News
UWP News from DEMA: Saga Diving Technology
Saga launched their new macro lens called the Trio at the first day of DEMA and so we popped by to chat to them about this and their other underwater photography products. Saga are based in Spain and all their gear is made in Barcelona. We chatted to Jordi Benitez, who is part of the Saga team; an excellent photographer too.
The Trio lens is 4 lenses in one. Why Trio then I hear you say? Well this new product works in a way that you can attach it to your port, and you can use the lever system to have no diopters in front of the lens; with a simple turn of a lever, you have a +5 diopter, turn another lever and you have a +10, and finally, with both levers in use you have +15. No flipping, unscrewing and changing to the wet lens you want; you have all of them (or none) at your fingertips. The lens is designed to be used with the 100mm or 105mm lenses and is attached to your port via a 67mm thread. If this does not work, then Saga will look to make an adapter for you. You can even move the front of this lens around until you have found the perfect position for the levers to suit your camera setup.
You can see this great new innovation in use here:
Saga also have plenty of other great products and Jordi talked us through them. Their macro lenses and flip dioptre holders are market leaders. They are quality items for those that love their macro photography. But, after the new Trio lens, it was some of their lighting innovations that caught our eye. Whilst not new at DEMA, their ring flash is something to behold. They have adapted this to also work with the new Trio, as well as for normal lens ports. The system works by fitting an adapter onto the front of your strobe and fibre-optics running down to the front of the port to give you a perfect ring of light around your subject. A great deal of thought has gone into the design, with the underwater photographer being able to easily remove the system, whilst underwater, with no fuss at all. The adapter can be removed from the strobe and the fibre optics retracted from the front of the port, taking you back to a “normal” system with ease.
Saga also produce a snoot. For anyone that has tried snoot photography, it can be challenging and require a bit of patience, but Saga have made it all much simpler for you. The spotting light from your strobe is carried via fibre optics down through the snoot and shines on your subject whilst you are composing the shot. You can size of the snoot using a dial at the front of the snoot, as well as the focus.
Also on display was the Saga Magic Ball lens. This is a fun lens that will be in the kit bag of many creative underwater photographers. We will be taking this lens on our next trip and reviewing it on the Scubaverse site very soon.
To learn more about Saga Diving Technology visit www.sagadive.com.
Last Thursday, Oyster Diving transformed Mercers Lake into a hauntingly unforgettable underwater realm for their inaugural Halloween Scuba Party. Approximately 20 intrepid divers plunged into the darkness, weaving through a mesmerising scene of spectral decorations, glow sticks, and eerie underwater pumpkins.
After the thrilling night dive, participants gathered to feast on a ghoulish spread of pumpkin soup, chilli con carne, and decadent fudge brownies, perfect fuel for the frightful festivities.
With a resounding success, Oyster Diving is excited to announce plans for this event to become an annual tradition. Next year, look forward to a fully licensed bar and live music, promising an even spookier celebration under the moonlit waters.
Join us next Halloween for an experience that promises to be a haunting delight!
Find out more about Oyster Diving at oysterdiving.com.
After a two-year tour of UK art galleries, community spaces and aquariums, the Shark Trust’s acclaimed Oceanic31 exhibition takes its final bow at the Royal Geographical Society later this month. And the unique collection of artwork, depicting 31 species of oceanic sharks and rays, donated by 31 artists, is now open for bids from art lovers and shark enthusiasts. The online auction, launched today, will close on the 7th December at 8pm (BST). The money raised will support the Shark Trust Oceanics Programme.
People can now bid on 27 of the artworks by visiting this website:
https://superstars-auctions.com/sharktrustauction
It is a chance to own a beautiful piece of original art and to support the Shark Trust. The timing of the auction also means that these would make a very special Christmas gift for any shark-lover.
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- Bigeye Thresher Shark by Janina Rossiter
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- Carcharodon carcharias by Jimmy Higgs
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- Croc VR 2030 by Tom Mead
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- Oceanic Whitetip by ATM
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- Silky Street by ScapaJoe
The diversity of pieces mirrors that of the sharks and rays they represent. You can bid on paintings, digital creations, sculptures, mixed media and more. You can pick your favourite artist or species of shark. Or you can select the perfect artwork to make a statement in your home or office. Whichever you choose, you will be supporting the work to protect these amazing animals.
One of the pieces of art has been selected to be auctioned live by Steve Backshall at the For the Love of Sharks event at the Royal Geographical Society in London on the 29th November. In addition to this, two further pieces will be raffled at this event, giving people a chance to win an incredible piece of shark art. For the Love of Sharks is the Shark Trust’s flagship evening. A night to celebrate sharks. Steve Backshall is the headline speaker at this event that will see other prominent shark advocates join him on stage.
Tickets for the event can be snapped up here:
https://thesharktrust.org.uk/Event/flos24
Those that would like to see the Oceanic 31 exhibition have one final chance. It is being displayed at the Pavilion at the Royal Geographic Society from 26th November until the 7th December. Entry is free.
Find out more here:
https://www.rgs.org/events/upcoming-events/oceanic-31
Paul Cox, Shark Trust CEO, Said “This exhibition has given us the opportunity to reach out to a new audience. And inspire more people with the wonderful sharks and rays on which our Big Shark Pledge campaign is based. We are immensely grateful to the 31 artists who have worked so hard to create these works.”
Bid for your favourite Oceanic 31 artwork here:
https://superstars-auctions.com/sharktrustauction
Banner Image: Smooth Hammerhead by Alicia Hayden
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