News

I installed my first Leak Sentinel vacuum valve, a V3, in my Subal ND800 housing in 2014. Over 700 dives, changes of camera housing and upgrades to the Sentinel system, I’ve moved through V4, V5 and now the newly available V6. As the slogan goes, I’d never leave home without it. Why? The Sentinel provides a unique extra level of security and reassurance to an underwater camera and has saved me from my own stupidity a couple of times…… So what is it? The Leak Sentinel is a small valve w

Waterpixels is delighted to announce that Maria Munn has joined the team as our Compact Systems Specialist. For many years Maria has taught and specialised in producing amazing images using compact systems especially the Canon G series. She’s been looking too at action cameras and housed smartphone systems and has posted some really helpful guides and reviews. A more detailed resume for Maria is on our About page. We’re sure members will welcome warmly her knowledge, experience and enthusias

The winners of the HIPA Diversity 2023 photography competition have been announced. Hamdan International Photography Award (HIPA) is an international photography award, founded in 2011 under the patronage of the crown prince of Dubai, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. The Grand Prize was won by Massimo Giorgetta with an underwater photograph. Congratulation to Massimo! Protected Lives A night dive encounter with a magical 5 cm Jellyfish Tunicate in Lembeh Strait -

(image credits: Sony) Sony has unveiled the Sony A9 III, a full-frame mirrorless camera boasting a 24.6MP resolution and a global shutter. The global shutter functionality ensures simultaneous readout of information from each pixel on the sensor, eliminating distortion in both still images and videos of moving subjects. Employing a stacked design, the 24.6MP CMOS sensor, in conjunction with the latest Bionz XR processor, guarantees swift operational performance. The Sony A9 III, also r

Nikon announced today firmware upgrades to v3.70 from 3.60 for the Z6 and Z7 models. As far as I can see this upgrade is for the Z6 and Z7 only and not the Z6II or Z7II - nor the Z6III   Nikon's website says the update will:   Changed the default values for the following settings displayed when connecting wirelessly: - Encryption keys - The password displayed after the camera's default settings are restored • Fixed an issue that would

Reports have come in of another live aboard fire in Indonesia, this one in Raja Ampat, details are scant, however it was posted that every one got off the boat.  Only seems to have made Indonesian new channels so far, there is a link to a news page in Indonesian.   https://scubaboard.com/community/threads/raja-ampat-boat-fire-dive-boat.643793/   https://papua.jpnn.com/papua-terkini/2670/kapal-pesiar-terbakar-di-perairan-raja-ampat-bagaimana-kondisi-23-wisatawan

Nikon have announced firmware updates to their Z6ii and Z7ii cameras   According to the Nikon update page:   Changes from “C” Firmware Version 1.61 to 1.62   Changed the default values for the following settings displayed when connecting wirelessly: - Encryption keys - The password displayed after the camera's default settings are restored • Fixed the following issues: - In some cases, tapping the monitor woul

The annual German "Boot" show took place on 18-26 January. I visited on 25 January to see what might be new in the dive and underwater photography world and met up with other Waterpixelers.   I was also tasked with tracking down the new unicorn of the underwater photography world, the Inon Z-xxx   Boot is a massive show spread over 13 exhibition halls. It wouldn't be hard to spend a few million euros there - assuming you had them in the first place. Diving was maybe one and a

The biggest trade fair for boats, diving (and underwater photography) in Germany traditionally takes place in January every year, BOOT in Düsseldorf. I can report on Nauticam (who shared the stand with PanOcean), Seafrogs, Seacam and GoPro, but of course only individual impressions. There were 3 Nauticam employees on site. One of the three FCPs currently available outside the factory was on display, along with the WACP-1, WACP-C and WWL-1b. I was particularly taken with this comparison.

Incredible though it may seem, Nikon have just announced a firmware upgrade to that much-loved Nikon D500.   The new version, 1.40:  Changed the default password displayed on the connection menu after all the camera's settings were reset. The upgrade is available here:   https://downloadcenter.nikonimglib.com/en/download/fw/544.html

Divers24.com reports a fire, this time in the Red Sea, on the Sea Legends.   Keep an eye on those lithium batteries, people!

Another, seemingly small, update to LR Classic - to version 13.5.1   This seems to be minor bug fixes.

