Nikon D800 comparison

36 Megapixels, wow!

Takes on medium-format cameras, same size as D700

ISO more limited than the D4, sells for $2,999

By Scott Gietler

Nikon has released another full frame camera, the Nikon D800, which is the successor to the Nikon D700. Nikon has decided to emphasize pixels over ultra-high ISO performance. This camera competes with the Canon 5D Mark III.

Here's some highlights of the new Nikon D800

• Offers 15.4 megapixels at a 1.5x crop
• Offers 1080p high def video at 30/24fps, 720p at 60/30fps
• ISO range 100-6400
• Takes CF & SD cards
• Speed limited to 4fps
• Auto-focuses at F8 like the Nikon D4 does, great for teleconverters!

This camera does not have any obvious compeition (but it will when the 5D MK III comes out soon), and for sure will sell many, many times more than the NIkon D4 will. Now the question is how many photographers really need 36 megapixels? And have lenses that will resolve them? Regardless, downsampling a 36 megapixel sensor to 10 or 20 megapixels will produce excellent results - and this is a much better camera than the Nikon D700, which came out in late 2008. This will be an excellent camera for landscape, studio and wildlife photographers.

Here are some other Nikon D800 specs and interesting features:

• Autofocuses with F8 lenses, which means the autofocus will work better in lower light. This is good news for people who like to use teleconverters.
• New 91,000 pixel metering sensor - which is used mainly for measuring exposure, detecting faces, etc.
• Video clips up to 30 minutes long
• Mic in, headphone out with adjustable levels, just like the D4
• uncompressed 4:2:2 HDMI video out available
• supports USB 3.0, D700 supported USD 2.0
• Video can be recorded in 1.5x crop mode, very nice!
• Can take time-lapse movies
• Shoots HDR in-camera
• Shutter rated to 200,000 actuations
• 1/8000th shutter speed like the D700 & D4

Nikon D800 underwater housings

I'm expecting housings from Subal, Nexus, Aquatica, Sea & Sea, Nauticam, and Seacam, and Hugyfot. The Nauticam D800 housing has already been made available for pre-order.

D800E & D800 Shipping Date

The Nikon D800 is expected to ship at the end of March. The Nikon D800E costs $300 more, and has the anti-aliasing filter removed, for pros who know what that does. Basically, you can get slightly sharper images - at the risk of some false colors and moire.

Comparing the Nikon D800 with the Canon 5D Mark III

• The NIkon D800 has many more megapixels, autofocus at F8, has an internal flash and a higher sync speed (1/250th)
• The 22 megapixel Canon 5D Mk III has 2 stops better high ISO performance, and faster shooting (6fps vs 4fps)

Promotional video*, "Joy Ride," shot entirely with the D800

"Behind the Scenes" of "Joy Ride"

*video courtesy of nikonrumors.com

What do you think of the new Nikon D800?

Tell us in the forums

Further Reading

Nikon D7100 mini review

Ikelite D800 housing mini review

Where to Buy

Please support the Underwater Photography Guide by purchasing your Nikon D800 underwater photography gear through our sister site, Bluewater Photo & Video. Click, or call them at (310) 633-5052 for expert advice!

Canon Unveils the New G1X Compact Camera

The G1X has been fitted with a large sensor to compete with mirrorless compact cameras

by Eric Aubort

Ideal for photography enthusiasts looking for the highest image quality in a compact, point-and-shoot design, the Canon PowerShot G1 X camera features the largest sensor to date for a Canon point-and-shoot model - and could be a great option for people not looking to change lenses.

Read our new Canon G1X Review

Canon G1X Key Features

• Slightly larger sensor than a mirrorless camera - very nice!
• Slightly larger body that a mirrorless camera
• F2.8-F5.8 28mm-112mm non-changeable lens
• poor macro cability, but this may be fixable with a diopter
• 1/2000th sync speed - very nice for using a fill flash in bright conditions
• Articulated LCD screen
• Built-in image stabilization, claiming 4 stops improvement
• 14 megapixel sensor
• Battery rated for 250 shots (without flash), not great
• $799 retail price

The G1X

Larger Sensor

• The camera has a brand new, large 1.5-inch (18.7 x 14mm), 14.3-megapixel High-Sensitivity Canon CMOS sensor
• Delivering shallow depth of field and a wide dynamic range
• ISO range of up to 12800 and incredible light gathering ability helping to ensure brilliant images in even tough low-light conditions.

