will be familiar I could easily change and ‘Preset’. To set Preset WB via the with the above but I’ll just mention determine my settings i.e chosen tolooking comment at either on whether dial. I’m or notunable these housing I rst use the LCD screen to the highlights. aperture and shutter speed by simply dials are as easy to manipulate when locate and change it. This brings the turning the appropriate dials and wearing gloves. ‘PRE’ setting up in the bottom right having a clear unrestricted view of my hand corner of the camera viewnder. progress in the 3in LCD monitor. Once done, you push down and hold In practice, I could swim towards the ‘WB’ control for about three a subject (turtle) whilst at the same seconds and press the shutter. If this time, adjusting aperture and shutter attempt to ‘preset’ is successful you speed and without taking my eye off will see the ‘Gd’ sign (which signies the of the turtle the preset reading is ‘good’ and has The Zoom in or out is a one push worked). zoom feature which can magnify the I nd it much easier to locate LCD by up to 27 times. Whilst this is this WB push button control on the not a new, it has been developed and I top left of the housing than it was found it so much more ergonomic. before. With a little practice, ‘preset’ The MSC focus mode selector, WB readings can be set quite easily lens release, shutter release, AF On without having to ddle around to lever have not changed to any degree. locate the control. The spot, matrix and center weighted The ND30 now has a lever on dial are also unchanged. top of the housing which activates the The multi selector push down ash exposure compensation button controls now have an additional
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to lock onto subjects. For the last eight months I have been using the Nikon VR 105mm macro lens with mixed results, the jury is still out on this! I love the results on land and the quality of blur (bokeh) but underwater I’ve found it difcult to lock on to macro subjects because the focus push button in the center. I found is so damn quick from minimum to on this: By choice, I don’t often I can conrm is that low light shallow this very useful in order to activate maximum. Using this lens early one include the sun ball itself within the water sunlight shots worked very well a full size histogram overlay on top morning, I dropped to 30m to shoot frame. I nd myself leaving it out and there’s a signicant improvement of the image and most importantly a longnosed hawk sh which I had and using the beams of light in the over the Nikon D200. – activate it at your own convenience. found the previous day. Once in the This histogram can be set by going to water I realised I had not attached my corners to add sparkle and ‘jazz up’ an On four consecutive mornings Custom Setting F1 focus torch. I shot it all the same and otherwise monochromatic blue void I shot sunlight with a 10.5mm in my wide angles. Will the D300 sheye in 1m to 6m of water. The I used the camera and housing was surprised and very impressed by provide our sunbursts with the appeal sea conditions were glass calm and during a 10 day photo workshop how the focus locked-on in such poor they had on lm? I think so but I’m visibility was at its best for the day at Kasai Village Resort in Cebu ambient light. After 700 frames with unable to evidence it! Our 10 days – 20m. I used shutter speeds of Philippines. Now, I’ll point out that I my Nikon 105m macro VR - I can in Cebu, suffered with poor visibility 1/320th sec with an whole range of am unable to thrill you with images see substantial improvement in the of the likes which Berkley White focusing abilities of the D300 and this and whilst the sea was not rough it apertures. I shot Raw at the 200 ISO produced with the sailsh but for lens now has a permanent place in my was often choppy. I shot sunbursts at default and Auto white balance. The everyday subjects then read on. camera bag. various depths down to 25m but the sunbeams appeared more accentuated beams were so scattered and diffused, with the fast shutter speed of 320th as The ND30 felt no different in it’s hard to pass an informed opinion. opposed to 125th. But I was forever tripwater I noticed than the the ND20 improvement but soon into of both the Sunbursts and highlights As I recollect, shooting sunbursts in minded that this could also be affected these conditions on lm, the results by the height of the sun in relation to ‘S’ and ‘C’ auto focus (center point) Just so you know where I stand were not that impressive either. What the horizon. The ‘highlights’ warning www uwpmag com www.uwpmag.com 42/23
the mistake of underexposing several Battery Life blue water examples and when these areas were magnied, noise was Compared to the D200 the slightly visible. Expose correctly battery life is a very comforting at 1600 ISO and the noise effect and a much needed improvement. I diminishes. In Berkley White’s averaged 700 frames with both 60mm review of the D300 and sailsh he and 105mm macro lenses. warns of the importance to shoot With the 10.5mm and Tokina accurate exposures to avoid the noise 10mm – 17mm the average was 800. enhancing effects of brightening I allowed the battery to ‘run down’ a dark image in post processing. to 3% and it continued to function This is excellent advice and I would adequately until it reached 1% when recommend readers revisit his review it died. At 10% power I could nd no at UwP41 difference in performance from 100%
Live view Mode Weight and Transport
During my 10 day workshop I The Subal ND30 housing with looked for numerous opportunities the Nikon D300, a Nikon 60mm to use the Liveview Mode as an macro lens and port. Two Inon Z220’s my rig and his own Nikon D2x and advantage to normal viewnder with leads and a couple of Inon ash seldom indicated the sunbeams as we both agreed the D300 was superior composition. Whilst it is quite easy arms have a combined weight of 7 ‘clipped’ but when the ball of the for highlights. We also compared how to set ‘liveview’on a Subal housing, kilos. I carry this equipment in a large sun was present - this would ‘blink’. similarly the D300 rendered saturation all my attempts to use it in some but light weight ruck-sac which can In Raw postproduction – CS3, it and colour, particularly with the tones meaningful way failed. Perhaps I be crumpled up and made to t the was easy to recover the highlights of blue mid-water. An aspect of the was not selecting appropriate subjects luggage rack dimensions at airports. as long as they were not excessively Nikon D2x, which I have always been or opportunities; perhaps the GS I wear a photographer’s vest (at the overexposed. jealous of. For my own photography viewnder is so outstandingly clear as last count I found 15 pockets). I carry I have no doubt that the ability these improvements, together with the not to warrant in the circumstances, ash guns, a variety of lenses and of the D300 to handle the nature low light focusing abilities and almost which I found before me. Whatever other essential bits and bobs. My vest of highlights so often associated double the pixel count are good the reason, at this time, I fail to see (on average) weighs between 10k and with underwater is a substantial reasons to justify an up-grade. a purpose to use ‘live view’ mode 13k. Once through all the check-in improvement over Nikon DSLR underwater when used in conjunction hassle I re-pack the contents of my cameras which have gone before. Noise with the ND30. Perhaps a housing jacket into the ruck-sac. This method Together with my photo buddy with poor viewnding characteristics is working well for me at international Shannon Conway we compared At 400 ISO I saw no evidence would benet. airports and I include it in this review almost identical images taken with of digital noise. At 800 ISO I made for those who may nd it helpful. www uwpmag com 42/24 www.uwpmag.com
To Upgrade or not am unable to identify any particular aspect of this housing, which I believe For those of you who may could be improved upon. be contemplating an upgrade to the Nikon D300. I would suggest Martin Edge you visit the most comprehensive review, which I have seen - by Thom www.edgeunderwaterphotography.com Hogan. http://www.bythom.com/ nikond300review.htm It’s a long read but at the bottom of the review, Thom compares the D300 and offers his opinions on upgrades under the heading of ‘Should I get a D300’. For use underwater I recommend the Nikon D300 very highly and after using and reviewing the ND30, I
www.heinrichsweikamp.com/blitz/en/rsu.htm
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Sealux CD300 for the Nikon D300 by Colin Gans
Mastering the operation of an else, this allows for more leeway with underwater housing is a journey of cropping); familiarization. You move through a ∑ signicantly longer battery life; process of engaging its functionality, ∑ slightly increased dynamic range employing its ergonomics and with 14 bit RAW images; adapting to its idiosyncrasies and so ∑ slightly less noise at higher ISO become at one with it; through lots of levels; practice. It’s like learning to play an ∑ self cleaning image sensor; instrument. ∑ Nikon D2X plus-some in a compact Sealux’s CD300 housing for D200 style body. the Nikon D300 DSLR has a similar Whilst my previous two Sealux feel to the earlier D200 housing only housings were functional and durable the design of the CD300. Mineral This effectively gives four possible with improvements in performance (see www.underwaterdisplay.net/ glass rather than polycarbonate is mounting points on the housing for and functionality. All the controls just rig for reviews) the CD300 shows used for the window over the D300 strobes and accessories; one on each seem right and the changes I have so an improvement in aesthetics and monitor display and this does justice arm, a third one on the left hand side far encountered are for the better. ergonomics with the introduction of to the resolution and clarity of the and the ball mount at centre top. Key improvements with the some subtle changes including: curved D300’s display. This is an important Two different size ball ttings are D300 camera over the D200 which I handles and conically tapered at feature and one which rated highly available. The additional ball mount have found to be useful in a practical ports for close-up and macro work. in my deciding whether to purchase. can be unscrewed to allow the housing context for underwater photography A feature on Sealux housings The monitor window is visible with to t in my cabin bag without the ball are: which I think is a good design the 150 degree viewnder rotated to protruding. ∑ excellent monitor resolution and attribute is the raised inner lip on any of its selectable positions. As with My CD300 sports the new 150 response, enabling effective in-camera the housing body which stops water other Sealux DSLR housings, tested degree optical viewnder (GV150). decision making while underwater; falling back into the housing when depth rating is given as 90 metres. Sealux viewnders have in the past ∑ the ability to view camera settings, the housing back is removed after a The CD300 allows for an been very successful and this one previously only visible in the top LCD dive. This also serves as a guide to additional ball mount to be installed appears to be no exception. The prism window, in a large clear format in the placement of the lid on the housing in the threaded socket provided on model GD Viewnder made by Sealux monitor window; body for sealed closure. the centre top of the housing to mount is also on-sold to Subal for their ∑ improved image quality (if nothing Attention to detail is evident in a focus light or other accessory. underwater housings. The GV150 42/26 www.uwpmag.com
The Controls
One improvement which is welcomed is a change in design to the previously quirky focus mode control which switches between continuous, single, or manual focus (C/S/M) modes. This has been re-engineered and works very well with a good tactile feel when switching. Some controls described below are available optional extras. I suggest visiting the Sealux website for current details on options (www.sealux.de).
