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Nikon & RED: A New Era for Hybrid and High-End Filmmaking

When Nikon acquired a controlling stake in RED Digital Cinema in early 2023, the industry took notice. For photographers and filmmakers alike, this wasn't just another corporate merger—it signaled Nikon's serious commitment to professional cinema production and a strategic evolution beyond still photography.
 
Strategic Integration and Immediate Benefits
 
The integration has moved quickly. RED has already released cinema cameras featuring Nikon's Z-mount, creating a native pathway for Nikon glass to reach professional cinema environments without adapters. This compatibility breakthrough offers significant workflow advantages for creators invested in both ecosystems.
The technical advantages of the Z-mount make this integration particularly powerful. With its 55mm diameter and minimal 16mm flange distance, the Z-mount delivers exceptional optical flexibility, supporting everything from ultra-fast apertures to edge-to-edge sharpness across varying sensor sizes. For RED's cinema application, this mount architecture provides future-proofed optical performance while simplifying lens choices for filmmakers.
 
Image credit: Nikon.com
 
Nikon's Video Evolution
 
Z9 vs Z8 - image credits: cined.com
 
Concurrent with the RED acquisition, Nikon has dramatically expanded the video capabilities in its flagship cameras. The Z8 and Z9 now incorporate features previously exclusive to dedicated cinema cameras:
 
Internal 12-bit RAW recording ProRes and N-RAW codec support Advanced log profiles Professional monitoring tools (waveforms, vectors) Timecode synchronization  
N-RAW and R3D: Complementary Codecs
 
Since the acquisition of Red, Nikon has two Raw codecs in house. Rather than competing internally, Nikon's N-RAW and RED's REDCODE (R3D) formats serve distinct purposes within the expanded ecosystem:
 
N-RAW targets hybrid creators and solo operators with its efficiency-focused design. The 12-bit compressed RAW format balances high-quality acquisition with manageable file sizes, making it ideal for documentary filmmakers and content creators who need cinema-quality results without complex external recording setups.
 
REDCODE RAW (R3D) maintains its position as the industry-standard cinema codec, optimized for controlled production environments and post-heavy workflows. Its established integration with DaVinci Resolve and REDCINE-X makes it the preferred choice for high-end production houses REDCINE-X is a free, professional-grade software application provided by RED Digital Cinema. In addition, Adobe has announced that it will support the N-Raw codec within its video editing software Premiere Pro.
 
The Future Landscape
 
This strategic alliance is redefining Nikon's identity in the visual content creation space. By bridging the gap between hybrid creators and cinema professionals, Nikon is positioning itself as a comprehensive imaging solutions provider. The RED acquisition doesn't represent a casual expansion into video—it's a fundamental repositioning that leverages RED's cinema expertise alongside Nikon's optical and sensor technology.
For working professionals, this integration promises future innovations that blend RED's cinema heritage with Nikon's technological prowess, potentially creating entirely new categories of imaging tools designed for modern visual storytelling across all formats.
 
 
 
 
 
 
Davide DB

Nikon's N-RAW video format will be supported in Adobe Premiere Pro

Nikon announced the Z5 II mirrorless camera last night, but in addition to that announcement was another exciting update for Nikon videographers. The company revealed that Adobe will finally offer support for Nikon's N-Raw video format in Premiere Pro. N-Raw is Nikon's proprietary 12-bit Raw video format. It supports Rec2020 color gamut and allows users to adjust white balance in post-production, much like what's possible with Raw photo files. As a result, it provides more flexibility during the editing process. Despite that extra data for editing purposes, it also produces smaller file sizes compared to Apple ProRes Raw. It's ideal for those who need editing flexibility while saving space on memory cards and hard drives. The only other options for editing N-Raw files are DaVinci Resolve and RedCine-X Pro, so it is great to see Adobe getting on board. While support for N-Raw in Premiere Pro is certainly welcome news, users will have to wait until "the end of 2025." Nikon didn't provide more specifics than that, simply saying it will come with an updated version of Premiere Pro coming later this year.
 
Here the Nikon full press release:
 
https://www.nikon-asia.com/articles/nikon-n-raw-video-format-will-be-supported-in-adobe-video-editing-software-premiere-pro
 
 
Davide DB

Lightroom And Metadata for Underwater Images

Managing underwater photography collections can be overwhelming, but with Adobe Lightroom's robust metadata features, organization becomes seamless. On his blog, Mike Jones outlines a systematic approach to metadata management, emphasizing the importance of consistent practices to enhance searchability and gain deeper insights into marine environments.
 
Key steps include:
 
Rating: Assigning ratings to evaluate image quality. Keywords: Applying terms to describe the environment and subjects. Title: Using a consistent format for easy grouping. Species: Recording both common and scientific names. Category: Grouping similar species under broader classifications. GPS: Adding precise coordinates to document the exact location of each shot.  
Implementing these practices transforms your photo library into a valuable dataset, capturing snapshots of time, place, biodiversity, and behavior.
For a comprehensive guide, visit Mike Jones's blog:
 
https://mikejonesdive.com/lightroom-metadata
Davide DB

Weefine WF101 Ring Light 3000 Version 2

Weefine have just released a new ring light, the WF101 Ringlight 3000 Version 2 to compliment their existing WF105 Ring Light 3000 CCW but what are the differences between the two and why would you prefer to use one over an external strobe?
 

 
 
Ring Lights are particularly useful in macro underwater photography, providing shadow-free illumination when a subject is close to the lens (the WF105 Ring Light provides 1000 lumens of light allowing users to shoot at just a 25 mm distance from their subject), super ideal for lighting tiny subjects, particularly if they are in an area difficult to illuminate evenly with an external strobe.  They are a fabulous smaller, lighter (just 470 or 480 grms above water/245 arms underwater), more economical option for those macro lovers starting out in underwater photography who don’t want or need to invest in a larger, heavier strobe.
 

Images @ Pauline Wong and Ken Thongpila
 
Both versions provide a 90 degree beam angle with a continuous 1800 lumens of light for 45 minutes and 3000 lumens for 12 hrs of strobe use.  As mentioned above the WF105 is a Super Close Ring Light providing 1000 lumens allowing for softer lighting, making it ideal for super close subjects.  Both have a built-in strobe port offering a Strobe Mode with a specialised optical fibre cable.  The newer version WF101, also provides extra options of blue and red light aside from white light (5500k), whereas the WF105 offers the possibility of adjusting the colour temperature (3500-8000k) to allow extra colour precision.  It also has 19 brightness options via an adjustment knob compared to 4 with the newer WF101 V2 via a push button which also boasts 4 choices of power levels - 100%, 75%, 50% and 25%.
 

