Photo / Video News & Reviews
Underwater Videography Trip Report: Jeff Goodman video course in the Red Sea
On this occasion we were holding the video course on the Blue Planet liveaboard organised by OonasDivers and following the Northern Red Sea Wrecks route to combine scrap metal on the sea bed with good wildlife. I’m not an over keen wreck diver just for the sake of the wreck itself; the main interest I have in them is the habitat they provide for a huge variety of marine life, and as luck would have it our Egyptian dive guide Ashraf Hassanin felt the same, and turned out to be not only enthusiastic but also very knowledgeable. During our 5 diving days we explored large wrecks such as the Thistlegorm to the smaller and less distinguished. In between we dived local reefs and it was one close to Hurghada where we did our check dive.
After a very long journey by car and plane, it is always thrilling to wake up on the first morning of the trip to see the blue sky above and a wonderful multicoloured reef stretching out before us. The crystal water was full of promise with relaxed diving and a multitude of marine animals to film.
Liveaboard schedules can be very military in their timings and goals, but I was so happy to find that our guide Ashraf was relaxed and accommodating. There were places he wanted to take us but at the same time he was quite open if we wanted to change things. In fact, it is worth saying at this point, the whole crew were extremely helpful, friendly and professional and as a side note, the food was really good.
Some of our dives were on the bigger wrecks such the Thistlegorm, Rosalie Moller and the Carnatic. Theoretically these should be home to an abundance of wildlife, but pressure from countless divers does take its toll and only the most hardy of species stick around. However, it was on our first descent that several dolphins cruised by. They didn’t stay as we all hoped, but slowly and effortlessly eased away into the deep blue. A wonderful start.
Wrecks can and do provide great backdrops for video and still photography. Twisted structures add drama to the wildlife and stark silhouettes add mystery. Wide angle lenses are undoubtedly a bonus when filming large wreck areas but at the same time the more standard longer focal lenses are good for concentrating on the smaller wildlife close ups. With this in mind I mounted a Gopro on top of the Gates housing for my Sony handycam. I now had the option of very wide shots from the Gopro and the normal variety of framing options given by the handycam.
When filming wrecks there is nothing quite so impressive as a clear water shot of the entire ship, especially if you have a diver in frame for scale. This gives a sense of location by letting the viewer know the context in which any other images are taken.
Having established the nature of the ‘studio’, we are then free to explore the more detailed images that make the wreck so interesting. A variety of mid shots and close ups on different subjects will convey this interest and entertain your future audience.
As well as the larger wrecks, we also explored a few smaller ones and a couple of natural coral reefs. It was thanks to Ashraf that we were able to avoid the diving crowds and pick our spots accordingly. I do enjoy small wrecks as they concentrate the inhabiting wildlife into a small area and thus reduce the time searching and using precious air finning from one end of a wreck to the other. An important part of any new dive is research on the site you are visiting. Dive guides will tell you about currents and depths and how long your dive should be. Ashraf did this, but also included his enthusiasm for wildlife, telling us what species to expect as well as the best places to look. Really helpful!
The bigger wrecks are of course more dramatic but it is these smaller ones that provide more opportunity for filming wildlife. Full of easily accessible nooks and crannies these small wrecks come to life when you look closely.
While drifting around the outside of one small wreck I spotted this Devil Scorpionfish hobbling across the sand. In fact there were two of them and as I watched, so they passed a third one, motionless under a small piece of coral. Walking Scorpionfish really are an extraordinary sight as they amble along on their pectoral fins trying for all the world to convince any onlooker that they are nothing more than a loose piece of coral. But the slowness of their movements belies the incredible speed with which they snatch their prey. It is estimated to be less than 15 milliseconds. The dorsal fins of these fish carry very potent venom and can cause fatalities in humans, so be careful where you put your hands. But, as we should all know, putting hands and feet down on reefs is bad practice.
Night diving anywhere is exciting be it on reef or wreck. Lionfish use the darkness to hunt for prey such as small fish, crabs and shrimps. Yet they have learned that a diver’s light can temporarily confuse and immobilise these small animals and so will follow the beam waiting for the opportunity to strike at some unsuspecting prey. It is a very clever adaptation. I have seen other species do it, such as moray eels, but the Lionfish are the true masters.
Here we can see a Lionfish slowly drifting towards a small fish caught in my light, seconds before making its lunge. It strikes with incredible speed and in the blink of an eye the small fish is gone. I couldn’t take a still frame of the actual strike from the video, as the action was too fast and the resulting still image was too blurred. Looks good on the video though.