Live View Release Mode Dial
The release mode dial which allows control of Live View, Single Frame, Continuous, Self Timer and Mirror Up is engineered as a single control; a clever solution. When engaged it depresses the locking button while rotating the dial on the camera. I would be interested to see how other housing manufacturers’ solve this.
viewnder provides an enlarged 150 circlip on the inside of the housing aluminium milled monoblock CNC, Focus Priority Override degree view which is bright, sharp and cover. Dual o’rings on the viewnder hard anodized and is sealed for complete; it rotates to allow portrait shaft provide a watertight t onto resistance to saltwater corrosion. The The AF Lock lever is well and landscape views and is useful the housing. I found the GV150 to colour, described as titanium grey, is positioned to be used in conjunction for over-under images. A detachable be as good as the GD Viewnder in a little darker than my earlier D200 with the shutter release lever to sunshield is tted to the eyepiece. The coverage and clarity with the added housing. The controls appear to feel override focus priority. This is handy viewnder can be turned downwards advantage of being angled and able to better but whether this is a case of for lenses like the Nikon 105VR when transporting or removed by rotate. ‘new broom’ syndrome or not, time micro when used with the focus hand by disengaging the plastic The housing is made of will tell. gear as it allows focus priority to be g www.uwpmag.com 42/27
overridden on demand simply by The Mode and +/- Control squeezing the AF Lock lever with the thumb while operating the shutter Both the mode and +/- buttons on release with the forenger; a perfectly the camera are controlled by a single natural movement. lever, neither of which are engaged when the lever is in centre position. A Centre Multi Selector Button Pushing the lever to the left engages +/- exposure compensation. Pushing Some underwater housings I the lever to the right engages camera have tried lack the centre control for mode. In either engaged position the the camera’s multi selector. Sealux respective button stays down until the have provided access to the centre lever is returned to the centre position. button by engineering four of the In practice I have found this to be shafts at slight angles allowing the useful since both of the underlying buttons to be spread a little further buttons work in conjunction with the apart on the outside. The ve controls front command dial which needs to (North, South, West, East and Centre) be rotated. Having these buttons stay are symmetrically placed. I found the down until disengaged allows the response of the multi-selector quite front command dial to be operated sensitive but after a day or so of using with thumb and forenger. my ring nger, override autofocus nding that I use it more frequently the housing I have now become used with my thumb and press the shutter than expected. to this. Func Button Control with my forenger; feels like I’m playing a saxophone! This is certainly QUALity, ISO and WhiteBalance The Flash Mode Button A Func button control lever more convenient than having to allows the D300’s user-dened manually switch off strobes. The While the more important WB The Flash mode button is another function button to be accessed. With location and feel of each of these three and ISO button controls are available, challenging control to engineer due the D200, I viewed this as a ‘nice levers is ergonomically good. there is no direct control button for the to its position on the camera. This to have’. Now that its available I’ve third member of the trio, the QUAL button is controlled via a lever and had to think what I’ll use it for. I Lens Release Lever button. This control can be set as a is well situated for access to enable have since decided that assigning the shortcut and then accessed by pressing switching between normal ash mode Func button to ‘Flash Off’ is a good A lens release lever in the the Menu button. In my opinion and rear curtain sync as well as ash choice. There have been times when housing body allows the easy removal having a QUAL button is not missed compensation when using a housed I’ve wished for a convenient way of of lenses from the front port. This is as it’s not often that I would choose speedlight. cancelling ash without taking my eye handy when switching lenses between to switch image quality and should off the viewnder and this approach dives. Prior to using this control I had I wish to do so then ‘My Menu’ is works very well. I can override the placed it in the ‘nice to have’ basket of sufciently convenient for the job. ash to do an ambient light shot with features. Now that it is available I’m 42/28 www.uwpmag.com
The Lens Port System Strobe Wiring and Bulkhead Options
Sealux ports use glass and I do like their Strobe ports are available in three forms, dependable design. They have a large diameter Nikonos style exible pin, Nikonos style all pins bayonet tting with good o’ring seals making for a xed, or S6. Either one or two strobe ports can be reliable seal. I have used the housing with a dome ordered in various combinations. port, towed next to a boat, photographing spinner The strobe bulkhead wiring allows choice of dolphin and have experienced no leaks despite TTL (5 pins active) wiring or just two pins active such turbulent motion at shallow depth. The port for traditional strobes and these can be changed system is modular and allows the use of extension at a later stage by ordering a different wiring rings to match ports to be used with a wider range conguration. Having all 5 pins wired allows use of of lenses. All port windows are high quality optical a single housed SB800 to be electrically connected glass. Barrels are made of Delrin. The ports are as well as third party TTL adapters such as Ikelite’s durable, well designed and I have yet to experience #4302. Careful thought should be given to the a leak from either port or housing body in hundreds choice of ports and wiring. My personal choice is of dives over a four year period. The effort for two Nikonos style exible pin ports with all experienced in changing ports can be reduced with ve pins active as this provides wired connections the use of a lightweight strap wrench as described in and has a more aesthetically pleasing look. for either a single housed speedlight or two Ikelite the ‘Niggles’ section. The tight and positive bayonet In addition to this, Sealux have come out with DS125 strobes. t of the Sealux ports may in fact contribute to their a series of good quality wetmate diopters for the I chose two Nikonos style strobe bulkheads. very low ood rate. new at ports which t neatly onto the front of the The Nikonos bulkheads are offered in two avours, Port extension rings allow a modular approach ports with a bayonet type lock. I ordered one of the traditional with two exible / three xed and the same rings can be used on at and dome these on a whim and am very impressed with how pins and the other form with all ve pins xed. ports to cater for most popular lenses. Since the well it ts on the port. The diopter works with both Whichever avour is chosen the option exists to same tried and tested bayonet ttings have been the 60mm and 105mm micro lenses. order either as TTL capable with all ve pins wired used for many years, there is protection of existing The following are examples of port options for or just the two GND and TRG active, i.e. wired. investment and as we know, our lasting investment popular lenses for underwater photography: From past experience I have found switching is more in the glass (lenses and ports) than the ever o Nikon 10.5mm sheye: 180F Dome Port wiring on Sealux housings to be a relatively changing cameras and housings which t them. o Tokina 10-17 sheye zoom: 180F Dome Port straightforward exercise once the strobe logic is The large dome port (180F) has been available o Nikon 12-24mm: 180F Dome Port + 28mm understood. for some time and is excellent for 10.5mm Nikon, extension ring 10-17mm Tokina and the 12-24mm Nikon with the o Nikon 60mm micro: PS104 Niggles addition of an extension ring. What’s new is the o Nikon 105mm micro (both VR and classic): either PS series of at ports which are conically tapered PS114; or PS 104+ 28mm extension ring with Whilst this review is for the most part positive from about 126mm at the housing side down to manual focus gear option available either in the port there are two niggles, still present, which I have approximately 92mm at the glass end. The tapering or in the extension ring if this latter combination is experienced with earlier housings. The rst relates allows better positioning of strobes for macro work chosen. to the degree of effort involved in changing ports; www.uwpmag.com 42/29
10-17mm lens, Sealux 180F dome port, 1/200sec, 60mm lens, Sealux PS104 port, 1/60sec, f/22, ISO 200 yes, unnecessary physical effort! The second issue f/13, ISO 200 arose with the D200 housing as a symptom of downsizing in the drive to keep things compact. The The issue of a negatively buoyant housing C/S/M, Func, Multi-selector centre, Flash mode, AF D200 and D300 housings became more negatively should only be of concern for macro photography Lock and Lens release. buoyant with these cameras which were heavier and I have found that using Stix buoyancy arms ∑ Durability: good seals, raised inner housing lip, than the similar sized D70. Effective workarounds with my two Ikelite DS125 strobes resolves this robust construction exist for both of these issues and I do not see them neatly. I use four of the SX-109 sets and UCLS ∑ Portability: compact and relatively easy to pack as detracting from the overall qualities of the buttery clamps to hold them. and transport for a DSLR housing housing once the workarounds are applied. Each With this setup and the heaviest lens / port ∑ Depth rating: 90 metres (295 feet) particular brand of housing has its quirks and after combo I own (105mm Nikon VR / PS114 port) plus The niggles all, where would the challenge lie in underwater focus light the rig weighs 330grams negative in ∑ Negatively buoyant: remedied by otation arms fresh water. ∑ Effort in removing lens ports: remedied by using photographyI previously without found having switching to problem ports onsolve? dive a lightweight strap wrench trips to be tedious with some effort required, to The Housing In Summary coerce the installed port off the housing. Enter the Notes from the Field ‘Baby Boa strap wrench’, a lightweight plastic strap In brief, I see the CD300 as a step forward; it wrench perfect for the job of removing ports by has, so far, exceeded my expectations. For this review I tested the housing dry; in a gripping the barrel and allowing sufcient leverage The good points pool and then followed up with a week of diving to be applied. It would be useful to have these, ∑ Optics: the ports, the display and the 150 degree off Niue Island. I used 60mm, 105mm, 10-17mm or similar supplied with Sealux ports. The strap viewnder; all precision glass optics and 12-24mm lenses with respective close-up port wrench has made changing ports easy for me and ∑ Ergonomics: the location of key controls in / wetmate diopter combinations and dome port plus can be found in many hardware stores or you can relation to each other extension ring combinations. I was happy with try online using ‘strap wrench’ for your search. ∑ Functionality: almost every camera control one results from all combinations tested; particularly could wish for including controls for Live View, when using the PS close-up ports as these were 42/30 www.uwpmag.com
Have you learnt something invaluable by reading this issue of UwP? Have you saved a lot of time benetting
orfor do the you experience simply just of enjoyUwP contributors UwP and want to help it continue? If so, please donate to the UwP contributors
You may not know this but more their percentage. none of the UwP contributors get When deciding how much you paid. They provide their articles want to donate please bear in mind and photo talent in support of the that PayPal’s charge for amounts cause of UwP which aims to keep smaller than £3 or $6 can be as 10-17mm lens, Sealux 180F dome port, 1/200sec, f/14, ISO 400, natural light the magazine free for anyone to high as 24%!! Whilst I accept that download. PayPal is absolutely brilliant and Donations are all handled in safe, I don’t want this to become a new to me and showed improvement Nikonos style strobe ttings or total security through PayPal and ‘Donate a lot to PayPal”!! over the bulkier traditional Sealux at European style S6 plugs. This housing you can also pay securely by credit You can make a donation in ports. makes music - highly recommended. card using the PayPal links. either US $ dollars, UK £ sterling Conclusion Your donations will be or € Euros by following this link Colin Gans distributed to the contributors of www.UnderwaterDisplay.net each issue on a pro rata basis i.e. www.uwpmag.com/donate. I see the CD300 as a step the more pages they contribute, the html forward from its predecessor with design features which are compact, aesthetically pleasing, ergonomic and durable. In forming a complete system, individual components exist for most needs and integrate well with the modular port system. Different Donate here options cater for various lighting interfaces be they a housed speedlight, www.uwpmag.com 42/31
Click on the link below to go to the Tech-Talk Newsletter lt www.urprolters.com
Heinrichs Weikamp Nikon iTTL Converter by Mark Webster
It’s funny how things turn full Then the digital day dawned circle – they say that fashion repeats and with it a completely new TTL itself and I suppose it must be true protocol which (with the exception of certain trends in photography, of the Fuji S2) did not communicate particularly underwater photography. with our ashguns. So we came My rst steps with underwater back to basics making our ash photography were with Nikonos II’s exposures manually once more, only and III’s followed by Nikon F’s and now we could see success or failure F2’s. These cameras were of course immediately on the review screen.
