2011
Key events
A year of major leadership transitions: Adam Hanlon was appointed as Wetpixel Editor in May, while Eric Cheng departed to become Director of Photography at light field camera startup Lytro. The Nikon D7000 housing race intensified as Nauticam, Sea & Sea, Aquatica, and Subal all released competing housings. 3D underwater video reached its peak with Gates releasing a beam splitter housing and GoPro launching its 3D HERO system. Ikelite surprised the industry by suspending EVIL/mirrorless camera housing development. A wave of shark fin bans swept through US states, with California’s AB376 being the most significant. Canon announced both the EOS 1D X flagship and the Cinema EOS line, signaling a new era in digital cinema.
January
- 2011-01-09: Laurent Ballesta films live coelacanths in the wild, a remarkable scientific and filmmaking achievement. ([1])
- 2011-01-21: Sea & Sea announces MDX-D7000 housing for Nikon D7000, joining the D7000 housing race. ([2])
- 2011-01-22: Howard Hall posts sperm whale video from Dominica shot with RED camera in Gates housing. ([3])
- 2011-01-27: Gates announces Deep Pulsar/Deep Atom underwater 3D beam splitter housing (DPA) for digital cinema, designed with Howard Hall and Bob Cranston. ([4])
- 2011-01-27: Jim Abernethy bitten by Caribbean reef shark and hospitalized. ([5])
- 2011-01-28: Eric Cheng joins the Shark Savers board of directors. ([6])
February
- 2011-02-01: GoPro launches BacPac detachable LCD screen for HD HERO. ([7])
- 2011-02-03: Subal announces financial reorganization under new management. ([8])
- 2011-02-07: Canon announces EOS 600D (Rebel T3i) and EOS 1100D (Rebel T3). ([9])
- 2011-02-08: Backscatter Bluewater Photo store opens in Santa Monica, CA. ([10])
- 2011-02-16: Keri Wilk publishes review of Nikon D7000 and Aquatica AD7000 housing. ([11])
- 2011-02-16: Japanese whaling fleet suspends Southern Ocean hunt, citing Sea Shepherd interference. ([12])
- 2011-02-22: Our World Underwater 2011 competition results announced; over $75K in prizes. ([13])
March
- 2011-03-11: Magnitude 8.8 earthquake and tsunami hit Northern Japan, devastating coastal communities. ([14])
- 2011-03-15: Beneath the Sea 2011 results: Keri Wilk wins David Doubilet Best in Show award. ([15])
- 2011-03-22: Nauticam releases NA-60D housing for Canon EOS 60D. ([16])
April
- 2011-04-01: GoPro acquires CineForm video compression company, strengthening its post-production capabilities. ([17])
- 2011-04-04: GoPro releases 3D HERO system, the world’s smallest 1080p 3D camera at $99.99. ([18])
- 2011-04-05: Nikon releases D5100 SLR with the same 16.2MP sensor as the D7000. ([19])
- 2011-04-07: Washington State passes anti-shark-finning legislation (SB 5688), the first such ban in the continental US. ([20])
- 2011-04-08: Gates announces DEEP EPIC housing for RED EPIC camera, under $20K. ([21])
- 2011-04-13: Apple announces Final Cut Pro X for $299 at NAB SuperMeet; 64-bit ground-up rewrite. Eric Cheng covers NAB 2011 with James Cameron 3D keynote. ([22])
May
- 2011-05-03: Drew Wong reports on ADEX 2011 in Singapore; 3D underwater video a major trend. Shawn Heinrichs and Berkley White present. ([23])
- 2011-05-27: Adam Hanlon officially appointed as Wetpixel Editor; Eric Cheng continues as Publisher. A major leadership transition for the site. ([24])
June
- 2011-06-03: Nauticam releases NA-GH2 housing for Panasonic Lumix GH2 at $2,100, supporting the growing mirrorless video segment. ([25])
- 2011-06-06: David Doubilet and Hal Silverman publish 33-image composite of U-boat U352 in the Daily Mail. ([26])
- 2011-06-08: Mexico bans shark fishing in federal waters during reproductive season. ([27])
- 2011-06-10: Ikelite announces surprise suspension of EVIL (mirrorless) camera housing development, a controversial decision as the mirrorless market grows. ([28])
- 2011-06-16: Subal ND7000 preview published; first production model in custom red color, revealing the company’s new management and restructuring progress. ([29])
- 2011-06-24: Late Wes Skiles named National Geographic Explorer of the Year for Blue Holes of Bahamas work. ([30])
- 2011-06-30: Olympus announces E-P3 EVIL camera with world’s fastest AF. ([31])
July
