ISSUE
N° 8 O C T 2015
TWO PHOTOGRAPHERS, A BIG WRECK AND A SMALL VILLAGE
With Eric Goh and Yorko Summer
PORTFOLIO Ivana Orlovic
BEGIN WITH THE END IN MIND - part 4.2 -
PROCIDA THE RED GOLD by P. Vassallo
MONTHLY CONTEST Rosario Scariati wins “Seahorses”
FRESH WATERS Wonderland
DEEP VISIONS Scubashooters UWP Awards
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Dear Scubashooters, October has just begun, mists and colder temperatures are taking over the sunny days of the summer in the northern hemisphere , everybody is going back to normal rhythms except the underwater photographers. Of course they are also going back to their “normal” lives after un underwater summer looking after the ultimate shot; but except those rare cases where Underwater Photography is also the primary job ( we can count very few professional UW photographers worldwide ), the average Underwater Photographer has also a “normal” job he/she must look after, but autumn …. ohhh autumn is a very stressful period for the talented UW photographer who wants to join UW photo contests… Why? simply because the year round dilution of UW photography contests comes to a very tight agenda between september and december where many great contests are taking place … We like to play hard here at scubashooters.net so we thought it would have been nice to start right in the middle of this very hot period offering our fellow photographers one more reason to compete and have the chance to win amazing prizes … We gather the attention of worldwide players of the diving industry; INON Japan, Oceanic/Hollis Europe, Easydive and many many top notch Resorts from Indonesia , Maldives, Egypt and Philippines… If such players believed in our project it means that it must be good. So here it is a quick recap: Seven categories and a special prize, Two macro DSLR and compact, two Wide angle DSLR and compact, one special Category entirely sponsored by INON ( Snooted shots ) and one Sponsored by Oceanic ( Behavior ) plus one Black and White category and one special prize for the youngest contestant. All together our prizes are valued more than 20000$ and we think it’s not bad for a first edition contest, isn’t it? So what are you waiting for? Take the challenge and join the contest here http://scubashooters.net/contest.php Marino Palla Owner & Founder Scubashooters Network
Cover image “The sentinel”
By: Ivana Orlovic
C O N T E N T S 3
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EDITORIAL By Marino Palla
PROCIDA, THE RED GOLD By Passquale Vassallo
TWO PHOTOGRAPHERS. A BIG WRECK AND A SMALL VILLAGE. By Yorko Summer and Eric Goh
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PORTFOLIO Ivana Orlovic
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DEEP VISION UWP AWARDS 2015 Rules, prizes, categories
FRESH WATERS WONDERLAND By Jovan Petrovski
BEGIN WITH THE END IN MIND Road to technical diving (part 4.2)
18째 MONTHLY CONTEST: Seahorses
BEHIND THE SHOT: Rosario Scariati
EASY DIVE LEO 3: EVOLUTION OF THE SPECIES By Alberto Balbi
Editor: FABIO STRAZZI Verein Scubashooters, 8952 Schlieren - Switzerland
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PROCIDA,
THE RED GOLD WORDS & PICTURES
Pasquale Vassallo
TRAVELS
10 “Ah, I would not ask to be a gull or a dolphin, I’d be happy to be a scorpion fish, which is the ugliest fish in the sea, just to be back down there, playing in that water”
Thus Arturo, the protagonist of “Arturo’s Island”, a novel by Elsa Morante, described the beauty of the sea surrounding Procida. Being precisely a scorpion fish, to stay down there and admire the beauty of the red coral at Pizzaco Point. We are in Procida, the smallest among the Gulf of Naples islands. The wall at Pizzaco Point is one of the most interesting attractions for divers, and one of the most beautiful dive spots in the Mediterranean. Organisms of all kinds such as sponges, sea fans and red coral make this wall a color palette. Incredible encounters with groupers, lobsters, octopuses and migratory fishes make this spot a paradise for underwater photographers. The first sprigs of red coral glimpse from about 40 meters down, becoming more and more dense and enchanting even the most experienced divers with its snow-white extended polyps.
12 The red coral is a very delicate organism, unfortunately highly sought and looted. Today, the strong presence and control by the Campania region diving centers, has fortunately increased the sense of protection toward this precious animal.
Data sheet: Corallium rubrum, Red Coral: Colony little branched. Polyps few millimeters long, white. Bark dull red. Present from 15 to hundreds meters deep, mainly from 30 to 200 meters. Tends to grow forming groups, located in shaded places such as cavities, caves. At greater depths stretches on vertical free rocky surfaces. (Fauna e Flora del Mediterraneo, Rupert Riedl)
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Two photographers,
a big wreck and a small village. The immigration and custom clearance was a breeze at Ngurah Rai international airport - the gateway to this beautiful island paradise name Bali. The newly renovated airport was spanking clean and refreshingly modern. Everything was in order except my hair, as I walked out of the exit to look out for Bangi Kopitiam, the café of my meeting point with my fellow divers. I was here on a mission. A mission fueled by passion. One month ago… “Alright! Let’s do this!” Yorko replied excitedly. Yorko Summer, as he is affectionately known as, is a strappingly good looking photographer who takes extraordinary photographs. A rare combination hence imbued with his uncanny wit and often untimely humour, this concoction makes him a poster boy and a rock star in the underwater photography community especially in the Asia region. As for myself, an ocean lover who gobbles more than I should and shed hair faster than one can say cheese. We discussed over the phone briefly before deciding to do an article together of a dive destination close to our hearts, but with contrasting fashion. While I will approach the subjects consistent to my body shape – Wide, our rock star will do Macro. With that in mind, we need to choose a place that will give us the best of both our world, a place not only teeming with marine life, beautiful reefs and exploding biodiversity, but also rich with historical flavour and a sexy pinch of mystery. Without much thought we both instantaneously shouted “Tulamben!” Yorko Summer
Yorko Summer, is a renowned underwater photographer from Taiwan. When he is not underwater crafting a masterpiece , Yorko is a senior dive instructor, a photography lecturer and a fun travel journalist. Since 2002, Yorko spent about 6 years in Palau; a magical place that nurtured his ever growing passion for the ocean. It was then that he started underwater photography and fell in love with the beautiful world ever since. A few short years later in 2005, Yorko won the grand prize of “Underwater Palau International Photo Festival”; and he never look back. To date, he has gained experience out of more than 5000 tanks of underwater photography. Aside from his busy work, Yorko likes to share his knowledge and unique yet ingenious approaches of underwater photography through the internet with other people who shares the same ideas and passion with the ocean. In recent years, Yorko focuses more on teaching underwater photography, promoting marine conservation and education. Also, he has been invited by the Tourism Bureau of many countries including Republic of the Philippines, Japan Okinawa, Yap Island, and Republic of Fiji, to advertise and tell the stories of his pictures, through his usual humorous and charming style. His works can be found on the internet, reading papers, magazines, and his own photography exhibitions. In 2014, Yorko was honored as “Photographer Of The Week” by DPG (Dive Photo Guide) Yorko Summer and one of the top
TRAVELS
Yorko Summer: The Underwater Magician of Light and Shadow
22 Chinese underwater photographers by Radio Television Hong Kong. They even produced Yorko’s life story as a documentary call “An Ocean Rover“. Ketut, the van driver found us. “How was your flight Pak?” he asked. “Good, thank you. Can you take us to the nearest Nasi Padang restaurant please?” my stomach replied. Nasi Padang, Or Padang rice, originates from the city Padang, west of Sumatra, Indonesia. This famous Minangkabau style is a small banquet of precooked dishes ranging from meats, vegetables to fishes all cooked in various Indonesian styles. After 3 hours of bumping in the van, the road opens up to a vista of a place untouched by time. I wound down the window and the raw yet scented wind instantly gushed through the van and filled my lungs. Ahh… the sweet earthly smell of Mother Nature. Terrace of paddy fields stretch far beyond the horizon unfolded before my very eyes. We will be reaching soon… announced Ketut. His gleeful smile beaming from the rear view mirror hoping for us to feel relief from the long journey that was coming to an end. ‘Ya Pak’ I welcome his enthusiasm while quietly savoring every second of journey.
