2012
Key events
The Nikon D800’s 36.3MP sensor revolutionized underwater photography and triggered a housing race among all major manufacturers. Canon answered with the 5D Mark III. Olympus launched the OM-D E-M5, a mirrorless milestone that Alex Mustard called potentially the most important underwater camera in years. Kodak filed for bankruptcy. James Cameron made a solo descent to the Mariana Trench in Deepsea Challenger. GoPro unveiled the HERO3 with 4K video. Sony entered the full-frame compact market with the RX1 and announced four cameras at Photokina including the RX100. Australian underwater filmmaking pioneer Ron Taylor died. Eric Cheng continued dual roles as Wetpixel publisher and Lytro Director of Photography. The EU voted for a comprehensive shark finning ban.
January
- 2012-01-06: Nikon announces the D4 flagship DSLR with 16.2MP sensor, ISO 50-12800, and XQD card slot. ([1])
- 2012-01-09: Canon announces the PowerShot G1 X compact camera with APS-C-size sensor. ([2])
- 2012-01-09: Judges announced for Our World Underwater / DEEP Indonesia 2012 competitions including Alex Mustard, Brian Skerry, and Berkley White. ([3])
- 2012-01-10: Adobe releases Lightroom 4 beta with redesigned develop module and native video support. ([4])
- 2012-01-17: Sea & Sea announces the YS-D1 strobe with DS-TTLII and LED target light. ([5])
- 2012-01-18: Wetpixel joins Wikipedia and Mozilla in a 12-hour blackout protesting SOPA. Eric Cheng. ([6])
- 2012-01-19: Eastman Kodak files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection after failing to adapt to digital photography. ([7])
- 2012-01-21: BOOT 2012 opens in Dusseldorf with dedicated Underwater Pixel World imaging zone. ([8])
February
- 2012-02-05: Underwater filmmakers Mike deGruy and Andrew Wight killed in helicopter crash near Nowra, Australia. Eric Cheng writes tribute. ([9])
- 2012-02-07: Nikon announces the D800 (36.3MP) and D800E — the highest-resolution full-frame DSLR, positioned to transform underwater photography. ([10])
- 2012-02-07: Alex Mustard shoots Nikon D800 timelapse in Cayman Islands using pre-production model. ([11])
- 2012-02-08: Olympus launches OM-D E-M5 mirrorless camera with built-in EVF and 5-axis image stabilization — called potentially the most important underwater camera release in years. ([12])
- 2012-02-08: Olympus announces plans for M.ZUIKO 60mm f/2.8 Macro — the first true macro lens for mirrorless underwater use. ([13])
- 2012-02-20: Jeff Hartog wins Best of Show at Our World Underwater 2012 with “Fire in the Water” from 1,500+ entries. ([14])
- 2012-02-22: Shawn Heinrichs writes about the whale shark feeding controversy at Oslob, Philippines. ([15])
- 2012-02-28: Alexis Tabah wins Wetpixel Picture of the Year 2011 with a turtle in Snell’s window. ([16])
March
- 2012-03-01: Lytro light field cameras begin shipping; Wetpixel publisher Eric Cheng serves as Director of Photography at Lytro. ([17])
- 2012-03-01: Alex Mustard provokes major community debate about whether photographers should embrace post-capture editing as cameras offer massive resolution and light-field technology. ([18])
- 2012-03-02: Canon announces the 5D Mark III with 22.3MP sensor and DIGIC 5+ processor. ([19])
- 2012-03-06: Adobe releases Lightroom 4 at $149 (down from $299) with native video support and soft proofing. ([20])
- 2012-03-08: Dale Sanders wins Best of Show at DEEP Indonesia 2012 with ice diving anemone shot from Baffin Island. ([21])
- 2012-03-08: Light and Motion releases Sola 2000 video light at 2,000 lumens. ([22])
- 2012-03-26: James Cameron makes solo descent to Mariana Trench in Deepsea Challenger, filming in 3D with RED Epic 5K camera. ([23])
- 2012-03-29: Retra releases Light Shaping Device (LSD) for underwater strobes. ([24])
April
- 2012-04-13: ADEX Singapore 2012 held at Marina Bay Sands, covered by Drew Wong. ([25])
- 2012-04-17: Blackmagic Design announces Cinema Camera with 2.5K sensor and 13 stops dynamic range at $2,995 at NAB. ([26])
- 2012-04-22: Adobe announces Creative Suite 6 and Creative Cloud subscription service. ([27])
- 2012-04-24: Nauticam unveils NA-D800 housing for Nikon D800. ([28])
May
- 2012-05-01: Albert Falco, Jacques Cousteau’s ship captain aboard the Calypso for 37 years, dies at his home in Marseilles. ([29])