- 2011-07-01: 10th annual Digital Shootout held in Bonaire; Jeff Honda wins Jim Watt Award. ([32])
- 2011-07-12: Tokina releases updated AT-X 107 NH 10-17mm fisheye lens with hood removed for underwater use. ([33])
- 2011-07-30: Baa Atoll, Maldives declared UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve; home to major manta ray and whale shark aggregations. ([34])
August
- 2011-08-11: Mike Veitch publishes comprehensive Close Focus Wide Angle technique tutorial on Wetpixel. ([35])
- 2011-08-18: Eric Cheng reports from Wetpixel Isla Mujeres whale shark expedition; 300+ whale sharks encountered. ([36])
- 2011-08-21: Alex Mustard launches “The Wetpixel Rinse Tank” column, detailing his Nikon D700/Subal and Nikon D7000/Nauticam systems. ([37])
- 2011-08-24: Sony announces major camera lineup: A77, A65, NEX-5N, NEX-7, and new E-mount lenses. ([38])
- 2011-08-30: Alex Mustard reviews Nauticam 45-degree viewfinder with essay on viewfinder types for underwater photography. ([39])
September
- 2011-09-02: Eric Cheng receives 2011 Wyland ICON Award from the Academy of Underwater Arts and Sciences. ([40])
- 2011-09-02: Borut Furlan reviews the Retra Light Shaping Device (LSD) for projected spot illumination. ([41])
- 2011-09-07: California Senate passes AB376 banning shark fin trade, 25-9 vote — the most significant state-level shark protection law in the US. ([42])
- 2011-09-15: Canon announces S100 compact camera with DIGIC 5 and WP-DC43 underwater housing. ([43])
- 2011-09-29: Aquatica acquires Amphibico video housing manufacturer, expanding into the video housing market. ([44])
October
- 2011-10-07: California Governor Jerry Brown signs AB376 shark fin ban into law. ([45])
- 2011-10-11: Matt Weiss becomes Publisher and CEO of DivePhotoGuide, marking a change of ownership at Wetpixel’s closest competitor. ([46])
- 2011-10-16: Drew Wong reviews Seacam Prelude 60D, Seacam’s first entry-level housing line. ([47])
- 2011-10-18: Canon announces EOS 1D X flagship pro camera: 18MP full frame, dual DIGIC 5+, 12fps, $6,800 for March 2012 delivery. ([48])
- 2011-10-22: Lytro releases the first consumer light field camera; Eric Cheng is Director of Photography at the company, marking his transition from Wetpixel publisher to tech industry. ([49])
- 2011-10-24: GoPro announces HD HERO2 with 11MP sensor, 2x faster processing, and Wi-Fi capability; $299.99. ([50])
- 2011-10-28: Shawn Heinrichs awarded Sea Hero of the Year by Scuba Diving magazine for shark conservation work. ([51])
November
- 2011-11-03: Canon announces Cinema EOS line with EOS C300 camera at Paramount Studios, signaling a new era in digital cinema. ([52])
- 2011-11-03: RED announces Scarlet-X, a S35 4K camera from $9,750. ([53])
- 2011-11-05: DEMA Show 2011 in Orlando; Gates shows C300 housing; Wetpixel/DPG pool party. ([54])
- 2011-11-20: Wetpixel Ultimate Indonesia expedition concludes; Eric Cheng leads 25-day trip on Damai II through Alor and Komodo, 87 dives. ([55])
- 2011-11-25: Giant manta rays listed under CMS Appendix I and II at UN Convention in Bergen, Norway — a major international conservation milestone. ([56])
December
- 2011-12-03: Becky and David Schott of Liquid Productions win an Emmy for their Eagles Nest cave documentary. ([57])
- 2011-12-10: Nauticam releases NA-D7000V, an updated Nikon D7000 housing with enhanced video features, $3,300. ([58])
- 2011-12-13: Ocean Art 2011 winners announced; Best of Show to Tobias Friedrich for manta ray image. ([59])
Sources
- Wetpixel article, Jan 9, 2011: Laurent Ballesta Films Live Coelacanths In The Wild ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jan 21, 2011: Sea Sea Announces Mdx D7000 Housing ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jan 22, 2011: Howard Halls Sperm Whale Video From Dominica ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jan 27, 2011: Gates Releases Deep Pulsar Deep Atom Underwater 3d Beam Splitter ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jan 27, 2011: Jim Abernethy Hospitalized After Lemon Shark Bite ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jan 28, 2011: Eric Cheng Joins The Sharksavers Board ↩
- Wetpixel article, Feb 1, 2011: Gopro Launches The Bacpac Lcd Screen ↩