 
Battery wise, the WF105 offers the extra option of USB-C charging, with both offering 3 colours to indicate battery power, making it easy to see if a quick boost is needed between dives.
 
Finally both are depth rated to 100 ms/330ft and offer the ability to be used with lenses of both a 52 mm and 67 mm lens thread.
 
To sum up, Ring Lights are a fabulous way for a beginner to get started capturing their favourite macro subjects as the light will never need repositioning, giving your subject a flattering soft glow and can lessen the risk of backscatter in your images.
 
Visit www.weefine.com for more information.
Maria Munn

Emperor Divers joins Waterpixels as one of our supporters

Waterpixels is delighted to report that Emperor Divers have joined our growing lists of industry supporters.
 
Since 1992 Emperor Divers have shared their experience of scuba diving in the Red Sea, Maldives and Indonesia and have  looked after thousands of happy divers – a great many of whom keeping coming back to us year after year.
 
Emperor's focus has always been on providing safe and sustainable diving holidays for everyone. Liveaboards, Resort Diving and PADI Courses are what they do. They cite ‘Must-do’ dive itineraries to include ‘Best of Maldives’ , ‘Red Sea Reefs & Wrecks’ and Indonesia’s ‘Komodo’, ‘Banda Sea’ and ‘Raja Ampat’.
 
Having dived with Emperor many times over several decades, I can heartily recommend them.
TimG

Waterpixels reaches 1000 members

The team at Waterpixels are delighted to announce that our 1000th member, @Grega  joined the Waterpixels community on 15 March.  An especially warm welcome to Grega!
 
Thanks to all those who have signed up since we started in Dec 2023.  We reached our 500th member in February 2024 and have seen a continuous stream of people signing up since then. 
 
We'd like to thank members for continuing to engage so positively and in a great spirit of willingness to share and be helpful.  We're especially delighted that unpleasant exchanges continue to be few and far between, sadly a rarity on an online forum.  It's the contributions to the forum from members and their willingness to share experiences, ideas and advice that has allowed the site to continue growing so positively.   We look forward to everyone's ongoing contributions and to many new members coming onboard.
 
Great to have you all with us!
TimG

Care and Maintenance for a happy camera rig

Like most things, some attention to maintenance is usually a good idea. Underwater camera and cinematography accessories are no different, especially with the use and abuse most of it gets in unforgiving environments. Naturally, the better something is taken care of, the longer it will last, and even though Ultralight Camera Solutions products are virtually indestructible, treating them with respect will keep them in good working order.

For the underwater photographer, after every dive, the best thing to do is thoroughly rinse everything in freshwater, inspect and service it if needed so it is ready to go when needed. For most of us, it's easy to forget and overlook these things that will bite us in the butt later, especially when we decide at the last minute to go diving. Being proactive is always better than being reactive.

To learn more about caring for and maintaining your underwater photography accessories, we have put together some information and videos that you can view at the link.
UltralightCameraSolutions

Go Diving Show 2025, UK - 1st/2nd March 2025

I've finally recovered from the Go Diving Show which was held at the NAEC Stoneleigh Park, Coventry, Uk last weekend and what an incredible show it was.  From showcasing diving equipment, holiday destinations, marine conservation and of course underwater photography over a 10,000 square metre area, there really was something to inspire everyone.
 
Underwater Photographer of the Year is celebrating 60 years and had 30 of it's winning images on display from the entrance and throughout the show to inspire visitors as well as a packed audience to view them on the stage on Saturday afternoon.  Here is Saeed Rashid introducing some of the images.
 
 
Winning Image - Catherine Holme's "Kaleidoscope of Colour" - Brand New Category "Coral Reefs"
 

 
Runner-Up - Jenny Stock's "Gardens of the Caribbean Reef Shark" 
 
 

 
There was also a dedicated Photo - Inspiration Stage with a wide variety of underwater photography talks to inspire.   The hugely talented Jenny Stock concentrated on the "Creativity and Ethics of Photo Manipulation," Simon Rogerson, Editor of SCUBA Magazine shared secrets with the audience of "Photographing Big Animals" and Ellen Cuylaerts enthralled with tales of her past trips and the important of being a DAN member.

 
There were a wide variety of underwater photography specialists exhibiting, some for the first time.
 
DIVEVOLK were popular and stole the hearts of many visitors, with Louis and Kai from DIVEVOLK HQ in China flying in especially to demonstrate their award-winning innovative touchscreen smartphone underwater housings and accessories.  Who else is in love with their new "Dreamy Pink" model?
 
It was great to see Sea & Sea again, who had a variety of strobes on show for both compacts and d-SLRS.
 

 
Orcatorch were also exhibiting, sharing a stand with Sea & Sea.  They were demonstrating their popular D710 Best-Selling Dive Light which delivers 3000 lumens of light in 5 different colour options.  Which one is your favourite?
 

 
The ever popular Dr Alex Tattersall of Underwater Visions/Nauticam UK had his usual stand which he shared with Light Balance who are also retailers for DIVEVOLK.  The popular team of Anne & Phil Metcalfe from Alphamarine Photography were there and Nemo Photo had their first stand at the show.  Nemo Photo are the main distributors for Ikelite as well as offering Marelux and Go Pro products.
 
I'm still buzzing from the show, with the 8 hour drive there and back, it was totally worth it.  A huge well done to Mark and Penney Evans, all the Go Diving Team and of course the Exhibitors for creating such a brilliant atmosphere.  I'm sad at having to wait a whole year to go back.  Who's joining me?
 
 
 
Maria Munn

Retra Firmware update

Retra have announced a firmware update for the Retra Flash Pro Max (to v2.13), Prime+ (to v2.4) and Pure (to v2.4).
 
The update includes bug fixes and a number of performance improvements.
 
The update is available through the usual app download systems.
TimG

Divevolk New Trigger Release - Available in March

Meet Stuart from Atlantis Berlin Wassersport & Mee(h)r who talks us through Divevolk's new Trigger Release which can be added onto their housings to make starting and stopping video recording much easier to help reduce video shake, as well as of course capturing images.
 
Huge thanks to the Atlantis Team for their help.
 
https://www.facebook.com/reel/959890282752812
Maria Munn

Backscatter Smart Control Optical TTL Flash Trigger

Backscatter Smart Control Optical TTL Flash Trigger Review & Setup Guide
[Moderators Note: Waterpixels member, James Emery, is the Marketing and Media Manager at Backscatter]
 
The Backscatter Smart Control Optical TTL Flash Trigger provides super-accurate, automatic flash exposures with Olympus/OM System and Sony cameras using Backscatter strobes. The Olympus/OM System trigger is TTL compatible with the Mini Flash 2 and Hybrid Flash, while the Sony trigger is TTL compatible with the Hybrid Flash. The Backscatter Smart Control Optical TTL Flash Trigger is more than just a TTL trigger, it also can be used for manual triggering, rapid firing over 30 frames per second, and HSS (high speed sync), all built into a self-contained USB-C rechargeable unit.
 
