Fantasea Line is pleased to announce the addition of a new flash, that has been especially designed for compact digital housings.

The new Fantasea X Flash features four different pre-flash settings, to cover the needs of all compact digital cameras in the market, including Nikon, Canon, Sony, Olympus, Fuji, Kodak, Panasonic and more.

It features a guide number of 20, and therefore is compatible for both macro and wide angle shots. The power output can be manually adjusted to provide the most accurate amount of light in all conditions and a short recycle time ensures quick responsiveness even when using the maximum power output.

The Fantasea X Flash also features a built-in Y-S Mount for attaching a focus light on top of the flash, sparing the need for an additional arm.

Among the features and specifications of the upcoming Fantasea X Flash:

• Adjustable power output (10%-100%)
• 4 pre-flash settings
• Powerful 4.2 W-second flash-tube
• Guide Number 20 (ISO 100 in air)
• Flash diffuser included
• Uses 4 x AA batteries (alkaline or rechargeable)
• Approx. 240 flashes per set of batteries
• Quick recycle time
• Slave sensor
• Attachment for fiber optic cable
• Beam angle 80 degress horizontal
• Color temperature 5400K
• Y-S Mount for focus light
• Depth rated to 55m/180 feet

Estimated release is on October 2008.

Finalists have been announced for the 2009 Raja Ampat Entrance Tag Design Contest, hosted at Wetpixel.com.

Last year's winning image, a pygmy seahorse with its tail wrapped around a gorgonian branch, was shot by Alex Mustard, who won a week-long dive trip to Raja Ampat in addition to having his image attached to every diver who visited the park in 2008. The winner of the 2009 tag contest will win a week at Raja Ampat's original eco-resort at Kri (donated by Papua Diving).

Head on over to Wetpixel to vote for your favorite image or design -- the winning image will appear on Raja Ampat's 2009 park tag! Public voting ends at 11:59PM, September 25, 2008 (Pacific time).

More information: http://www.wetpixel.com/raja/

The YS-110α introduces numerous new exciting functions, opening a whole new digital generation. For example, by connecting it to digital cameras with pre-flash function using a fiber-optic cable, the YS-110α can be used in the fully automatic DS-TTL adjustment mode (Digital Slave TTL). Enjoy complete creative control ‒ when you want absolute control over fine light adjustments, you can use a main strobe in DS-TTL mode and a secondary strobe in manual mode or you can set up an advanced lighting setting using two strobes in DS-TTL mode. The DS-TTL adjustment function is also available using the light level control dial for fine control of the light amount when taking pictures in DS-TTL mode.

You can also choose from 13 levels of manual controls when you do not want to leave the light adjustment up to the camera. The flat, round, 105° beam angle (with diffuser), achieved by the balanced positioning of the 3 flash tubes, and the power of a Guide Number 22 are examples of the excellent performance of the strobe that is sure to satisfy even the most demanding professionals.

Specifications

• Guide Number (ISO 100/m)(land): 22
• Beam Angle: 105°x 105°(with diffuser)
• Batteries: 4xAA ■ A: 6V ■ Ni-MH: 4.8V
• Number of Flashes*1: ■ A: 230 ■ Ni-MH: 330
• Recycle time (full)*2: ■ A: 2.5 sec. ■ Ni-MH: 1.9 sec.
• Color temperature: 5400K / w/diffuser: 5100K
• Depth rating: 60m / 200ft
• Dimensions(WxHxD) : 88x115x150mm / 3.5x4.6x6inch
• Weight: 700g / 24.5oz (UW: -10g / -0.4oz)
• Exposure control: DS-TTL, TTL, Light level control dial (GN): 1.4 / 2 / 2.5 / 2.8 / 3.5 / 4 / 4.5 / 5.6 / 6.7 / 8 / 11 / 16 / 22 (13 steps)
• Pre-flash control: Equipped with pre-flash cancel mode
• DS-TTL function
• Auto power OFF function
• Sync cord: Sync cord/N, Fiber-optic cable (L-type)
• Over-pressure relief valve
• LED target light
  

August 12, 2008, Monterey, CA— Light & Motion is excited to announce that the Bluefin SR12 video housing is now shipping! The Bluefin SR12 housing is a compact, 1920 x 1080 high-definition video package built around Sony’s hard-disk drive (HDD) equipped camcorders, It’s rare that a product is so easy to use and also so fully featured, yet with the Bluefin SR12, Light & Motion has achieved just that.

“The move to solid-state media is huge,” says Daniel Emerson, Light & Motion’s CEO. “It removes mechanical complexity from the camera and speeds the editing process.” Emerson added, “With features like one-touch white balance and tele-macro, the Bluefin SR12 housing is well positioned to take advantage of all of the features that make the Sony HDR-SR12 the camera to have for 2008.”
“The pre-order response for this housing was incredible,” says Paul Barnett, Sales Manager for Light & Motion. “Sony’s move to hard-drive media has definitely set the underwater imaging industry abuzz. High-definition and hard-drive media are two very compelling reasons to consider this as your ‘must-have’ piece of underwater video-equipment this year.”

The Bluefin SR12 ($3,799) is a fully featured, high-definition video camera. Simply put, the Bluefin makes capturing underwater video footage a breeze. With non-penetrating electronic controls there is virtually no risk of the housing leaks typical with mechanical through-hole designs. The included 3.5" high-resolution monitor back gives an easy view of your subject and is included with the Bluefin SR12 housing as a standard feature! Whether you’re shooting with the standard lens or one of Light & Motion’s new Fathom wide-angle lenses, you’ll get rich color and deep contrast. The Bluefin SR12 will enable you to create HD footage that you’ll be proud to view and share.