Yorko Summer Tulamben當地潛水必看的特殊 Nudibranch- Donut Doto sp. Must-see attractive Nudibranch of Tulamben - Donut Doto sp.
Yorko Summer Dr. Evil Octopus是最聰明的海洋生物之一, 在Tulamben潛水時,經常有機會可以看到許 多不同的種類。 Dr. Evil Octopus, one of the smartest creatures in the sea. Diving in Tulamben offers you a chance to see different kinds of octo-
Yorko Summer 誰不愛可愛的Blenny呢? 而在Tulamben的Blenny性 格都特別大方,容易接近 拍攝。 Who wouldn’t love the cutie Blenny? It’s easy to get closed and photograph with then in Tulamben, they are not shy at all
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Yorko Summer Barrel sponge 裡的 Big-lip ghost goby,色彩粉 紅夢幻。 Pink fantasy, Big-lip ghost goby is resting on Barrel
Yorko Summer Hawkfish
Tulamben is a small coastal fishing village located northeast of Bali. It was once called Batu Lamben. Batu, or stone in Indonesian language remains true to its name where all the beaches are covered with black, round and smooth stones. In 1942, USS Liberty a United States Army cargo ship was torpedoed and beached at Tulamben for the cargo and fittings to be salvaged. But in 1963, the tremors from the eruption of Mount Agung (Highest peak in Bali) sent the ship slipping off the beach down to the sandy slope. Lying from 6-30m, USS Liberty wreck is one of the most famous dive site in Bali.
Yorko Summer Denise Pygmy Seahorse也是在Tulamben常見的小生物。 Denise Pygmy Seahorse is easily and regularly spotted in Tulamben. Mount Agung loomed majestically sooner than I expected. Standing at 3,031m, Its presence and proximity was definitely imposing. The driver slowed down and took a right turn at a small junction and the van slowly came to a halt at the door step of Liberty Dive Resort, my home for the next few days. And about 5 minutes of leisure walk down the road, is where the USS Liberty rest peacefully. But for now, I will have a nice hot shower, a hot bowl of delicious Mee Soto ayam (A spicy noodle soup in chicken broth) and a good night sleep. Our Favorite Dive Sites Macro Photography (Yorko’s Pick) Coral garden - Within the vicinity of the beautiful Buddha statues and stupas, one can find many artificial reefs and cleaning stations hustling and bustling with activities, making it an excellent choice for behavioral shots. Melasti - Yorko’s first love for macro sites as it was not so famous and crowded before. Now, due to the increase in popularity of Doto SP, this site is always full of dive enthusiast. Yet it doesn’t deter him from diving here the whole day. Segara - Next to Melasti, formerly famous for Wonderpus, but now it will surprise you with many rare nudies such as “Shaun the sheep” and “Stiliger aka Ikea”.
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Yorko Summer Yawning frogfish
Yorko Summer Anthias 通常在空中飛翔,而我很幸運在她停下來休息時拍到了張嘴的特寫。 Most Anthias swim off the reef surface, I was lucky to take the shot with its mouth open when it rested.
Yorko Summer 色彩鮮豔卻又劇毒無比的藍環章魚(Blue-ringed octopus),其實性格非常溫馴,這是我先前 在少人造訪的潛點Tigaron所發現。 Blue-ringed octopus, looks like sweet and gentle, but it is a highly venomous creature with its fascinating coloring. I found it at Tigaron which was a rarely visited dives site.
Yorko Summer
28 Wide Angle (Eric’s Pick) USS Liberty Wreck - Like a good story book, I would actually prefer you to dive here rather than to read all the wonderful surprises this huge and beautiful wreck has to offer. Boga Wreck or Kubu Wreck - About fifteen minutes by car north of Tulamben. Sunk in 2011, Boga wreck is a new wreck with the superstructures still intact. Due to the strong currents frequently breezing through, corals has yet to form on its structures. Resting upright at a depth of 18-40m, this wreck is rarely dived and is not recommended for beginners due to the strong currents and challenging depth. As a wide angle photographer, I like this site because there are hardly any divers around compare to the ever crowded USS Liberty. Coral Garden - A strange choice actually because this site is barren if not for the artificial statues and structures placed by a nearby resort. The marine life here is scarce but one can easily spot a poorly camouflaged cuttlefish or a pair of photogenic banner fish. I like this particular dive site for the strange reason that the dive site is instantly recognizable in photos with all the stupas and statues of serene looking Buddha. It is unmistakably Tulamben. Liberty Dive Resort. About Eric Goh A heart shaped barrel sponge perched at the structure of USS our host in Tulamben. Liberty Wreck. Liberty Dive Resort, a multiple Tripadvisor Certificate of Excellence winner, is a 32 room resort located just 150 meters from the world famous wreck - The USS Liberty. Boasting with 3 large swimming pools the
resort is segmented to three main areas - the standard rooms, the twin cottages and the luxury villas and all the rooms are well appointed with air conditioning, ensuite bathrooms, mini fridge and safe deposit box. The open air restaurant also serves a good variety of sumptuous local and international cuisine. What is most impressive about this resort, is the team of 17 permanent highly trained and
30 dedicated guides. Their experience is invaluable to underwater photographers of all levels. Even some of the guides are highly accomplished underwater photographers themselves.
Eric Goh A Buddha statue at Coral Garden.
Eric Goh Boga Wreck, a new addition to Tula challenging to dive compared to US
amben. Much deeper and more SS Liberty wreck.
Eric Goh Drop Off is a site that offers varieties of huge healthy soft corals for wide angle photographers
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From Yorko’s pen 關於圖藍奔的自由號潛水度假村 全世界有許多知名的潛水勝地,但對我而言,位於巴厘島的圖藍奔是我個人最為喜歡的微距天堂。對於喜歡 一要考驗的就是你的眼力與拍攝技術。另外喜歡水下大景的朋友,這邊也不會讓你失望,知名的自由號沈船 許還有機會看到翻車魚。這也是這次我與Eric (Goh Diving)會一起合作來介紹這個我們所熟悉的潛場,也期
Liberty Dive Resort自由號潛水度假村,多次獲得全球最大旅遊網站Tripadvisor的獎項,擁有三座遊泳 理位置很好,距離圖藍奔最有名的潛點 - 自由號沈船(The USS Liberty),大約150公尺,步行即可到達。 Tutu)、香蕉葉烤魚(Pepes Ikan)、海鮮絞肉沙嗲(Satay Lilit),都需要前一晚跟餐廳預訂。 度假村中最令人印象深刻的就是17位經過專業訓練的潛導們,他們對於潛點環境以及生物的特性都非常的 常令人讚賞。
WORDS and PICTURES
Eric Goh and Yorko Summer
Eric Goh Even free divers love Tulamben
歡水下攝影的發燒友來說,在這邊潛水時時刻刻都充滿著驚喜,許多特殊且迷人的小生物處處可見,唯 船佈滿了各式各樣的美麗珊瑚,也是許多魚兒的家,除了晨潛可看到成群的隆頭鸚哥魚,運氣好一點或 期待大家能有機會去前往探索,就可以知道為何我們喜愛它的原因。
泳池,32間房,每間都備有冷氣、電扇、保險箱、熱水壺、小冰箱、獨立衛浴設備(數間含有浴缸)。地 。而度假村中的開放式餐廳有當地印尼料理及許多西式料理可選擇,推薦必點當地菜色:煙燻鴨(Duck 熟悉與了解,對於水下攝影愛好者來說是非常好的幫助。其中有些潛導自己也有拍水下照片,作品都非
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Ivana Orlovic
PORTFOLIO
PORTFOLIO
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Born at the center of Balkan Peninsula in Belgrade, Serbia, hundreds of miles away from the seas it was almost incredible to foresee that Ivana Orlović Kranjc would chose to make sea her passion, home and a work place. She finished her first diving course at the age of eight and since then her commitment and her connection with the sea became greater and greater with each day. In the meantime she finished college and earned the degree in Marketing and Sales. She started with recreational diving followed by her first professional assignments, apnea competitions, she became diving instructor and it all culminated in the greatest passion for her of them all – underwater photography. Diving expeditions took her all over the globe. She dove at the merging point of two oceans in South Africa accompanied by great white sharks, at surreal underwater locations in Maldives, explored caves in Bosnia for endemic Olm species, swam with whale sharks in Indian ocean, danced with Conger eels on island of Vis in Mediterranean Adriatic sea, submerged beneath frozen Alpine lakes, pet Morey eels in Red sea... And still so many more adventures to come.