The Backscatter Smart Control Optical TTL Flash Trigger has three different models, two universal types for Sony and Olympus/OM System cameras, and one for Nauticam full-frame Sony housings.
 

Watch the video for the key features of the Backscatter Smart Control Optical TTL Flash Trigger
 

Watch Our Full Review of the Backscatter Smart Control Optical TTL Flash Trigger
 
Smart Control Optical TTL for the Most Accurate Results
Underwater systems utilize different methods to achieve TTL through a camera, housing and strobe, including hardwired TTL, digital optical TTL, and S-TTL (slave or mimic TTL). The Backscatter TTL trigger uses a digital optical system in the form of Smart Control Optical TTL, which is a proprietary TTL system, to achieve accurate results.
 
CLICK HERE TO KEEP READING
James Emery

DEMA 2024

DEMA (The Diving Equipment & Marketing Association) show begins on Tuesday November 19th in Las Vegas. Marelux will have a booth in the imaging section where participants can see and handle the latest equipment including the excellent Apollo III & Apollo S strobes. I used the Apollo S strobes for 65 dives and now over 12,000 images on a recent trip to Bali. I will be in the booth along with Stanley and Bella, we will be happy to answer your questions and demo any equipment of interest. If you are at the show please stop by booth #7125 and say hello.

 
Phil Rudin

Sigma 105mm F/2.8 macro lens

Sony and Panasonic underwater macro photographers shooting full frame should checkout my latest review in UWPMAG.com issue #141. It fully details the Sigma 105mm F/2.8 macro for FE and L-mount cameras. I reviewed the Sony version of the lens using Marelux housing, ports, strobes and Marelux closeup lenses +10, +15 and a +5 including stacking two lenses. If you are looking for a quality macro at a reasonable price or wanting to add to add an additionaly macro lens this may be the lens for you.

Phil Rudin

Duikvaker 2025 - Dutch dive show

The Dutch dive show, Duikvaker, was held in Houten on 1-2 February.
 
The German boat show which includes diving, Boot, is massive in comparison, but Duikvaker being purely diving is, as a result, very manageable.  Many of the dive companies who exhibited at Boot were at Duikvaker so a large array of equipment was there both from distributors and dealers to poke, prod, try on and lust over. I was very tempted by the heated vests from Venture Heat! 
 
PADI ran its annual Member Forum and explained that they had increased their commitment to Duikvaker and intended to continue with that.
 
A good number of photographic equipment manufacturers, distributors and dealers attended including Sea and Sea, Seacam, Anchor Dive Lights, Onderwaterhuis and SeaLife.
 
Sorry, still no sign of that underwater unicorn, the Inon Z-xxx
 
If Houten, which is just south of Utrecht, is easier for you to reach than Dusseldorf, Duikvaker is worth a look for future years. More information about the show is here:
 
https://www.duikvaker.nl/en/




TimG

Boot 2025

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 half a halls with displays of wetsuits (lots of weird camouflage suits - what is that all about?) and posters showing muscled combat scuba divers, fast-roping from helicopters carrying waterproofed weapons. I'm yet to see one of one of my dive trips but who knows. Quite a few rebreather stands around as well plus the usual suspects, Scubapro, Cressi, SSI, PADI.  Lots of resorts: Raja Ampat, Lembeh, Egypt etc etc. And, as always, a few sellers of the critical doo-dads that we all need: clips, hooks, fancy tags etc etc.
 
Slightly disappointingly there wasn't so much to see from an u/w photo perspective: Nauticam, Seacam, Easydive and Divevolk either had a small stand or shared one with a distributor but that was pretty much it. Nauticam had their housing for the Nikon Z6III which, I thought , surprisingly big for such a small camera body. But, no, sorry, not a sniff of an Inon Z-xxx.
 
It was very good though to meet up with three other members, Maria, Hans and Chris. 
 
One thing I did notice which might be of interest was the growing number of dive propulsion vehicles (DPVs) including some very cool tiny ones. 
 
I'm off to the Dutch dive show next Saturday and will report back from there too.
 
 

 
 
 





TimG

Capturing Wide Angle Wonders with Your Olympus TG

Without a doubt the Olympus TG Tough range have revolutionised the world of underwater photography for both snorkelers and divers in recent years, making incredible results achievable for the beginner as well as giving a vast variety of options to expand creativity.
 
But with so many options for accessory lenses and makes available, what should you be looking for if you want to start adding a creative wider angle to your images.
                      
This festive period I was super busy helping answer some of the popular questions that I see on other forums so I've put this together in the hope that it might help someone else too.
 
So let’s start as a snorkeller.  Is a housing really needed?  Personally I’d always suggest one, even if it’s just to have that extra security measure and of course remember that you will need one to add on extra wide angle lenses at a later date.  Not only have I seen them flood in the water for no apparent reason but it’s all too easy in the excitement of getting in the water to accidentally not close the battery door or overlook a tiny pesky hair trapped in the seal.  When you’re travelling to unique, once in a lifetime destinations, it’s always better to be safe.
 

 
Then there’s the option for snorkelers to add on an Olympus FCON-TO2 (which is also waterproof) directly to the Olympus TG range via an adaptor, CLA-TO1, with just one easy click.  This will give you a wider field-of-view than the camera’s own 25 mm one and is great if you are using the camera above water too for wide landscape images.  It’s great for small reef scenes, but for larger subjects such as this seal above, a wider field-of-view is needed to fit more of it in.  It also struggles with above and below shots.
 
                     
But if you use an Ikelite Housing with a dome port for your Olympus TG, you can simply just pop the camera and the FCON-TO2 lens into the housing, giving it a much wider field of view so you CAN capture much wider scenes, achieve split-level shots too and create a perfect snells window effect when framing a
subject above you.
 
The Pros are:-
 
the edges of the image are sharp and there’s no vignetting the system stays light (just over 1 lb for the whole unit) compared to adding on a wide-angle lens directly to the front of a different housing which can make the housing tip forwards and downwards, even with a tray to help balance it.
 
