2009
Key events
The Canon 5D Mark II housing race defined the year, with six or more manufacturers releasing housings. Inon America collapsed after Japanese manufacturers began direct sales to the US market; the former staff founded Watershot Inc. The “ViDSLR” concept emerged with the Panasonic GH1 and Canon 5D Mark II firmware update enabling manual video controls. Google launched Ocean in Google Earth. Nauticam announced its first production housings and entered the US market. Canon released the EOS 7D and 1D Mark IV, both with 1080p video. Alex Mustard launched his influential “A Conversation With…” interview series on Wetpixel. The Cove documentary about Taiji’s dolphin slaughter made waves. Howard Hall reviewed the Gates DEEP RED housing. Wetpixel Quarterly published issues 5, 6, and 7. Eric Cheng visited NASA’s Neutral Buoyancy Lab. Two community figures — Sascha Dambach and Steve Drogin — passed away. Indonesia created the 3.5 million hectare Savu Seas Marine National Park.
January
- 2009-01-07: Wetpixel Quarterly issue 5 ships, featuring Clark Little surf photography. Founded 2007 by Eric Cheng and Elijah Woolery. ([1])
- 2009-01-14: Alex Mustard begins monthly PhotoPro column in DIVE Magazine (UK). ([2])
- 2009-01-19: Inon America suspends operations after Japanese manufacturers begin selling directly to US market. Major disruption to US strobe supply chain. ([3])
- 2009-01-30: Daniel Brown’s “Dome Port Diaries” concludes with Chapter 8 — wrapping up the 8-part newcomer’s journey into UW photography. ([4])
February
- 2009-02-04: Google launches “Ocean in Google Earth” 5.0 at California Academy of Sciences — Sylvia Earle drove the project. ([5])
- 2009-02-06: Gates previews RED One underwater housing. Watershot Inc. (founded by former Inon America staff) releases WDS-450D housing. ([6])
- 2009-02-12: Aquatica announces housing for Canon 5D Mark II — the 5D Mark II becomes the dominant gear topic of the year. ([7])
- 2009-02-13: Wetpixel welcomes new moderators: Darren Jew, Ryan Pedlow, Giles Shaxted, Ellen Quale. ([8])
- 2009-02-19: Sea & Sea announces MDX-D700 and MDX-5D MKII housings. ([9])
- 2009-02-22: Our World Underwater 2009 in Chicago — Justin Gilligan wins Best of Show with Portuguese Man O’ War split-shot. ([10])
March
- 2009-03-03: Seacam 5D Mark II housing first look by Stephen Frink. ([11])
- 2009-03-04: Backscatter publishes comprehensive “Best Underwater Point & Shoot Cameras for 2009” guide, testing cameras from Olympus, Sea & Sea, Canon, Nikon, and Sony at price ranges from $250 to $2,800. ([12])
- 2009-03-07: Wetpixel Ultimate Indonesia Expedition begins — two trips aboard Seven Seas liveaboard; Eric Cheng, Matt Segal, Cor Bosman, Craig Jones participate. ([13])
- 2009-03-16: Beneath the Sea 2009 contest winners announced. ([14])
April
- 2009-04-14: Sascha Dambach of Kararu Dive Voyages dies in motorcycle accident in Indonesia. ([15])
- 2009-04-14: Steve Drogin, underwater adventurer, philanthropist, and DeepSee submarine owner, dies of heart attack in India. ([16])
- 2009-04-25: SDUPS 40th Annual Film Festival; Leandro Blanco wins with “Voices We Shall Never Hear.” ([17])
May
- 2009-05-08: Eric Cheng featured in Digital Photo Pro magazine. ([18])
- 2009-05-12: Zillion releases Canon 5D Mark II housing (ABS plastic, ¥280,000). ([19])
- 2009-05-13: First known underwater video shot with Canon 5D Mark II — by Fergus Kennedy in Egyptian Red Sea using Ikelite housing and Magic Filter. ([20])
- 2009-05-13: Mark Thorpe and John Friday publish comprehensive underwater housing appraisal comparing three RED One housings (AquaVideo, Gates, and SL Cine/Element Technica) during Mastigias jellyfish documentation in Palau. ([21])
- 2009-05-16: Indonesia announces the 3.5 million hectare Savu Seas Marine National Park — the largest marine reserve in Southeast Asia, situated on a major migration route for 14 whale species including the rare blue whale. ([22])
- 2009-05-21: Panasonic releases DMC-GH1 with full manual HD video controls — the “ViDSLR” concept gains traction. Drew Wong. ([23])
- 2009-05-27: Canon releases 5D Mark II firmware update adding manual exposure controls for video — addresses the camera’s biggest criticism. ([24])
June
- 2009-05-31/06-05: Espen Rekdal (Norway) wins 12th CMAS Underwater Photography World Championship at Jeju Island, South Korea. ([25])
- 2009-06-05: Eric Cheng returns from Bahamas sharks and dolphins trip, photographing Emma, “probably the world’s most photographed tiger shark.” ([26])