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Besides this adventuring part of her diving career, Ivana and her husband are owners and run the biggest diving club in Serbia - S.D.T. Svet Ronjenja which every year trains new generations of scuba divers. There is a constant education in underwater photography and apnea as well. Through this continuous education S.D.T. Svet Ronjenja attempts to raise questions of water pollution, constantly working on questions of ecology and nature preservation, because this planet will be home for many generations to come. Last ten years Ivana has been dedicated to underwater photography. Everything started with disposable underwater camera, followed by compact cameras in underwater housings, and finally now in recent years with DSLRs. Today Ivana is using Nikon D7000 in Subal housing.
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Her specialties are underwater selfies with inhabitants of underwater world and her great split images. Her commitment and exceptional quality were recognized by American Underwater Products company which promote Ivana as their Oceanic Worldwide Ambassador since March 2015.
ivana.photography
“After all these years that I spent under the surface, I can’t imagine my dive without a camera. I think that underwater photography is the most powerful way to promote this amazing world to common people, non divers. I am certain that after they see my photographs that they will be more eager to come with us in our new adventures that lay beneath the surface of the water” – says Ivana Orlović Kranjc, underwater photographer.
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Dates: Nov 15 - Nov 21 2015 Nov 27 - Dec 02 2015 Price $ 3100 per person sharing
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Day 1: Arrival in Freeport, (morning, mid day, and afternoon flight options) Grand Bahama, meeting place Old Bahama Bay Resort and Marina, night one spent in harbour. Day 2: Diving Tiger Beach Day 3: Diving Tiger Beach Day 4: Diving Tiger Beach, Day 5: Diving Tiger Beach Day 6: Diving Tiger Beach AM, sail back to Bahama Bay Resort and Marina, spend final night in port.
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Categories
Wide Angle Macro Wide Angle compact Macro compact Black & White Arts
Special Plus categories
Behaviour
sponsored by Oceanic/Lavacore
Snoot Shots
sponsored by Inon
Special Award of the Jury & Best Youth Shot
Upload your files from 25th September 2015 to 3rd December 2015
www.scubashooters.net
Dear scubashooters, we can assure you this has been an amazing year, here at scubashooters.net. It’s never enough to remember everybody that this incredible project began just two years ago. It all started on facebook, creating a small group and then a fan page; just few months later we were online with our flagship website and our initial setup was completed. Very soon we started our worldwide reknown monthly contest and after just one year a new star was born, scubashooters’ e-mag. Today we are proud to introduce you our latest creature: scubashooters’
Deep Visions UWP Awards.
We were gifted by building up some good experience organizing our beloved and successful monthly contest and after 18 editions of it we had enough to build a totally different level contest. We are confident that ”Deep Visions“ will further enhance and expand our network possibilities setting us onto the next level. It took many months of fine tuning but we now have a fully developed
and dedicated proprietary software just to handle our contest on-line, from photo uploading and showing to the judging engine; everything
has been thought out of the box and fine tuned to give the end user an amazing experience.
We wanted to start big but we were a little uncertain, after all there are many contests nowadays, big and very well known. We started to understand we were on the right track after we saw the sponsors response to our invitation to contribute to the prizes pane; we have been able to gather such an amount of beautiful prizes that our pane will be among the ten richest panes in the world, enabling us to offer 5 categories and two trophys for a total of 7 possibilities to win amazing prizes, ranging from full board holidays to scubadiving gear and UWphoto gear. We will offer DSLR Macro and wide angle, Compact Macro and Wide angle, Black and white and then the two trophys. Why 2 trophys? Because they will be single brand sponsored contests inside the contest. I’m very very proud to present you the Inon trophy and the Oceanic/Hollis trophy. Inon Head office from Japan and Oceanic/Hollis Europe will offer six amazing prizes for the two trophys. “Deep visions” is about to come into this world under a good star, and having so many important prizes and two worldwide leaders like Inon and Oceanic/Hollis trusting us is a very very important endorsement for our contest and for us.
So, what are you waiting for? Drop any doubt and join the competition now!
Participants The contest is open for individuals at the age of 18 or above. Any skill level is welcome. Members of the Jury and the staff of the contest are not allowed to participate.
Duration The upload starts on 28th September 2015. All entries must have been uploaded and paid latest on 3rd December 2015 at 23:59 (CET/MEZ)
Categories 1 Wide Angle 2 Macro 3 Wide Angle compact 4 Macro compact 5 Black & White Arts
Special categories: 6 Behaviour
sponsored by Oceanic / Lavacore
7 Snoot Shots sponsored by Inon Additionally a “Special Award of the Jury” and the “Best Youth Shot” is selected among all entries. Please make sure that you enter your birthday during registration process. In category 1, 2 all cameras with interchangeable lens (DSLR or mirrorless) are allowed. In 3 and 4 only compact cams are allowed. In 5, 6, and 7 any camera types are allowed. 5 Black & White: Black & White only, no Sepia or other monochrome colors. 6 Behaviour: Has to show a special behaviour of marine live. Swimming, hiding, sleeping or just resting is not considered to be a special behaviour. Examples are: Mating, laying eggs, breeding, hunting, feeding, fighting, 7 Snooted Shots: Allowed are shots with bundled light from snoots or very focused torches. The snoot effect has to be clearly visible.
a b u c S
n o t e C l s t a u R n ules n A s r e t shoo
Every picture may only be submitted into one category. The pictures must have been taken underwater. Over/Under shots are allowed. No aquarium or pool shots are allowed.
File submission To participate to the contest you must register at Scubashooters.net. Every participant can upload an unlimited amount of pictures to each category. A picture may only be submitted to one category.
Pictures must be submitted electronically via our platform at www.scubashooters.net/contest.php. Digital and film (scanned slides) pictures are allowed. No text, watermarks, frames or borders are allowed. All pictures must be uploaded as jpg, in sRGB, highest quality setting and with a minimum of 1800px longest side and max 5 MB. Winning pictures must be delivered with at least 3300px longest side.
Entry Fee The entry fee is calculated as follows: 10$ 1 picture 20$ 3 pictures 30$ 5 pictures 40$ 8 pictures 50$ 12 pictures Thereafter 4$ each picture
Conservation and content rules Conservation rules are strictly to be followed. Our underwater world should never be harmed just for taking a picture. Entries that are showing following signs will be disqualified:
• • • • •
Photographers visibly damaging the environment (e.g. gear dragging or kicking up sand) Animals with signs of stress (e.g. puffed puffers, inking octopus) Animals moved to an unnatural environment or risky location Marine life being touched (e.g. coral polyps, seahorse tails) Divers exhibiting poor buoyancy control
Entries to any category may not contain profanity, nudity, pornographic images, violent images, anti-competition messages or any other illegal material. The pictures must have been taken underwater while diving. Over/under shots are allowed, but aquarium or above water shots are not.