Whether videoing by day or night, it is important to have a good video light. One that will give you a wide and even spread of light. They are not that expensive and well worth looking seriously at.
As always, time seemed to fly by and it was too soon that we are drying our gear and packing for the return flight home. Thinking back on the week I was certainly very pleased with putting my Gopro on the handycam housing. It literally doubled my framing abilities and without too much extra cost. My initial concern of matching material from the Gopro with the Sony in the edit was unnecessary. The quality of the Gopro was superb and with a little white balance correction it cut perfectly with the Sony images. One of the students on this trip was filming exclusively with a Gopro and was delighted with his overall results. His video testimonial of the course can be seen here.
The next Red Sea underwater video course is in March 2014 and held at the eco diving resort of Marsa Shagra with Red Sea Diving Safaris in the southern Red Sea. The course is again in association with OonasDivers.
Further details can be found on my web site at www.jeffgoodman.co.uk
News
Meet Insta360 Ace Pro 2: Redefining Action Cameras With Unrivaled 8K Image Quality & Smarter AI
Insta360 is thrilled to announce the latest addition to its Ace series, Insta360 Ace Pro 2. This groundbreaking wide-angle action camera delivers unparalleled image quality, smarter, easier capture powered by AI, upgraded audio, and an improved rugged design made for action at its most extreme.
Co-engineered with Leica, it delivers serious performance upgrades with the industry-first dual AI chip and state-of-the-art imaging courtesy of a new 1/1.3″ 8K sensor and Leica SUMMARIT lens with a 157º field of view. Creators can experience smoother videos with higher frame rates at 8K30fps and 4K60fps Active HDR, PureVideo for excellent low light performance, a bigger 2.5″ flip touchscreen and more.
The action camera utilizes Insta360’s advanced AI technology to offer a smarter experience from shooting to sharing. Innovative functions like the option to pause or cancel a recording, gesture and voice control, Auto Edit, and AI Highlights Assistant completely transform the experience for creators. With no more complex workflows, anyone can experience a simpler way to film and spend more time immersed in the moments they love.
Insta360 Ace Pro 2 significantly improves on its design, offering a more rugged, reliable action camera. Its waterproofing has increased to 39ft (12m), and it offers crystal-clear audio with an integrated Wind Guard and a removable Lens Guard to handle whatever you throw at it, providing full flexibility for action and sports enthusiasts.
“Our goal was to refine and enhance the groundbreaking features of the original Insta360 Ace Pro to deliver an unparalleled experience,” says JK Liu, founder of Insta360. “We are confident these upgrades establish a new industry standard. Not only do they bring significant advances in AI, they empower creators to capture what was always impossible with other action cameras, opening the door to unprecedented creative potential.”
Insta360 Ace Pro 2 is available to order today worldwide via Insta360.com, as well as trusted retailers and select authorized partners.
Unparalleled Image Quality, Day and Night
The Leica SUMMARIT lens immediately sets it apart from competitors with its state-of-the-art image quality. Combined with an upgraded 1/1.3″ 8K sensor offering 13.5 stops of dynamic range, Insta360 Ace Pro 2 delivers simply breathtaking visuals in situations other action cameras simply can’t handle.
Further contributing to its image quality and performance is the industry-leading dual-chip design. Insta360 Ace Pro 2 is the first action camera with a dedicated Pro Imaging Chip that handles image processing and noise reduction, while a separate 5nm AI Chip handles further image processing and overall camera performance, providing a smooth, seamless user experience. The dual chip also enables more shooting modes and higher specifications, such as 8K30fps video, 4K60fps Active HDR (High Dynamic Range), and upgraded PureVideo. Even in fast-moving motion and high-intensity action, creators can enjoy smooth, sharp videos thanks to the higher frame rates or slow it all the way down with crisp 4K120fps slow motion.
A complex, custom-trained AI neural network underpins PureVideo, a specialized shooting mode that drastically reduces noise and enhances details in real time for cleaner, brighter images, even in extreme low light. Whether it’s twilight strolls or evening rides, creators can record what they never could before. For the daytime, upgraded 4K60fps Active HDR brings out all the details in intense highlights and shadows for more vibrant footage. Meanwhile, a wider 157° lens FOV captures more of the surroundings, perfect for vlogging or when the scenery really matters.