- 2012-05-03: Alex Mustard publishes comprehensive Nikon D4 field review for Wetpixel, testing the $6,000 flagship underwater. ([30])
- 2012-05-05: Marine naturalist Neville Coleman dies; author of 65 books, International Scuba Diving Hall of Fame 2007. ([31])
- 2012-05-14: Eric Cheng publishes comprehensive GoPro underwater housing round-up comparing flat-port options from Backscatter, Eye of Mine, and others. ([32])
- 2012-05-15: Paul Watson, Sea Shepherd founder, arrested at Frankfurt Airport on Costa Rica warrant. ([33])
- 2012-05-17: Nauticam announces NA-5DMKIII housing for Canon 5D Mark III with video-optimized controls. ([34])
- 2012-05-22: Adam Hanlon reviews Brian Skerry’s book “Ocean Soul.” ([35])
- 2012-05-31: Wetpixel hosts its first-ever Google+ live video hangout with Eric Cheng, Adam Hanlon, Alex Mustard, Berkley White, and Ryan Canon discussing new cameras including Nikon D800, Canon 5D Mark III, and Olympus OM-D E-M5. ([36])
June
- 2012-06-01: Alex Mustard publishes review of Olympus OM-D E-M5 for Wetpixel, calling it potentially “one of the most important underwater cameras released for several years.” ([37])
- 2012-06-06: Fast Company profiles Eric Cheng and Lytro cameras featuring his underwater work. ([38])
- 2012-06-07: British underwater film pioneer Slim MacDonnell dies. ([39])
- 2012-06-08: Aquatica announces housing for Canon 5D Mark III with video-prioritized controls. ([40])
- 2012-06-08: Canon releases EOS 650D/Rebel T4i with hybrid phase-detection AF and touchscreen. ([41])
- 2012-06-14: Inon releases color correction filters for strobes to warm color temperature for richer blue backgrounds, previewed by Alex Mustard. ([42])
- 2012-06-21: Stephen Frink profiled in “The Art of Swimming” interview on Wetpixel. ([43])
- 2012-06-25: “Reef Fishes of the East Indies” three-volume definitive reference released by Conservation International, cataloging 2,500+ species. ([44])
- 2012-06-25: Lonesome George, last Pinta giant tortoise, dies in the Galapagos. ([45])
- 2012-06-26: Maldives announces plan to become the world’s largest marine reserve by 2017 at Rio+20 conference. ([46])
- 2012-06-29: Nauticam announces NA-EM5 housing for Olympus OM-D E-M5. ([47])
July
- 2012-07-03: Chinese government announces plan to ban shark fin soup from official functions. ([48])
- 2012-07-03: Wetpixel hit by Blackhole Exploit malware; site taken down for maintenance. ([49])
- 2012-07-06: Gates introduces DEEP Scarlet housing for RED Scarlet 4K cinema camera, under $15,000. ([50])
- 2012-07-07: Sea & Sea announces MDX-D800 and MDX-5D Mark III housings. ([51])
- 2012-07-14: 11th Digital Shootout held on Little Cayman; 80 participants. Berkley White, Backscatter. ([52])
- 2012-07-14: BSoUP British Underwater Photography Championship held in Plymouth; Tim Priest wins overall. ([53])
- 2012-07-18: Wetpixel publishes comprehensive D7000 housing review comparing Nauticam, Ikelite, Aquatica, Sea & Sea, Subal, Hugyfot. Adam Hanlon, Alex Mustard. ([54])
- 2012-07-20: Aquatica announces AD800 housing for Nikon D800 at $3,359. ([55])
- 2012-07-23: Canon announces EOS M, its first mirrorless camera with 18MP APS-C sensor. ([56])
- 2012-07-24: Alex Mustard’s harbor seal self-portrait at Farne Islands goes viral in UK press. ([57])
August
- 2012-08-01: Wetpixel Ultimate Whale Sharks Expedition begins at Isla Mujeres; Alex Mustard reports 300-400 whale sharks. ([58])
- 2012-08-07: Canon releases major EOS 7D firmware v2.0 with in-camera RAW processing and higher burst rates. ([59])
- 2012-08-14: Multiple housing manufacturers (Nauticam, Hugyfot, Subal, Sea & Sea, Seacam, Aquatica) race to release Nikon D4 and D800 housings. ([60])
- 2012-08-16: Nauticam unveils NA-RX100 housings for Sony RX100 at $950/$1,250. ([61])
- 2012-08-20: Nikon D4 becomes first DSLR to pass European Broadcasting Union video testing. ([62])
- 2012-08-21: Getty Images sold to Carlyle Group for $3.3 billion. ([63])
- 2012-08-24: Wetpixel announced as online partner for Ocean Views underwater photography contest with Eric Cheng as judge. ([64])
- 2012-08-29: Wetpixel publishes comprehensive Nikon D800 camera review using Nauticam NA-D800 housing. Adam Hanlon. ([65])
