The New SeaFlash 150 – The innovative SEACAM SeaFlash 150 brings true I-TTL (Nikon) and E-TTL (Canon) exposure automation to underwater digital imaging. Battery power comes from a replaceable NiMH battery cluster and features include a long-lasting LED model light, circular flash tube, adjustable beam angle for wide-angle and restricted via snap-on snoot, adjustable power settings, and digital readout to show amount of strobe capacity expended on previous exposure. Beam angle at the widest is 130-degrees, and the weight in salt water is just 70 grams negative. 200 flashes at full power are projected from a battery pack, with a 1.2 second recycle at full power.

Last month I return from Bali – seemingly an ordinary destination but I have one of the most productive shoot ever. Here’s an extracts I wrote for the feature in the next edition of Scuba Diver. If you are keen to join me on my next digital workshop at SERAYA, please write and let me know. By the way, the SCUBA SERAYA Resort is exquisite; the staff is friendly, nitrox readily available.

 “However if there is just one site I would describe as the icon of macro havens, it has to be Seraya. I returned with unbridled enthusiasm in February 2006 equipped with Nikon D2X digital SLR with the aim to improve my shots of Tiger shrimps….did I say shrimps? On the first dive, Ronald, the resident guide found a pair perched on top of a coral outcrop striking a near perfect cover shot composition! If I have described the 2003 Seraya experience as mind blowing, this recent shoot was simply out of this world…an outlandish experience. Based on the scale of subject matters I captured over a 6 day shoot, Seraya Secret is in it own right a super extra-ordinary site; it is a unique biosphere supporting a universe of critters unequalled elsewhere in the tropical seas.

 Though the Mola Mola failed to keep their appointment with me at their usual cleaning salon down at 32 metres, five harlequin shrimps both blue and maroon, stonefish, hairy frogfish, boxer crabs, comb jellies, orange ‘V’ octopus, mantis shrimps and over 50 species of nudibranch, many of which I have not seen before kept me very busy through several 100 minute dives. I surfaced mostly out of air or out of ‘film - even the digital kind! For me, the most intriguing aspect of Seraya were the few specimens of cat eye corals (Scolymia sp.) and blue green coral (Cynarina lacrymalis) found at the southern end of the 25 metre slope. Like the artistic palette of Van Gogh, the Scolymias screamed for attention and the Cynarina was illuminating its bright fluorescent property even under daylight conditions. I vow to return soon to capture them in their best form with HID white lights.”

The SEACAM Remote Operation System  The E-Eye Viewfinder – SEACAM offers 4 user-interchangeable viewfinders for their housings. The Swivel-45 degree, S180 magnified Sport, and now the unique E-Eye. The E-Eye (“E” for Electronic) features a small video camera encased in a double O-ring sealed aluminum compartment. The focus is optimized to view through the camera’s viewfinder and ground glass, transmitting a full color television image to a remote monitor.  The E-Eye is an essential for working with polecam or remote operation underwater.

E-Eye Monitor – Used in conjunction with E-Eye Viewfinder the 5” LCD screen reveals what is seen through the lens, in real time, via the dedicated video camera encased in the viewfinder.  The Monitor has a button to trigger the shutter release and also offers a port for connecting the external head’s-up display (see opposite). The ball head can be used to attach the E-Eye Monitor to SEACAM’s new Polecam to allow remote trigger, with accurate composition and real-time view of exactly what is being seen through the camera lens.

Wyland with Seacam futuristic head's up display - topside use only - images courtesy of Stephen Frink

SEACAM WET Diopter Test Comparison

To set the benchmark, the Nikon D1X is used to conduct this test. Theoretically if you are using the D70, D200 or D2X you should achieve similar  or better results

Test Zone: D1X, 60mm, Seacam housing 105 (60mm port), SOLARIS HID light.

Range: 1:1  @ f40, 1/60 sec ISO200

It is obvious that the magnification ratio for the WET 2 about 2 times and when viewed at 100% difference in sharpness is barely noticeable.

  SEAFLASH

SEACAM announce the release of SEAFLASH 250 DIGITAL – specially created to complement NIKON and Canon DSLR, this latest innovation is capable of colour correction by sitching between 2 different flash tubes.  I have ordered myself one. Will send you my assessment once avail.

 SEACAM Nikon D200 and Canon 5D

Housing first batch delivery expected in May – there’s overwhelming demand especially for the D200 and the reasons are obvious. The D200 is simply outstanding in term of price & performance. However the battery life sucks – As  I shoot raw exclusively with a 4 gig card, I suspect I have to change battery after every dive.  Here’s a few review worth ready.  

http://www.letsgodigital.org/html/review/nikon/d200/dslr_EN1.html

http://reviews.cnet.com/Nikon_D200/4505-6501_7-31568586-2.html

http://www.dcresource.com/reviews/nikon/d200-review/index.shtml