Exclusive Leica-engineered color profiles infuse footage with their signature aesthetic, adding a touch of elegance to every shot. Insta360’s devotion to color accuracy is seen elsewhere with Insta360 Ace Pro 2’s ability to retain rich and precise colors, even underwater.
Ready for Action Anytime, Anywhere
The upgraded design proves to be even more rugged, ready for when you ramp up the action. Waterproofing has increased to 39 feet (12 meters) or 197 feet (60 meters) with the Dive Case, and it handles temperatures as low as -4ºF (-20ºC) with ease, perfect for winter sports and extreme climates.
The new, removable Lens Guard provides greater all-around protection, meaning creators can feel confident to push the limits further and capture the impossible, knowing their action cam is up to the challenge.
An all-new Wind Guard keeps wind and noise at a minimum during those peak moments, ready to snap on and off as you need. With refreshed audio algorithms bringing professional-grade clarity to your content, you can immerse your viewers like never before. What’s more, the magnetic mounting system lets you seamlessly switch between accessories. Less time spent unscrewing and screwing your camera and mounts, more time in the moment.
Insta360’s leading FlowState Stabilization technology ensures videos remain incredibly smooth no matter what, while 360º Horizon Lock, now applied automatically in-camera, keeps everything perfectly level. Prioritizing performance and convenience, Insta360 Ace Pro 2 sports a bigger 1800mAh battery and a new Endurance Mode that offers a 50% longer runtime at 4K30fps than Insta360 Ace Pro. Fast charging powers the battery to 80% in 18 minutes or 100% in 47 minutes, so you can get back to the action quicker.
Insta360 has expanded its compatibility with several top third-party sports accessories, allowing action and sports enthusiasts to add a new level of detail. For data-rich videos, overlay real-time stats from third-party sports brands, including Garmin, Apple, COROS, and more. Alternatively, users can add stats from their phone directly in the Insta360 app without any extra gear or use the GPS Preview Remote for easy live preview, remote control, and real-time GPS data. For moto vloggers, pair Insta360 Ace Pro 2 with your motorcycle helmet headset from Sena, Cardo, and more for clear dual-track audio and hands-free control every ride.
Made for those who demand the highest standard of action capture, Insta360 Ace Pro 2 offers the perfect combination of durability and high-quality performance to capture life’s thrills with confidence.
Smarter, Easier Capture & Editing
Insta360 Ace Pro’s flip touchscreen proved an essential and convenient tool for creators and has been further upgraded to 2.5 inches. With a 70% increase in pixel density, a 6% increase in brightness and a 100% increase in flip durability, it allows for perfect framing and easier preview for vlogging, selfies, and difficult angles, all while remaining visible under bright sunlight. Instead of guessing if your shot looks perfect, you can shoot with confidence, knowing it is.
Internally, Insta360 Ace Pro 2 offers innovative solutions to problems that have hindered action enthusiasts for years:
- 4K Clarity Zoom – Want a close-up but the image quality becomes too grainy? Zoom in and out 2x without losing quality.
- Pre-Recording – Never miss a moment with up to 120 seconds of footage saved before you even hit record.
- Gesture & Voice Control – Use quick hand signals or verbal commands to control the camera, such as start/stop recording or take a photo, ideal if it’s mounted out of reach.
- Pause/Resume Recording – Got time between shots? Hit pause and continue recording when you need to keep everything in one continuous file for easier file management and editing.
- Timecode – Seamlessly synchronizes multiple cameras for an efficient editing workflow.
Insta360’s revolutionary AI features demonstrate a commitment to making shooting and editing as accessible as possible. Anyone, regardless of their skill level, will be amazed at what they can create. For those who aren’t confident editing, AI Highlights Assistant automatically finds the best moments from a video and delivers the highlights for review, all in-camera. Creators can merge every thrilling moment into one incredible recap or choose the ones their favorites and delete any unwanted clips to save storage.
The Assistant also helps craft your next reel from your adventures and pushes it directly to your smartphone via the Insta360 app. Look back on all your Memories and share those unforgettable moments in seconds.
Acting as a full editing suite in your pocket, the Insta360 mobile app fully embraces the game-changing possibilities of AI with advanced Auto Editing, one-tap templates and creative Shot Lab effects. Instead of spending hours learning complex tools and editing workflows, AI does it all for you, bringing your clips to life with dynamic cuts and transitions. Creators can even achieve the infamous Invisible Selfie Stick effect with the AI Selfie Stick Eraser in the app for third-person views. Looking for a real twist? AI Warp uses preset or custom keywords to bring your wildest ideas to life.
