New Light & Motion Housing "Future Proof" January 25, 2008 – There’s something new from Light and Motion, and it’s going to change the way you look at videography. It’s a high-definition (HD) video housing compatible with no fewer than 10 different Sony HD camcorders. How’s that work, you ask? With the simple change of a camera tray.
The new Stingray HD has a 3.5-inch angled high-res LCD monitor back as standard kit and the same electronic, non-penetrating controls – that help eliminate the risk of housing leaks – on which Light & Motion has based its reputation and become so famous. You want a video housing that is “future proof”? Look no further than the simple to use Light & Motion Stingray – perhaps the first and last video housing you’ll ever need to buy. For more information please contact Singapore’s Light & Motion dealer, Scubacam, info@Scubcam.com.sg
Olympus Launches Seven New Digital Cameras January 23, 2008 – Today Olympus launched seven new digital cameras, with something for just about anyone.
Of particular interest to snorkellers or divers are two models: the Mju 1030SW – waterproof to 10m without the need for a housing – and the Mju 850SW, waterproof to three metres.
Mju 1030SW
Improved shockproof ability to two metres, waterproof to 10m, freeze proof up to -10°C, crushproof up to 100 kg.
3.6X optical zoom with 28 mm wide-angle view, 10.0 MP image quality.
Mju 850SW
Shockproof to 1.5m, waterproof to three metres, freeze proof up to -10°C
Bright, casual, and stylish with some wild new body colours.
Mju 1010
Slim and small digital compact camera with 7x optical zoom.
10.1 MP for big, clear photos.
Mju 840
Slim and small digital compact camera with 5x optical zoom.
8 MP for big, clear photos.
FE 320
Slim and ultra-lightweight body, smile shot automatic face and smile detection.
IrSimple infrared data transfer to TVs, cell phones, printers, and more.
FE 310
8 MP for big, clear shots, 5x optical zoom to bring you closer.
SP 570UZ
The world’s 1st digital compact camera with 20x optical zoom.
CCD-shift and high ISO blur reduction systems, 10 MP and SLR-class shooting functions.
For more information, including specs on these seven models or Olympus’ entire line of high-end cameras, visit Olympus.com.sg
Rare Find at Mataking January 22, 2008 – PADI Divemaster Eugene Philip from Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia, recently discovered an amazing find. This rare pygmy seahorse was found clinging to a hydroid 17m deep at The Reef Dive Resort jetty in Mataking Island, southeast Sabah.
Originally discovered a few years ago in Indonesia by a local divemaster, the Pontoh seahorse has been unofficially named after him. Very little is known about this little critter, except that it grows to a maximum length of one centimetre and is extremely hard to find. It is so tiny and extremely well camouflaged that unless someone points it out you’d think it was part of the hydroid.
Sabah, and Mataking Island in particular, has quickly become a favourite dive destination for underwater photographers and critter hunters. The diverse marine life is the main attraction and invites underwater photographers from around the world. – By Adrian van Dooren
Nikon D300 vs. Sunbursts and Sailfish January 21, 2008 – Renowned digital underwater photographer Berkley White of Backscatter (USA) has reviewed the Nikon D300 and new Sea & Sea MDX-300 underwater housing, in a series of dives that put the camera and housing to the ultimate test.
Special Screening Wows Audiences January 16, 2008 – More than 250 people turned up at Singapore’s Lido cinema 3 on Orchard Road early Saturday morning (January 12) for a special screening of the movie Sharkwater. Organised by Scuba Diver AustralAsia magazine exclusively for members of the PADI Diving Society, the event was co-sponsored by the Shaw Organisation, with prize giveaways from Singapore Underwater World, Air Seychelles, and Sea-Doo Seascooter.
The movie charts a four-year journey by photographer Rob Stewart and his struggles to document the destruction of the world’s greatest predator: sharks. From the far reaches of Cocos Island and Galapagos, Stewart tells a woeful tale of greed and corruption, as sharks in once-protected strongholds are long-lined to the brink of extinction. Moviegoers were shocked at the stark visuals and compelling story; most everyone left the theatre with tears in their eyes.
Everyone but the winners of the lucky draws, that is. Karen Teo and Sim Sheh Heng Eugene each won a dive with the sharks at the Singapore Underwater World (worth SGD$95), Jainal Jailani won a Sea-Doo Seascooter (worth US$799), and Grace Goh (at left) won the grand prize of two tickets to the Seychelles (worth US$2,000).
Keep an eye out for more special screenings across Asia Pacific as Sharkwater makes its way into more theatres. Also look out in future issues for more articles about the movie and its writer/director/actor, Scuba Diver AustralAsia contributor Rob Stewart.
DEEP Scubex a Hit January 16, 2008 -- Following the success of DEEP Indonesia 2007 – the first international diving, adventure travel and water sports exhibition in Indonesia – PT Exhibition Network Indonesia (X-Net) recently organised another event with a different concept, in an effort to promote diving to Jakartans.
The event, named SCUBEX, was recently held at Supermall Karawaci in Jakarta. Supporting this event, X-Net also organised MURI (Museum Rekor Dunia Indonesia), Indonesia’s most recognised certification award for record achievement. The record? “The Longest Diving Time Using a Scuba Tank.” The four-day MURI event was the first ever held at a shopping mall in Jakarta, and showcased a 2.5m x 2.5m x 6m aquarium in which 45 divers eagerly participated. The winner was a student from STP (Sekolah Tinggi Perikanan) with a record of five hours, 11 minutes 48 seconds.