Post Processing
Minor adjustments are allowed. This includes global adjustments to white balance, exposure, contrast, sharpening, color and noise reduction as well as local burning or dodging. Cleaning is permitted, including the removal of backscatter, dust and scratches. Reasonable cropping is allowed. Composition (adding, removing or moving objects) is not allowed. HDR ,Stacking, Panoramas and other techniques involving more than one picture are not allowed. Double Exposure pictures are allowed as long as they are made on location, meaning in the camera and the output of the camera is one file. Picture which have been placed 1st, 2nd or 3rd in a major contest before 31st August 2015 are not eligible to enter the contest. Major contests are annual or monthly contests in which the picture has won a prize worth more than 300$.
Copyright The photographers retain all copyrights to their images. They certify, that the entries are their own work and they own all rights including a model/property release, if appropriate. Scubashooters retain a non-exclusive worldwide licence to publish the contest entries in any format for publication of the results (including a press release), advertising the contest or for use at any contest related event or publication. A proper photo credit is always placed.
a b u S c
l Contest Rules a u n n A s r e t o o h s
Every participant grants that they own every applicable right on the picture, including being able to provide a property or model release.
Judging A panel of selected judges will be announced soon. The decisions of the Jury are final in all aspects of the competition and may not be challenged. There will be no correspondence about the competition.
Privacy Any payment information is kept safe and confidential. By entering the contest you agree that the provided information about you and your picture may be passed to sponsors and media. You may be contacted by our sponsors for communication regarding the contest or promotional offers.
Liability Scubashooters cannot be held responsible for any damages nor for the availability of the contest platform.
Categor y: Macro Reflex FIRST PRIZE 6 days fullboard plus dive package for one person by DABIRAHE ( Lembeh )
SECOND PRIZE 10 dives/5 meals on boat package by SHEIKH COAST THIRD PRIZE Flashlight Darklight pro by COLTRISUB
Categor y: Wide Angle Reflex FIRST PRIZE 7 days Liveaboard for one person on Flying Fish ( Maldives ) by BLUE SPACE TOUR OPERATOR
SECOND PRIZE 2 sets arms and clamps by SML-SUB THIRD PRIZE One wrist diving computer by SPORTISSIMO MILANO
Categor y: Macro Compact FIRST PRIZE 4 days and 3 nights in B&B for 2 persons at THE MENJANGAN
SECOND PRIZE kit single flash NAUTICAM 200 by FOTOSUB SHOP THIRD PRIZE One weekend DIVE&WINE for one person
Categor y: Wide Angle Compact FIRST PRIZE BCD OJ by COLTRISUB
SECOND PRIZE 10 dives/5 meals on boat package by SHEICK COAST THIRD PRIZE 10 dives package by BINTANG DIVERS
Categor y: Black & White FIRST PRIZE EASYDIVE revolution 4000 lamp
SECOND PRIZE 2 nights b&b and 4 dives by CENTROSUB CAMPI FLEGREI THIRD PRIZE 2 nights b&b and 2 dives by HAYBOLS (Anilao)
CATEGORY
Theme: “Snoot” Special added judge : Fabio Iardino 1st prize: strobe Inon Z240 type 4 2nd prize: strobe Inon S-2000 3rd prize: LED flashlight Inon LF800-N
CATEGORY Theme: “Behavior� Special added judge: Beth Watson 1st prize: Dive computer Oceanic Atom 3 2nd prize: regulator Delta 4.2 and first stage FDX 10 3rd prize: Extreme Shirt Lavacore
Haybols Scuba Hub is a homey, comfortably furnished, bed & breakfast inn that offers scuba diving courses, rentals and services. Bauan-Mabini RoadAnilao, Batangas, Philippines +63 917 856 6887
www.facebook.com/HaybolsScubaHub
Package A (3Days / 2Nights) $380 per person Airport transfers Welcome drink Fully carpeted Air conditioned room (twin share) Hot & Cold shower Full board meals 6 Boat dives Tanks, Weights & Weight belt Dive master services
Package B (4Days / 3Nights) $425 per person Airport transfers Welcome drink Fully carpeted Air conditioned room (twin share) Hot & Cold shower Full board meals 8 Boat dives Tanks, Weights & Weight belt Dive master services
Package C (5Days / 4Nights) $530 per person Airport transfers Welcome drink Fully carpeted Air conditioned room (twin share) Hot & Cold shower Full board meals 10 Boat dives Tanks, Weights & Weight belt Dive master services
** All packages for minimum of four (4) persons Dive gears available for rent Exclusive of Dive pass @ $5 per person per day
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FRESH WATERS
WONDERLAND
WORDS AND PICTURES: Jovan Petrovski
FRESH WATERS
82 My name is Jovan Petrovski, I was born in 22.11.1969 by the diving category I PADI - Master Scuba Diver. Underwater photography interests 4 years, and winner of many cups I have in Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia and Slovenia. And every time I won with photographs taken in my lakes, because I live in an area where there are 7 lakes and 4 rivers. ;) Fresh water underwater photography do it because we got all of them in the environment, and because i dont have money to travel to the sea, because my financial situation is weak! I prefer to make photographs biggest predator of fresh water Pike / Esox lucius and Water snakes / Natrix tessellata. In the fresh water is hard to do underwater photography because visibility is not always good, and I’m doing all my photos without flash and without various adapters, only my Canon Power Shot G12, Me and sunlight! ;)
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We are located exactly 74 km far from Trieste, near the small town of Our Diving Centre is right under the swimming pools area, directly i Major (Ucka) and on the other, we face the beautiful islands of Krk a Our flagship is wreck diving by boat: three wrecks situated at d ride. And there’s more! Our shore dives directly from our Center’s be courses. Finally yet importantly, our diamond tip dedicated to macr pleasure of diving.
From our beach, with our boat... ...come with us and enjoy your dive!
Kantrida, which is about 5 to 6 km before downtown Rijeka. in front of the open beach. On one side, we are overlooked by Mount and Cherso: in brief, we are right inside the Kvarnaro Gulf. different depths, each one no farther than maximum 20 minutes boat each offer an easy and colorful training ground for any kind of diving ro photography lovers: a wide variety of critters to increase the
www.diving-marcopolo.com
“You come as a guest but leave as a friend”
With our friendly, personal and professional approach come and enjoy warm Bedouin hospitality in a relaxed setting with stunning views of Tiran island. Sharks Bay Umbi is a picturesque bay with everything on site – its own private jetty, dive centre, boats, restaurant, Bedouin cafe and 3 types of accommodation -
making it the perfect resort for your next holiday. Unique in the area, Sharks Bay Umbi manages to retain a friendly village feel whilst still being only ten minutes from the bright lights of Sharm El Sheikh. Sharm residents describe the bay as having the feel of how Sharm used to be before the arrival of large scale tourism.
