A Breathtaking Underwater Journey

The Epson Red Sea 2009 Competition might have already concluded, but such extraordinary images never fade out. And so, we are proud to announce that the Epson Red Sea 2009 Competition Album has finally been published.

All competition nominees and winners images are featured in the album. The result is a breathtaking 152 pages underwater journey.

The album features high quality graphics printed on thick pages at the size of 23x30cm.

“Images submitted to the competition this year consisted of an exceptionally high standard”, says Roni Sofer, head of the Epson Red Sea jury panel. “This might have made it more difficult for us, judges, to make decisions, but at the same time, it sure turned this year’s competition album to one of the best ever presented!”

So whether you have took part in the competition, plan to do so in the future, have an interest in underwater photography or simply a fan of fine art, click here to order the Epson Red Sea 2009 Competition Album.

Regular Price: 39 Euro
Special Price: Only 23 Euro*
*Special Price is valid till February 28th.
**Any of Epson Red Sea previous competitions albums can be ordered as well for a discounted price of 17 Euro only.

Epson Red Sea 2009 had the honor to be driven by the Israeli "Yam" magazine and by an international leader in imaging products, Epson. This album is one of the many magnificent outcomes of this extraordinary event, which is already known worldwide as the "International Underwater Olympics".

I wish you all enjoyable, exciting and safe 2010 dives.

David Pilosof
Epson Red Sea
http://www.eilatredsea.com

The Sony HDR-XR520E and HDR-XR500E camcorders are well known for their outstanding picture quality, especially in the lowlight mode. These two camcorders produce perfect, brilliant video recordings in HDV DV quality, using both the 16:9 and 4:3 formats, as well as high definition photos of up to 12.2 megapixels.

The SEALUX HD520 Housing, designed to accommodate both of these camcorders, is compact, lightweight and designed for optimal grip operation. Now, for the first time, it is possible to operate all camcorder functions (such as WHT, aperture, shutter speed, focus, zoom and many others) using the electronic touch screen control. A close-up lens, which can be swiveled down underwater, and a color correction filter (URPRO), extend the range of use of the HD520 Housing furthermore. An optimal monitor view without a mirror and the effective ambient light shielding system enhance the experience of taking images and viewing them during the dive.

Available as extras are a zoomable wide-angle converter lens and a fisheye converter lens with an extremely wide shooting angle of around 145 degrees. In addition, the camcorders are compatible with the High Grade Wide-Angle lenses made by Fathom, offering an outstanding picture quality. Powerful SEALUX lighting systems and ultra-light transport cases are available for this housing as well.

• Housing- Made of seawater-resistant aluminium, CNC milled out of a monoblock, hard anodized and passivated in a special process to ensure seawater-resistance. Precision-guided on a special slide, the camcorder is introduced into the front part of the housing. Installation errors are therefore eliminated.
• Monitor Lens- The large monitor lens, made of optical glass, provides a full view of the unfolded 7.6 cm monitor, which is perfectly screened from ambient light. The viewing angle in respect of the diving plane is 15º. The detachable lens hood eliminates reflections on the glass lens.
• Locking Devices- Two quick-release locking devices are protected with safety-catches against unintentional opening of the housing.
• Interchangeable Port System- Features a bayonet mount and allows for quick replacement of flat ports, wide-angle ports or fisheye ports.
• Flat Port- Made of optical glass with a bayonet mount, safety-catch and cap (standard).
• Close-up Lens- Can be swivel-inserted at any time, also above a wide-angle attachment, thereby allowing both macro and wide angle shots whenever required.
• UW Color Correction Filter- When capturing images in blue water without lighting, an URPRO colour correction filter can be installed.
• Battery Replacement- does not require camcorder removal!
• Grip Rail- Features soft grips and detachable for transport.
• Push Button Control- The newly developed control system allows operation of all camera functions. Functions on the left grip include Up, Down, Cursor Right, Cursor Left and Set. Functions on the right grip include Record, Zoom-Tele, Photo and Power Switch. Manual operation includes Focus, Zoom, WHT, Aperture and Shutter Speed.
• Housing Dimensions- Length: 170mm without flat port, Width: 262mm over keypad, Height: 117mm.
• Housing Weight- 3140g.
• Tested Depth- 90 meters.
• Guarantee- 2 years.

• Wide Angle Attachment- A dome lens made of coated optical glass, zoomable, 76º diagonal shooting angle and a neoprene cover included.
• Fisheye Port- Super wide angle optics with dome, made of optical glass, zoomable and a neoprene cover included.
• Monitor Lens- Enlarges the image and reduces the distance between eye and monitor display.
• Moisture Alarm- Acoustic and optical alarm, ensures that the camcorder stays in good working condition.
• Stabilization Fins- To accommodate SEALUX lighting systems.
• Transport Case- The transport case, weighing only 2.6 kg, can hold the complete video system together with the Sealux lighting system. Measuring only 500 x 390 x 190 mm, it is accepted as hand luggage.