- 2009-06-12: Eric Cheng, Marty Snyderman, and Barry Guimbellot launch MarineLife Keyword List for Lightroom/Aperture — 12,000+ species for metadata workflow. ([27])
- 2009-06-14: 8th Annual Digital Shootout in Bonaire. ([28])
- 2009-06-27: Wetpixel Quarterly issue 6 ships — features Stephen Wong, Takako Uno, Ray Troll, Alaska/Vancouver Island. ([29])
July
- 2009-07-01: DivePhotoGuide launches “Digital Nikonos” industry design challenge. ([30])
- 2009-07-24: Eric Cheng visits NASA’s Neutral Buoyancy Lab in Houston for a behind-the-scenes tour, seeing full-size mockups of the ISS and Space Shuttle in the 6.2-million-gallon pool. ([31])
- 2009-07-24: Howard Hall reviews the Gates DEEP RED underwater housing after two weeks in Southeast Alaska — he co-designed the housing’s specifications with John Ellerbrock. ([32])
- 2009-07-30: Nikon announces D300s (adds 720p video and dual card slots to D300 body) and D3000. Back layout changes mean D300s won’t fit existing D300 housings without modification. ([33])
August
- 2009-08-09: Backscatter publishes comprehensive Canon 5D Mark II underwater video review — comparing it to professional/prosumer video cameras with sections on housings, color correction filters, and scooter mounting. ([34])
- 2009-08-14: The Cove documentary about Taiji’s annual dolphin slaughter opens widely in theaters; Eric Cheng reviews it and it goes on to earn over a dozen film festival awards. ([35])
- 2009-08-19: Canon releases PowerShot G11 — drops megapixels from G10 to improve image quality, a move widely applauded by the community. Features RAW mode, 28mm wide-angle, and articulating LCD. ([36])
September
- 2009-09-01: Canon announces EOS 7D — 18MP APS-C with 1080p video and manual controls. Housing race begins for Canon’s new flagship crop-sensor camera. ([37])
October
- 2009-10-03: Alex Mustard launches “A Conversation With…” interview series on Wetpixel — in-depth, face-to-face discussions with underwater photographers. First installment features Todd Mintz and Rand McMeins in British Columbia. ([38])
- 2009-10-20: Canon announces 1D Mark IV — 16MP, 10 fps, 1080p video. Body appears identical to Mark III, good news for housing compatibility. Priced at $4,999. ([39])
- 2009-10-22: BBC Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2009 — Michel Loup wins Underwater World with pike reflection image. Other UW winners include Paul Nicklen, Doug Perrine. ([40])
- 2009-10-28: Nauticam announces first production housings — for Nikon D90 and D300/D300s — and availability in North America. Edward Lai’s company, with 20+ years in precision mold manufacturing, officially enters the underwater housing market. ([41])
November
- 2009-11-02: Wetpixel Quarterly issue 7 ships — features Douglas Seifert portfolio, OWU 2009 and DEEP 2009 winners, and Sea Shepherd’s Operation Musashi anti-whaling campaign. ([42])
- 2009-11-03: Alex Mustard publishes “A Conversation With Martin Edge” — in-depth interview exploring Martin Edge’s 30+ year journey from a policeman in landlocked Staffordshire to the most influential UW photography educator, as his 4th edition of The Underwater Photographer nears release. ([43])
- 2009-11-05: DEMA Show 2009 in Orlando:
- Nauticam shows first complete housings at DEMA booth #767. ([44])
- Ikelite announces DS161 Movie Substrobe — the first strobe designed for DSLR video convergence, featuring three high-power LEDs outputting 500 lumens at 5000-5500K alongside flash capability. $950. ([45])
- Canon 7D housings previewed by multiple manufacturers. ([46])
- Wetpixel/DivePhotoGuide cocktail party. ([47])
- 2009-11-20: 36th Festival Mondial de l’Image Sous-Marine 2009 winners announced. ([48])
- 2009-11-26: Aquatica announces Canon 7D housing — machined on new 5-axis machining center for reduced weight, with optical fiber and Nikonos/Ikelite bulkhead connectors. ([49])
December
- 2009-12-09: David and Debi Henshaw publish Nauticam D90 field review — first independent hands-on review of a Nauticam housing. Edward Lai sent them a pre-production unit for testing in the Philippines. ([50])
- 2009-12-14: Alex Mustard publishes “A Conversation With Espen Rekdal” — deep technical discussion on lighting quality, strobes, and supermacro technique with the CMAS World Champion. ([51])
- 2009-12-17: Wetpixel member Fergus Kennedy appears in Canon 7D advertisement. ([52])
- 2009-12-28: Wetpixel Photo Faves 2009 — community showcases best images of the year. ([53])
References
Sources