Available Now
Insta360 Ace Pro 2 is available to purchase today worldwide via Insta360.com and select retailers. The Standard Bundle retails for US$399.99 and includes a Wind Guard, Battery, Standard Mount, Mic Cap, and USB-C Cable. The dual battery bundle includes the same accessories and two batteries for US$419.99.
The SMC-3
Nauticam is proud to introduce the SMC-3, the latest evolution in our line of water contact optics! Designed as a renewed version of the acclaimed SMC-1, the SMC-3 boasts a lightweight build—now only one-third the weight of its predecessor—without compromising on optical performance.
SMC-3 Specifications
| Dimensions | OD 70mm x H 32mm |
| Weight in Air | 307g |
| Weight in Water | 215g |
| Max Magnification (*1) | 2.4x (lens dependent) |
| Working Distance (*1) | 51-103mm |
| Lens Construction | 3 elements in 2 groups |
| Lens Coatings | Anti-reflection Coating |
| Mount Thread Diameter | M67 |
| Depth Rating |
100mm |
Tested with Nikon AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor 105mm f/2.8G IF-ED
Key Features
- Ultra-Lightweight Design: Weighing in at just one-third of the SMC-1, the SMC-3 offers unparalleled portability for on-the-go use.
- Superior Optical Performance: Enjoy the same exceptional clarity and precision you’ve come to expect from the SMC series.
- Increased Working Distance: The redesigned lens allows for a greater working distance, meaning it’s easier to use and provides enhanced versatility.
- Premium Materials: Crafted with advanced materials to enhance durability while minimizing weight.
- Cost-Effective: Slightly more affordable than the discontinued SMC-1, the SMC-3 delivers exceptional value.
Uncompromised Optical Quality
The Super Macro Converter 3 is constructed from lenses that are precision crafted of specially formulated low dispersion optical grade glass, ground to the most demanding standards. These exceptional measures, enhanced by broadband anti-refective coatings effectively reduce common optical issues such as chromatic aberrations, coma, spherical aberration, and field deformation associated with underwater macro photography using traditional magnifying lenses. These optics are assembled in a rugged hard anodized aluminum housing, and nitrogen purged during assembly to eliminate fogging.
Stunning Magnification
When combined with a full frame camera and a 100mm or 105mm macro lens, the device converts the optical system to provide a maximum of 2.4X magnification factor. In other words, a subject area of 15.6mm X 10.4mm will fill the whole frame of a 36mm X 24mm sensor.
Improved Sharpness and Contrast
As the Super Macro Converter 3 is optimized explicitly for using together with a macro lens underwater, images captured exhibit exceptional sharpness compared with conventional magnification lenses. Thanks to the broadband multi-layer anti-reflection coating on each surface of the lenses, images also exhibit higher contrast.
Superb Light Transmission
All the lens elements installed inside the SMC are optically optimized to appropriate diameters so as to provide maximum light transmission. The SMC doesn’t suffer from vignette issues under even the most extreme conditions. The broad band multi-layer anti-reflection coating on all surfaces also greatly improves light transmission.
Optimized for Autofocus
By utilizing a specially developed algorithm in the optimization process, the SMC renders superior image quality over the full focusing range of the camera lens (which becomes ~50 to ~100 mm in front of the SMC). Also benefitting from the high brightness and contrast of the image, the autofocus system of the camera usually works acceptably well within this range.
Ample Working Distance
Even at the maximum 2.3X magnification, there is still more than 50mm of working distance between the front element and the subject with 100/105mm macro lenses. This working distance is crucial when capturing behavior with skittish subjects.
Resolution
High resolution was a primary design goal of the SMC project. This has been achieved using computer aided optimization and high grade optical glasses with unique refractive and dispersion properties. Images taken with this new system exhibit very high resolution and quality. Results have exceeded expectations, and these images rival the quality of the macro lens in air.
Smooth Bokeh
The Converter retains the optical properties of the macro lens for the whole system underwater, resulting in a blurred (out of focus) background that has a pleasing smoothness and creamy look, without the normal purple and green fringing.
Avoiding Diffraction
Due to the overall superior optical performance of the SMC-3 it is possible to shoot larger apertures with excellent image quality. This avoids reaching the diffraction limit of high resolution sensors, and allows selective focus effects with narrow depth of field in super macro images.
For more information about the Nauticam Super Macro Converter 3, which ships in November, click here.
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