SAN FRANCISCO, CA, USA. August 8, 2009. Wetpixel.com is proud to again host the annual Raja Ampat marine park tag design contest. If you have the perfect photo that captures the excitement and beauty of scuba diving in Raja Ampat, Indonesia, enter this contest for a chance to have your image printed on the 4,000 park tags that will be attached to BCDs of visiting divers. Three winners will be chosen to receive complimentary books on Raja Ampat ("Raja Ampat Through the Lens of..." and "The Dive Guide to Raja Ampat"). The grand prize winner will have his/her design printed on the 2010 park tag and will receive an all-inclusive 7-day dive trip to Raja Ampat!

The 2010 Raja Ampat Entrance Tag Design Contest is sponsored by Conservation International and The Nature Conservancy.

The deadline for submission is midnight (PST) August 28, 2009, and public voting will commence on August 30 and end on September 25, 2009. For information on how to submit to the contest, go to http://wetpixel.com/raja

In March of 2009, we announced New World Publications' call for entries for its upcoming DVD, Sensational Seas Two. Scheduled for release in March 2010, the DVD is another exciting collaboration between filmmakers, photographers and multi-media artists who have donated their work for the benefit of ocean-related non-profit organizations.

Wetpixel has a slot reserved for the DVD, which means that our readers have two ways of competing for entry into Sensational Seas Two! Enter our free contest to be the Wetpixel feature in the DVD. You may, of course, do both and submit the traditional way by sending your video directly to New World Publications for consideration.

If your video is accepted or wins as the Wetpixel feature, your work will be viewed alongside works by legendary filmmakers including Howard Hall and Stan Waterman. All proceeds from the sale of Sensational Seas go to REEF, the Reef Environmental Education Foundation, a corps of volunteer divers who monitor reef fish population trends.

If you win, we will ask you to sign a license agreement allowing us to use your material in Sensational Seas Two, the Sensational Seas web site, and all related promotional materials.

For more information about Sensational Seas Two, please visit: http://www.sensationalseas.com/sequel.htm

The deadline for submitting your 3-minute video is June 15, 2009. For full details about the competition, visit http://wetpixel.com/sensationalseas

Aquatica Digital has been providing for both the recreational and professional diver high quality underwater photographic systems for over 25 years. Given their tremendous expertise in designing & manufacturing underwater photographic equipment, they are proud to introduce the new “HD WAVE”, their first High Definition Video Housing for the current Sony HDR-SR11/12 and the NEW Sony HDR-XR500V/520V HD camcorders.

Built with the same high quality solid aluminum construction as their digital SLR housings, no compromise was taken to create the New “HD WAVE” Video Housing. Keeping in mind total ergonomics and underwater balance, its compact design makes the unit extremely user friendly. Our engineers worked very hard on its design, giving a 30° viewing angle on the large side LCD viewfinder for optimal filming capabilities. Giving access to most all key camcorder functions, including the critical Manual White balance function; it will give users the ability to create the best possible HD video underwater.

Key Features

Solid Construction
Precision machined from a solid block of marine grade aluminum giving endless durability. Black anodized for corrosion protection and a final layer of tuff textured military grade polyurethane powder coat paint for the outmost durability in harsh sea water.

30°Angled Large 3.2” LCD Viewfinder
A first in the industry to implement this design for optimal viewing position & filming underwater.

Reliable all- Mechanical Controls
Ergonomically positioned controls for easy access to most all key camcorders functions, including touch screen Manual White Balance control.

Specifications:

Constructions:

• Marine grade solid aluminum
• Fully anodized with a hard coat of polyurethane paint
• All hardware is marine grade aluminum & stainless steel

Controls:

• On/Off
• Record/ Standby
• Photo
• Zoom Telephoto / Zoom Wide
• Home Button (touch screen access)
• Option Button (touch screen access)
• Tele Macro (touch screen access)
• White Balance One Push (touch screen access)
• Manual Control Knobs to access Focus, Exposure, AE Shift & WB Shift
• Smooth Slow-Motion Functionality (touch screen)

Features:

• Flip filter Arm with UR Pro blue water color correction filter
• Sensitive Hydrophone to capture clear underwater sound
• Water sensor alarm with blinking LED
• Bayonet Mounted Lens System
• 2 Auxiliary ports

Ports:

• Standard dome port: Optically corrected to give 1:1 angle of view underwater
• Flat port: Best choice for macro work, allows full zoom through with diopters.
• Wide angle port: A good all around performance lens giving 70°FOV with full zoom through, & 90° FOV with macro adapter off the port, giving partial zooming.

Dimensions:

• 7” D x 4.8” H x 9.5” W (14.5”with handles)
• 17.7cm D x 12.2cm H x 24cm W (37cm with handles)

Weight:

• On land 7.5lbs (Kg) fully loaded w/camera battery and lens.
• In seawater slightly negative buoyancy

Operating Depth:

• 300 feet / 90 meters