Dharmawan Sutanto, president director of X-Net, said that diving is an activity that can help protect the underwater environment. Coral reef degradation in diving areas is relatively lower than in nondiving areas. As initiator and organiser of this event, X-Net and Supermall Karawaci were also awarded the Certificate of Appreciation by Jaya Suprana, chairman and founder of MURI.
The objective of this event is to promote diving to Jakartans and to eliminate the common myth that diving is an expensive hobby. Compared to other ASEAN countries, the number of divers in Indonesia is relatively low. Geographically Indonesia is in the centre of the world’s coral triangle; with a rich biodiversity of marine life, it is one of the most sought after diving destinations in the world.
Also held in conjunction with the four-day event was an exhibition, film festival featuring underwater documentary films, underwater photo exhibition, and children’s painting contest with the theme “Love Ocean, Love Life.” Fore more information on the upcoming DEEP Indonesia show, visit deepindonesia.com
The Art of Water January 15, 2008 – What do a dive business pioneer, the president of PADI, an award-winning environmentalist, a world-famous marine artist, and one of the world's leading underwater photographers have in common? They will all be recognised by the prestigious International Scuba Diving Hall of Fame at the seventh annual induction ceremony and dinner on 17 January 2008 in Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands.
Robert “Bob” Halstead, Dr. Drew Richardson, Daniel Mercier, Ron Steven, and Cathy Church will be honoured for their outstanding contributions to the sport of scuba diving at the induction ceremony and dinner, hosted by the Honorable Charles E. Clifford, Cayman Islands Minister of Tourism, at the Grand Cayman Marriott Beach Resort.
“Coming from diverse backgrounds and fields, all five inductees possess a track record of offerings to the development, growth and/or promotion of the sport of recreational scuba diving around the world,” said the minister. “The honour bestowed upon them commemorates the achievements and contributions of the champions of diving.”
Known to the art world simply as “Rogest,” Ron Steven's “dotillist” method of painting is one of the most recognisable styles in marine art today. But the real essence of this businessman-turned-diver/artist is how he uses his art to communicate marine conservation messages to ocean aficionados of all ages. A natural educator and former dive instructor, Ron's favourite activity is working with the most influential group of people that there is when it comes to our ocean's futures: children. For more information on Rogest’s painting and other gift ideas visit rogest.com
For more information on the International Scuba Diving Hall of Fame and the other 2008 inductees, visit scubadivinghalloffame.com
Scuba Diver AustralAsia Increases to Eight Issues Per Year January 14, 2008 – Scuba Diver AustralAsia publisher John Thet today announced the magazine will increase from six to eight issues per year, starting with the first issue in 2009. “It’s a long time coming,” said Thet. “Our readers have been asking for more issues for years now. And now we’re giving it to them.”
Previously a bi-monthly, Scuba Diver AustralAsia will be published every 45 days, with the first issue out mid-February, and the last issue to hit the shelves at the end of December.
“Same great stories, same great photos, just more of everything,” said Thet.
Manta Mania in Yap January 10, 2008 – Manta Ray Bay Hotel and Yap Divers are proud to host Manta Mania, from 24–31 May 2008 – a week of combined science, underwater photography, and fun with Dr. Andrea Marshall and photographer Tim Rock.
The founder of the Mozambique Manta Research Project, Andrea is doing grounbreaking work in the area of manta study and marine science. Tim is a Lonely Planet author and Micronesia-based photojournalist as well as expert manta shooter who has dived these reefs for years.
The pair will be on the dive boats daily along with “Manta Man” Bill Acker. The week will include a number of manta dives as well as reefs and walls. Evenings will feature captivating film shows and seminars by Dr. Marshall and Rock about mantas and diving in Yap and throughout the world.
Manta Mania participants will do more than dive though; they will learn about identifying manta rays and kick-start the Yap Manta Ray ID programme. Participants' photographs and observations will be used as part of a global comparative study on manta rays.
Ask for Code TR01 and get the 7N/10 dive packages starting from
US$1,229/person. For more details contact the Manta Ray General
Manager gm@mantaray.com
Special Screening of Sharkwater for PDS Members January 2, 2008 – Scuba Diver AustralAsia and the PADI Diving Society are starting the New Year right by giving its Society members fabulous gifts. For PADI Diving Society members only, we’re giving away 80 pairs of tickets to an exclusive special screening of Sharkwater the movie. Here’s your chance to see the film that’s swept the world, in Singapore, before anyone else.
The first 80 PADI Diving Society members to RSVP to Sheila Devi, sheila@scubadiveraa.com, will receive a pair of tickets to watch Sharkwater and one official Sharkwater movie T-Shirt (worth US$25)*.
Plus, those lucky enough to get the free pair of tickets will receive a goodie bag full of exciting prizes (including the official movie poster) on the day of the event, and stand a chance to win a Sea-Doo Seascooter (worth US$799) and two air tickets to the Seychelles via Air Seychelles (worth US$2,000) in a lucky draw to be completed after the movie!
Date: Saturday, 12 January 2008 Venue: Lido Hall 3, Lido Cineplex, 350 Orchard Road, Shaw House, Singapore Show Time: 10:30 am Seating Arrangement: Free seating How: PADI Diving Society members must RSVP to Sheila Devi at sheila@scubadiveraa.com with your name and, if possible, PDS membership number. The first 80 members to email will receive a notification on where to collect your free pair of tickets and T-shirt.
We look forward to seeing you there. And for those who cannot make it to Singapore on the 12th, keep your eyes peeled for a Sharkwater event in your city soon!
