Two professionals got together: the Canon 5D MKII and the Sealux CC5II Underwater Housing

• Full size sensor and extra high definition
• Wide ISO range (ISO 25.600)
• Up to 3.9 frames/second (serial frames)
• Full HD video clips (1080)
• Outstanding user-friendliness

• Housing Construction: Made of aluminium, CNC milled out of a monoblock, which has been hard-anodized and passivated by a special process to ensure its seawater-resistance. The housing features a T-piece.
• Ergonomically optimized operation.
• Three Windows: One for viewing the screen, made of mineral glass. Another two upper display windows for the function selector wheel and camera display.
• Flash connector: An S6 flash socket with fixed contacts.
• Locking Devices: Two spring-loaded locks with safety devices lock the housing with high clamping force
• Grip: Featuring two T-pieces to fit flash arms. The grip is mounted at the front, designed to be adjustable and detachable for transport purposes.
• Standard Functions: ON-OFF / display illumination, shutter release, exposure compensation, mode (illumination control), front and back control dial, BKT, flash synchronization, zoom / focus, AF-ON, keys for display, erase, INFO, Picture Style, MENU, Live Picture, AF-ON, AE-L, AF-selection, multifunction selector, SET, multi-control center.
• Viewfinder: GV-150 (Grand View) viewfinder, GD-Viewfinder (Grand) or LD-viewfinder (Long Distance). For further information, please refer to the paragraph below.
• Flash Unit: To ensure a reliable TTL function, it is recommended to make use of the Canon Digital flash units 580EXII and 430EXII accommodated in a SEALUX CX580II or CX430 Housing. The Sealux flash arms, CT20 and CT25 series, guarantee a firm support and the highest flexibility possible.
• Extras: A second S6 flash socket with fixed contact pins. Please note that only manual control is possible with 5-pin flash sockets.
• Lens Ports: A wide range of flat ports, dome ports and extension rings is available for this housing.
• Dimensions (without grip): L = 135 mm W = 176 mm H = 164 mm
• Weight: 3800g, flat port included.
• Buoyancy: Neutral in water, depending on port and lens.
• Depth Ratio: 90 meters
• Guarantee: Two Years

GV-150 (Grand View) Viewfinder
This viewfinder was developed especially to meet the requirements of digital cameras, offering an ideal angle of vision at 150°. It does not mask the monitor in any way and allows the user to press all keys with total operational comfort. The enlarged viewfinder image is brilliant, sharp and bright with full control of the recording and viewfinder displays. The viewfinder eyepiece can be adjusted to +/- 3 dioptres and is 180° rotatable. The sunshade is detachable. For the purpose of transport the viewfinder can be swivelled downwards or detached quite easily.

GD-Viewfinder (Grand)
This Sealux development offers the photographer a brilliant viewfinder image with the quality of a sports viewfinder, as in real action. This high-quality optical system features several layers of coating and provides a brilliant image which is 150% enlarged compared to the images produced by the camera viewfinder. At the same time, the viewfinder vision, in respect of the lens plane, is moved upwards in parallel. This way the viewfinder does not mask the monitor allowing the photographer to view the whole image and the setting data while simultaneously observing his surroundings. A real action finder! The viewfinder is perfect for a fast switch between portrait and landscape formats, as well as for split (underwater/ above water) images. As before, spectacle wearers can adjust the diopter number on the camera eyepiece. The sunshade is detachable.

LD-Viewfinder (Long Distance)
The Galilei optical system affords a complete view of the image, including settings, without affecting the diopter adjustment on the camera. The viewfinder image is slightly reduced along with the increased distance between the camera and the eye, to a point in which a complete image can be viewed, even with a diving mask. The coated optical system allows good readability of all data displayed in the viewfinder.

AgfaPhoto digital cameras go for a swim
Uhingen, Germany, June 29th; 2009. AgfaPhoto presents the AgfaPhoto DC-600uw, its new underwater and outdoor camera. The AgfaPhoto DC-600uw digital camera can withstand pressures of up to two bar, and is water-resistant at depths of up to 10 meters. The new DC-600uw takes videos with sound in YouTube format, which can then be immediately uploaded to any compatible online platform. The AgfaPhoto DC-600uw can now be purchased for 149 euros (manufacturer’s suggested retail price, including value added tax).