Edge sharpness with wide-angle lenses underwater  can be an issue especially for users of full-frame sensor camera bodies.   One solution to increasing edge sharpness, which has worked for some photographers, has been the Sea&Sea correction lens which came in 77mm and 82mm diameter options. But this lens disappeared from sale a little while ago.   Waterpixels member @Ido has been in contact with Sea&Sea and has been told that the company plan to make the lens availabl

The TIPA 2024 awards were announced today in the US and among the winners for best camera equipment of the year is Laowa's 10mm F/2.8 rectilinear full frame AF lens. Laowa announced this as an architectural, astro, landscape and portrait lens but it is also a fantastic underwater photography lens with an AOV of 130 degrees.  Attached are just a few photos from last weeks trip to the North Florida Springs. The 10mm is paired with the Sony A7R V in a Marelux housing with the Marelux 230mm dome po

Nikon announced on 26 February firmware updates to the Z8 and Z6III camera bodies  Z8 to version 2.10 and the Z6III to version 1.10.   The updates are available through the Nikon download centre: https://downloadcenter.nikonimglib.com/en/index.html   Nikon provided the following details:        

U38 · May/Jun 2024 https://www.uwpmag.com     Editorial   Lens nirvana, Hybrid history, Concentration & Blackwater business News, Travel & Events   Baja Mexico Sardine Run & Diving Cabo Pulmo Bali Workshop With Alex Tattersall Bikini Atoll – Pacific Master  Underwater Portrait Photography Workshop Raja Ampat Underwater Photography Workshop  with Tim Laman and Zafer Kizilkaya

A member who is a physician (thanks @DocTock ) has passed on a warning from the Federal Drug Administration about the effect of Scopolamine motion sickness patches used under certain conditions. If you’re a user, you might like to read this link https://waterpixels.net/index.php?app=core&module=system&controller=redirect&url=https://www.fda.gov/drugs/drug-safety-and-availability/fda-adds-warning-about-serious-risk-heat-related-complications-antinausea-patch-transderm-scop&key=a

Sony have announced major firmware upgrades for the a1, a9III, a7SIII and a7IV   According to the Sony press release, firmware v2.00 for the Sony a1 is perhaps the most extensive.    The Sony a7SIII and a7IV are upgraded to v3.00.   The Sony a9III will be upgraded to v2.00 which is expected to be available from 9 April. However if you live in the USA, availability is from April 9.

U39 · Jul/Aug 2024 Visit https://www.uwpmag.com to download.      Editorial   Competitions, RIP Martin Edge RIP Martin Edge  by Alex Mustard  News, Travel & Events 2024 Monterey Shootout - August 23-25, 2024 Inaugural Underwater Awards Australasia Imaging Competition Reef Species of the World Bunaken Oasis 2025 Photography Workshop with Alex Tattersall ‘Word on the Reef’ podcast

Nikon have announced a firmware upgrade for the Z8 to v 2.0.1   This tackles various bugs including a "green colour cast occurring with some pictures taken". 

Nikon have just announced another firmware update for their flagship Z9 camera.   Although on the face of it, not especially helpful for u/w photographers, for sports and studio people, lots of interesting additions.   A full list is here: https://downloadcenter.nikonimglib.com/en/download/fw/516.html   Nikon's press release explains:   (Full details here: https://www.nikon.com/company/news/2024/0313_firmware_01.html)   TOKYO - Nikon Corpora

https://xray-mag.com/magazines/123     https://xray-mag.com/magazines/123

It's worth a read of the link to Dive Magazine's article on the UK's Marine Accident Investigation Branch report on Red Sea liveaboard incidents.   The report makes for sobering reading: 16 boats lost in 5 years.   https://divemagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2025-SB1-RedSeaDiveBoats.pdf

A further update to Adobe Lightroom Classic is available: v14.1.1    This follows soon after v 14.1.......    

The San Diego Undersea Film Festival has released the screening schedule of films in competition for 2024. The screenings will be held at Qualcomm Hall (5775 Morehouse Drive) Friday, October 4th (7pm) & Saturday, October 5th (5:30pm) 2024. Moreover, many of the competition videos will be available for viewing online on October 7.   https://www.sdufex.com/2024-festival-schedule