The Drawbacks are:
 
keep an eye out for black corners to your image as the dome shade may interfere with the overall result and if this happens, simply remove it.  
Did you know that with this set-up you can actually zoom through the lens to achieve sharp close-up images too?  Check out Ikelite’s website or direct link here to see how it performs underwater:
 
https://www.ikelite.com/products/dome-port-for-olympus-fcon-t02-lens-and-adapter-kit?pr_prod_strat=pinned&pr_rec_id=ec369bea4&pr_rec_pid=3943133118533&pr_ref_pid=11527790933&pr_seq=uniform
 
 
                 
 
So let’s look at other wide-angle lens choices.   A super popular choice with many starting out is Backscatter’s M52 Air Lens or AOI’s Underwater 0.75x Wide-Angle Air Lens (weighing 20 grams underwater/160 gms on land) which give an 81 degree angle of coverage, sharp corners, is light and easily screws into a 52 mm threaded mount.   It works perfectly to restore the camera’s  topside field-of-view underwater and at the same time will restore your image’s colour, sharpness and clarity by reducing the water column, therefore allowing you to get closer to your subject.  It has an Anti-Reflection Coating too.  You can also zoom through this lens to take full advantage of the TG’s Microscope Mode.   An extra super useful touch is that you can attach the lens to your housing via a lanyard (a very thoughtful touch which is included with your purchase) which will keep your lens safe when you are underwater.
 
It’s a great lens for turtles, large fish like groupers, divers and small reefscapes.
 

 
I loved using this lens when I had the chance to photograph blue sharks off the coast of Cornwall with my Olympus TG-6  It produced detailed results as you can see here, but I really needed a wider field-of-view to be able to capture the whole body of the shark to be able to have a sharp result throughout the image.

 
So do you really need to go any wider and why?  For all those cave, wreck and super wide reefscape scenes with or without a modelling diver, this is where a wider angled wet lens really shines to capture both dramatic and creative images.  There are a few makes to choose from such as Kraken, Weefine, INON, AOI and of course Backscatter!
 
Let’s look firstly at Backscatter’s M52 120 degree Wide Angle Lens
 
           
 
Backscatter have done a sterling job to design and innovate wide-angle lenses especially designed for the Olympus TG series and this lens is fabulous for those dreaming of capturing those captivating wider angled scenes.  Like the Air Lens, it delivers sharp corners, there’s no vignetting (where little black areas appear in the corners of your image), has an Anti-Reflection Coating and you can zoom through the lens for those all important close-up shots, making it perfect for capturing Close Focus Wide Angle Images.
 

 
Want to go Ultra Wide to capture even more of those wreck, pier or scenic cave shots?  Weefine has designed a super wide conversion lens (depth rated to 60 ms) which offers an incredible 150 degrees at 24 mm and easily screws into an Olympus TG housing’s 52 mm thread mount.  It also comes with an adaptor for 67 mm thread mounts.  Just be careful as the weight of the lens is heavier than the others (690 gms in the air/255 gms underwater).  It has a multi-layer BBAR coating for anti-reflection and optical clarity.  It has an optical grade polycarbonate dome which is easy to repair if needed.  Again you can zoom through this lens if needed.  A super wide lens is incredible useful for close-focus wide angle images, allowing me to get much closer to my subject and with the use of just one strobe placed over the middle of my housing, I could illuminate the above subject. 
 
          
 
Kraken has also its own KRL-02 52 mm Wide Wet Lens which offers a 145 degree at 24 mm.  It has also been designed with a 52 mm thread, also has a multi-layer BBAR coating for anti-reflection and optical clarity purposes.  It also has the capability to zoom through the lens for a tighter frame.
 
Just be aware that vignetting (black edges to the corners of your image) may still occur with different housings and lens combinations.  If you notice this, just simply zoom slightly until the effect disappears.
 

 
So there you have it, an introduction to the wonderful world of wide-angle creativity.   Wide-angle has been my calling in the world of underwater photography and there's nothing more that excites me than creating a unique scene which captures guests' attention and creates a conversation to encourage them to explore our underwater world too.
 
Warm Seas,
 
 
Maria 
 

Maria Munn

Sealife SportDiver Ultra versus DiveVolk Seatouch 4 MAX - Who's the King of the Smartphone Housings?

There's absolutely no doubt that smartphones are an incredible, cost-effective way to get started in underwater photography.  There’s nothing more exciting than being able to view and upload your images to social media as soon as you finish your dive, on a safety-stop or even whilst snorkelling .
 
Did I say started?  Let me take that back, as it is so easy to get addicted to using one, that you may just want to ditch your usual camera in favour of it.  Of course there are advantages and disadvantages of choosing a smartphone over a camera, but for ease-of-use and for a complete beginner, they are a total game changer.
 
So with so many different housings available for your phone, so I thought I’d share some views on two of the most popular housings Divevolk versus Sealife.  I’ll cover other popular housings like those made by Kraken and Oceanic soon.
 
Sealife SportDiver Ultra Smartphone Housing - Depth Rating 40 metres/130 ft - $349
 

 
Both compact and sturdy (ideal for where I am in the UK), this housing is how I fell in love with shooting with my own iPhone and has been voted as Scubalab Tester’s Choice for 2024.
 
The SportDiver Ultra housing is a heavy duty housing (808 grams) and is made of polycarbonate, stainless steel, aluminium and optical grade glass.  It will take all iPhones from iPhone 8 through to 15 Pro Max as well as most Android models.  Just made sure that you review the Sportdiver compatibility and fit guide.  It has it’s own SportDiver App which connects to your phone through Bluetooth Low Energy 5 wireless technology, using the phone camera’s technology which is native to each camera.  The housing itself is powered by two AAA batteries which last over 50 hours of continuous use.  It is almost neutrally buoyant and Sealife also make a Gear Retractor which is a stainless steel snap clip which attaches to your BCD to keep it extra safe when it’s not in use.
 