Image of Canon G1X sensor-Courtesy of Canon USA.

• The new 1.5" sensor is six times larger than Canon's latest G12 model.

The Lens

• 4X Optical Zoom
• An aperture of f/2.8 to f/16 for beautiful images when shooting portraits and amazing clarity when shooting landscapes
• Wide-angle capabilities starting at 28mm
• Poor macro capability without a diopter, close focus distance is 20cm at 28mm, 85cm at 112mm

Shooting Formats

• 14-bit, RAW+JPEG shooting
• HDR Shooting has been included to ensure the best possible shot is captured
• Full HD 1080p video

Accessories

• Speedlite, Macro Twin Lite or the Macro Ring Light flashes

LCD Screen and Controls

• Bright, large 3.0-inch vari-angle LCD with 922,000 dots of resolution
• The inclusion of the Mode Dial on the top of the camera and the Front Dial helps provide more intuitive control of the camera.

Rotational LCD Screen

Back View

Top View

Features and Specifications:

• 14.3mp CMOS (1.5inch) Sensor (1/1.5″ probably)
• 4x Zoom (28-112)
• f/2.5-16
• 14bit RAW
• DIGIC 5
• 6fps/4.5fps
• Multiarea White Balance
• HDR Mode
• FullHD 1080p Video
• 720P Movie Digest Mode

Estimated Price: $800.00

Estimated Delivery: February 2012

Click  below to see Canon's promotional video for the G1X:

Questions or Comments?  Post in our Forums

Support the Underwater Photography Guide

Please support the Underwater Photography Guide by purchasing your underwater photography gear through our sister site, Bluewater Photo & Video. Click, or call them at (310) 633-5052 for expert advice!

Market Squid Run Observed off California Shores

Underwater photos and video of this amazing event

by Eric Aubort

Many Southern California divers have reported and recorded a massive amount of Market Squid just off the local beaches, making for some great photo and video opportunities.  Reports have come in from Catalina, Vet's Park in Redondo Beach, La Jolla Shores, and more.

"Mating squid during their last moments of life.  Taken in roughly 50fsw at Indian Head Rock, Catalina Island."  Nikon D90 in an Ikelite housing, Tokina 10-17mm lens behind a 5" Precision Dome port, 1/125th, F11, ISO 200 at 14mm. Photo by Michael Zeigler, editor of Underwater Photography Guide.

Close-up of squid egg case at Indian Head Rock, Catalina Island by Michael Zeigler.  "You can make out the eyes of the tiny, developing squid, and some are starting to show signs of purplish pigment spots."  Nikon D90 in an Ikelite housing, 60mm + 1.4 teleconverter, 1/125th, F22, ISO 200.

Market Squid information from NOAA

• The Market Squid or Pacific Loligo / Loligo opalescensis a fast growing species with a relatively short life span.  Approximately 12-14 months.

• Range:   Southern tip of Baja California to southeastern Alaska. Most abundant between Punta Eugenia, Baja California and Monterey Bay, California.

• Food:   As juveniles, squid feed on copepods (small crustaceans). As they grow, they feed on krill and other small crustaceans, small fish, and other squid.

• Maximum size:  Approximately 12" including arms

• Reproduction:   Market squid are terminal spawners – they spawn and then die. Spawning squid concentrate in dense schools near spawning grounds. As seen in the picture above by Michael Zeigler.

• Spawning Season:   Year-round. In southern California, spawning usually begins during fall-spring. Off central California, spawning normally begins in the spring-fall. Off Oregon, spawning has been observed from May to July. Off Washington and Canada, spawning normally begins in late summer.

• Spawning Grounds:   Spawning occurs over a wide depth range. Known spawning areas include shallow, semi-protected nearshore areas with sandy or mud bottoms adjacent to submarine canyons where fishing occurs. Specific habitat requirements for spawning are not well understood.

• Regulation:  The California Department of Fish and Game (CDFG) actively manages the market squid fishery consistent with federal fishery management guidelines through a seasonal catch limit, time and seasonal closures, and a permit system. The CDFG and NOAA Fisheries Service also cooperatively monitor and conduct research on the species and fishery.

• In the last decade, increases in catch and price have combined to make market squid the most valuable fishery in California.