- 2012-08-29: Canon announces EOS C500 (4K, $30,000) and C100 ($7,999) cinema cameras. ([66])
September
- 2012-09-09: Ron Taylor, Australian underwater filmmaking pioneer (b. 1934), passes away. ([67])
- 2012-09-12: Sony announces four major products at Photokina: NEX-6, SLT-A99, DSC-RX1 (world’s first full-frame compact), and NEX-5R. ([68])
- 2012-09-13: Nikon officially announces D600, entry-level full-frame DSLR at $2,099. ([69])
- 2012-09-16: Olympus and Sony announce exclusive partnership negotiations; Sony to invest 50 billion yen. ([70])
- 2012-09-17: Canon announces EOS 6D, smallest and lightest full-frame DSLR. ([71])
- 2012-09-17: Panasonic releases LUMIX GH3 at Photokina with 1080/60p and up to 80Mbps recording. ([72])
- 2012-09-18: Google acquires Nik Software (makers of Snapseed). ([73])
- 2012-09-24: Eric Cheng gives Photographers@Google talk on underwater photography at Google HQ. ([74])
- 2012-09-26: Google Maps launches underwater Street View for 6 reef locations via Catlin Seaview Survey. ([75])
October
- 2012-10-01: Study shows Great Barrier Reef coral cover has declined 50.7% since 1985. ([76])
- 2012-10-17: GoPro unveils HERO3 with 4K video capability; Black Edition at $399. ([77])
- 2012-10-17: Backscatter appointed as Olympus underwater products distributor for North America. ([78])
- 2012-10-23: Andrej Belic finalizes Nikonos RS lens conversion system for Nauticam, Seacam, and Subal housings. ([79])
November
- 2012-11-06: Seacam unveils prototype 3D video housing for dual Canon C300 cameras. ([80])
- 2012-11-09: Nauticam announces NA-1DX housing for Canon EOS-1D X and 1D C at $5,100. ([81])
- 2012-11-15: Wetpixel/DivePhotoGuide annual imaging party held at DEMA 2012 in Las Vegas. ([82])
- 2012-11-19: Wetpixel publishes comprehensive DEMA 2012 coverage, visiting all major underwater imaging booths. Eric Cheng, Adam Hanlon, Abi Smigel Mullens. ([83])
- 2012-11-22: EU votes for comprehensive shark finning ban. ([84])
December
- 2012-12-11: Nauticam announces NA-D600 housing for Nikon D600 at $3,300. ([85])
- 2012-12-19: Sea & Sea announces MDX-D600 housing for Nikon D600 at $3,399. ([86])
- 2012-12-21: Ikelite announces housing for Canon EOS 6D at $1,600. ([87])
References
- [88] — articles processed from January through December 2012
Sources
- Wetpixel article, Jan 6, 2012: Nikon Announces The D4 Slr ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jan 9, 2012: Canon Announces Powershot G1 X Compact Camera ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jan 9, 2012: Our World Underwater Deep Indonesia Judges Announced ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jan 10, 2012: Adobe Releases Lightroom 4 Beta ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jan 17, 2012: Sea Sea Announces Release Of Ys D1 Strobe ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jan 17, 2012: Wetpixel Joins Action Against Sopa ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jan 19, 2012: Kodak Files For Chapter 11 Bankruptcy ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jan 21, 2012: Wetpixel Coverage Of The Boot Show 2012 ↩
- Wetpixel article, Feb 5, 2012: Filmmakers Mike Degruy And Andrew Wight Die In Helicopter Crash ↩
- Wetpixel article, Feb 7, 2012: Nikon Announces The D800 And D800e ↩
- Wetpixel article, Feb 7, 2012: Nikon D800 Timelapse From Alex Mustard ↩
- Wetpixel article, Feb 8, 2012: Olympus Launches The E M5 Evil Camera ↩
- Wetpixel article, Feb 8, 2012: Olympus Announces Plans For 60mm Macro Lens ↩
- Wetpixel article, Feb 20, 2012: Results Of Our World Underwater 2012 Announced ↩
- Wetpixel article, Feb 22, 2012: Shawn Heinrichs Writes About Oslob Whale Sharks ↩
- Wetpixel article, Feb 28, 2012: Wetpixel Picture Of The Year 2011 Results Announced ↩
- Wetpixel article, Mar 1, 2012: Lytro Light Field Cameras Start Shipping ↩
- Wetpixel article, Mar 1, 2012: Time For A Major Philosophy Change ↩
- Wetpixel article, Mar 2, 2012: Canon Announces The 5d Mark Iii Slr ↩
- Wetpixel article, Mar 6, 2012: Adobe Releases Lightroom 4 ↩
- Wetpixel article, Mar 8, 2012: Results Of Deep Indonesia 2012 Announced ↩
- Wetpixel article, Mar 8, 2012: Light And Motion Releases The Sola 2000 ↩