Accommodation Sharks Bay Umbi offers traditional Bedouin style and hospitality alongside modern facilities. We have three types of accommodation to fit every budget: Bedouin Village Rooms, Beach Cabins and View Huts. Contacts info@sharksbay.com www.sharksbay.com
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BEGIN WITH THE END IN MIND Road to technical diving (part 4.2)
TECH DIVE WORDS: Job Kuperus PICTURES: Case Kassenberg
96 After successfully finishing the first part of the T1 course in Croatia, of which you have been able to read all the ups and downs in the last edition of ScubaShooters, we could start the second phase whereby we actually had to plan and dive our planned T1 dives. I hope you have had time to view the link, which I posted in the previous piece (part 4.1) on our Facebook page, which shows all the nice wrecks we have seen during our course. Images speak far louder than words! It was a huge relief that we had been able to conquer the challenges of the first part of our T1 course. Finally no more ‘worst case’ - scenario’s with lots of simulated but nasty failures. No more Rob and/or Ron trying to trick us into failures with just a tad too much enthusiasm (they really seemed to like that kinda stuff). No more blowguns in our necks or disappearing gear (..Reels were the instructor’s favorites, you could even hear them laugh when you were grabbing for that reel that was no longer attached to your D ring). This gave us a little peace of mind, I must say: a very good feeling! Ok, back to the order of the day, start of Phase II of our T1 course. Now we have to make experience dives and show that everything we have been taught has also connected in our heads. This evening no time for relaxing, we have to plan the dive for the next day. This started to become almost some kind of a routine with the only minor (but very important) difference compared to the previous days that we had to dive our plan and deco schedule .. for real. Right.. let’s just recalculate what we have done and make sure we have not made any mistakes! Normally a dive plan starts with the goal of the dive, what wreck we will dive on, the depth, and other circumstances we have to take into account. Then we know the expected average depth and maximum depth. Based on these parameters we can choose the proper standard gas mix and the required decompression gas (either 50% or 100% O2). The wrecks we were diving on are well mapped and documented; this is a big help in planning the dive! During the last years we all have been able to get a good feeling for our SAC rates (Surface Air Consumption). Based upon your personal SAC rate you can calculate the total volume of breathing gas needed during a dive. If you multiply your SAC rate by the ATA’s for a certain depth and time you plan to stay there, you know the volume of gas you need at that depth. Of course safety margins are added as well. In case you run into trouble you need time to solve your problem and most likely increased stress levels will cause you to breathe faster! Next step in the gas planning for the dive is to calculate the amount of gas you will need to safely bring your dive buddy / team member to the surface on your longhose. We had done similar calculations before during our Intro to Tec course, based upon minimum deco ascent assumptions (Ascent to 50% of average depth with 9 meter / minute; Ascent to surface with 3 meter / minute, (30 seconds ascent / 30 seconds stop). The extra dimension for a T1 dive is that we dive deeper, have a decompression ceiling and also use a stage bottle with 50% nitrox for decompression starting at 21 meter. Furthermore we will ascend to 75% of
98 average depth with 9 meters / minute, after that we will ascend with 3 meter / minute to 21 meter. Taking this into account we now can calculate the amount of gas needed to bring you dive buddy safely to the next available gas (50% O2 at 21 meter). We also add the safety margins already mentioned. For the stress factor we use 1,5 times our normal breathing rate (we assume our normal SAC to be 20L/min (again a little bit of safety for most of the divers) and we add 1 minute of time to solve the problem. Now you know the amount of gas needed to safely bring your buddy to the next available gas. Then you can deduct the Turn Pressure; which in a way resembles the ‘ old rule of thumb’ to turn around at 50% of the tank pressure but adjusted for the additional depth and taking into account all the extra aspects explained previously.
The result of all these calculations is that we fairly precisely know the amount of gas we will use during the dive, and how long we can stay at a certain depth. After this we calculate the time needed for the decompression stops and decompression profile. The decompression stops are divided in a deep segment and a shallow segment, in both segments you need to spend time in order to make the decompression as optimal as possible. The next step is a backup plan; what do we need to do if for unexpected reasons the dive is deeper and/or longer than expected. The nice thing about diving with preselected standard gases for certain depths is that you can easily calculate the extra deco tim calculate a number of scenarios: deeper, longer or shallower than planned. If we dive Last but certainly not least, we select the team roles: (1) team captain (2) deco captai dive plan. Before we pencil everything down on our wet notes we discuss this plan wi Next day we rise early.. Maurizio, the owner and manager of Krnica Dive has prepa analyze everything: % of Helium and Oxygen of our bottom gas, % of Oxygen of our d if you really can sound like Donald Duck.. yes indeed .. hahaha.. very funny.. (maybe
me needed if you dive longer and/or deeper than planned. For this dive we decide to e shorter (at the planned depth) we decide that we will stick the ‘ original’ deco plan.
in and (3) the person that needs to shoot the SBM…. And finally .. finally we have our ith Rob. He is ok with it and the agrees with our safety measures. We are good to go!!
ared everything for us. He filled our tanks and now we need to check, measure and decompression gas. We prepare our dive sets and can’t resist to try the Helium to see it has to do with the fact that we are a bit nervous for this dive..)
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PDG (our team captain) is responsible for the first part of our ascent from the deck berg (ROEN), the deco captain takes over and is in charge for the last part. We carry o exactly according schedule at 21, 18, 15, 12, 9 and 6 meter. At 6 meters we notice th per minute ascent. Instead we stop the desired minutes at 3 meters to prevent the ri and take a look at Rob who signals: OK go ahead! After a runtime of 66 minutes we s rience! We want more!!!
Back at the dive boat PDG starts the debriefing. I was amazed by the fact that my m (and therefore less Nitrogen). This is hugely different compared to diving on air to th body more or less had the same experience. We were able to remember more detail this increased awareness was a real eye-opener. Normally if somebody asked me wh to 35/40 meters (on air) at Elphinstone reef in Egypt. Now I realized that during ever noticed it.. same as a drunk driver who thinks that he is still capable of driving home. you to breathe easier than heavier gases. This specially comes in handy at greater de
After PDG and ROEN have finished their part of the debriefing, we also get the feedb of detail of… everything that went wrong… they saw it all. The descent was too quick team order when entering the wreck… one of the dive signals was completely new to
After arriving at our dive location we thoroughly check everything once again. The team captain Peter de Graaf (PDG) starts this procedure. From head to toe we do a final equipment check combined with the famous SADDDDD (Sequence: who will do what during the dive as defined by the team roles; Available gas: gas mixtures we have analyzed + tank pressure. Duration: maximum dive time and turn pressure; Direction: what to do from the descent until the ascent. Distance: expected distance we will swim, how far will we stay within each other’s reach. Deco: the deco plan is checked and confirmed. Now we are ready!! Temperatures were rising in our dry suites, and the jump into the cool water really feels refreshing. Before we dive to depth we perform a bubble check, we also check our longhoses to see if there are no obstructions. We gather at the shot line and start with our long descent! According to our dive plan we have 2,5 minutes to reach the deck of the ship. At 15/20 meters we can already see the bow... A very impressive sight! On arrival we check our SPG’s. From this point we have untill minute 28 to explore the wreck. We first swim to the ship’s hold, situated at the back. Here we enter the wreck and descent to a depth of 45 meters and take a look around. The ship’s hold is impressive, we see an amazing show of lights. The partly decayed fishnets that are scattered around the cargo hold contribute to the magical atmosphere. The shapes are very distinct and beautiful. We are enjoying ourselves to the fullest!! Then we have to ascent again through the cargo doors. We use our dive time to the max and with a little bit of reluctance we slowly ascend to the ship’s deck. It feels like flying in close formation with a squadron of jet fighters. Once back on the deck we can hoover through the decayed superstructure of the wreck. We also take (almost too much).. time to check the chimney. PDG signals us to hurry up to reach the line at exactly 28 minutes. Although everything worked out fine it remains quite a challenge to execute the dive precisely according to plan. We have to.. every minute spend longer at depth has direct implications for our decompression.
of the ship to the start of the decompression at 21 meter. After that Jeroen Kassenout our gas switches to 50% O2 at 21 meter and after that we perform our deco stops hat there is a considerable amount of swell and ROEN decides not to do the 1meter isk of being pushed up and down too much by the waves. We communicate this plan urface with a very big smile on our faces! What an awesome dive, what a great expe-
ind stayed much clearer during the dive due to the 35% Helium in my breathing gas he same depth, where it almost feels like looking through a roll of toilet paper. Everyls (gas consumption, depth, etc) This became apparent during our debriefing. For me hen I had experienced nitrogen narcosis I almost automatically answered.. that dive ry deep air dive I had experienced some form of nitrogen narcosis. But I just hadn’t .. Another pleasant characteristic of Helium is that it is a lighter gas, which also helps epths.
