Wetpixel recently published an excellent review comparing the Scubalamp D-Max strobe with the Retra Flash Pro. The review was compiled by Hannes Klostermann and Giacomo Rossi, who have provided a fantastic, thorough discussion of the pros and cons of both strobes. Alex and Adam discuss the review and how it emphasizes how important independent reviews are for underwater image-makers.
Wetpixel Editor Adam Hanlon reviews 101 Tips for UW Photographers, an eBook written by Marty Snyderman and Eric Riesch. The book presents a treasure trove of useful information relevant to all underwater image-makers. It is laid out in a style that lends itself to photographers of all abilities and experience levels.
Over the past few weeks, Mike Bartick of Crystal Blue Resort in Anilao, Philippines has been testing Retra’s lastest strobe accessory. The Reflector is a polished aliminum beam director that reduces the spread but increases the brightness of the flash’s output, and Mike has tested it for both wide angle and macro photography.
Wetpixel Moderator and award-winning underwater photographer Mike Veitch of The Underwater Tribe reviews Tobias Friedrich’s Lightroom presets for underwater photographers. These offer the potential of one-touch editing of images, reducing the amount of time that we all spend in front of a computer screen. Mike describes how they work and assesses how effective they are.
Morten Bjørn-Larsen presents a preview of the new Sea&Sea 210AR Universal Dome port. Constructed of a new material called Plantex, which Sea&Sea claims, offers improved optical performance and durability. It also holds an anti-reflective coating. Morten has been able to try the dome out in challenging conditions and records his findings in his preview.
Retra kindly supplied Wetpixel with a prototype of their new Supercharger battery compartment that can be attached to their Prime and Pro Flashes to increase their recycling speeds and longevity. We have been hard at work testing it and present the results as a short review.
Wetpixel reviews the fifth edition of Martin Edge’s seminal textbook,”The Underwater Photographer.” Featuring over 400 beautiful images, and with sections written by “visiting” experts in specific fields, the latest version of the book has been significantly revised. Like previous editions, it focuses on an updated evolution of Martin’s “Think and Consider” system, which provides an excellent basis for improving and enhancing an individual’s underwater photography.
Massimo Franzese (aka Interceptor121) presents an extensive review of the performance of and an outline to the theory behind Keldan’s redesigned Spectrum and Ambient light filters. The former correct the color entering the lens of the camera, while the latter corrects the output of video lights. Massimo used the filters extensively during recent trips to Tiger Beach in the Bahamas and the Mediterranean.
Wetpixel member and blogger Interceptor 121 aka Massimo Franzese has kindly shared a video review that he has recently carried out on a range of wet close up lenses with Micro 4/3 cameras. His results do have resonance with other camera types too. In this report, he has tested the Inon UCL67 and Inon UCL90 along with the Nauticam CMC 1 and CMC 2.
Jack Connick, of Optical Ocean Sales, provides his thoughts on the Nikon D850 camera and the Nauticam NA-D850 housing. Jack has used the combination on several big trips recently to Fiji, Yap and Palau, so has built up significant experience with it. He has experimented with lens choices and provides some insights and tips on how to get the best from the system