Let’s look at what the Sport Diver housing offers:-
 
It has a generous shutter button at the top of the housing and four easy-to-use buttons on the back, making access to the different settings easy to use, especially when you are shooting in colder water with gloves. It has the ability to change the ISO, Exposure Value, White Balance, Adjust Zoom, Tint, Lens Selection plus the ability to shoot in both JPEG and RAW, making it ideal if heavy editing is your passion afterwards.  Video stabilisation is also available on certain phone models. It is equipped with dual Leak Alarms which include a moisture alarm and a vacuum pressure alarm, alerting the user with on-screen warnings.  This alarm will even notify you on the surface if it detects even a drop of water in it and trust me, you will definitely hear it! It also as a Vacuum System with a pump to create more security for your system. It has a very sturdy build which is suited for more challenging conditions.  It also has a sturdy holding spring and rubber grip tabs which securely hold the smartphone in place and add shock-protection. Automatically comes with a removable red filter (with a safety tether) to restore natural colours in tropical water and a sturdy travel case so you can get started immediately.  Both magenta and yellow filters are also available. Interior fogging and condensation are prevented by using “Moisture Muncher” capsules. Looking to get creative?  A 52 & 67 mm thread adapter is available for both macro and wide angle lenses.  At present there is just one wide angle dome lens available (which is positively buoyant and has a safety lanyard) increasing the phone len’s field-of-view by 40%. The housing features seven 1/4-20 tripod mounts to mount any light or light tray with standard tripod threads such as Sealife’s range of Sea Dragon underwater photo/video lights. Your phone can be taken out from the back door to charge. The Playback Mode shows full size photos and videos with a vertical thumbnail strip, making it easy to locate your images.  Files are also saved automatically to your phone’s camera roll.  
The downsides are:
 
It needs to be used with the Sealife App for it to work, so all of the functions aren’t accessible such as the highest quality video setting available in newer iPhones.  Some of your phone settings may not be available through the App, so it’s important to check both the App and Play store for SportDiver App updates. A manual vacuum pump (included in the set-up) is needed.  
You can read more about all the different options available via Sealife's website here:-
 
https://www.sealife-cameras.com/product/sportdiver-ultra-smartphone-housing/
 
 
DIVEVOLK - Seatouch 4 MAX - Depth Rating 60 metres/196 feet - $239
 

It’s safe to say that Divevolk have taken the smartphone underwater photography market by storm by introducing the first ever fully integrated touch screen which makes all of your favourite apps and functions easily accessible underwater at an affordable price as well as offering the widest range of add-on lenses.  Trust me, you’ll be spoilt for choice as to which one to start with!  You can even communicate with your dive buddy underwater via writing apps, make an emergency call at the surface if needed as well as record GPS co-ordinates.   You can even have your own Fish ID Guide with you whilst you’re diving, making identification an absolute breeze.
 
The Divevolk housing is much lighter (375 gms), made of plastic and stainless steel, supporting any smartphone.  Simply pop your phone in a customised adapter and slide it into the housing through a narrow opening and close the housing door which has a built-in compression ring.  You’re then all good to go.
 
So let’s look at what it offers the user:-
 
All functions are easily accessible via the touchscreen, even with wetsuit gloves.  And yes, the touchscreen is tougher than it looks with a special 3-layer sealing gasket to keep the housing secure.  For those colder water temperatures, this innovative company have even invented a special finger cot to pop on over your drysuit glove. It may not have a vacuum pump but it does have a pressure balance system to keep it safe from leaks. If film making is your passion, this housing is the only one to give you a choice to shoot at the highest resolution that your phone can offer. It can also be used as an external monitor for your d-SLR or Mirrorless camera.  It has developed a wi-fi transmitter which can be placed in-between your housing and your phone where the signal is transferred.  Divevolk is the only manufacturer to offer this option. Incredible underwater content can easily be achieved using the variety of add-on lenses which Divevolk offer.  From both red and magenta filters to a 15 + close-up lens, plus both wide angle and dome lens options make this an unbeatable system to get started with and grow your creativity.  
The downsides are:
 
Take added care to protect the membrane when travelling. If you are using a tray with two handles, be aware that you will need to remove the housing from the tray first before being able to remove your phone from it’s side door.  Alternatively you can purchase Divevolk’s own tray which allows it to swivel and you can then remove it easily.  
DIVEVOLK Platinum - Depth Rating 262 ft/80 metres - $399
 

This recently launched housing has been specifically built for newer and thicker smartphones and has a much more sturdy finish.  It has the following upgrades:-
 
It is made of aluminium alloy which makes the casing more resistant to corrosion.  It also makes it look very stylish. An upgraded sealing system, making the housing feel more resistant to leaks. The touchscreen is easier to operate with gloves and offers a smoother response than previous models. It comes with an integrated expansion clamp which attaches directly to the case with 1/4 inch threaded holes at the bottom.  
For more information on Divevolk, visit their website here:-
 
https://www.divevolkdiving.com/en-gb/collections/seatouch-4-max-kit
 
Finally, don’t forget to utilise a wireless charger if possible to reduce the risk of moisture entering your housing.  Regardless of which one you choose, you sure are guaranteed a whole new underwater photography world opening up in front of you.
 
I’ve absolutely loved shooting with my phone the past couple of years for ease-of-use and the simplicity and how I can create my content for social media in a nano-second after getting out of the water.
 
I look forward to hearing your thoughts, experiences and seeing your images 🙂
 
Maria
 
 
 
 
 




 
Maria Munn

Diving trip report in the Philippines from 16/11/2024 to 10/12/2024

During our first stay in the Philippines, just after COVID, we skipped Moalboal. At the time, it was still "complicated" to change islands.
For this trip I studied an Anilao – Romblon combo but it seemed relatively complicated to me... I gave up. Good for us with the typhoons, we would have been stuck for a few days.
 
Anyway, we went back to Cebu again, with Moalboal and its sardines as our first stop.
 
For the rest of the season we chose safety by returning to the Thalatta Resort south of Dauin in Negros Oriental. It was also an opportunity to re-test this hotel, following the change of ownership.
 
For the third place, another safe bet, the Island View Beachfront Resort and its Anda Scuba Diving club.  Resort at the top of our possibilities with the "real" rates and not the promotional ones we had in 2022.  FYI, if you are a "returning guest" there is a small discount... but also by making a "long stay" from 7 or 8 nights. This helped us a lot, without these discounts, we would not have gone back for so long. So if you go, stay at least a week.
 
I tried to minimize the trips but we will have done close to 600 km by car and boat.
 


 
The route, once again it will be with Singapore Air that we will fly, still departing from Zurich. ZRH -> SIN 12 hours (return more than 13 hours) and a little less than 4 hours from SIN to CEBU.
I always enjoy this long night on the plane where you can land, especially since on the way there and back you arrive in the early morning.
 
Some go through Turkey when I look at the schedules, no thanks, especially if it's to earn only a few euros on the flight and then it's a hassle when arriving in Cebu at 2 a.m.
 
For us, it was an arrival in Cebu around 3 p.m., everything went quickly and without the slightest problem. Provided that you have thought carefully before leaving to fill in the online form on the Philippine website in order to obtain a QR code that will be requested on arrival. This form, on the other hand... uh... A real hassle to fill, I had to start over a good dozen times... bugs galore. So avoid doing this at the last minute, you risk having surprises.
 
It's a long journey, especially if you still count the journey to Zurich the day before the flight. 44 hours door-to-door on the outward journey and 56 hours from the departure of Anda for the return.