Commercial Squid Fishing

On a recent night dive in Laguna Beach California, I observed many large fishing vessels approximately 200-300 yards off shore.  There was a vessel anchored off almost every street from Main Beach south to Pearl Street.  The vessels use very bright lights to attract the squid and purse seines to harvest squid. Scoop nets are also used in the southern California fishery.

Roger Uzun recently took this awesome video titled "Night of the Cephs," illustrating the squid run and other marine life that benefits from it.

Catalina west end

Mike Bartick, staff writer for Underwater Photography Guide, recently observed the market squid at Catalina Island.

"The day we experienced the squid run on the west end of Catalina was nothing short of incredible. The fields of egg baskets were endless and vast. Densely packed mounds of white cigar-shaped tubes filled with eggs. The squids were everywhere and at times there were so many of them that it was hard to see the back of my camera. After discussing a few shots, my friend Terry decided to model for me.

Having experienced partial or mini squid runs over the years has always been exciting, and diving in December is always punctuated by the opportunity. La Jolla Shores, Vets Park and a few other places on the mainland are pretty predictable for runs, and once they begin it's important to get out there and experience it right away.

Bat rays, lobster, and crabs can be seen wandering aimlessly gorged by the sudden windfall of available food. The squid are everywhere, dying and being consumed while others mate and lay the eggs, the pace is frantic and near fever pitch.

I have never had the experience of seeing the squid in and around the kelp like this before. Normally they tend to be out over the sand flats but I was lucky enough to have the kelp in the background.

I feel fortunate and lucky to see such an abundance of life and to witness the incredible lifecycle of the squid run. I think 2012 will go into the books as one of the great squid run years."

 

A bat ray cruises over the masses of squid eggs and dead squid at Catalina's west end. Nikon D300, Tokina 10-17mm FE lens, and two YS250 pro strobes. Photo by Mike Bartick

Mike's model, Terry, and a pair of mating squid. Nikon D300, Tokina 10-17mm FE lens, and two YS250 pro strobes. Photo by Mike Bartick

More mating squid at Catalina's west end. "I have never had the experience of seeing the squid in and around the kelp like this before. Normally they tend to be out over the sand flats but I was lucky enough to have the kelp in the background." Nikon D300, Tokina 10-17mm FE lens, and two YS250 pro strobes. Photo by Mike Bartick.

Further reading

• California Marine Life

• Marine Life Behavior

• Shooting wide-angle at night

• Questions or comments? Post in our forums

Support the Underwater Photography Guide

Please support the Underwater Photography Guide by purchasing your underwater photography gear through our sister site, Bluewater Photo & Video. Click, or call them at (310) 633-5052 for expert advice!

LAUPS 2011 International Underwater Photo Competition

Winners announced, stunning octopus shot gets best of show

By Scott Gietler

The 49th annual LAUPS international underwater photo & video competition produced some stunning winners. Congratulations to all the winners! The competition was limited to non-professional underwater photographers, except for the open category. Judging the competition was Erin Quigley, Jason Bradley, and Chris Gug.
 

Best of Show, Octopus over/under shot, "View from the Gulf"

Open Category winner, "Sargassum"

First place Wide-angle, False killer whales & dolphin

First place macro, Lionfish

First place behavior, "Hungry worm". Editors note - a fire worm on top appears to be grabbing the starfish

First place coldwater, "Sunstar"

First place photo essay, "Doublet"

BEST OF SHOW

Pasquale Vassallo
Napoli, Italy
"View from the Gulf"

OPEN

Keri Wilk
Mississauga, Ontario, CANADA
"Sargassum"

Category - WIDE-ANGLE

1st Place: Clark Miller
"False Killer Whales & Dolphin"
2nd Place: Eduardo Acevedo
"Sky Lion"
3rd Place: Francis Perez
"Odontaspis Ferox"

4th Place: Francis Perez
"Castle of Basalt"
5th Place: Allison Vitsky
"Anemone"
Honorable Mention: David Antoja
"Jellyfish"

Category - MACRO

1st Place: Phil Sokol
"Lionfish"
2nd Place: Rand McMeins
"Sea Pen with a Flea"
3rd Place: Domenico Roscigno
"In the Shade"