back from our instructors Rob and Ron… They provide us with an enormous amount k..PDG didn’t check his SPG when entering the cargo hold..we didn’t swim in the right o them..(but everybody knew what it meant..)..when swimming away from the wreck
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I almost smacked ROEN in his face with my fins.. the trim in the wreck was not ok..and they continued on and on..( a little bit like Statler and Waldorf, those two old grumpy guys from the muppet show .. hahaha) During the course of the week the comprehensive training starts to pay off and the dives we make are fantastic; every dive brings its own unique experience. The more we dive the more disciplined we get and the easier it gets, Rob and Ron have less and less comments.. a good sign! At the end of the week we also have to pass a theoretical exam as a team. Because of all the experience we gained in planning our dives during the week we easily fix this job as well! We all passed our exams and to celebrate we drink our first Croatian beer.. finally!! The next course we did was the T1+. In this course we learned to dive with a bottom stage and an extra decompression gas for a longer dive time at depth. The decompression stops are done with 50% and 100% oxygen. Of course this required extra skills. I must say that juggling around with decompression bottles is quite a challenge!! By now we have fully mastered this ‘art’ I will tell you more about this in the next issue! Hope to see you at the waterfront and don’t forget to like Team Pitch Blue on Facebook! Team Pitch Blue
Sportissimo Milano by Giorgio Sangalli Via Ripamonti 15 (corner Via Giulio Romano) 20136 Milano (IT) Ph: +39 02 58305014 - e-mail: info@sportissimomilano.com At Sportissimo Milano you will always find professionalism, experience, customer service, products selection and the best quality/price ratio. You will find the best products and the best brands, you will see and touch and try (many products are available also to an underwater test) before you decide to buy anything. Visit also www.sportissimomilano.com a MEGAStore on-line in which you will find a huge amount of selected and guaranteed items. You will find all the latest products and special offers such as warranty extension, all inclusive equipment inspections and many other! Sportissimo Milano is also on facebook: click “like� here and find special offers every day https://www.facebook.com/sportissimo.milano?fref=ts
www.bintangdivers.com Address:Jalan I ketut Natih, Amed, abang, karangasem, Bali 80852- indonesia Tel +62 851 0866 2000
Pakel’s Bali Villas
s
m a e r d r u o y Enjoy
Jalan Amed, Abang, Bali, Indonesia
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18° “SEAHORSES”
FIRST PLACE
ROSARIO SCARIATI “Horse rasta”
MONTHLY CONTEST
MONTHLY CONTEST:
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SECOND PLACE MARC CASANOVAS “In the clouds”
THIRD PLACE MARCO GARGIULO “Controluce”
FOURTH PLACE KELVIN TAN HY “Pontohi bokeh”
FIFTH PLACE AJIEX DHARMA “Portrait”
SIXTH PLACE HEINZ TOPERCZER “True love in speciality lightning”
AEROTECNICA COLTRI
ALLOWS TO INVEST IN FULL AUTONOMY
MCH-6 SR HP PORTABLE COMPRESSOR DRIVEN BY CHARGIN RATE FILLING TIME CYLINDER 10 L 0-200 bar WORKING PRESSURE NET POWER DIMENSIONS DRY WEIGHT NOISE POWER LEVEL FILTRATION INTERSTAGE COOLER AND AFTERCOOLER
SUBARU PETROL ENGINE 100 L/min - 6 m3/h 20 min 200 - 225 - 300 - 330 bar 6,5 HP HEIGHT 35 cm, WIDTH 78 cm DEPTH 32 cm 37 Kg 100,5 dB (LWA) ACTIVATED CARBON AND MOLECULAR SIEVE CARTRIDGE STAINLESS STEEL
AEROTECNICA COLTRI速 S.p.A.
via dei Colli Storici 177 25010 San Martino della Battaglia Brescia - ITALY Tel: +39.030.99.103.01 +39.030.99.102.97 Fax: +39.030.99.10.283 www.aerotecnicacoltri.it
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Behind the shot:
ROSARIO SCARIATI
Horse Rasta It was a long time I was trying to photograph the Seahorse but without good results , until one day and I suddenly appeared ahead of the mask , the excitement was so great that even my own eyes were filled with joy , to be able to immortalize with a selfie . Location Bay of Puolo Sorrento . Photo made with ​​ Canon 5D3 in Nauticam Housing , Canon 8-15 mm to 15 mm , 2 SEA & SEA YSD1 , 1/125 f : 20 iso 100
Our products are all MITQ (MADE IN ITALY TOTAL QUALITY) and allow an OPTIMAL BUOYANCY during video and photography. Our LIGHT ARMS are made with a preanodized 6060 aluminum alloy blue tube (Ø22 mm) and have two preanodized 6026 aluminum alloy SML-pearl-grey spheres (Ø 25 mm) at the ends (9 different lengths are available). Our BLOCKING SYSTEM (CLAMP) is composed by two preanodized aluminium alloy 6026 pearl grey SML butterfly clamps, a button-head stainless steel screw and an aluminum alloy 6026 anodized blue wing nut. Thanks to the clutches mounted inside the clamps, tightening is smooth for adjustments but at the same time sturdy and rigid for operation.
Our ACTION CAM BRACKET is made of AISI 316 stainless steel (3 mm thick and with black Delrin inserts). It consists of two laser-cut plates and a pair of folding handles with blocking mechanism. The coupling of the two plates is via a M8 dowel acting as a guide. In the rear part the handle has an additional 1/4 UNC thread for extra applications (eg. Gorilla POD or similar), an extendible guide plate and a small base for bi-adhesive connections. An anodized aluminum stick simplifies macro recording allowing to force the minimum recording distance from the subject. The handles terminate with preanodized 6026 aluminum alloy SML-pearl-grey spheres (Ă˜ 25 mm), thus allowing for the maximum flexibility for lights and additional parts to be connected to the base. The system can be offered with Lock-line terminations instead.
Our SCUBA VIDEO LIGHT Led C-95, electronically realized in cooperation with Elbatech Srl, is made by an 6026 SML pearl-grey anodized aluminum alloy body (Ø 60 mm) (milled from full aluminum bar), with a ring-bezel rear cover in black Delrin (Ø 70 mm) and with a 8-mm thick front polycarbonate glass. Its weight out of the water is 750 g, in the water 270 g. LIGHT FEATURES: - High intensity LED diode: CREE LED array CXA1304, 900 lumen, 5000°K - Viewing Angle: from 85° to 140° - CRI: 90 to 95 - Battery: Li-Ion rechargeable battery pack, 14.8V 2000 mAh (dedicated battery charger IMAX B6AC included) - Burn Time: 120 minutes @ 100% - Hydrostatic test: 120 minutes @ 9 bar - Electronics: custom-made power-led driver (Elbatech Srl, Marciana (LI), Italy) Our scuba light model 170/30 N is offered a beautiful blue briefcase containing: - 1 scuba led video light model C-95 - 1 battery charger IMAX B6AC - 1 black Delrin dedicated holder terminating with an anodized aluminium SML pearl-grey sphere (Ø 25 mm) About MECHANICS please refer to SML-SUB www.sml-sub.it e-mail: info@sml-sub.it About ELECTRONICS please refer to ELBATECH srl www.elbatech.com e-mail: info@elbatech.com
www.sml-sub.it
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E ASYDIVE LE O 3 : E V O L UTIO N O F T H E S P E CIE S
I don’t want to bother you with technical descriptions, which you might find together with lots of videos at www.easydive.it. I had the lucky chance to test LEO3 directly underwater for several time, and that’s my impressions that you’ll find reading these pages. It’s a revolutionary housing, suitable for every reflex camera. The product has been completely developed, designed and made in Italy with the highest security standards. Beautiful with its unique, accurate design but primarily effective during its use underwater. There are lots of innovations: first and more evident for an uw housing is the brand new, appealing design, and its interesting details such as an unusual hinged opening and the two handles made out directly from the mold and extremely ergonomic. The handles accommodate the two electronic boards needed to operate commands. Thanks to these new handles, the keyboards are even more easy and intuitive to use. Some button is located at the front side of the handles: the red shutter button, for instance, is exceptionally quick to push with your forefinger, like a “normal” camera. Before entering into details of the inner electronic components, we notice the base-hinged back, wrought to secure tests over and above 200 meters and to reduce the total weight. Electronics is a strong point: slots are situated inside the handles, in watertight compartments obtained from solid. This makes every component safe from bumps and interferences plus, being covered by resin, completely waterproof.