 
 Here we are at the exit of the airport and our driver is waiting to take us to Moalboal at the Cebu Seaview Resort. This will be the most difficult part of the journey. Almost 3 hours of winding roads with part of the night. But we arrive without any problem at the first stage of our journey where we will dive for 4 days.
 

 

 
A quick dinner, before assembling the photo and video equipment... tomorrow the dive starts at 8 o'clock. With the 7-hour difference in winter between France and the Philippines, we will have to set the alarm clock... But it will not be useful, only too happy to be back in the warm waters of the Golden Triangle.
 
In the morning, a little check of the papers (certifications and insurance) and of course the small form with liability waiver, in short, classic.
 
Everything is very well organized, the tank are rigged on land by the divers but transported on the bankas by the many crew members and guides/instructors.
 
 

 

 

 
Once everything is installed on the banka, the signal is given to join the boat. A small staircase to go down and then, depending on the tide, a small walk in the water to reach the access staircase to the banka.
 
 

 
I strongly advise to wear booties, if possible with good thick soles, your feet will thank you. Here as in the other places where we dived, pebbles, corals and especially sea urchins can be formidable when accessing the boat.
 
The first dive will be in Pescador, a small island in front of Moalboal, renowned for being surrounded by a teeming life. A few years ago there was a large sardine bar that had taken up residence there... We won't see the slightest of them, just a lot of fish. Nice dive to start our stay.
 
After the dive, it's back to the center, everyone disembarks, there's something to make coffee or tea... but nothing to nibble on while waiting for the 2nd departure.  
 
Cebu Seaview being located more or less in the middle of the Moalboal coast we will do the dives less than 15 minutes away from sailing and just a little more for Pescador which we will do 3 times in 4 days. The conditions were not great so we only did the west side but nature is well done, it was different each time.
 

 
In the afternoon there is a 3rd dive and it is possible to do night dives. We will not do it.
 
 

 
 On the second day we change guides that we will keep for the remaining 3 days. Not bad... I would say better than the first one who was an employee of the center while Cino was a freelancer. A guide with a bottle... A pleasure to dive with him. We will always leave first and will often, if not always, avoid "traffic jams" and "jacuzzis".

It is therefore with him that we will make "the Sardines". 
 
Sardines... They migrated for an unknown reason a few dozen meters from the coast. This is where they are visible to divers but also to snorkelers. The number of boats on the surface made me fear the "worst", I could already see myself having to elbow my way underwater, a bit like Hanifaru Bay in the Maldives.
 
Cino jumped us into the water first and "traced" directly to the north... small shock... "But where is he going?" and then magic sardines... sardines everywhere... thousands, sorry millions, impressive.

We were the only ones for the first few minutes. Then a few divers joined us but at no time was there a crowd, really great. An experiment to be done at least once... We did it again 2 days later without any regrets.
It's not easy to convey the atmosphere in photos, I did the best I could. It's up to you to judge.
 
 

 

 

 

 

 
The dive center is not the "family" type, it's closer to the factory... but very well organized, where it is good to dive. We did 11 dives in 4 days and were happy to go to see something else.
 
The hotel is comfortable, nothing to say, nickel, quiet and the a la carte restaurant is very good. It's not on the level of the next ones but excellent for the price.
 
 

 
 
 

 
Very good mention for the bar. The cocktails are very well dosed... (I suspect the bartender reversed the dose of rum with that of orange juice...  ) It was really not worth having 2 drinks to sleep well.
 

 
 
As is often the case with great encounters during these few days, there are no regrets about having passed through Moalboal... Sardines undoubtedly deserve the destination to be bet on a "ToDo", even if bubble factories are numerous here.
 
 

 
 

 

 
 

 

 

 

 
After 5 nights it is the departure for the Negros Oriental.
 
The transfer is arranged at my request by the Thalatta Dive Resort.  A taxi picks us up at 8 am and after about 2 hours 30 minutes we arrive at a small port where small fast shuttles go back and forth between the islands of Cebu and Negros.
The crossing is done in less than 30 minutes.
 
Remember to have Pesos (PHP) in order to pay porters and luggage tax on arrival. The whole thing cost us a few hundred PHP (1 € = +/- 60 PHP).
 
Upon arrival, a driver is waiting for us to take us in less than an hour to the Thalatta. We will arrive in the early afternoon and will be able to sit quietly and enjoy the pool before the return of the divers who spent the day with 3 dives at Apo Island.
 
When we arrived, we met "our" guide Nadi with whom we had dived 2 years ago. He no longer dives. Alex, the new owner of Thalatta Resort, asked Nadi to take over the reins of the diving club. He now manages the entire small team and the maintenance of the diving center.
 
We will dive with Oien during the 7 days. He is now the most experienced guide. He was trained by Nadi. We had already dived with him during Nadi's "day off" in August 2022.
 
He is very good and has gone out of his way to show us as much as possible....
 
 
Ouch that's where it starts to get stuck.
 
 
The season is really not ideal, not too much life, few nudibranchs, shrimps and others. It's nature and you have to accept it. We are "just" a few weeks, even days before the gradual return of the little beasts.

Nature... hmmm that includes the weather. Not really at the top of the wind coming from the north-east and some clouds. But overall it was very nice. A little frustrated at having been able to fly very little with the drone.
 
 

 
Big frustration on the day of departure with flat seas.... 
 
And to think that 2 days before, on the way back from the last dive, my wife, while jumping from the Banka "at the wrong" time, sprained her ankle... It is therefore with a crutch that she will leave the Thalatta.
Thanks to the carpenter, who quickly made him something to move around without putting too much strain on his foot.
Thanks also to the masseuse who worked a miracle. Our physiotherapists should learn from this... More than an hour of massage to relieve pain and try to unravel problems and restore mobility.
 
Back to diving.
After the first day where we did a double dive trip to the south (Basak) and then in the afternoon a House Reef for the two of us, we left for Apo and three dives on the second.
 
The crossing is slightly hectic but it goes well with the very comfortable banka.
 
 

 
First dive on the bow of Apo.. hmmm but where have the fish gone? The place is still beautiful with soft corals everywhere, a few turtles but very few fish. The next 2 dives will be the same.

Frustration, disappointment and sadness. After a little discussion, it seems that the locals are fishing in the "marine park"... 
Two days later the 2 bankas are scheduled for Apo... we will have a short day of rest. That's how much we were marked by this first outing in Apo.
 
On the way back from the banka (yes there was only one that went out, the group that had booked the second one cancelled at the last minute  ) those who dived there were delighted... obviously there was life...  But it was the first time... or we had fallen on a very bad day. We will have to go back to find out for sure.
 