Refined technology, with an aquatic look
Using the AgfaPhoto DC-600uw is incredibly easy, even when snorkeling and diving. The unique red quick selection button allows for quick change from land mode to underwater mode, while the 2.4 inch display helps select what to shoot. The camera’s face tracking function automatically recognizes faces, and brings them into clear focus. With its easily distinguished glowing blue color, five-times (5X) digital zoom, six megapixel resolution, high degree of light sensitivity up to ISO 1600, and support for the most common scene modes, the new AgfaPhoto DC-600uw is the right choice for any summer vacation.

A strong partner on land too The AgfaPhoto DC-600uw is also ready for any outdoor adventure. Whether mountain biking or playing volleyball at the beach - the camera’s robust construction protects it if accidentally dropped, and also protects it against dust and dirt. The AgfaPhoto DC-600uw weighs 131 grams, and fits easily into almost any pocket or bag. Included with the AgfaPhoto DC-600uw is a carrying case, a carry strap, a USB cable and video cable, two AA batteries, an instruction manual, and a software CD-ROM. Additional color variants will be available in July 2009.

GOLDEN, CO (June 24, 2009), The manufacturer that builds digital cameras to go boldly where none have gone before has announced the PENTAX Optio W80. More adventure-proof than ever, this latest PENTAX digital camera is waterproof, dustproof, coldproof, and now shockproof enough to withstand impact from a fall of more than three feet (one meter).

PENTAX first introduced dunkable digital cameras in 2003 to the delight of outdoor enthusiasts, travelers and families everywhere. Today, the PENTAX Optio W80’s waterproof design withstands depths of up to 16 feet (5 meters) to protect from rain and spills, as well as allowing full underwater photos and video for up to two hours. On dry land, the rugged, shockproof design protects against drops of up to 3.3 feet to protect the camera from hard use and occasional spills. Also featuring 12.1 megapixels, a 5X internal optical zoom (equivalent to 28-140mm), a slim one inch body, and a wide angle 28mm lens, the Optio W80 offers an expanded perspective that is ideal for landscape, group and more confined shots. With a PENTAX-developed imaging engine and a high-performance PENTAX zoom lens, the Optio W80 delivers brilliant, high-quality images with well-defined details. A Super Protect (SP) coating applied to the mineral crystal cover of the internal zoom lens helps repel water, grime and finger marks.

Other important features in the Optio W80 include a:

• Coldproof design that allows the camera to be used in sub-freezing temperatures of 14 degrees Fahrenheit (-10 degrees Celsius), ideal for cold weather activities such as skiing and snowmobiling.
• 2.5 inch LCD monitor that features anti-reflective coating, making it easy to view, even in bright sunlight.
• Widescreen, HD movie capture that records resolutions up to 1280x720 pixels at full-speed 30 frames per second.
• Fast Face Detection technology that sees up to 32 faces in 0.03 seconds, with Smile Capture and Blink Detection, for perfect portrait shots.
• Pixel Track Shake Reduction (SR) that ensures sharp images in any lighting condition, without adding high ISO noise. Digital SR and Movie SR are also available.
• Close focusing, Super Macro mode that brings out the details in even the smallest subjects as close as 1 cm (less than one inch).

Available in Cardinal Red, Azure Blue and Gunmetal Gray, the Optio W80 will be available in July 2009 for $299.95 USD. To help keep the Optio W80 fresh and at hand, PENTAX offers a custom designed clear protective skin ($16.95 USD) and a comfortable floating wrist strap ($19.95 USD). More information about the Optio W80 and these accessories is available at: http://www.pentaximaging.com

Fantasea Line announces the release of two new housings specifically designed for the Canon PowerShot A480 and the Nikon Coolpix L19/L20 digital cameras. The new housings, depth rated to 60 meters/200 feet, are fully functional providing photographers with access to all camera functions. Fantasea housings feature a double O-ring seal on all controls, anti-glare hood over LCD screen, removable flash diffuser and a 46mm threaded lens port.