- Wetpixel article, Jan 7, 2009: Wetpixel Quarterly Ships Issue 5 ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jan 14, 2009: Alex Mustard Writes Photopro Column ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jan 19, 2009: Inon America Announces Business Operations Suspended ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jan 30, 2009: Dome Port Diaries Chapter 8 ↩
- Wetpixel article, Feb 4, 2009: Google Launches Ocean In Google Earth 50 ↩
- Wetpixel article, Feb 6, 2009: Sneak Preview Of Gates Underwater Video Housing For Red ↩
- Wetpixel article, Feb 12, 2009: Aquatica Underwater Housings For Canon 5d Mark Ii And Nikon D90 ↩
- Wetpixel article, Feb 13, 2009: Please Welcome Our New Moderators ↩
- Wetpixel article, Feb 19, 2009: New Sea Sea Housings Mdx D700 Mdx 5d Mkii ↩
- Wetpixel article, Feb 22, 2009: 2009 Our World Underwater Winners Announced ↩
- Wetpixel article, Mar 3, 2009: Seacam 5d Mark Ii Housing First Look Previewed In Forums ↩
- Wetpixel article, Mar 4, 2009: Best Underwater Point Shoot Cameras For 2009 ↩
- Wetpixel article, Apr 15, 2009: Cor Bosman And Craig Jones Post Ultimate Indonesia Trip Reports ↩
- Wetpixel article, Mar 16, 2009: Beneath The Sea 2009 Contest Winners Announced ↩
- Wetpixel article, Apr 14, 2009: Memorial Service For Sascha Dambach In Indonesia ↩
- Wetpixel article, Apr 23, 2009: Steve Drogin Underwater Adventurer Passes Away On April 14 2009 ↩
- Wetpixel article, Apr 28, 2009: Leandro Blanco Wins Sdups 40th Annual Film Festival ↩
- Wetpixel article, May 8, 2009: Eric Cheng Featured In Digital Photo Pro ↩
- Wetpixel article, May 12, 2009: Zillion Canon 5d Mark Ii Underwater Housing ↩
- Wetpixel article, May 13, 2009: Underwater Video Taken With The Canon 5d Mk Ii ↩
- Wetpixel article, May 13, 2009: Red One Digital Cinema Camera Underwater Housing Appraisal ↩
- Wetpixel article, May 16, 2009: Largest Marine Reserve In Indonesia Announced ↩
- Wetpixel article, May 21, 2009: Panasonic Dmc Gh1 Continues The Vidslr Revolution ↩
- Wetpixel article, May 27, 2009: Canon 5d Mark Ii Gets Manual Exposure Controls In Firmware Update1 ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jun 11, 2009: Espen Rekdal World Champion 2009 ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jun 5, 2009: Cheng Does Bahamas Sharks And Dolphins ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jun 12, 2009: Marinelife Keyword List For Lightroom And Aperture ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jun 14, 2009: The 8th Annual Digital Shootout Begins ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jun 27, 2009: Wetpixel Quarterly Issue 6 Now Available ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jul 1, 2009: Digital Nikonos Industry Design Challenge ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jul 24, 2009: Eric Cheng Visits The Nasa Neutral Buoyancy Labs ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jul 24, 2009: Howard Hall Reviews The Gates Deep Red Underwater Housing ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jul 30, 2009: Nikon Announces D300s And D30002 ↩
- Wetpixel article, Aug 9, 2009: Canon 5d Mark Ii Underwater Video Review ↩
- Wetpixel article, Aug 14, 2009: The Cove Documentary About Taijis Annual Dolphin Slaughter ↩
- Wetpixel article, Aug 19, 2009: Canon Releases Powershot G11 ↩
- Wetpixel article, Sep 1, 2009: Canon Announces Eos 7d ↩
- Wetpixel article, Oct 3, 2009: A Conversation With A New Series Of Articles ↩
- Wetpixel article, Oct 20, 2009: Canon Announces 1d Mark Iv Digital Slr ↩
- Wetpixel article, Oct 22, 2009: Bbc Wildlife Photographer Of The Year Winners For 2009 Announced ↩
- Wetpixel article, Oct 28, 2009: Nauticam Housings Available In The Usa D90 Housing Announced ↩
- Wetpixel article, Nov 2, 2009: Wetpixel Quarterly Issue 7 Ships This Week Available For Order ↩
- Wetpixel article, Nov 3, 2009: A Conversation With Martin Edge ↩
- Wetpixel article, Nov 5, 2009: Dema 2009 Day 1 Coverage ↩
- Wetpixel article, Nov 5, 2009: Ikelite Ds161 Movie Substrobe Announced ↩
- Wetpixel article, Nov 6, 2009: Dema 2009 Day 2 Booth Coverage Insanity ↩
- Wetpixel article, Nov 5, 2009: Dema Wetpixel Divephotoguide Cocktail Night 2009 ↩
- Wetpixel article, Nov 20, 2009: Winners From Festival Mondial De Limage Sous Marine 2009 ↩
- Wetpixel article, Nov 26, 2009: Aquatica Announce 7d Housing ↩
- Wetpixel article, Dec 9, 2009: Nauticam D90 Field Review ↩
- Wetpixel article, Dec 14, 2009: A Conversation With Espen Rekdal ↩
- Wetpixel article, Dec 17, 2009: Wetpixel Member Fergus Kennedy In Canon 7d Advert ↩
- Wetpixel article, Dec 28, 2009: Your Best Underwater Image In 2009 ↩
- raw/articles/2009/ (unknown) ↩