entirely manual, without even light One feature our ashguns required metering, unless you had a photomic though were multiple manual power head for the F2a or a Sekonic marine settings to adjust the exposure, meter for your Nikonos, and of course particularly with the high base ISO’s The Heinrichs Weikamp Nikon iTTL Converter is relatively compact (compared to ash exposure was calculated via that cameras like the D100 came the competition) and connects in line with your strobe. To use two strobes you will guide numbers followed by an anxious with. This was a concern for me as I need a dual cable. wait for your lm to be developed. wanted to continue to use my trusty Then Nikon introduced TTL ash Inon Quad ash which only had three control with the F3 and the Nikonos power settings and of course, as it is upgrade path , most likely the D300 converters may not work with all which has returned to a base ISO of ashgun models the added attraction withV (there auto had ash been and a thebrief Nikonos irtation IV alwaysmounted be on close the endto the of subject. the port, I wouldgot 200 – although it does offer a ISO100 of them is the manual control they but this was not a resounding success) around this by using the Light and ‘slow’ setting, this is apparently does offer which effectively extends the and our lives changed – we could Motion Titan housing with the ROC compromise image quality a little. number of power settings available on condently expect predictably good system which gave me the exibility The ashgun market has also moved an older ashgun. ash exposures, especially in macro, of 12 power settings for any ‘Nikonos on and now we can buy amphibious A couple of years ago I bought and concentrate more on composition. TTL’ ashgun. I eventually upgraded guns with iTTL and eTTL circuitry to a TTL converter from Heinrichs The even better news was that the to the D200 which has a base ISO give us that perfect exposure and, for Weikamp for my wife’s Olympus TTL protocol remain unchanged for of 100 and so did not present such a those of us with a shelf full of older PT30 housing which has been a great many years right up until the nal great problem, although I rarely shoot ‘Nikonos’ protocol TTL ashguns, success, so when our illustrious editor generations of lm cameras, so we with the Quad above 1/4 power. there are also converters available offered to let me trial his new external could use the same ashguns with And so at last to the purpose from Heinrichs Weikamp, Sea & Sea, iTTL converter I jumped at the each camera upgrade. of this review! I am again on the Athena and Ikelite. Although these chance. This unit is relatively compact www.uwpmag.com 42/33
The Heinrichs Weikamp Nikon iTTL Converter installed on my Inon Quad ash and Subal ND20. Older ashguns like this will not communicate in iTTL but can Leopard spotted goby. Nikon D200, Limacia clavigera nudibranch. Nikon be controlled on MTTL via the camera’s exposure compensation dial. This extends Subal ND20, 105mm micro, Inon Quad D200, Subal ND20, 105mm micro, the range of manual power settings signicantly – down to 1/32 power at -5EV. ash, Heinrichs Weikamp Nikon iTTL Inon Quad ash, Inon wet lens, Converter, ISO200 f16 1/60 Heinrichs Weikamp Nikon iTTL and connects in line between the computer. Having done this check Converter, ISO200 f22 1/60 ashgun and the housing converting a the comprehensive manual to see if wide variety of ‘Nikonos’ ashguns to you need to change the unit settings chilly 9c at this time of year and I on the distance to the subject, but his work effectively with the D40, D50, for your ashgun – there is a small had to wait a couple of days for the would be common with most TTL D80, D200, D300, D2X etc., but not board of eight micro dip switches strong south west winds to abate guns which would struggle to quench the older D100 which uses the older which must be congured before before I could make my rst of two the ash output for a macro shot at a dTTL system. The unit can be used you close the unit for use. When you trials. I have a pair of Subtronic Mini wide aperture. with two matched ashguns with the switch on the ash and the camera TTL’s which are fully compatible My second test, and perhaps addition of a dual synch lead, but you there is a small green LED that which I found gave consistently good main objective, was with the Inon should check the website for a full list ashes to indicate that the two are exposures through most aperture Quad ash. Christian Weikamp had of compatible ashguns and cameras. communicating and you are then settings at both ISO 100 and ISO 200 told me that the unit ‘might’ work in First the converter must be ready to go. with my D200. Apertures of f4 and TTL with the Quad even though it charged via a USB lead from your My local marine studio is a wider proved a challenge dependant is listed as not compatible on their 42/34 www.uwpmag.com
Velvet swimming crab. Nikon D200, Subal ND20, 105mm micro, Inon Quad ash, Heinrichs Weikamp Nikon iTTL Converter, ISO200 f16 1/60
website. However, I was quickly systems. As with lm, TTL is only disappointed on this score as the Quad really reliable in macro or with stand would re only on the pre-ash signal off subjects that ll the frame and and thus leave me with a blank review provide good reection of light back screen. All was not lost of course, as to the camera. TTL can be made to the unit can be congured to control work in wide angle if you are careful the gun in ‘manual TTL’. A ick of with your main subject placement, but a dip switch and setting the camera for the classic wide angle composition to rear curtain synch now gave me with an open blue water background control of the ash output through the TTL will struggle and often re the exposure compensation settings on strobes at full power. Personally I the camera – very neat! You have to have not found it a struggle to get use the camera in manual mode for consistently accurate exposures using this to work, but it gives very exible manual settings and if you are the control of the ash power in fractions same then this converter may be an
of a stop all the way down to -5EV expensive luxury at €350. However, which is the equivalent of 1/32 power. if I follow my upgrade path and nd I So I was back to manual exposure need one to continue using the Quad settings but with a far greater level of ash effectively then for me it will be control over the ash power. Not as worth every cent! convenient as TTL but it does mean a new lease of life for your older TTL Mark Webster ashguns if you want to continue to www.photec.co.uk use them.
ask ourselvesIn the nal if weanalysis need orwe desire have to TTL ash control for our digital www.uwpmag.com 42/35
tool that controls water colour in our Strobes and images. I rst raised this topic in UWP water colour a couple of years ago, back in Issue By Alexander Mustard 31, but I felt it was worth revisiting in detail. The root of this phenomenon is
salethat theproduce various light underwater at different strobes colour on I expect the title of this article temperatures and digital cameras will be causing a bit of head have adjustable white balance that scratching but please bear with me, reacts to this. this is a relatively new concept but To keep things simple I am going one that is well worth consideration. to lump strobes into warm coloured In this article I want to discuss and cool coloured – using my own how the colour temperature of our strobes as examples. My Subtronic strobes has the potential to affect the strobes are warm or red biased (my background water colour in our digital Alphas produce light at 4300 K and photographs. the newer Midis at 4800 K), while my It certainly sounds confusing Inon strobes are cool blue biased (my Figure 1. The colours of these two test to begin with. How can ring a strobe Z240 produces light at 5500 K). Many factors inuence the background images are almost identical. The top that illuminates the subject and not When you take a picture water colours of our images, such image was lit with an Inon Z240 strobe the water alter the water colour? It illuminated by 5500 K or 4300 K as conditions and exposures. In this and the lower one with a Subtronic requires a different way of thinking light you will need a white balance article I want to discuss the importance Alpha. The top image required a white about colour in images because close to this value to render neutral of strobe choice. Here I used warm balance setting of 5500 K to produce of the adjustable white balance of colours (see Figure 1). This setting is Subtronic Alphas, which produce light this neutral look. The lower image digital cameras. Therefore this is a applied to the whole image. In the real at 4300 K. This image was processed needed a much lower setting of 4300 digital issue and not something that is world this means that both strobe lit with a colour temperature in the RAW K to get the same neutral colours. relevant to slide photography. and non-strobe lit areas are affected, converter of 4300 K, which rendered a Different underwater strobes produce I should also say that this is an and therefore strobe choice can affect correctly coloured foreground and rich light at different colour temperatures article about subtle differences. Strobe the background water colour (see blue background and therefore require different white colour temperature does not make Figure 2). To prove this to yourself, balance settings to produce correct day or night differences to images, it open up one of your own wide angle neutral colours. Apologies for the is about that nal polish. However, it images in a RAW converter and try subject matter these were taken during is often those nal nishing touches moving the colour temperature slider my own tests. goodthat make and the the excellent. difference To between ignore thethis between 4300 K and 5500 K. Ignore the foreground colour and watch how issue means giving up an important much the water colour changes. 42/36 www.uwpmag.com
Another way to explain this concept is to compare the similarities and differences between lm and digital. On both media the main factors that will control the background colour we get in our
(waterphotos colour,are environmental depth, climatic conditions conditions etc), camera angle, lens and exposure. On lm we have another important factor to consider. Film choice. Certain lms are well known to make big differences in the water colour they record. Even within the Kodak stable photographers used to spend much time debating the differences between the true look of Kodachrome blues compared with Figure 2. These two available light the rich royal blues that Ektachrome images are the same shot – simply delivered in the same conditions. processed at different white balance Stunning blue backgrounds were values. Compare the blue water colour Figure 3. Compare the water colour in these two images that were taken at the known as ‘Ektachrome blue’ for many – the difference is small but is clearly same time with the same camera, lens and exposure. Nikon D2X + Tokina 10- years. a richer blue in the lower frame. The 17mm @ 10mm. F9 @ 1/50th. Single strobe. The only difference is the strobe used When shooting slides strobe upper frame is at 5500 K (the value for each. In a) I used a warm light producing Subtronic and for b) I used a cool colour temperature made no required for the Inon in Figure 1) and light producing Inon. If I had taken these images on slide lm, both background difference to the water colour. If the lower frame is at 4300 K (the value colours would be the same colour, but the foreground in a) would be warmer we used a warmer strobe then the required for the Subtronic in Figure 1). coloured than the foreground in b). As these were shot on digital, the white only effect would be warmer hues in balance is adjusted so that the foreground is correctly coloured and neutral (note that the sand on the sponge is white in both). However the background water the foreground lit by a strobe. The approximate analogy to lm choice is colours are noticeably different because of the different white balance settings background would remain unaffected. the camera’s adjustable white balance. This was/is a popular technique, with Shooting underwater, a digital camera required. The warm strobe produces a rich blue background, while the cool strobe many photographers favouring warm will try to make the foreground produces a murkier blue. strobes or warm ltered strobes to subject appear neutral, deciding improve the skin tones of people in on the appropriate white balance their images. setting for each shot based on the Digital is different. An colour temperature of the foreground www.uwpmag.com 42/37