- Wetpixel article, Feb 3, 2011: Subal Announces Reorganization ↩
- Wetpixel article, Feb 7, 2011: Canon Announces Two New Slrs And Two New Speedlights ↩
- Wetpixel article, Feb 8, 2011: Bluewater Photo Opening Event ↩
- Wetpixel article, Feb 16, 2011: Nikon D7000 And Aquatica Ad7000 Review ↩
- Wetpixel article, Feb 16, 2011: Japanese Fleet Suspends Whale Hunt ↩
- Wetpixel article, Feb 22, 2011: Results Of Our World Underwater Announced ↩
- Wetpixel article, Mar 11, 2011: Tsunami Hits Northern Japan And Is Threatening Pacific ↩
- Wetpixel article, Mar 15, 2011: Beneath The Sea Results Announced ↩
- Wetpixel article, Mar 22, 2011: Nauticam Releases Na 60d Housing For Eos 60d ↩
- Wetpixel article, Apr 1, 2011: Gopro Acquires Cineform ↩
- Wetpixel article, Apr 4, 2011: Go Pro Releases 3d Expansion Kit1 ↩
- Wetpixel article, Apr 5, 2011: Nikon Releases D5100 Slr ↩
- Wetpixel article, Apr 7, 2011: Washington State Passes Anti Finning Legislation ↩
- Wetpixel article, Apr 8, 2011: Gates Announces Deep Epic Housing ↩
- Wetpixel article, Apr 13, 2011: Apple Announces Final Cut Pro X For 299 ↩
- Wetpixel article, May 3, 2011: Adex 2011 Report ↩
- Wetpixel article, May 27, 2011: Adam Hanlon Appointed As Wetpixel Editor ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jun 3, 2011: Nauticam Releases Housing For Panasonic Lumix Gh2 ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jun 6, 2011: David Doubilet And Hal Silverman Complete A Composite Image Of U352 ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jun 8, 2011: Shark Fishing Banned In Mexican Waters ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jun 10, 2011: Ikelite Suspends Production Of Evil Housings ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jun 16, 2011: Preview Subal Nd7000 Housing ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jun 24, 2011: Wes Skiles Named As National Geographic Explorer Of The Year ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jun 30, 2011: Olympus Announced E P3 Evil Camera ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jul 1, 2011: Full Details Released About 2011 Digital Shootout ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jul 12, 2011: Tokina Releases Updated 10 17mm Lens ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jul 30, 2011: Baa Atoll Declared Unesco World Biosphere Reserve ↩
- Wetpixel article, Aug 11, 2011: The Near And Far ↩
- Wetpixel article, Aug 18, 2011: Field Update From Wetpixel Whale Sharks Expedition ↩
- Wetpixel article, Aug 21, 2011: The Wetpixel Rinse Tank Number 1 ↩
- Wetpixel article, Aug 24, 2011: Sony Releases New Cameras And Lenses ↩
- Wetpixel article, Aug 30, 2011: Thoughts On Viewfinders And Mini Review Nauticam 45 Degree ↩
- Wetpixel article, Sep 2, 2011: Eric Cheng Receives Wyland Icon Award ↩
- Wetpixel article, Sep 2, 2011: Review Light Shaping Device ↩
- Wetpixel article, Sep 7, 2011: Ab376 Passes California Senate Shark Fin Trade Illegal ↩
- Wetpixel article, Sep 15, 2011: Canon Announces The S100 Compact And Wp Dc43 Housing ↩
- Wetpixel article, Sep 29, 2011: Aquatica Acquires Amphibico ↩
- Wetpixel article, Oct 7, 2011: California Shark Fin Signed Into Law ↩
- Wetpixel article, Oct 11, 2011: Divephotoguide Announces New Ownership ↩
- Wetpixel article, Oct 16, 2011: Seacam Prelude 60d Review ↩
- Wetpixel article, Oct 18, 2011: Canon Announces Eos 1d X Slr ↩
- Wetpixel article, Oct 22, 2011: Lytro Releases Light Field Camera ↩
- Wetpixel article, Oct 24, 2011: Gopro Announces Hd Hero2 Cam ↩
- Wetpixel article, Oct 28, 2011: Shawn Heinrichs Awarded Sea Hero Of The Year Award ↩
- Wetpixel article, Nov 4, 2011: Canon Announces New Cinema Eos Line Including Eos C300 Camera ↩
- Wetpixel article, Nov 4, 2011: Red Announces Scarlet X ↩
- Wetpixel article, Nov 5, 2011: Dema Show 2011 Coverage ↩
- Wetpixel article, Nov 21, 2011: Trip Report For Wetpixel Ultimate Indonesia 2011 ↩
- Wetpixel article, Nov 26, 2011: Mantas Given Protection By Un Conservation Convention ↩
- Wetpixel article, Dec 6, 2011: Eagles Nest Film Wins An Emmy ↩
- Wetpixel article, Dec 10, 2011: Nauticam Releases Na D7000v Housing ↩
- Wetpixel article, Dec 13, 2011: Winners Of Ocean Art 2011 Announced ↩