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  • Hey all, just changed over the backend after 15 years I figured time to give it a bit of an update, its probably gonna be a bit weird for most of you and i am sure there is a few bugs to work out but it should kinda work the same as before... hopefully :)

Underwater Bubble Blowin' Users Group

I heard you laughing all the way from Mexico on that one. I'd bet that RED is going to exceed all our expectations in the undersea world and that the shooting and work flow will be way cool!

I'm looking at an intel 17" macbook pro as my field unit and possibly the AJA IO HD http://www.aja.com/html/products_Io_IoHD.html for my IO box to manage, review and archive to redundant digital drives from the 64 GB CF cards next year.

How cool is that? 64 GB CF cards recording 4K redcode RAW in an Aquavideo housing with one of Mike's custom power packs. Talk about small.

Now let's just hope there's no El Nino next year.

BTW - thanks for remembering the ice cold cokes - you know how I operate so knock 5 bucks off the DVD. If you pre-order knock off another 5 bucks.
 
Do you take paypal?

Do you take paypal?

sharkguy said:
Johnny, you can simply buy the How To Shoot Underwater Red Digital Cinema (URDC) DVD, available in blu-ray only, for $49.95 when I release it the week after shooting in Mexico with you.
Click to expand...

Do you take paypal?


BajaProductions said:
Now that's a good one. By the way...did you do a market study? I am betting on at least 9 sales the first quarter...
Click to expand...

Don't tell him that - he'll raise the price...:clown2:
 
CamDiver said:
Hey you guys, break a leg as they say. Sure you're gonna be getting some good stuff in the coming weeks. All the best with the shoot.

Best,
Mark.
Click to expand...

Hey Mark, you're passing this way then on your way from Palau to the UK and probably changing planes in LA why don't you think about joining us. It's a short flight to Johnny in the Baja from LA. Just asking?
 
Wish I could mate. I'm going through Manila, Dubai. Shorter and cheaper. Land in the UK, dump stuff then off to Sicilly for a week to meet some friends, then on to DC for a meeting. Whats the schedule? How long will you be in Baja? I will be in DC for a couple of days as of the 13th. I may be able to look at some time after that depending on my immediate timetable, I'd also like to think I could get back down to southern France for this years Antibes Festival to support on my latest, plus all the networking etc. All still up in the air.

Cheers,
Mark.
 
C'mon....just a tidbit!

C'mon....just a tidbit!

Hey Guys,
How's it all going with 'things'?.......anything worth sharing, like tests from your aquariums :w00t: hope all is good.

Cheers,
Mark.
 
Ya,

Gibby and I arm wrestled over dunking #8 today - he won. That old adage about treachery and old age beats out youth and enthusiasm every time is really true :-)

It'sa comin'
 
Kudos to both of you,
OK, I'm off to play with my Z1 for a while. Hey, I'm diving with Chuck Nicklin tomorrow! He's out here with a crowd at the mo. Mary Lynn Price too, the founder of divefilm.com

All a good bunch of people. Divers all.

Best, and keep up the good work.
Mark.
 
Macro Applications

Macro Applications

Hey Guys,
Posted over on the Lens thread but no response. Well I guess I've decided to go for a real underwater niche market and specialize my shoots towards the arna of Macro and Super Macro. I dunno, there's just something a bit sexy about nailing the shot of a Slugs eyebrow or the light reflection in a Sea Horse's eye. That said I'm wondering what people would suggest for a very good quality piece of glass with telephoto ability.

I'm obviously not wanting to look at using diopters in conjunction with any lenses. Target species would be from Frogfish size down to Pygmy Sea Horse portraiture shots (yes, of the head). Working for stock in 4K.

Any ideas.

Cheers,
Mark.
P.S Looking forward to news of the tests Mike, Ken and Gibby.
 
Something cool is in the air - can you smell it?
Mysteriums working underwater you say? No, 4K images from the sea. Say it ain't so.

Hmmm...
 
Updates soon and Macro start thinking about Canon

Updates soon and Macro start thinking about Canon

Russ Campbell said:
Definitely sounds like fish feature films in the near future:shifty: Mark, how about using something like the Nikon 105mm VR macro with achromatic diopters for some real cu's.
Click to expand...