illumination. When you adjust white Figure 4. This is photo of some we use warm strobes in green water balance in the RAW converter you are lters on a lightbox. Note that the our foregrounds are again a bit too doing the same thing. Since different strength of lter 1, a Lee 444 Filter warm requiring a cooling of the white strobes require different white balance - required to adjust a Inon at 5500K balance to create a neutral foreground settings (therefore affecting the colour to a IkeliteDS125 equalling 4900 K look. If we cool down green water of the water in your images) – strobe is much, much weaker than other we actually push it away from green
choice on slide.digital is comparable to lm photstandardogra phylens. ltersIt is a lsofor che underwateraper to buy 5).towards a blue-green colour (Figure To run through an example, if we as it is not made to optical quality. Personally, when I shoot in use warm strobes then the foreground For information: 2 is Magic Filter, 3 green waters I like to try and record subject will appear to the camera (or is CC50Red, 4 is Wratten 22 and 5 is a rich green colour and warm strobes to us white balancing the RAW le Auto-Magic Filter. erode this. Instead I prefer cooler in post processing) as too warm and strobes, like the Inons. A cool strobe the white balance will be used to cool will require a warmer white balance the image (the Kelvin value will be worrying that you have the wrong strobe lighting forces a cooler white setting, which will increase the lowered). Importantly this adjustment strobes – don’t. We don’t have to balance on the image which renders greenness of the greens, producing is applied to the entire image. settle for what the manufacturers richer blues in the background. that desirable emerald look. Again Cooling the white balance results in a give us – we can warm and cool our Therefore it follows that any factor you can prove this to yourself with correct looking foreground and bluer strobes by attaching lighting gels to in our photographic technique that your own images. Open up a green background. If we use cool strobes them. Lighting gels are not expensive lessens the warmth of the foreground water wide angle image in your RAW then the foreground will be too cool (because they are not made to optical illumination will reduce the richness converter and try moving the colour and the camera (or us) will attempt quality like lens gel lters) and can be of the blue. If we are too far from temperature slider between 4300 K to warm it up with the white balance. bought easily from lm and theatre our subject the light reaching it will and 5500 K. Ignore the foreground This will again result in a correct lighting suppliers. Compared with be cooler and the image will require colour and watch how much the water looking foreground and a less blue typical underwater lens lters, the warmer white balance, weakening the colour changes. background. You can see this visually strength of lter required is very weak blue. This is a common symptom in Personally I have quite a bi-polar in the real world example in Figure 3. – to change an Inon Z240 (5500 K) many underwater images. Similarly view of the ocean’s many colours: I It is clear from the examples to match and Ikelite DS200 or DS125 if we are shooting a balanced light like my blues to be rich blues and my (Figures 2 & 3) that the effect is (4900 K) you need a +22 Mired image and we use too little strobe greens to be rich greens. However, subtle, but this difference will there in shift colour conversion lter – a Lee on the subject (so that the subject many photographers diving in green all your images. The only difference (Number 444) Eighth CT Straw Filter is illuminated by a mix of strobe waters actually like them to look quite between the two shots in Figure 3 was is perfect and can simply be cut to t and ambient light) the blue will be blue. Here in the UK photographers the type of strobe I used. Once the the strobe. To see how mild a lter less rich, if we try and correct the often wait for the bluest conditions foregrounds are adjusted to the correct this is, have a look at Figure 4 where foreground colours. before shooting wide angle, blue neutral colours the blues are clearly I have compared this lter with some So far I have only considered water makes temperate water look different. common underwater lens lters. blue water shooting. What happens particularly inviting! Either way it is Many of you may now be We have seen that warm when we get into greener waters? If important to appreciate the importance 42/38 www.uwpmag.com
Figure 5. These two frames show the In temperate seas I like to try same green water image processed at and capture rich emerald green different white balance values. This backgrounds. Cooler strobe lighting image was lit by my Subtronics and forces the camera to warm the image the upper frame at 4300 K, produces with its white balance which enriches a neutral foreground. However this the greens. In comparison to Figure 5,
setting has “blued” the green water note how this image, taken with Inon considerably. The lower frame is strobes, has a neutral foreground and processed at 5500 K, which has a rich green background. Nikon D2X produced a greener water colour. +105mm VR. Subal housing. Inon However, this white balance has also Z240 strobes. 1/50th @ F14. made the foreground lighting too warm. Had I used my Inon strobes for this photo, then I would have been able to combine the green background
foreof thegrou lowernd oframef the upwithper the fra neutralme.
of strobe choice in this regard. If adjustments either in Photoshop or The other crucial concluding Understanding the importance of the you want to enhance any blueness even in a RAW converter are one comment is that there are no rights colour temperature of your strobes is in your temperate waters go with a of most damaging adjustments to or wrongs when it comes to water very much like choosing the correct warm strobe, if you want to boost its image quality, introducing plenty of colours, only personal preference. As lm stock to achieve the look you emerald green, then a cool strobe is colour noise, particularly in gradients. I said above, I like my greens to be are after. It is one of the small factors better. Second, there is a time issue. I green and my blues to be blue. That’s that can make the difference between I am certain that many of you recently noted that my Nikon D2X me, and for this reason I use my cool getting a nearly image and the one will be reading this article thinking had taken 93000 photos, nearly all of Inons in green waters and my warm you really wanted. “Why worry? I can adjust it all in these underwater. Even if a colour x Subtronics in blue waters. You may Photoshop anyway.” This is true, but takes less than 10 seconds applying well be different. Alexander Mustard I believe that it is important to strive it soon mounts up if you take a lot When we all shot slides, our to get the best possible results from of images. Most photographers who choice of lm stock had an important www.amustard.com the camera for several reasons. First, shoot a lot soon learn to discard effect on the water colours recorded in there is the ethical consideration of any images that will cost additional our images. These days it is the colour presenting images as shot as well as processing time. It makes sense to temperature of our strobes that has a
relevantpersonal todaysatisfaction. is the image Perhaps quality more techniquemake adjustments that minimise to your your shooting massivesimilar effect. difference, Neither but factor their affectmakes is a issue. Strong individual colour computing requirements. plain to see in every image we take. www.uwpmag.com 42/39
Nexus. The Best Value Aluminium Housing For Your D200
* Professional level specication *Alloy for durability * Lightweight for travelling * Two strobe outlets
* Includes genuine viewnder magnier * Specialist split level and super macro ports available
Introductory price £2200 inc 45 degree viewnder Ocean Optics Archers Fields, Burnt Mills Industrial Estate, Basildon, Essex SS13 1DL Tel 01268 523786 www.oceanoptics.co.uk p [email protected] 42/40 www.uwpmag.com
Juvenile Giants of Djibouti by Morris Gregory
I jumped out of the boat and the months of October and January.
nned furiously to maintain pace with It was the high possibility of seeing the 6m long, white spotted object these magnicent beasts close up and next to me. After a minute or so I taking photos of them that persuaded had to give up and let it continue on me to book on Djibouti Divers1 for its leisurely journey sifting plankton the mid November trip through Tony in the warm waters of the Gulf of Backhurst. The ight to Djibouti, via Tadjourah. It was only my second Paris, takes about 9 hours on Daallo sighting of a whale shark in 15 years Airlines, currently the only operator of diving, the previous one being a that services Djibouti. The reports of
surfacingbrief encounter from aat macro Ras Nas dive Rani with after bitDaallo apprehensive I had read about on line the left ight me but,a no frames left on my lm camera. while it wasnít the most comfortable A snorkelling photographer tries to keep pace with the whale shark, 1/20th, f6.3 This time I was much better prepared journey with poor food and no in with a 12mm -24mm Sigma lens in ight entertainment except for the All underwater shots were taken on a Nikon D70 in a Subal housing with a my Subal ND70 housing and plenty musical chairs when more passengers Sigma 12-24 lens at the 12mm end of the range, using aperture priority mode, of space on my compact ash card. got on at Paris, it was a lot better than iso 200, available light only. Like Ras Nas Rani this encounter was I had expected. also short but it whetted the appetite The rst couple of days on board and there were still several diving/ Djibouti Divers 1 were spent diving soft corals found further north in I took a closer look to see what was snorkelling days to go. For some the coral reefs of the Gulf. I had the Red Sea. Having said that the attracting their attention but came others on board it had been their rst hoped that as dive tourism has yet to reefs were patrolled by a number of to the conclusion that they werenít meeting with a whale shark and there have signicant impact on Djibouti, rather camera shy humphead wrasse looking at anything in particular but was a great buzz of excitement over the reefs would be in near pristine and some sites had huge numbers of taking part in some kind of ceremony. the breakfast table at the prospect of condition with a large variety and juvenile blue trigger sh on them and Perhaps they were praying for whale further encounters to come. density of marine life similar to that large shoals of rainbow runners. A few shark sightings. If so it certainly Djibouti has recently become found further up the coast in Sudan. of the group also saw a lone turtle and worked for our party of divers. known in the diving community for Unfortunately that was not quite the a shoal of barracuda. On our third day we split into the concentration of juvenile whale case. The reefs were certainly in very On one dive we came across a two groups and went whale shark sharks to be found in the Gulf of good condition but mostly covered group of divers from another boat spotting in the small bre boats that Tadjourah (sometimes called the in various shades of dull beige coral that were in a circle holding hands are towed behind the main boat. Our Devil’s Cauldron) roughly between with none of the brightly coloured and peering into a crevice in the reef. dive guides and crew scanned the p g g www.uwpmag.com 42/41
A eeting glimpse of a whale shark as it One of the two breglass boats used to take us to the Our well appointed liveaboard boat. passes by the boat diving/snorkelling sites.
