AMPHIBIAN
PROSUMER
HYBRID
REFLEX
POINT & SHOOT
September 2011
Casio EX-G1 tested: amphibian, shock-proof, anti-freeze
We have tested the amphibian compact Casio EX-G1, capable of diving to 3 meters
for 60 minutes. Small and handy, reasonably priced, how does it perform on the
field? Browse through the pages of the test, download the originals, and
compare your opinion to ours. Here.
A new section: your experiences
We start a new section dedicated to your contributions with a long piece by Valerio Brustia, a photographer-diver from Novara, Italy. Brustia tells us how he ended up choosing the DX (APS-C) format for wideangle
photography, why he did it, and how he adapted a non-standard lens to his Sea&Sea housing. His article (in Italian) contains a lot more. Of course, the opinions and evaluations
contained in this section should be attributed to the authors.
JPEGmini: a new standard?
JPEGmini is a new technology, patented by the Israeli Company ICTV, which significantly reduces the size of Jpeg files without reducing the
perceived quality. Currently, the use of this technology is free, but only
through the dedicated website. You can reduce the size of your pictures, upload them to an album, and
download them: the images shrinked through JPEGmini are compatible with any
browser or application supporting the JPEG format, whose standard is respected.
We have tried to use this new tool and the results are quite interesting. Take
a look here.
August 2011
Nikon S3100 and S2500 tested in NIMAR housing
The two small Collpixes in dedicated NIMAR housing have been thoroughly tested
with various lighting systems, and in particular with the servo Nano Flash and with the Sola 600 Photo Lamp. The price is very interesting, but are the two kits good enough for the
demanding diver? Browse through the pages of our test to find out.
A Fantasea housing for the new Nikon P7100
Nikon is going to churn out the new version of its top compact model, with the addition of a new front control wheel, an articulated diplay, but
most of all with an improved operability and speed of action, which were a weak
point of the previous P7000. Fantasea has announced that, in collaboration with Nikon, a new housing will soon be
presented.
A new amphibian from Nikon, with surprises
Nikon has announced a series of new Coolpixes: the prosumer P7100, the point-and-shoot S1200j (with on-board projector) and S100, and the amphibian AW100, an absolute novelty for Nikon. This is a new compact with periscope lens, depth-rated to 10 m, fall-proof up to 1,5 m, and freeze-resistant up to -10°. It sports an integrated GPS, electronic compass, and in-built maps of some
areas of the world. The 1/2.3” CMOS sensor delivers 16 megapixels and full HD video (1080p). The lens is a 5x (28-140 equivalent) and can focus in Macro mode from 1 cm (as usual, in wideangle position), the display is a 3”. The camera, weighing only 178 gr, has controls for underwater modes and Easy Panorama function. The battery is a Li.ion EN-EL12 rechargeable,
capable of shooting up to 250 pictures. The really new feature is an oversize button, usable even with
thick gloves, placed on the left side, called Action Control: pushing it and swinging the camera back and forth allows you to select the
shooting mode and shoot, using just one hand. It will be made available at the beginning of September for about 350 €.
July 2011
Two new optics from Nikon and Tokina
Nikon has announced the new AF-S DX Micro NIKKOR 40mm f/2.8G capable of a reproduction ratio of 1:1, with a minimum focusing distance of 16
cm. It can be used on cameras with an APS-C sensor, and it has the equivalent
focal of the 60 micro. It weighs 235 gr and its price should be around 250 €. The missing lens for the users of the DX sensor. In turn, Tokina presents an updated version of its beloved fisheye zoom 10-17 f 3,5-4,5 branded AT-X 107 NH. The most noticeable change is the remotion of the in-built hood, which makes it
possible to use longer focals, even with 36x24 (FX) cameras without vignetting.
The full range of focals can be used only with cameras of APS-C (DX) format.
The front lens has a new hydrorepellent coating. The field angle varies from 180 to 100°, and the minimum focusing distance is 14 cm. Weight: 350 gr, and price around 600 €.
Opinions
by Egidio Trainito
by duwphoto.com
by Franco De Lorenzi
an interview with Roberto Rinaldi
by Fabio Liverani
A petition by Ann De Loach
by Egidio Trainito
by Egidio Trainito
by Egidio Trainito
Two new Olympus hybrids with dedicated housings
Less than 5 months after the presentation of of the hybrid Micro 4/3 E-PL2, the
japanese company invades the market with the new model E-PL3, and with a new camera, the E-PM1. For both, the new ploycarbonate housings were presented, depth-rated to 45 m. The two models are considerably smaller
that the previous one, but most of all it seems that the autofocus response has been considerably improved. The sensors stay at 12 Mp, but the processor is new. None of them has an on-board flash, but a small, bracket-mountable FL-LM1 flash is included in the package. The two cameras differ in that the E-PL3 has an articulated display and a
higher number of external controls, like the selection dial for the shooting
mode on the top, which are absent on the E-PM1. The new underwater system based on two bodies allows for the 14-42 standard zoom only, different housings for the two models, macro and wideangle add-ons to be
mounted on the port through an adapter. Both housings have a diffuser and
sockets for optical cables for external strobes. They also mount on the port
assembly 4 LED lamps which should ensure enough lighting for macro. Prices and availability still do be defined.
Biodiversity
pictures by Egidio Trainito
pictures by Egidio Trainito
pictures by Egidio Trainito
photos by Edoardo Ruspantini and others
Photographers’ code of conduct for pigmy seahorses
Marine biologist Richard Smith, based on his PhD research, has produced a code of conduct for photographers
interested in shooting pigmy seahorses, and in particular the two species Hippocampus bargibanti and H.denise. The idea is to protect the diminutive fishes from excessive stress, and to
prevent damages to the gorgonias hosting them. It’s not a matter of protectionistic obstinacy, but it’s just the realization that these species have become more and more sought-after
by photographers, who often implement disrespectful and harmful behaviors. The
pdf file with a summary of seahorse and gorgonia biology, and with the code of
conduct, can be downloaded clicking here.
June 2011
Two new Nauticam housings for 4/3 Olympus and Panasonic
Nauticam has just churned out two new housings for the Olympus E-PL2 and the
Panasonic GH2: the former is a hybrid micro 4/3, the latter is a reflex micro 4/3 without mirrobox. Both housings are in in aluminum, particularly compact, with interchangeable ports, to cover a range of optics going from fisheye to various wiedeangle zooms, from 7/14, to 45 macro. Bear in mind that the equivalence ratio of 4/3’s is 2, and therefore the equivalent focal lengths must be considered x2. The price of the first housing should be around 1700 €, while the second around 2100 €. In both housings, the camera strobe controls external flashes via optical
cable. Nauticam is imported to Italy by Digital Media Service.
Memories
Sea & Sea housing for the reflex Canon 600D
Sea & Sea announces the availability of the new housing for the reflex Canon 600D
(Rebel T3i), the last offspring among the small Canons: in fact it was presented last February . The housing is in polycarbonate, depth rated to 60 m, and weighs 2 kg in air. The flash dialog can take place either via optical cable, using the on-board flash to control up to two flasher, or via electrical
cable; in this case, to have the TTL function you must use the YS Converter/C. In addition to the standard port, the camera can mount N series ports with the
adapter RDX Port Base L or S. The camera slides easily into place. The price should be around 1400 €. The Italian importer of Sea & Sea is Fracosub.
© duwphoto.com
2011
