Davide DB

You're already at version 5.0 of the project! 😃

It’s almost two years old, but still incredibly relevant! Ian Urbina's investigation reveals the extensive human rights abuses and environmental degradation associated with China's vast distant-water fishing fleet, which may comprise up to 6,500 vessels. These ships often engage in illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, contributing significantly to the depletion of global fish stocks. Workers like Daniel Aritonang, an Indonesian deckhand, are subjected to exploitative conditions, including forced labor, inadequate food, and lack of medical care, sometimes leading to death. The article also highlights the environmental impact of practices such as bottom trawling, which releases nearly 1.5 billion tons of CO₂ annually—comparable to the aviation industry's emissions. Additionally, China's fishing activities in regions like West Africa and North Korea undermine local economies and violate international sanctions. Despite international labor and ethical laws, seafood caught under these conditions often enters global markets, including the U.S., due to insufficient supply chain transparency. The New YorkerThe Crimes Behind the Seafood You EatChina has invested heavily in an armada of far-flung fishing vessels, in part to extend its global influence. This maritime expansion has come at grave human cost.

You know that feeling when you hit play expecting a nature documentary — majestic underwater shots, soothing narration, maybe David Attenborough whispering about tentacles — and instead you get... something else entirely? Yeah. That’s what this is. Something undefined — and that’s me being generous. It presents itself as a documentary about octopuses, and your brain immediately gears up for a classic wildlife piece, BBC or National Geographic style. But nope — it’s something completely different. A thing. It starts from the (fair) assumption that everyone is fascinated by octopuses. And so this fascination is told through a quirky bunch of characters who love them in their own weird ways: a comedian, an American researcher, an Italian biologist, a filmmaker, and a fisherman. It’s all shot like a fashion editorial or a magazine report, sprinkled with jokes, comic scenes, and bits of science. I even watched it in the original language, and honestly, I still don’t know what the creators were going for. I have to admit, at first, it’s kind of charming. Just watch the first five minutes — it kicks off with World Cup matches and the legendary octopus Paul. It’s light and entertaining, at least initially. But for me, that charm wears off after about half an hour. As for real, original footage of octopuses underwater? There’s barely any. Maybe just the hatching of a Pacific octopus’s eggs. The rest? Stock footage. Apart from some shaky sand shots filmed in Mexico by the Italian researcher with a GoPro, there’s nothing authentic. And to tell the story of this imaginary octopus, they even used stop-motion puppets. Original, sure — but also clearly a budget choice. Otherwise, they’d have had to do it properly, like the BBC Natural History Unit. So yeah, a very strange product. Not terrible, but... definitely having an identity crisis. For a more professional review: https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2025/may/08/octopus-review-phoebe-waller-bridge-documentary-prime-video

The visual difference between the photos is noticeable to a pixel peeper, but naturally, I can't judge the difference in the lens's user experience (range and AF). Two questions come to mind: Does the image quality (mfo-1 effect) depend on the lens used? Is it worth spending €500?

Manufacturers are using different approaches. It seem that AOI has doubled the prices in US only. Aura light is over 1K USD from Backscatter and still 500 € in Europe. https://www.backscatter.com/AOI-ALS-01-Aura-Underwater-Video-Snoot-Light-System-01

OMG

it's a real racketeering

Yes, it's sad but we are like the Phoenix 😜 Welcome back home!

Ad Chris explained in great detail, 100% TG7

It's almost time to update the filter thread then! Plain old Gopro without oil snake... good job indeed! I wish I had a beach dive like this here 😝

Hi Abraham, Welcome aboard! It’s great to have you here. Living within the Coral Triangle must offer some truly unique diving opportunities. Looking forward to seeing some of your work, and I hope you’re able to fit in another dive trip soon.

Join Flo as she follows the esteemed underwater photographer and marine biologist Laurent Ballesta on an exceptional scientific mission in the Philippines. For two weeks, Ballesta and his team conduct deep-sea dives between 80 and 130 meters in the Tubbataha Reef, a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its biodiversity but rarely explored at these depths. With the support of cutting-edge technology and meticulous planning, the team aims to document and study the reef’s unique ecosystems, searching for previously undocumented species and understanding the behavior and interactions of marine life in an untouched environment. The expedition also provides insight into the challenges of deep-sea research, including the use of pressurized diving habitats and specialized equipment to collect samples and data safely. This video offers a rare look into the world of marine science, demonstrating the significance of preserving pristine ecosystems while expanding our knowledge of the ocean's unexplored depths.

In the heart of the Mediterranean Sea, off the coast of Cap Corse, a group of scientists makes a surprising discovery: over a thousand perfectly round rings etched into the sandy seafloor, more than 100 meters deep. What are they? Who or what created them? To find out, diver and naturalist Laurent Ballesta leads an extraordinary scientific expedition. Using cutting-edge technology, he and his team live and work underwater for three weeks, exploring an unknown and fascinating environment. This documentary follows three years of research, stunning imagery, and unexpected discoveries that reveal a unique ecosystem and help us better understand our planet’s past. An exciting journey into the hidden secrets of the Mediterranean.

Added to our DIYpedia. Thanks

I was discussing these articles and videos with an Italian marine biologist, and he was pointing out that unfortunately the phenomenon has been known for years among those in the field, and he turned over to me one of his scientific papers on the same topic, here in the Mediterranean in 2007 https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/11250000600911675#d1e357

Assuming we are speaking about 8:7 video: perfect for vertical SM content. You can crop 9:16 without losing resolution (5.3K: 5312x4648) Cropping to classic 16:9 you can reframe/crop or add a fake small zoom in/out or pan (Ken Burns effect)

I see no reason to increase prices everywhere but we are too cynical ☹️

Good job as usual Thanks for sharing

Welcome aboard! Our DIY forum is at your disposal 😉

I vote for this. I’ve never used a mirrorless housing in a tropical climate—only small GoPro cases, where I’d place a little moisture-absorbing pad inside. Still, every time I opened the case, the pad was visibly damp. It’s incredible how much humidity can build up in the tiny space left by a GoPro inside its housing. Secondly, I would check the section of the housing where the port attaches. P.S. Do you mind if I slightly edit your title to reflect the actual problem/content?

https://eu.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2025/03/12/noaa-layoffs-trump-federal-government-cuts/82305736007/#:~:text=NOAA%20lays%20off%201%2C000%20employees%20as%20President%20Trump%20escalates%20federal%20cuts

Insta360 has officially announced the launch of the X5, its most advanced 360-degree action camera to date. Introduced on April 22, 2025, the X5 features upgraded 1/1.28-inch sensors and a high-speed Triple AI Chip system, which together enable video capture at 8K resolution and 30 frames per second. A new mode called PureVideo uses AI algorithms to enhance low-light performance, offering improved noise reduction and dynamic range. In terms of hardware, the X5 includes user-replaceable lenses made from highly durable glass, making field repairs easier and reducing waste. Other design updates include a built-in wind guard for better audio quality, increased battery life—up to 185 minutes depending on settings—and an IP68 rating, meaning it is water-resistant up to 15 meters (49 feet). The camera also introduces InstaFrame Mode, which captures both 360-degree and standard flat video simultaneously. The Insta360 X5 is available starting at $549.99 for the standard package. A more complete bundle, including a selfie stick and extra battery, is priced at $659.99. Additional accessories such as lens replacement kits and spare batteries are also available separately. https://www.insta360.com/product/insta360-x5

Welcome aboard Dave, we missed some technical Diver!

Hi Cyrille, A warm welcome to our forum! We hope you will enjoy it!

Welcome aboard Maria!