waves for the tell tale sign of a dorsal or tail n During that rst encounter the whale sharks contact with its dorsal n. Almost immediately I breaking the surface. The water was quite choppy swam along at what looked like a pedestrian pace felt a second bump as this time its tail gently swept making this a difcult task and after half an hour or but it was deceptively fast. After I’d snorkelled against the outside of my leg. Our dive guides, so we had seen no sight of a whale shark. The sun hard to keep up with them to take some photos and Lionel and Emily, had briefed us to look at but not was beating down on us relentlessly so the divers hauled myself into the bre boat a few times I was to touch these gentle giants and we had all obeyed in the other boat decided to go for a snorkel to exhausted but nevertheless elated. these instructions religiously. However, when one cool off. It turned out to be a fortunate and brilliant The following day proved to be even better as of them decides to purposely nudge you out of the decision. After only a couple of minutes in the we found not one but at least six whale sharks close way, there is nothing that can be done to avoid it so water we could see from our boat that leisurely and to shore. So close in fact that after snorkelling with I just relaxed and accepted the experience. aimless snorkelling had suddenly become a much one of them I was able to stand up in the water and Over the several days of snorkelling our group more purposeful activity. Arms were raised in the watch through my mask for the next one to come gave up trying to count the number of individual air to signal a whale shark had been sighted and drifting by. During this encounter they often stopped whale sharks we saw, probably a dozen or more, legs propelled ns as quickly as possible to get to and took several gulps of plankton rich water before and ran out of ngers and toes to assess the total the scene of the action. Our boat chugged slowly carrying on again, great for taking photos. At one number of encounters. We just enjoyed every over to join the others and we were also treated to point I had snorkelled out to one of them and was moment of it, especially when the sharks slowed our rst Djibouti encounter with a whale shark. It concentrating hard on getting the composition I down a little allowing for photos to be taken from a may ëonlyí have been about 6m long but was a very wanted, with the sh opening it’s huge mouth, variety of angles and at very close range. At times I impressive sight as witnessed by the beaming faces when suddenly I felt a bump against the inside of was no more than a foot or so away from the mouth of everybody as they clambered back on to the boat my thigh. I quickly looked down to see a whale of them, only realising just how near I was when to manoeuvre into position for another meeting. shark right beneath me and realised it had made taking my housing away from my eye. p g g g y g y y y
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All underwater shots were taken on a Nikon D70 in a Subal housing with a Sigma 12-24 lens at the 12mm end of the range, using aperture priority mode, iso 200, available light only.
The whale sharks werenít the with these creatures, on occasion photos. I decided to go without to only creatures that got up close and they would gulp down a few with start with, preferring the extra stop of
numberspersonal. ofThere orange were coloured also large free somethingthe plankton crunchy and realizing and inedible they had in theexposure fairly murkyI would water, get by only doing changing so in swimming crabs that adopted the their mouths would cough them back my mind if the results had too much ìattack is the best method of defenceî up again with some force, the crabs of a colour cast. I was pleased with strategy. The nip they gave with their spinning around uncontrollably in the the rst download of pictures to the claws was more of an irritation than water. laptop so continued without them. anything but at one point I did nd I had taken some ëmagic ltersí Others who had opted for the magic myself adorned with a crab earring. with me for the trip and debated with lter also got good but slightly Similar crab related stories were a couple of the other photographers warmer results so it was really just a shared by other members of the on board whether to use them with the question of personal taste. group over the evening meals which whale sharks. Opinion was divided on Our encounters during the day were always excellent. The whale whether they would be helpful at the were fantastic but we were also sharks had their own way of dealing shallow depths we would be taking treated to the sight of a whale shark sharks had their own way of dealing shallow depths we would be taking treated to the sight of a whale shark www.uwpmag.com 42/43
sculptures and crystalline rocks, a pleasant change from the mass produced trinkets at most tourist destinations. I suspect that Djibouti is unlikely to become a place of mass diver tourism in the same way that Sharm El Sheik and other parts of the northern Red
Sea have but the almost guaranteed presence of whale sharks will undoubtedly tempt a few more liveaboard operators to the area. My advice would be to go now while the only other divers you are likely to see underwater are ones from the same boat as yourself. The 750 metre deep gorge and A wide angle view of the salt ats of surrounding area on the way to Lake lake Assal Morris Gregory Assal. www.morrisphoto.org.uk
at night right next to our moored up boat. The Earth with temperatures reaching up to 60c in the lights from the boat attracted the plankton and the summer months. Fortunately we were there in whale shark took advantage of the easy meal. We winter and the temperature was an almost bearable were told that shining torches at the whale shark 35c. On the way to the Lake we stopped off at the or setting off our camera strobes would frighten it Djiboutian equivalent of the Grand Canyon, a 750m away so any underwater photography would have gorge carved through the rocks that provided a to be using the available light from the boat only. magnicent spectacle, particularly for those without However, ash photography was allowed from the a fear of heights. Just before reaching the lake we boat, so while a few people snorkelled with the were shown a geothermal area of hot bubbling shark and some managed to get good video footage waters that provided a reminder of the volcanic of it, I stayed on board and, from the deck, took a nature of the surrounding landscape. There were few shots of it swallowing vast quantities of water, even some small sh in the waters that seemed to expelling most of it through its gills and consuming thrive in temperatures of 80c or so. The lake itself the plankton that was left behind. is bordered by a vast shoreline of white salt and The nal highlight of our Djibouti trip was gypsum that contrasts with the blues, greens and on land rather than underwater, an excursion to pinks of the water and the hazy blue of the distant Lake Assal. Itís one of the saltiest lakes in the mountains. Salt is still harvested commercially world and also one of the lowest at 155m below at the lake but the locals have also turned their sea level. Reputedly it is also the hottest place on attention to the tourist trade, selling a variety of salt p y p , g y
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Wakatobi By Michael Wicks
I chose the title more for its oxymoronic inference than any other reason. For in truth the chances that you will see at least one Pygmy per day are almost as high as seeing clown sh. As a dive guide told me at one point over a pint of Bing Tang, “Mate, everyone comes here looking for THE Pygmy shot but there’s so much more here.” And he was so right. give the ever so brief dive brieng and also alleviating any congestion under We really did see seahorses then you’re off to the boat. The local water. Reef and Diver almost every day. Some pregnant, crew not only takes care of your every The dive guides you have on Canon Rebel xTi, Ikelite housing, some more colorful than others but need, including carrying your camera the rst day will be the same dive 17mm EF17-85 IS USM, DS51 single the real draw to Wakatobi is what gear to the boat, but if they hear your guides you’ll have for the rest of Strobe, 1/100, F5.6, ISO 400 it’s known for; the ever reaching name just once they will commit it to the trip. Sometimes there will spectacular coral reefs. You will start memory. Each boat has 2 dive guides, be a substitution. As in our case around 6:30 in the morning in order to one captain and local crew that insist management felt that they had to give give enough time for breakfast before on swapping your tanks, assist in Alex and Ramone, our guides, a day your rst dive brieng; some of us donning your gear and will bring you off. Roel was our pinch hitting diver were already up at 5:30 downloading water, cookies and sandwiches after on those days. All three dive guides pictures from our memory cards to each dive. In fact, unless you do a were superb in pointing out all the prepare for the day. It may sound house reef dive, you won’t touch critters, large and small. It’s always early but since 9 PM is Wakatobi your 1st stage after your very rst worth taking a moment to alert your midnight it’s not too grueling. Most dive. There are only 12 divers per guide as to what your plan on doing everyone is in their bungalows by boat (not including any snorkelers) with regards to your shooting. If you 9 and asleep not to long afterwards. with the ratio of guide to diver kept at tell him or her you want to hang back Some divers will tend to stay a bit 1:6. This leaves ample room to move after each sighting and wait for others longer at the Bar on the Jetty some about on the boat as well as aiding in to view, he’ll understand and will nights. But for the most part it was keeping the under water space from give you your time and space whilst lights out at 9. getting too cramped. All the dive leading others to the next attraction. A dive guide from your boat will boats venture off to different dive sites A standard dive day will consist 42/46 www.uwpmag.com
Clown Fish Canon Rebel xTi, Ikelite housing, 100mm macro, DS51 single Strobe, 1/125, F2.8, ISO 200
of 2 dives in the morning, a break for lunch and then one dive in the afternoon. Although this Pygmy Seahorse doesn’t sound like a lot of dives, each dive lasted Canon Rebel xTi, Ikelite housing, 100mm macro, on average 55-60 minutes with some breaking the DS51 single Strobe, 1/125, F2.8, ISO 200 70 minute mark. You’ll do all your safety stops whilst still viewing creatures and critters as well as