As with all other Fantasea Camera Housings, in the event of accidental water leakage, the camera inside is insured. This attractive additional protection is exclusive only to Fantasea Housings and provides the ultimate peace of mind for photographers, who want to be sure their cameras are adequately and safely protected during use in these rugged environments.

The BigEye Lenses are based on the latest patent-pending lens technology, which allows for excellent wide angle images at economical prices. These lenses can be installed and removed during the course of the dive and are perfect for shooting seascapes, divers, ship wrecks and schools of fish, without moving further away from the subject, thereby still taking full advantage of water clarity and artificial light sources.
Universal design and adaptor configurations provide a wide angle solution for large zoom lens compact digital cameras, as the Canon G10, Fuji F200 and most other compact digital camera housings in the market, including Canon, Olympus, Fuji, Ikelite, Panasonic, Sea & Sea, Casio and more.

About the BigEye Lenses Technology
Fantasea BigEye Lenses make use of a new patented lens technology, which allows for high quality underwater wide angle images free of distortions.
The new technology uses air instead of glass as an optical element and enables recovering 100% of the camera lens optical properties underwater. The air pocket inside the lens enhances the angle of light refraction, thereby restoring the original angle of coverage of the camera lens. This patented technology was specially designed for underwater photography and therefore the lens should only be used when the system is submerged in water.

BigEye Wide Angle Lenses Now Available:

• BigEye Lens M46 with a 46mm thread mount
• BigEye Lens M67 with a 67mm thread mount
• BigEye Lens G10 for the Canon G10 Housing (WP-DC28)
• BigEye Lens FXF-100/200 for the Fujifilm WP-FXF100/200 Housings

JUNE 12, 2009, SAN FRANCISCO - MarineLife Keyword List is an importable keywords file created by professional underwater photographers and educators Marty Snyderman, Barry Guimbellot, and Eric Cheng to simplify marine wildlife keywording workflow. It contains keywords for over 12,000 species of marine life and includes not only common names, but also genus and species names, and full taxonomic structure.

Searchable by common name or part of the common name, the keyword list ensures that you will never again have to type in long pseudo-latin scientific names when keywording your images in Aperture or Lightroom. In addition, a number of other taxonomic names such as the kingdom, phylum, class, order, family and other sub-categories exist as parent keywords and are automatically applied when you tag your image (in Lightroom).

MarineLife Keyword List can currently be imported into both Adobe Lightroom and Apple Aperture without adversely affecting your current keyword database. Upon import, the keywords are available for immediate use in keywording your marine wildlife images.

MarineLife Keyword List sells for $99 and is available as a direct download. More information at http://www.marinekeywords.com

Nordic Photo Event 2009

With Alex Mustard, Christian Skauge, Ingvar Eliasson and Lars Stenholt Kirkegaard

Join us at the first Nordic Underwater Photo Workshop held by Sea Safaris. This is a unique possibility to both try some of Scandinavias top diving at the best time of year - and to join a workshop with a level of quality that is rarely seen.

The event will take place at Gulen Dive Resort north of Bergen on the west coast of Norway. The resort offers some of the best facilities to cater for divers and offers high quality dive sites right at the door step. The dive resort is exclusively ours for the duration of the workshop and we have set up a full package for you that includes everything from qualified dive staff, accomodation, food, equipment handling, workshop facilities and even a “dive in bar” for those of you who prefer to discuss shutter speeds over an evening beer.

The workshop itself will be carried out by some of the most experienced photographers in Scandinavia and world known Underwater Photographer Alex Mustard will lead the training. Each evening we will have presentations on aspects of the technique of underwater photography, post processing and workflow and/or review sessions of the day’s images. The teachers will also be on hand throughout the day and will be happy to pass on tips on camera equipment configuration and technique before the dives.

This workshop will not be an A-Z course in Underwater Photography, but a social event where creative input will come from both teachers and fellow participants. It is open to all enthusiastic underwater photographers, but it will focus in detail on techniques and is not suitable for those making their first trip with a camera.

Full Press Release

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