WORDS and PICTURES
Alberto Balbi
REVIEW
Easydive LEO 3: the real news in the area of underwater housings for digital reflex cameras. We tested for you this innovative housing: a concentrate of technology inside a piece of art!
120 When we open the housing we find at the bottom another LEO3 revolution: the camera connection. Each camera model has its own customized base to match simultaneously both mechanically and electronically with the housing, that recognizes the camera automatically. Moreover, Easydive supplies to the photographer a slot, to be connected to the multi-pin port at the base, so that all the system may be updated by the user through the file that Easydive technicians will send by e-mail, avoiding to physically send the housing back to the firm and reducing risks, time losses and costs. In the same way users may update the firmware once they change the camera model. Let’s have a look into LEO3 features: - Body of cast aluminum completely restyled: LEO3 is slightly higher, allowing the opening of the camera inner flash and take better advantage of the standard double optic fiber connections; - Ergonomic handles completely re-designed: any button is at your fingertip: 4 front trigger commands and 16 rear buttons; - Remote software upgrades: whenever the customer wishes to change his camera, or add a new one, he shouldn’t send the housing or the electronic control unit back to the firm. He’ll simply have to buy on-line, or through e-mail, the appropriate software upgrade and, through the slot included into the optional programming kit, connect to LEO3, switch it on and the upgrade will perform automatically. - Double standard Nikons 5pins flash connectors: inside, a switch allows selection between different modes: 5 or 3 pins, synchro, 1 or both active connections
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Porthole ring at your choice, which makes leo3 compatible with most ports available on the market, even other brands’. - Visible and audible moisture and leak alarm performed by 4 flashing led - Predisposed for vacuum system (optional) And now, the most important part: the very first underwater test at sea for this housing. I was pretty curious about testing LEO3 underwater, since I followed Easydive engineers and Fabio Benvenuti, Easydive dynamic owner, during the making of.
time,
Look is important and LEO3 is really a design piece-of-art, but it’s underwater that this new housing needs to rise to the occasion. Since I had the chance to use the housing for a sufficient period of
I could test it in a serious way in different situations. The evening before I assembled carefully my LEO3, inserting my Nikon D300 and switching on the vacuum system (optional), which allows vacuum inside the housing so that you may notice possible leaks due to assembly errors or dust/hair between the sealing o-rings and the back. For my first dive I decided to bring only the camera, without any strobe or light nor accessories, to check the housing’s buoyancy.
122 Underwater the feeling is immediate: the project that drove Easydive designers carving the handles was perfect. LEO3 is my hands’ extension and every button, both front and back, are at my fingertips. Without strobes the housing, that weights about 3,8kg outside the water, becomes neutral or slightly positive, depending on the lens and the dome mounted. It is possible switching on and off the control unit directly from the external control panel, and when you choose the off position, the camera goes in stand-by mode, without discharging its battery. After an initial moment, necessary to become familiar with buttons position, it’s been easy and immediate focusing, shooting, choosing the focus point and playing with ISO, shutter times and apertures: to perform these actions using LEO2 you need two buttons together‌ What jumps immediately to attention, is how fast the electronics response when switching from a command to another is. I performed some ambient light shot trying to achieve the automatism of movements, basic when you need your housing working to its full capacity like I do.
Once Fabio Benvenuti (who’s always offering a direct line to his customers) and I got out of the water, we tried to set the housing for next dives, fully equipped with my heavy Subtronic strobes. Personally, I prefer a slightly negative buoyancy, therefore we decided to mount Carbonarm medium length arms, performing a floating thrust of 300gr. Everything’s ready for my wreck dive: control panel battery connected, charge indicators led checked, vacuum system activated, camera on. During the descent, I start extending the arms and placing the strobes and it’s suddenly clear that Fabio’s advices were perfect: the housing is slightly negative allowing a perfect balance. When you put your hands on the carved handles you enter into a photographer/housing relationship almost intimate and shooting becomes easy like out of the water. There’s no need to navigate the main menu looking for the command needed: everything comes easily by pushing the right button, more precisely one of the 20 buttons with their functions clearly indicated on the plate where they’re located.
124 Working with LEO3 is fun! Buoyancy is perfect enough to let you shoot troubleless by one hand. Autofocus is quick and precise, mode changes are immediate and the magnifier placed directly on the camera eyepiece shows the whole scene framed and setting references directly inside the viewfinder. In little more than one and a half hour dive I had never to slow down, never to stop nor housing/camera related blocking: I’m really impressed by this new housing!!! For my last test, I decided to take advantage of one out of the features that make this housing unique: the camera model interchangeability. Easydive supplied the base and the software for my Canon 7d, through which I’d like to make some further photo and video tests. Every base corresponds to the camera model so that it may be pulled out of the housing without problems and, most important, the new control unit recognizes automatically the camera you’re using. I switched from Nikon d300 to Canon 7d and the only thing I had to change, for my utility only, was the left command panel to better manage the video shooting. Setting procedures are exactly the same: once the camera is inside, switch both camera and control panel on checking from the bottom led the battery charge status. Then close the housing, vacuum and you’re ready to dive! With the same Carbonarm arms setting, I mounted two Easydive Revolution lights. Underwater the balance is perfect even under this set up, and the housing steadiness is unbelievable! Switching from photo to video is more than easy and every
video command on the left control panel is placed under operational smartness, while through the right control panel it’s possible to enlarge the image to perfectly focus. At the moment, using Canon reflex cameras in photo mode, it’s not possible using the focus pointer selection, even if while we’re writing Fabio informs that he’s looking for filling this gap. However, Canon offers the chance of visualizing these parameters directly on display, while with the competitor brand you should verify through the viewfinder (I have to say that I always did it through the viewfinder, and I feel comfortable both ways). Every other command is easy to use: shutter speed, aperture, white balance, recording, etc… It was great fun shooting photos and videos, and the smartness of switching from one mode to the other is amazing!
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CONCLUSIONS: LEO3 is a really breakthrough news in the field of underwater photo and video. Interchangeability of camera bodies allows an everlasting investment, primarily for the possibility of updating the software and the firmware directly by the user through the electronic tool and the usb pendrive supplied by Easydive. What’s really impressive is this new electronics, but mostly the spectacular ergonomics and the perfect buoyancy. Not last, the one of a kind design Made in Italy, unique just the way Italians can do it: during the official presentation at the latest Eudi Show, LEO3 has been compared to a piece of art… and I agree!
Please visit www.easydive.com, video section: you’ll find all LEO3 presentation clips plus several trials, together with Fabio Benvenuti’s telephone and Skype contact for a direct speech or chat.