Afterthe reef. returning It really from doesn’t the 3rd get dive muc you’reh better free than to that. do a twilight dive. Wakatobi’s security constantly must like the music from the Bar as he’s made it his monitors the house reef from about 7 in the morning home. If you time it right you can ascend right next Crocodile Fish to about 7 at night helping to keep you safe and to the bartender and he’ll have your drink waiting Canon Rebel xTi, Ikelite housing, 100mm macro, secure whilst in the water. The local crew will for you. DS51 single Strobe, 1/200, F3.2, ISO 200 assist you with getting your gear and you out to the Every one gets one night dive. On that day beach. From there you can either take a water taxi you’ll skip your afternoon dive from the boat. Some or just swim out to the house reef. The house reef will go for a dive on the house reef, take out the the moments of arriving on the island. So sign up starts less than 50’ from shore. None of the reviews kayaks, snorkel, or take in a massage. You won’t quickly. come close to truly portraying its incredible beauty. go wrong with any of these choices. Fair warning, Waktobi Dive sites include Nunia Danir, Spotted Rays, brilliant coral, and clown sh abound however, as there are “massage miser” out there Pastel, “38”, Pinacles, Table Coral, Spiral Corner, right under the Jetty as does the house octopus He who will sign up for massages every day within Pockets and Cornucopia to name a few One of my right under the Jetty as does the house octopus. He who will sign up for massages every day within Pockets, and Cornucopia to name a few. One of my www.uwpmag.com 42/47
come back down to about 40’ to see something. Knowing that my deco time was ever increasing, I made it a quick descent to view. It was worth it as I was able to see the pregnant seahorse. It was just so “tedious” ascending to my deco stop depths, having to swim around for an extra 15 minutes viewing more and more brilliant coral colors and lion sh than one should be allowed to see at one time. The group I was traveling set many rsts at Wakatobi. Probably the most prolic being the rst group
Bar.to have The a memberJetty Bar fall is theoff happythe Jetty hour place to be. Well truth be told, it’s the only place to be if you’re not diving Rock Fish Reef and Diver or eating. If you time it right you can Canon Rebel xTi, Ikelite housing, 78mm EF17-85 IS USM, DS51 single Strobe, Canon Rebel xTi, Ikelite housing, surface at the bar after the house reef 1/160, F5.6, ISO 200 17mm EF17-85 IS USM, DS51 single dive and the bartender will have your Strobe, 1/100, F5.6, ISO 400 drink waiting for you. I would be quite remiss if I didn’t favorites, though, was Sandy Chute. Many of the dives are drift dives. surface intervals as we all compared comment on the dive staff and local On this dive you’ll descend down to There are no rides at Disneyland that and contrasted our pictures showing workers. The guides hailed from all a sandy bottom where you’ll see eels, can rival drift diving along Wakatobi’s others what we saw that they didn’t over the world. We were surrounded lion sh, puffers, ounders, sea moths. reefs at a leisurely rate of 2-3 knots. and vice verse. by Kiwis, Aussies, Brits, Austrians I was mesmerized by the sea moth’s In many cases the current changes so I was nally able to get a decent, and Belgium to name a few. Our dive behavior. I could barely tear my eyes dramatically, as if sensing our dive useable shot on the last dive of my last guides, Alex, Ramone, and Roel were away from them until I saw a classic was half over, it reversed itself and day at a site called Pockets. We saw not only extremely knowledgeable, cleaning station. The scene was right swept us back to where we inserted. 4 sea horses, but I concentrated on the but also extremely patient with us out of Pixar’s “A Shark Tale.” A lion Two groups not more than rst one. A little too much I think, as I photographers, and more than willing sh swam in one side where a dozen 50’ away from each other will see went in to deco mode whilst shooting. to listen to our needs. Wendy, our or so cleaner shrimp went to work on completely different life forms on the I ascended to 20’ and continued on hostess extradinair and organizer, him. Afterwards he swam out making exact same dive. There would be a to catch up with the group. Ramone, made sure we were all content and room for the next customer lot of ooh’ing and ah’ing during our our dive guide motioned for me to saw to our every need on land The room for the next customer. lot of ooh ing and ah ing during our our dive guide, motioned for me to saw to our every need on land. The
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recommend bringing along adapters so you can charge your iPod and batteries in your room. 2) If you do charge batteries in the Camera Room plan on it taking about 24 hours and for your batteries to get extremely hot. 3) This is a resort BUT the air conditioning is just enough to make it manageably at night to sleep. As our organizer Wendy stated “it’s good but it’s not American industrial strength A/C.” I found that by true midnight it was quite pleasant in our bungalow. 4) Nitrox is available but it’s kind of expensive. I originally signed up but then decided not too go that route and I was one of the divers staying up past Wakatobi midnight. local crew was amazing as well. All are learning for medical care and helping to build new houses Over all Wakatobi is a denite must visit English and always with a smile on their faces. and schools. It was an incredible experience resort. The staff, the service, and the diving is top
AlthoughThe foodI personally was amazing didn’t and gain bountiful. weight, it was childrenthough and love all posing the villagers for pictures were andkind following and the you notch and worth all the hours in the air to get there. extremely easy to do so. The menu for lunch and around to talk and describe things. Michael Wicks dinner was ever changing. One afternoon I saw a It would be extremely difcult to nd anything local man carrying 2 huge Tuna’s. When I asked negative about the resort or the people in Wakatobi. mwicks@indit.net one of the dive guides about it, his eyes lit up and he The camera room is not only set up perfectly for beamed “Mmm. Looks like Tuna Sashimi tonight.” many shooters but it’s It was THE freshest sashimi I’ve had in a long time. also the coldest room There really is something on the menu for everyone. on the island. They Should you decide that you want to dine outside, also have a lounge with there are a few tables alongside the dining building, one computer that has and Wendy won’t hesitate to bring out candles and internet access and wi place settings to complete the outdoor ambiance. in the long house. But On your last day you’ll dive in the morning. the internet is very slow Then in the afternoon you’ll have the opportunity and sometimes doesn’t to visit the village on the other side of the island. work so don’t stress over Bring some rupees (the locals don’t take other not getting that email currency) if you want to buy hand made sarongs. out. Some other things But prepare yourself as this villiage is just emerging should be noted before from what can only be classied as 3rd world status. you go. 1) 110-120 is Wakatobi Dive resort is doing their best to help only available in the them by providing electricity education arranging Camera room I highly them by providing electricity, education, arranging Camera room I highly www.uwpmag.com 42/49
Exploring Uncharted FakFak With Tim Rock and Miyuki Konda
The last best place. Natural Wonder. Heart Conservation International. One survey revealed of Diversity. The new Mecca for divers. So many 20 corals, 24 sh and eight mantis shrimp believed superlatives have been heaped upon Indonesia’s to be new to science and they nd more every time Raja Ampat region that I was a bit skeptical. But they go. Even lowly sport divers come up with new when The Seahorse’s cruise director Alberto Reija or very odd critters on a typical trip. called me and told me about an exploratory cruise The most famous may be the odd epaulette to Triton Bay and other Raja regions I told him I shark that has adapted to the bottom. It’s called was in. I had to see this place for myself. And you a “walking” sharks. There are also drab wrasse know what? It’s really good diving. It is all that it’s that make colorful male courting displays. This is cracked up to be. It’s a pretty special place. commonly called a asher wrasse. MSY Seahorse But what was even more special was the area is the rst dive live aboard to start operating we explored at the start of the trip. This was Triton FakFak route in 2006. Since then the crew has been Bay and FakFak. And it’s simply amazing. Reefs in discovering new dive sites on every voyage in the this oddly named “coral triangle” include tracts off FakFak-Triton Bay area. the coasts of Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, So we embarked one evening for the hidden Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands and East coves and scenic backdrops that would be the ship’s Timor. They are the ocean’s more diverse and are home ports for the next two weeks. The Seahorse home to roughly 600 species of reef-building coral. is a roomy ship that was built under watchful eyes. I was happy to get there. It took a couple Special attention was paid to the shape of the bow of days to do it. Triton Bay has yet to be dived and keel weight and other nautical aspects. So even regularly by recreational divers. There are some though it looks like a traditional phinisi, it is much local planes that y into Kaimana and FakFak but more stable and knifes through the seas more like nothing on the order of those that service places like a modern yacht. The ship has a cruising speed of Manado. They’re just local ights in rather small 9-12 knots to ensure swift travel. But the natural planes. But the place has so much promise that you wood still creaks a bit and gives it a warm and rustic put up with a few overnights in Bali and Balikpapan and a few more stops along the way. (Top) The Seahorse rests in the straits at Triton Bay. This is where scientists keep on breaking the Nearby are ancient cave paintings. record of diversity and new species. This Bird’s (Right) Corals, crinoids and a gazillion fusiliers Head region in Western Papua, which is part of punctuate the dive at David’s Rock in the Iris Strait. Indonesia, may be the most biologically diverse (Tokina 10-17, Nikon D200, Aquaitica Housing and in all the oceans according to scientists from Ikelite DS125 Strobes) g Ikelite DS125 Strobes)