Ken Corben and I will have some interesting updates later in the week.

One thing I can throw out there is that I think you are going to want to take a serious look at Canon glass.

The macro versions of Canon are below (prices taken from B&H website):

EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro USM Price $ 469.95
EF 180mm f/3.5L Macro USM Canon Price: $1239

Mark: since it seems you have been doing a lot of macro with your Z1 and most of my macro (limited amounts) in the past few years has been with bigass broadcast rigs, I was wondering what kind of distances you are normally working at i.e. 5-6"?, 1-2 ft?

The canon 100 shows at 5.9" distance at 1:1 magnification.
The 180 shows about 18" for 1:1

Diopters or extensions would give closer focus/greater magnification. (I found a set of 3 Kenko 12mm, 20mm, and 36mm extensions on ebay for US $107 - I will check my Kenko source/ Canon makes their own also a $12mm for about $80 and a 25mm for about $129) These also might allow use of the 70-200 IS zoom (which will be part of my standard kit) as a macro lens (but no infinity focus) and allow stabilization. Extensions wouldn't affect the quality of the glass like diopters will, although achromats are very good. We will probably compare these for dome port focus compensation as well.


http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/controller?act=ModelInfoAct&fcategoryid=155&modelid=7400
Inner focusing affords a long working distance of 5.9in. (149mm) at 1x.

http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/c...lTechSpecsTabAct&fcategoryid=155&modelid=7324
 
Macro stuff

Macro stuff

Hi Guys,
Russ Campbell wrote: Mark, how about using something like the Nikon 105mm VR macro with achromatic diopters for some real cu's.
Click to expand...
Hi Russ,
I'd prefer to not have to use Achromatic Diopters with RED. I believe given the right glass, that there's no need to put yet another layer of glass in front of the lens. I guess time will tell if I can find such a lens. I'm talking the ability to get Coral Polyps full frame during spawning etc.
AquaVideoRed206 wrote: I was wondering what kind of distances you are normally working at i.e. 5-6"?, 1-2 ft?
Click to expand...
Hi Mike,
Depends on my setup. If I went with the +2 I could go on a regular dive, able to film White Tips for example but then at full telephoto be able to pick out the pits in its snout. If concentrating on a Nudibranch with that one I could be about 2 ft away and get good results on profiles etc. With the +3.5 I couldn't film anything other than macro critters. I could be about 1.5ft away at full telephoto range and get nice head shots on Goby's etc.

At times, especially in Lembeh Straits I would stack the +3.5 with the +2 and go for the sick stuff. I could get individual head shots on cleaner shrimp etc. I could also get tighter, all from a foot away, to get shots close of developing embryo inside Flamboyant Cuttlefish Eggs etc. I told you it was sick!

Seeing as I want to continue being able to film this kind of content, and push those boundaries further still (imagine birthing Pygmy Sea Horses)? I'll be looking for the right glass for that. I've heard nothing but glowing reports from everyone who has had hands on experience with your products. I will definitely be looking into that, and the lenses mentioned. I'm sure we'll find common ground. In the mean time keep up the good work.

I may be a bit lax in contact at the mo but in the last throes of my move from Palau, back to the real World......see how big that bump really is eh?

Cheers,
Mark.
 
It would seem a good idea to stick with one manufacturer for lenses since the Birger Canon mount seems like a brilliant solution for us underwater shooters. In other words, Canon 10-22mm for wide work and the Canon 100mm for macro/CU.

This type of continuity will save heart ache in the field for optical port change outs on our housings.
 
Exactly Ken,
I'm gonna be buying a new DSLR on my return to Europe so looking for something where glass can be shared with RED, saves cash all around. I'll admit its a daunting step for me. One I embrace but nonetheless still getting my head around it all.

Cheers,
Mark.
 
New Avatar shot with Nikon 10.5mm Fisheye. Should we expect the same kinda potential from the Canon? Photographed by Mike Veitch.

Mike is one of the collaborators on my website. Great guy, Canadian (for his sins) but hopefully will accompany me sometime in the future for photographic support / behind the scenes photo calls etc.

Cheers,
Mark.
 
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