A day doing nothing feels good but it's so long .
 
We will continue by diving on the coast of Dauin to the north and south and for me a little "night dive" on the "House Reef"... and on the last day a single dive on the HR with a very sporty but then very sporty launch and return. 
 
The photographic harvest was less, as was the quality and variety of the subjects. It's nature, you have to know how to accept it.
 
A small overview of the result.
 
 

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 

 

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 

 

 
 

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
More here
 
 The Thalatta Resort, for those who know it, it's always the same.
 
You feel good there, you should say: always so good. The restaurant is always good, as is the staff of the whole hotel who are very attentive, helpful and smiling.
 
No regrets about coming back.
 
The changes now:
 
Alex, the new owner, obviously has plans not to change anything... i.e. to keep this family atmosphere. Keeping the same concept of what Patrick has built. But there is an important point, he intends to do better...
 
To improve the Thalata little by little, in small steps and I don't doubt for a moment that he will succeed. He started by redoing the inflation installation

 

 
New compressors, and nitrox per membrane... The best of the best, a very good start.
 
On the hotel side, renovation work is being carried out everywhere. Small things like the restaurant toilets, the new fresco and different layouts tested. Everywhere, gardeners are replanting new plants to further embellish the setting. I like it. At the bar, installation of shade sails so that you can sit there during the day.
 
I'm curious to see how it will evolve in a few months.
 
Anyway, you can go quietly, you won't be disappointed, the Thalatta Resort is a place made for divers. If you stop by the Paris Dive Show, there should be a booth with the Thalatta. Alex should be there with the former owner Patrick.
 
We will go there to say hello to them.
 
There is a difference between Patrick and Alex.... Patrick didn't dive, Alex, yes and he's not a beginner.... I believe that there will be positive surprises in the future on the diving side.
 
Small downside... As a child, the prices of the dives have increased slightly.
 
After 2 stays of 10 and 8 nights I will not hesitate for a moment to go back but at another time when there is more life... why not spend Christmas 2025 there... the whole team is well on its way to make the atmosphere there, with the decoration and a nice "Christmas menu"... I almost placed an order .
 
 
 

 

 

 

 
 Let's move on to the 3rd part of our stay.
 
Once again we made the choice to go back where we would be sure not to be disappointed. 
Yes, yes I know maybe we should go elsewhere to be more adventurous... Of course not. I totally assume this choice to return in order to enjoy even more and a little differently.
 
We appreciate finding what we loved, in order to savor the place once again.  If possible, we do a small combination of safe bets with "experimentation". The next trip will again be in this style 2/3 of novelty and to finish 1/3 back...
 
But let's get back to this trip which ends in an hour with our landing in Zurich.
 
Anda in the south-east of the island of Bohol is a remote place, it is the price to pay to find the calm... almost 3 hours drive from Tagbilaran without counting the 2 hour crossing by speedboat from Dumaguete.
 
We will arrive at nightfall... very tired but happy to find the Island View Beachfront Resort  that we had found magical the first time. Peter the owner has made small improvements such as terraces on the front of the cabanas bungalows.
 
 

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Sorry for posting all this pictures but it is such a lovely place. 
 
 The restaurant, the "Old Plantation" is always at the top, the reference in Anda, and guests from other hotels come there to treat themselves.
 
We had a great time...
 
Too much maybe the scale won't like it, I'm afraid.
 
After a visit to the room, we meet at the bar, Hubert the boss of Anda Scuba Diving whom we did not know yet since he was in France during our 1st visit. There is also Olivier who is in his third season here. Zack, with whom we had dived in 2022, has returned to France.
 
Nice contact and appointment for the next day before 8 am for the paperwork and our first dive.

After a restful night, we are at the club with "Captain Thomas" still in place, but now there is still Jason, a young Filipino, who takes care of the inflation and supports Thomas in all the preparations on the boat. He looks serious and during our stay he passed his Open Water. Hubert intends to train him to become a guide, and thus expand the team.
 
The boat...
It was replaced by a larger one but kept the same flat bottom philosophy in order to be able to sail in a few centimeters of water and be able to approach the beach at low tide.
I find it really very good, comfortable, the edge is very wide, you are well seated and equipped with the block, it can be placed stable on it while waiting for the launch.
 

 

 
 
The service is top-notch, and the security system is at the forefront. Only downside, yes I know I'm a born complainer there are only S80s.... But Hubert is well aware that it will be necessary to invest in some S100 in order to make heavy consumers feel comfortable and safe. I managed but I admit that I was a bit frustrated to often stay a little higher, just to keep the hour of diving... on the other hand I never used my reserve on fins which came out regularly with 100 bar... I let her enjoy her dives without playing parasite, attached to the rescue.
 
Underwater, the same as elsewhere, less life and always the same reasons given. Not really the season, and in addition the water being particularly hot it seems to accentuate the phenomenon.
 
In the end, the water lost 1 to 2 °C, going from 30 to sometimes 28 on the last day. There were quite a few turtles 2 years ago... But this year we have moved to a whole new level. There are many more of them and they are less shy. I think we are slowly approaching the "level" of Bunaken. Awesome.
 
 
 Unlike Dauin, we had a very calm sea being protected from the wind by the big island of Bohol. Very well.
 
We enjoyed ourselves even if, as already said, I regret a little lack of life. But the last 2 days, there was starting to be a little more to see. According to Hubert, the high season is fast approaching,
 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
More to watch here
 
On the diving side, as well as on the hotel and restaurant side, no regrets about having gone back to dive in Anda and as for the Thalatta I can only recommend the address.
 
If the opportunity arises, we will return without the slightest hesitation.
It's a good way to end a stay, with a little more upscale services.
 
Depending on the return flight, it is necessary to leave a day earlier and spend a night not too far from the airport. This was our case. We made it simple by going to the Waterfront right next to the airport. Decent room, big and beautiful pool but on the restaurant side there is better. I regretted not having dinner while having a simple meal in the domestic flight airport lobby right in front of the hotel.

In Singapore, the work is now complete. There weren't too many people I found, at least that's my impression. Singapore Air nothing to say, the economy class is not bad and when you see the comfort that those who fly in business class can have... I understand why this company is always so well ranked.
 
Here we are back in Europe and tomorrow work resumes. The 7-hour time difference is really complicated on the way back, on the way there it goes very well.
Who knows why
 
 
Nice little trip of more than 3 weeks including the trips.