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The Windows at Misool offers a great spot for the Coral reef runs right up to the mangroves at Blue use of creative lighting. (Tokina 10-17, Nikon D200, Water Mangrove. (Tokina 10-17, Nikon D200, Aquaitica Housing and Ikelite DS125 Strobes) Aquaitica Housing and Ikelite DS125 Strobes) (Top right) Moving through the islands near Barunusu. (Sigma 10-20, Nikon D200 at 1/15 shutter speed) feel. It made a superb dive platform for this kind of of attention lately because it contains a mixture of (Right) A brilliant yellow fan opens its polyps to adventure. deep basins and shallower waters. Scientists believe feed at David’s Rock. (Tokina 10-17, Nikon D200, The sh and soft corals just in the shallows the reason for the diversity here is that global sea Aquaitica Housing and Ikelite DS125 Strobes) around Saruenus Island were abundant. Most of the levels have risen and fallen over the millennia. Here islands are limestone uplifts and outcrops. Even in basins would have become isolated. This would the very shallow water only 3 feet deep, brilliant harboring shoals of sweepers and hungry lionsh create a habitat for species to evolve differently. soft corals abound. They were visible from the dive covered some of the bottom. Other boulders had big Then they later returned to the open sea as waters boast as we entered the water. The beauty of a great stands soft corals, sea fans and walls of tubastrea again rose. deal of the diving here is that many of these bays corals. The brilliant reds of the soft corals and Another contributing factor could be the and passes aren’t deep. 60 feet was about as deep as the hot salmon of the tube corals gave the place a region’s isolation. Few people live here and large we went on many dives and a lot were in the 20-40 kaleidoscopic effect. Currents brought out the sh. forests abound, depositing nutrients into the sea. foot area. It was a great dive. When I told the crew I always Few people and food make it easier for unique The next day we moved to Aiduma Island. wanted a dive site, the promptly named it Tim’s species and ecosystems to develop and survive. As we sat at anchor sipping coffee and preparing Rock. Sweet. We went back for more and found As we made our way to places to you don’t for the rst dive of the day, a tiger shark was seen sweetlips, big jellies and lots more. What a great read about in geography books - Mengkawu, cruising near the surface right by the ship. Not surprise. Dramai, Faukate, Nusurumi, Iris Strait - we saw far off the ship’s bow an interesting looking rock There appears to be a lot of discoveries like few people and no villages. At David’s Rock, island jutted from the sea. We decided to explore it this place just waiting to be found. Bird’s Head named after the revered David Doubilet of National and it was truly awesome. Huge black coral forests Peninsula along the western tip is the focus of a lot Geographic, wobbegong sharks crowded under big and it was truly awesome. Huge black coral forests g p Geographic, wobbegong sharks crowded under big
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The back of a sea cucumber carries this commensal shrimp at Little Komodo in A sea snake heads out of the arch at Triton Bay. Tokina 10-17, Nikon D200, Triton Bay. (Sigma Macro 50mm, Nikon D200, Aquaitica Housing and Ikelite Aquaitica Housing and Ikelite DS125 Strobes DS125 Strobes)
boulders. Looking like something out steroids. Everything is big, full and Outstanding corals, especially the Exposed stalactites and stalagmites of Sesame Street, these sharks were natural. This river falls directly into multi-hued and oversized soft corals, give way to odd drawings. At the ubiquitous under the many ledges in the sea making a fantastic waterfall are also a big draw for the sport diver. mouth of this channel we spotted a the bays. Again shoals of fusiliers right at the ocean’s edge. Snorkelers Current fed channels and inner passes resident pod of pilot whales. roamed the reefs and anthias played can actually push through it and look keep the coral blooming and growing As we headed back toward in the currents. Sea snakes were also back out to sea from behind the falls. at a spectacular rate. Some soft corals a bit more of civilization, famed plentiful here. Its cool and refreshing and a sensory grow just below the surface and attach Misool made the macro buffs happy. At Momon there’s one of the overload experience. One of the crew to everything from mangrove roots to On each dive we regularly found most awe-inspiring natural sites hiked up the river a bit and saw a rare rock islands. critters. Pygmy seahorses came in anyone could wish for. A big river tree kangaroo in the jungle as well. Triton Bay also offers an ancient more than one species, nudibranchs, runs down through the cloud-covered The instances of rarely seen sh history that can be seen in ancient devil scorpionsh, wonderpuss, forest. This are looks like Thailand’s and the abundance of more common cave paintings. These uplifted frogsh, leaf sh, ornate ghost Phi-Phi or Palau’s Rock Islands on sh life is one of the main attractions. drawings sit in a board channel. pipesh and some rarities including Phi Phi or Palau s Rock Islands on sh life is one of the main attractions. drawings sit in a board channel. pipesh and some rarities including
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Snorkeler Miyuki Konda glides past the "It is always a joy to return. Momon falls on snorkel. (Tokina 10-17, Nikon D200, Aquaitica Housing and Ikelite DS125 Strobes) Hard to improve on perfection!" Heather & Bud Sellick, USA, September 2007 (4th visit) The future for this odd and new region is bright as it has caught the attention of environmentalists. Many conservation partners are now working with the Indonesian government to protect the special areas of the Bird’s Head peninsula and Raja Ampat. It is the goal to see the area managed in a sustainable way. With inevitable development and increased sheries, shing using explosives and cyanide will surface as it has in other parts of Indo, and will have a negative impact. a sea fan pipesh were all snapped We anchored in a secluded bay. by eager photogs. Archersh in the Islands fell into the ocean and dotted in Nampele’s Blue Water Mangrove the seascape. Small, idyllic beaches came in schools. We also found the with a handful of coconut palms were very photogenic juvenile batsh. And bathed in the warm glow of the sun. oating along in perfect camouage After two weeks of diving this rich was a juvenile tripletail, a sh that new venue, we actually wanted more. comprises but a single species. Flying out the next day, we cruised The diving here offers so high over the West Papuan Bird’s much varied topography that there Head. Its beauty and isolation will really was never a dull moment. keep it special for quite a while as it Kungkungan Bay Resort We explored caves, caverns, swim- slowly gains its popularity. Maybe throughs, walls, current-fed points, the smitten authors are correct. It may Lembeh Strait, North Sulawesi, Indonesia islands, channels, passes, rock falls be the last best place. and lots more. We didn’t dive any T. 62-431-817347, divekbr.com wrecks but I bet there’s one or two of Tim Rock those as well d bl bl those as well. www.doubleblue.com www.uwpmag.com 42/53
Seasonal Selection by Mark Webster
Those of us of a certain age will remember the days when our mother’s used to plan the family menu based on the produce available during the prevailing season. Now of course we have global distribution and delivery of almost any food you can imagine at any time of year, which means that we can buy strawberries at Christmas time in the UK for example. Progress to be sure, but is it for Like all nudibranchs Polycera quadralineata are Mating sea hares – unlike nudibranchs, sea hares the best? Despite the gloomy predictions of global hermaphrodite and whenever they meet will begin to appear to adopt a more traditional method of warming the seasons do still prevail in the temperate copulate. Nikon D100, L&M Titan housing, 105mm copulation. Nikon D100, L&M Titan housing, seas around my home coastline of Cornwall in the UK. These changes provide an interesting variety micro, Inon Quad ash, ISO 200 f16 1/30 105mm micro, Inon Quad ash, ISO 200 f11 1/60 of different photographic subjects to be pursued dependant on the time of year. The largest and most common species will be the they do come in a wide range of colour variations Although there are hundreds of excellent sea lemons (Archidoris pseudoargus), which can be and patterns and average in size between 2cm to dive sites around this coastline, I nd that I make as long as 50mm (2”) and are seen in a variety of 12cm. At the end of 2007 we had an unusual event – many of my dives in two of the bays in this area colours. Their arrival is heralded by the appearance an invasion of giant sea hares! The late summer and – Falmouth Bay and Porthcurno Bay, which is close of rosettes of delicately coloured eggs on the reef autumn had been very warm and unusually calm to Lands End. Both of these areas offer differing and you may be lucky enough to nd them in the and in late October reports of sea hares as large topographies and habitats and between them offer act of laying or mating, but if not the animals will as rugby balls began to surface. The exaggeration almost the whole selection of marine life you are not be far from the egg masses although they can be turned out to be only marginal and we soon likely to encounter elsewhere on this coast. The remarkably well camouaged. Other species include discovered hundreds of the large (up to 30cm+) advantage of repetitive diving individual sites is of Polycera quadralineata and Limacia clavigera sub tropical species Apylsia depilans busy mating course familiarity with the marine life, but also the which are white with bright yellow markings but in pairs or in groups of ve or six the shallows of opportunity to observe the changes as the seasons much smaller and mostly found on kelp or the red Helford river and throughout Falmouth Bay. Whilst progress. lettuce seaweed they feed on. These little critters these monsters are not particularly colourful it really need additional magnication, perhaps 2:1, to was an impressive sight to see the seabed so well January to March – Nudibranchs, Sea hares photograph effectively. populated with them and their coils of colourful egg and Lumpsuckers Sea hares are closely related to nudibranchs strings. The rst big storm in late November soon and are normally also common at the beginning of chased them off. Depending on how cold the winter has been the year when they congregate in shallow water to One of the strangest looking spring visitors the nudibranchs begin to appear as early as January breed Although not as striking as the nudibranchs is the lumpsucker which looks a little like a cross the nudibranchs begin to appear as early as January. breed. Although not as striking as the nudibranchs is the lumpsucker which looks a little like a cross
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between a frog sh and a gurnard. Although the lumpsucker is quite common in our northern waters it is not often found in the warmer waters of Cornwall. Early to mid spring is the breeding period for these sh when the female will lay her eggs in shallow sheltered waters, often amongst the kelp stypes or in some ssure in the reef to protect them from heavy swells. She then abandons them to the tender care of her mate who will stay with the eggs to tend and guard them until they hatch. This incubation period normally lasts from two to four weeks and throughout this time the male lumpsucker will almost continuously oxygenate the When the male corkwing wrasse is nest building they developing eggs by pufng water over them through are constantly on the move. Follow them slowly until his mouth, whilst also seeing off predators seeking you see the nest site and then wait patiently for your opportunity. Nikon F90X, Subal housing, 105mm lumpsuckeran easy meal. changes Throughout colour this to aperiod bright the red male to orange micro, Inon Quad ash, Fujichrome Velvia 50 ASA, livery instead of his more normal and effective f8 1/60 camouage colours of drab brown and green. Whilst guarding the eggs they do not eat and gradually get weaker and are often covered in sea lice. When the eggs hatch it is often too late for the male and they rarely survive.