4th Place: Denis Palbiani
"Magic"
5th Place: Tony Cherbas
"Quicksilver"
Honorable Mention: Maxim Tomashevich
"From The Darkness"

Honorable Mention: Eduardo Acevedo
"Visitor"
   

Category - BEHAVIOR

1st Place: Borut Furlan
"Hungry Worm"
2nd Place: Denis Palbiani
"Cleaning"
3rd Place: Tony Frank
"Two Nudis with Eggs"

4th Place: Borut Furlan
"Big Meal"
5th Place: Uwe Schmolke
"Dental Service"
 
Honorable Mention: Denis Palbiani
"Large Vacuum"
Honorable Mention: Denis Palbiani
"Collectors"
 

Category - COLD WATER

5th Place: Luc Rooman
"Lumpsucker with Eggs"

Category - PHOTO ESSAY

1st Place: Francis Perez
"Doublet"
2nd Place: Jose Alejandro Alvarez
"Sperm Whale Encounters"

3rd Place: Tony Cherbas
"Partners in Crime"
Honorable Mention: Jeremy Kozman
"Scenes from the Solomon Islands"

VIDEO OPEN

1st Place: Nannette Van Antwerp
"Pacific Drifters"
2nd Place: Walter Marti
"Ocean Worms"

3rd Place: Anastasia Laity
"The Philippines: Beauties & Beasts"
4th Place: Walter Marti
"The Removal"

VIDEO RAW FOOTAGE

1st Place: Kenneth Ward
"Octopus Catches a Fish"
2nd Place: Matthew Berry
"Snake Eel Spinning"
3rd Place: Anastasia Laity
"Guadalupe Fur Sea Chasing Great White"

4th Place: Walter Marti
"Cuttlefish"
Honorable Mention: Xavier Michalet
"Torpedo Ray"
  

Complete set of winning photos & videos can be seen here.

Keep an eye on the Underwater Photography Guide website! The Ocean Art 2011 winners will be announced very very soon. Here are last year's winners.

Nikon Releases New Firmware Updates

Updates for Nikon D5100 (v1.01) and D7000 (v1.03)

By Michael Zeigler

As first reported by nikonrumors.com, Nikon released new firmware updates today for their D5100 and D7000 dSLRs.  I have read some Flickr threads that confirm that Nikon Europe sent emails to registered users, informing them of the available firmware updates.  At least one D7000 user reported that their camera settings remained the same after the update.

Fixes for the D7000 include (download link):

• An error recognizing some memory cards has been addressed.

• The following issues occurred when the mode dial was rotated from U1 or U2 to another shooting mode or from another shooting mode to U1 or U2 when the power was off or when the exposure meters are off (Auto meter-off). These issues were resolved.

- A new folder is sometimes created despite the fact that the current folder does not yet contain 999 files and none of the files are numbered “9999."

- The number of remaining exposures may not be displayed as specified in the settings.

- The setting for Role played by card in Slot 2 may change between Overflow, Backup, and RAW Slot 1- JPEG Slot 2.

• An issue where Battery info in the setup menu sometimes showed sufficient remaining charge even when the remaining charge for the AA batteries inserted in the MB-D11 battery pack was low has been resolved.

•  An issue where a saved photo may not have been displayed properly when a movie was displayed in playback mode while saving the photo has been resolved.

• An issue where zoom in or zoom out may not have performed properly when the playback zoom in or playback zoom out button was pressed while in Live view has been resolved.

• The message displayed when the internal memory of the Wireless Transmitter WT-4 is formatted from the Format transmitter’s memory under Device settings in Wireless transmitter of the camera’s setup menu was changed from Done to Built-in memory formatted.

Fixes for the D5100 include (download link):

• An error recognizing some memory cards has been addressed.

• When Selective color from the retouch menu is performed on a picture taken with the image quality set to NEF (RAW)+JPEG and an image size of M or S, the edges of the image may not have changed color. This issue has been resolved.

• When Metering was set to Matrix metering, the exposure mode set to M (Manual), and the HDR exposure differential set to Auto, the exposure differential was fixed at a value equivalent to 2 EV. This has been changed to enable automatic adjustment of exposure differential so that it is appropriate for the scene.

Support the Underwater Photography Guide

Please support the Underwater Photography Guide by purchasing your underwater photography gear through our sister site, Bluewater Photo & Video. Click, or call them at (310) 633-5052 for expert advice!