But small frustrations due to a lack of life, yes, yes I'm jaded, there's no need to remind myself of that. Just like the weather which was not at the top of the best and which could have led to even more serious consequences for my partner's ankle. We were hot on this one. In the end, I dived a little less than expected with only 47 dives distributed like this: Maolboal: 11, Dauin: 16 and Anda: 20
 
On average, they had 1 hour, a maximum depth of 34m and only 3 dives of more than 30.  A hiccup with a 38-minute dive because a member of the group was at 40 bar after 35 minutes of diving
 
Now I'm going to get ready for the next trip which will be soon and to a mythical destination for divers, Raja Ampat with a short week in Lembeh on the way back, a destination just as famous for its Muck Dive.
 
Thanks for reading.  I publish the report in french and used the automatic translate module of Microsoft Word.
I hope this stay comprehensible and you enjoy my report.

Feel free to ask if you have question. Comment are also welcome.
 
Hugues
 
 
CaolIla

Getting Started in Underwater Photography with a Smaller Compact System

Underwater Photography conjures up a vast array of subjects to capture, from the tiniest animals on the planet measuring just the size of a grain of rice to the largest creatures which have ever lived in our incredible blue planet.
 
But starting out as a complete beginner with such a huge choice of different compact camera systems to choose from and accessories, where on earth do you start to ensure that you come back from your trip of a lifetime with fabulous eye-catching images.
 
Compact cameras have evolved hugely from when I pioneered the first ever dedicated courses for them back in 2005, but the essentials I always ask on the forums I participate in are:
 
What are your dream images to photograph?
Where are you going?
How much do you want to change your settings?
What is your budget?
 
It’s honestly that simple to make sure that you choose the right equipment.  I remember seeing on one forum that a lady going to Fiji was recommended an Olympus TG6 for it’s macro capabilities.  Being the passionate shark stalker and wide-angle reef scene passionate that I am, I just had to butt on in and suggest that a wide-angle lens was an absolute must to capture those jaw dropping reef scenes that Fiji is so famous for, as well as those sharks.  Yes the macro life is absolutely incredible too, but it’s so important to KNOW your destination, RESEARCH the subjects which you are going to have the opportunity to capture and have a budget in mind to start with.  How can you go to such an incredible, jaw-dropping, life changing destination and NOT come home with all of the incredible images that both you and your camera deserve?
 
Then there’s the question, do you need a camera with full manual controls or not?  Again, it all depends on what you want to achieve, but I’ll never forget my course guest Daniel Norwood, now Editor of DivePhotoGuide winning the British Society of Underwater Photographer’s Best Beginner Competition with a compact camera which had NO manual controls.  The Runner-Up  (27 points behind) was the then Chairman with a d-SLR system.  It just goes to prove that it honestly is all about how YOU drive the camera, how YOU create an image, and that you CAN still create award-winning, breathtaking imagery with older compact cameras too.  I have a huge variety of all kinds of images taken during my 20 year career gracing the walls of my gallery here in the UK.  And guess what, no-one can tell the difference as to which one was taken with a d-SLR, Mirrorless, Compact, Go Pro or my Phone.
 
So let’s dive on in and look at some answers to common questions I often see to get you started on your own journey.
 
Do You Need the Latest Model of Compact Camera?
 
Absolutely not, I loved shooting with my Olympus TG4 before upgrading to a TG6 model.  If an older model will give you more “bang for your buck” and enable you to purchase additional lights or lenses so that you can achieve your dream images, then it’s totally cool to go down this route.
 
Which is the Best Compact Camera for a Beginner?
 
All of them!  Yes honestly!  It all depends what you are looking for and how much effort you want to put into changing different settings when you are underwater.  I even absolutely loved using my Sealife DC-2000 camera and in the right scenarios would deliver incredibly sharp, punchy images even here in the UK with minimum effort and fuss.
 
So do you need full manual controls to take incredible images when starting out?  Absolutely not!  Yes, full manual controls allow you to get more creative, but they are not the be all to creating fabulous images that you will fall in love with.  I love the Olympus TG range for simplicity and for the jaw-dropping close-up images which it creates from the tiniest creatures by just using it’s “Microscope Mode.”  It doesn’t have full manual mode, but you can still achieve black backgrounds to your close-up subjects by adjusting some in-camera settings.  You can add-on wide-angle lenses, lights or even use a torch to start your creative journey.
 
Can I Really Capture Great Stills Using a Go Pro?
 
Holy moly, yes, yes, yes!  I’ve fallen in love with my Go Pro this summer and all the additional lenses and accessories which you can add to it.  From Backscatter’s MacroMate Mini which neatly fits on the front of a Go Pro housing to achieve razor sharp macro images to their incredible (how much am I in love with this lens) Action Cam Sharp Wide Lens Pro which gives a whopping 140 degree field-of-view.  It also allows the Go Pro to focus much closer to your subject to give you real nice close-focus wide-angle images.  Simply add on some small video lights to bring extra lushness, colour and depth to your imagery, I love my MARES EOS 10LRW Video Light Set-Up for lightness, compactness and brilliant results, and you are set to go.
 
What About Using My Phone Underwater?
 
Can you guess what I’m going to say?  Yep I absolutely ADORE using my phone underwater as well.  It also will give you excellent results, and it really is all about what you want to achieve our of your underwater imagery.  For me, what sets it apart from the rest is that your images are there as soon as you finish your dive, ready to upload to the world without the need to download them first.  I have been using a Sealife Housing and I love being able to change different settings via the Sealife App such as ISOs, Exposure Values and I can even shoot in RAW.  Being able to change my exposure value was crucial to achieve these reflections at Ginnie Springs in Florida.
 
Finally what about Insta 360?
 
Insta 360 is definitely all the rage at the moment, and definitely so for a very good reason.  You will not have seen anything quite like it anywhere and the results will leave you spellbound.  That is as long as you are using it in settings which actually suit it’s capabilities, such as huge wrecks, large reef scenes and giant cave systems.  Oh and make sure you have heaps of ambient light around you to get the best results.  Trust me it really is awesome, but you will need to take extra care with the lens as it scratches easily.    Sadly you can’t add any extra lights onto it due to the way that it has been designed, but trust me, it is jawsome.
 
I could honestly write about all of them forever, but thought it best to stop here so that you can go grab a coffee.  At the end of the day, they all take superb images, but you need to make sure that you are in the best possible conditions to make the most out of each device.  I’ll write more to explain each set-up individually very soon.
 
Until then, feel free to reach out and ask me any questions.  Helping is my middle name so just reach out if you’d like some help.
 
Look forward to seeing you all very soon.
 
 
Maria
 
 





Maria Munn

Nikon D500 firmware upgrade!

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
TimG

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