TECHNICAL FEATURES:
Material: Anticorodal aluminum Deep dive test: -100 m (150 upon request) Port Hole: locked bayonet-mounted (adapting ring for Leo II or other brands upon request) Commands: electronics, manual focus ring gear Strobes: 2 standard nikonos flash connectors plus 2 optic fiber connectors Rear: hinge closure through 2 safety closing hooks SPECIFICATIONS:
Body: -housing of cast aluminum -handles of cast aluminum, built-in with the body -predisposed starting spheres for arms & pilot light -wide rear 10mm polycarbonate monitor -hinge closure through 2 safety stainless steel closing hooks -double standard nikonos 5 pins flash connectors -double optic fiber connectors -manual focus ring gear for zoom lenses Commands: 20 wet contact magnetic buttons
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CANON RIGHT PANEL Rear AF(x5-x10), F-, F+, T-, T+, ISO+, ISO-, on/off Front Mode, Shoot CANON LEFT PANEL Rear AF-ON, Video mode, WB preset, Focus+, Focus-, Metering Mode, Drive Mode, on/off Front AF-mode, Rec PDF coming soon NIKON RIGHT PANEL: Rear AF, F-, F+, T-, T+, ISO+, ISO-, on/off Front Mode, Shoot NIKON LEFT PANEL Rear Metering Mode, focus point up, down, right, left, Ev+, Ev-, on/off Front AF-mode, WB preset
DIMENSIONS: • Height: 220 mm. • Width handles included: 330 mm. • Depth: 120 mm. • Leo3 port diameter: Ø105 mm. • Weight: 3.8 Kg • Maximum depth rating: 100 m (Deep Dive Test up to 150 m) Ports sold separately
Registration: from September 11st 2015 to October 19th 2015
“Divers for Africa”, actively involved for years in supporting the St. Francis Hospital in Ifakara, Tanzania, by organizing theatrical events and a prestigious photography competition, in 2015 will take the Dive Days back to Bologna. After three years break spent planning events and dives at various locations along the Adriatic coast, DFA return home on their tenth anniversary and planned a soiree at the Tivoli Theatre in Bologna, where their adventure began in 2004. Beyond the showing of brand new videos and the presence of guests of excellence, the heart of Bologna Dive Days will be, as always, the Divers for Africa Photo/Video Contest, which, as the title suggests, this year is enriched by the Video section. Basically, the competition’s formula, except for some adjustment due to the new shooting technologies and techniques, will be the one of the classical Photo/Video Contest. In few words, the formula that enabled Divers for Africa receiving, for two consecutive years, the prestigious award established by the EUDI show organization. Divided into THREE CATEGORIES, Reflex / Mirrorless - Compact - Video, the contest will see participants express themselves in the sections of Macro photography, wide-angle images and pictures outside the water when significant of the man / water relationship. The video section is single and, apart from the maximum time duration, contestants will have the greatest freedom of rendering.
PHOTOGRAPHY Portfolio Underwater World Underwater World in Wide Angle Underwater World in Macro / Close-up Man and water VIDEO Five minutes underwater
PHOTOGRAPHY SECTION To participate to PORTFOLIO UNDERWATER WORLD section, send three color images, not repetitive, highlighting the environment, flora and fauna of the underwater world. UNDERWATER WORLD IN WIDE ANGLE section allow up to a maximum of three color or B / W images, made with wide-angle lenses, portraying scenes of underwater life. The author is free to interpret the theme using any shooting technique, including backlit and in / out mix at the maximum ratio of 1/2 of the frame. UNDERWATER WORLD IN MACRO / CLOSE-UP section allow up to a maximum of three color or B / W images portraying the entire subject or well-defined details of a subject or underwater life. MAN AND WATER section allow up to a maximum of three color or B / W images, significant of the man / water relationship. The shooting, carried out outdoors, can also be a creative and artistic interpretation of scenarios tying unequivocally man and water. Photomontages and structural changes of the files made through image editing programs are not allowed. In / out pictures where both the human subject and the outside shooting portion cover at least two-thirds of the frame are allowed.
VIDEO SECTION Video Section - FIVE MINUTES UNDERWATER allow up to a maximum of two videos on any subject, with a maximum time duration of 5 minutes each. Outdoor shooting may be part of the movie, for a maximum of 1/3 of its total time. Movies can either represent images and scenes of underwater life in the sea, rivers and lakes. Videos must be recorded in digital MP4 format HD resolution (1080p). JURIES, split by Photography and Video category, will be composed of experts and technicians in the field that will produce the ranking with the names of the top three for each of the sections in the contest. An extremely delicate task, given the size of the jackpot made available by the many sponsors who, for years, supported the initiatives of the Bolognese association.
REFLEX/MIRRORLESS CATEGORY PORTFOLIO UNDERWATER WORLD 1st prize: 7 nights stay / diver – Siladen Island Offered by Aquadiving / Siladen Resort 2nd prize: Full day diving – Argentario Offered by Argentario Divers 3rd prize: Book Magenes editions Offered by Magenes UNDERWATER WORLD IN WIDE ANGLE 1st prize: Full day diving – Tegnue Offered by Albarella Diving Center 2nd prize: Handling bracket Offered by Easydive 3rd prize: Book Magenes editions Offered by Magenes UNDERWATER WORLD IN MACRO / CLOSE-UP 1st prize: Photographic equipment bag Offered by Foto Sub Shop 2nd prize: Annual subscription to Il Subacqueo magazine Offered by Il Subacqueo editorial office 3rd prize: Book Magenes editions Offered by Magenes MAN AND WATER 1st prize: Full day diving – Argentario Offered by Argentario Divers 2nd prize: Photographic equipment hard waterproof case Offered by Sarti Sport 3rd prize: Book Magenes editions Offered by Magenes
COMPACT CAMERAS CATEGORY PORTFOLIO UNDERWATER WORLD 1st prize: Red Sea Liveaboard cruise Offered by Red Sea Yachting & Diving Scuba Swiss 2nd prize: Full day diving – Tegnue Offered by Isamar Diving Center 3rd prize: Book Magenes editions Offered by Magenes UNDERWATER WORLD IN WIDE ANGLE 1st prize: Full day diving – Elba island Offered by Diving in Elba 2nd prize: Voucher € 100,00 Offered by Isotecnic by Elisa Isotta 3rd prize: Book Magenes editions Offered by Magenes UNDERWATER WORLD IN MACRO / CLOSE-UP 1st prize: Full day diving – Numana Offered by Monte Conero Dive Centre 2nd prize: Photographic equipment bag Offered by Foto Sub Shop 3rd prize: Book Magenes editions Offered by Magenes MAN AND WATER 1st prize: PC Lite dive light Offered by Sarti Sport 2nd prize: Annual subscription to Il Subacqueo magazine Offered by Il Subacqueo editorial office 3rd prize: Book Magenes editions Offered by Magenes
VIDEO CATEGORY FIVE MINUTES UNDERWATER 1st prize: 7 nights stay / diver – Puerto Galera, Philippines Offered by Fishermen’s Cove Resort, Philippines 2nd prize: Voucher € 300,00 for purchasing a housing Offered by Nimar 3rd prize: Annual subscription to Il Subacqueo magazine Offered by Il Subacqueo editorial office
SPECIAL PRIZES HISTORICAL DIVING SOCIETY ITALIA PRIZE A jury specially appointed among Historical Diving Society Italy members, will select between all the images presented to “DIVERS FOR AFRICA - photo contest 2015” the most representative work of the essence that endlessly enlivened his friend Andrea Ghisotti’s activity. DIVERS FOR AFRICA PHOTO/VIDEO CONTEST The Organizing Committee, at its incontestable discretion, could assign special awards to extra ranking photos / videos expressing a distinctive interest either photographic, scientific, naturalistic, etc.
The awards ceremony will take place on November 13, 2015 during the Divers for Africa “DIVE DAYS 2015” gala at Tivoli Theatre - Via Massarenti 418 - Bologna For those who still do not know the activities of the “Divers for Africa - non-profit organization,” we would like to remind that their efforts have always been aimed at maintaining the effective working relationship instituted between the Faculty of Medicine of the S. Orsola Hospital in Bologna and the St. Francis Hospital in Ifakara, Tanzania. Relationship that, over the years, became officially an agreement signed between the two hospitals in the name of a common friend: the surgeon and founder of Divers for Africa, Dr. Manuele Grazia. Every year, the Divers for Africa choose a target that, until now, they never failed. Continuing the path taken four years ago, the development at St. Francis of laparoscopic surgery, for the current year the primary goal of the DFA is the buying and sending to Tanzania of new laparoscopy probes kit. Not only that, waiting to refine the appropriate agreements, the DFA have already planned the departure from Italy of a medical team (surgeons - nurses - anesthesiologists) going directly to operate and organize proficiency-training courses at the St. Francis in Ifakara.
For further info: Phone: +39 051 576069 | e-mail: info@diversforafrica.eu site: www. diversforafrica.eu | Facebook
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