WatchersMarch to May – Nest Builders and Egg
One of the more common wrasse encountered A face only a mother could love – male lumpsuckers on the reef is the corkwing which seems always to certainly have interesting facial features to produce a be on the move and can be difcult to photograph striking portrait in their bright orange breeding livery. well. In the spring time the males are more Nikon F801, Subal housing, 60mm micro, Sea & Sea concerned with building a nest in preparation for Black gobies also guard there eggs during spring YS50 and YS30 ash, Fujichrome Velvia 50 ASA, f8 spawning and will be observed diving in and out time and will rmly stand their ground even when a 1/60 of the kelp collecting loose bit of weed and debris photographer gets close. His eggs are below the shell from the sea bed. If you watch patiently for a while he is resting on. Nikon D100, L&M Titan housing, a pattern of movement will emerge and you can 105mm micro, Inon Quad ash, ISO 200 f11 1/180 follow the sh cautiously back to the location on www.uwpmag.com 42/55
Even though these sharks can be as much as 10 metres in length a sh eye lens is often too wide. A short range zoom is the best tool or a lens which gives you the equivalent of 20mm on a 35mm frame. Nikon D200, Subal ND20, 12-24mm zoom, ISO 200 f8 1/60
is completely harmless to the intrepid shermen who often see them whilst photographer and it fact is now a hauling their pots. protected species in the UK and You need to develop a good throughout Europe. Recent years technique for getting close to the off the Cornish coast have seen sharks and it helps to have done some signicant numbers of sharks sited, training with your snorkel and wet running into the hundreds, and also suit – the chase can be hard work! some not previously seen behaviour, Most encounters are brief. After you notably breaching in a similar fashion have spotted your target shark from
notto great associated whites, with only feeding. in this case it is intothe boat the waterthe best ahead technique of it and is towatch slip Basking sharks are thought the dorsal and tail ns swim towards to be migratory, following the rich you on the surface. You can then plankton blooms in temperate waters snorkel on an intercepting course until the reef where the nest is being built. from its usual camouage livery to on which they feed. During the late the shark bursts from the murk into During the nest construction and after dark grey or black with pale lips when winter the waters of the south west your viewnder. When feeding they spawning when the male is tending guarding the eggs whilst, unusually, reach their lowest temperature which will ignore you and veer off a metre the egg mass the corkwing will remain both the male and female Butter sh often results in the best visibility, but or two away and at this point you will close to the nest site and often settle take turns to guard their eggs. All not a lot of sh activity due to the low need to put on a burst of speed to stay on it for a few moments. These are these species lay their eggs in small food levels. As spring approaches the alongside briey for a few head and the best opportunities to capture these crevices on the reef or under stones surface water temperature begins to tail shots. The plankton will often strikingly patterned sh and if you and shells and will often be seen warm slowly until the rst period of break up into patches and you can are patient enough the male will soon moving around them to ush water extended sunshine, maybe only three observe individual sharks cruising relax and present good opportunities across the eggs and oxygenate them. or four days, which is the catalyst for around the edges as they consume to get some close up shots. an explosive growth of zooplankton. there own personal banquet. This During the same period there are May to July - Basking Sharks This generally occurs in early May behaviour presents perhaps the best other male species left to tend their and as soon as I hear complaints about opportunity to position yourself on the developing offspring. Amongst these If you are keen on big animal the soupy visibility in the local dive edge and wait for the shark to swim are common and black gobies, Butter action then it is difcult to beat the shop I know that the rst sharks will by you time and again. sh or Gunnels, Tompot blennies and basking shark. The second biggest not be far behind. The rst sightings The best photographs will be Shannies The male Shanny changes sh in the sea (after the whale shark) ll f th l l b t tk i tllihtl f t Shannies. The male Shanny changes sh in the sea (after the whale shark) are generally from the local cove boat taken using natural light only – forget
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your ash as it will only produce (Left) Compass jellysh are another monumental backscatter and be species that appear with the plankton too unwieldy to move quickly on blooms. The tentacles can give an the surface. A wide angle lens is unpleasant sting, so be cautious if essential but a sh eye is generally working close under the jelly sh. too wide unless it is a lm lens on a Nikon D100, L&M Titan housing, crop sensor. So for a crop sensor a 18-35mm zoom, Subtronic Mini ash 12-24mm zoom is ideal and for a full guns, ISO 100 f11 1/80. frame chip try either a 20mm or 17- 35mm zoom. (Right) Cuttlesh begin to appear Depending on sunlight choose around April when they come into ISO 100 or 200, set your shutter the shallows to mate and lay eggs. Eel speed to 125th and meter the water grass beds are a good place to search below the surface and then perhaps and their amorous activities often open half a stop on the aperture – the distract them from your approach. sharks are grey and sometimes quite Nikon F90X, Subal housing, 60mm dark. Auto focus will often hunt on all micro, Sea & Sea YS50 and YS30, the particles in the water, so x your Fujichrome Velvia 50ASA, f8 1/60 focus at a range that will ll the lens with shark, perhaps 1-1.5m, wait until the shark is sharp as it sweeps towards you and then shoot you four or ve moon jelly) which can reach half often join these jelly sh from their begin to appear in shallow water frames whilst beginning the swim to a metre or more in diameter, but planktonic stage to seek protection after the winter storms to mate and keep up! occasionally it will be the Compass from predators by hiding in the lay their eggs. The average size of an
June to September - Jelly Fish jellythe Lion’s sh (Chrysaora Mane (Cyanea hysoscella) capillata). or jellycanopy sh, or whereamongst they the seem tendrils not toof bethe 20-25cmadult cuttle long, sh but seen during in our the waters spring in The Lion’s Mane can have very bothered by the stinging cells. A zoom breeding season we often encounter The jelly sh season tends to long tendrils which can give you an wide angle lens is best for these plus a much larger example of up to 60cm follow the basking sharks but can unpleasant sting whilst the other two touch of ash to light them up against in length. Their preferred breeding sometimes overlap if the plankton species are pretty much benign. the sun on the surface. ground is amongst the eel grass which bloom persists into the summer All three species are most often can be found in several locations in months. Although several species of encountered in shallow water drifting April to November - Cuttle Fish the far south west. They are often very jelly sh are reliably seen each year with the tide but when numbers are easy to approach whilst courting and there is often an explosion of a certain high they will often be swept into You can normally see cuttle sh laying their eggs, often at the base of species every couple of years. More sheltered bays to plague the swimmers any time between April and November the eel grass stalks or on kelp stypes. often this is the large Rhysostoma but make easier photographic targets. although activity is different over But then these larger animals (sometimes locally known as the Juvenile sh (horse mackerel??) these months. Early in the year they disappear and for the remainder of www.uwpmag.com 42/57
Cuttlesh have amazing camouage and colour change skills. They can either mimic their surroundings or as in this case display a bold pattern. Nikon D200, Subal ND20, 12-24mm zoom, Subtronic Mini ash guns, ISO 100 f8 1/60 Grey Atlantic trigger sh will generally pick a small reef area and remain close to it for several weeks late in the season. This seems to be associated with cleaning stations (by goldsinney wrasse) and the opportunity to school with bass and the spring and summer we are back into the seaweeds. If you dive a site pollack. Nikon D200, Subal ND20, 12-24mm zoom, Subtronic Mini ash guns, to the ‘average’ size but often in large regularly over the season the resident ISO 100 f8 1/60 numbers. They congregate in shallow cuttle sh will accept you and become sheltered bays and seem to prefer light bolder with each dive to the point your ns by angry titan trigger sh, be observed eating mussels from both gravel or heavy sand seabeds where where they will all but ignore you and you might be less than delighted with reef and wreckage or picking winkles there are thick growths of standing continue to feed on the small sh that the prospect of meeting a related delicately from kelp fronds before seaweeds (bootlace, Japweed etc.) to are also attracted by your presence. species in temperate waters. In recent spitting out the remains of the shell. hide amongst. years we have been seeing increasing Juveniles have not been reported so In September and October we September to November - numbers of the Atlantic or grey trigger far and it seems unlikely that they start to see the juveniles appearing Atlantic Trigger Fish sh (Balistes carolinensis) which spawn in our waters as this apparently ranging in size from 2cm to 10cm begins to appear in late summer, but commonly occurs in temperatures in length but possessing all the If, like me, your most memorable fortunately has not developed a taste of 21ºC or more. However, the camouage, pattern and texture skills encounters with tropical trigger for ns yet. temperatures off the Cornish coast that the adults have even down to sh involve some nifty defensive These trigger sh are mostly rose to 19-21ºC for two or three iit jt fik th tff i i d t d h i f hllhdi dth illb ft th thi it l b miniature jets of ink as they scoot off swimming and repeated chewing of shell sh diners and they will be often months this summer so it may only be
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Red mullet are closely related to the Mediterranean and sub tropical goat sh and begin to appear in early summer as the water temperature increases. Nikon D100, L&M Titan housing, 18-35mm zoom, Subtronic Mini ash guns, ISO 100 f11 1/80.
a matter of time. occasionally you may see schools of These trigger sh are obviously up to twenty sh together, particularly very happy with their temporary juveniles. environment, although I have All too soon the season comes wondered on occasion if they may to an end with the arrival of another
crisis.be suffering On many from occasions a bit of an they identity mewinter. to hang This up for the me dry is notsuit a for signal a few for are seen in groups of ve or six months. Although the winter can be swimming amongst schools of bass or stormy we often get periods of high grey mullet and keeping up very well pressure which bring calm seas and despite a very different swimming sunny days and an opportunity to style. Whether this behaviour is for investigate what is happening at local protection or amusement is difcult to dive sites. In the chill of winter the tell, but with the exception of anglers visibility can reach as much as 30m I cannot imagine what would predate and in these conditions a dive on the on the trigger sh in our waters. offshore reefs can be spectacular. Another late summer visitor are Even if you are photographing two members of the red mullet family, familiar subjects it is an opportunity closely related to the goat sh seen to play with new equipment, improve in sub tropical and tropical locations. compositions, hone basic skills and There are slight differences between perhaps experiment with new and Mullus surmuletus and Mullus unusual techniques. barbatus, but the latter is somewhat rarer and only seen in south west waters. These sh are generally seen Mark Webster in ones and twos sifting the sandy www.photec.co.uk seabed for small crustaceans, but www.uwpmag.com 42/59
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connection to the sea. The Parting Shot rain forest gives way to mangroves, surrounding still waters that support Persevere, avoid the crowds… a few sh, and millions and cheat! of Mastigias jellies. The I’ve always wanted to shoot jellies oat around the lakes a good image of a jellysh, having where they live, following failed with British jellies when I the sun. they have lost started out in 1990 using a Sea & most of their sting, and Sea Motormarine II, bought from live by the photosynthetic a dubious back-alley shop near algae that stain their bodies Hammersmith in west London (I think brown. A severe El Ninjo it was called Ocean Optics, and run by caused them to expel their a couple of suspicious characters who symbiotic algae and most seemed to build their own cameras in died, like bleached coral. the back room). There are a few Martin Edge has a wonderful barriers to meeting the jelly in his book, “The Underwater jellies. Buy a permit, then Photographer”. I always wondered a speedboat ride at hair- how he shot it in a tide pool, with a raising velocities through sunburst in the frame. the narrow twisting channels between Being older, richer and less the Rock Islands. Clamber over a with the surface in it. After 45 minutes underneath a jelly, with my strobes tolerant of cold water I set off a sharp limestone ridge, with camera (the ofcial ration of time for visitors pulled back behind the camera. I
independentcouple of months state agoin the for western Palau, an toand either ns. sideApparently is poisonous, the vegetation but the to theNext lake) week I give my up. companions andguess shoot where several the jellysh frames. will appear, Pacic, that nevertheless feels like snakes aren’t. You are not allowed an want to sunbathe, but I give the lake Everything falls into place. a small corner of the USA. One aqualung. another chance. It’s calm now, and the attraction was the famous Jellysh A small jetty is crowded with visitors are inexplicably concentrated Tim Priest Lake, now apparently recovered from tourists, all wearing life-jackets, and 100 yards away from the jellysh. I the catastrophic death of its jellysh most don’t seem to know how to dive down several times, and shoot several years ago. swim. They have to be negotiated, as upwards against the light. I’m using Do you have a nice shot with a The Rock Islands of Palau the jellies are about 200 yards away, a 10.5mm sheye lens, and the jellies short story behind it? are fossil coral reefs supported by across the lake. It’s unseasonably look very small. a slowly sinking volcano. Water windy, and the choppy water is hazy. Then I have a sudden inspiration. If so e mail me and yours could be the next “Parting shot”. percolates through the limestone to I have two strobes and a 12-24mm I oat at the surface, and hold my