- Wetpixel article, Mar 26, 2012: Cameron Films The Mariana Trench In 3d ↩
- Wetpixel article, Mar 29, 2012: Retra Releases Light Shaping Device ↩
- Wetpixel article, Apr 18, 2012: Adex Singapore 2012 Report ↩
- Wetpixel article, Apr 17, 2012: Blackmagic Design Releases Cinema Camera ↩
- Wetpixel article, Apr 22, 2012: Adobe Announces Creative Suite 6 And Creative Cloud ↩
- Wetpixel article, Apr 24, 2012: Nauticam Unveils The Na D800 Housing ↩
- Wetpixel article, May 1, 2012: Albert Falco Dies1 ↩
- Wetpixel article, May 3, 2012: Nikon D4 Field Review ↩
- Wetpixel article, May 5, 2012: Marine Naturalist Icon Neville Coleman Has Passed Away ↩
- Wetpixel article, May 14, 2012: Gopro Underwater Housing Round Up ↩
- Wetpixel article, May 15, 2012: Paul Watson Arrested ↩
- Wetpixel article, May 17, 2012: Nauticam Announces Na 5dmkiii Housing ↩
- Wetpixel article, May 22, 2012: Book Review Ocean Soul By Brian Skerry ↩
- Wetpixel article, May 31, 2012: The First Ever Wetpixel Google Live Hangout ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jun 1, 2012: Alex Mustard Reviews Olympus Om D E M5 ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jun 6, 2012: A Profile Of Eric Cheng And Lytro Cameras ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jun 7, 2012: Underwater Film Pioneer Slim Macdonnell Dies ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jun 8, 2012: Aquatica Announces Housing For Canon 5d Mark Iii ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jun 8, 2012: Canon Releases The Rebel T4i Eos 650d Slr ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jun 14, 2012: Inon Puts The Blue Back In ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jun 21, 2012: The Art Of Swimming ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jun 25, 2012: Definitive Fish Species Reference For The Coral Triangle Released ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jun 25, 2012: Last Pinta Giant Tortoise Lonesome George Dies ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jun 26, 2012: Maldives Creates The Largest Marine Reserve In The World ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jun 29, 2012: Nauticam Announces The Ne Em5 ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jul 3, 2012: China Bans Shark Fin From Official Functions ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jul 3, 2012: Wetpixel Forums Are Down For Maintenance ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jul 6, 2012: Gates Introduces Deep Scarlet ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jul 7, 2012: Sea Sea Announces Housing For 5d Mark Iii ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jul 14, 2012: The Digital Shootout 2012 ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jul 16, 2012: The British Underwater Photography Championship ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jul 18, 2012: Wetpixel D7000 Housing Review ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jul 20, 2012: Aquatica Announces The Ad800 Housing For The Nikon D800 D800e ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jul 23, 2012: Canon Announces Eos M Evil Camera ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jul 24, 2012: Alex Mustard Image Goes Viral ↩
- Wetpixel article, Aug 1, 2012: Ultimate Whale Sharks Thread Open On Forum ↩
- Wetpixel article, Aug 7, 2012: Canon Eos 7d Firmware Update Launched ↩
- Wetpixel article, Aug 14, 2012: Update On Housings For Nikon D4 And D800 ↩
- Wetpixel article, Aug 16, 2012: Nauticam Unveils Housings For The Sony Rx100 ↩
- Wetpixel article, Aug 20, 2012: Nikon D4 Passes Ebu Video Testing ↩
- Wetpixel article, Aug 21, 2012: Getty Images Sells For 3.3bn ↩
- Wetpixel article, Aug 24, 2012: Wetpixel To Be Online Partner For Ocean Views 20121 ↩
- Wetpixel article, Aug 29, 2012: Wetpixel D800 Camera Review ↩
- Wetpixel article, Aug 29, 2012: Canon Announces Two New Eos Digital Cinema Cameras ↩
- Wetpixel article, Sep 9, 2012: A Tribute To Ron Taylor 1934 20120 ↩
- Wetpixel article, Sep 12, 2012: Sony Announces The Nex 6 Evil Camera And New Lenses ↩
- Wetpixel article, Sep 13, 2012: Nikon Provides Deatisl Of The D600 Slr ↩
- Wetpixel article, Sep 16, 2012: Olympus And Sony To Form Partnership ↩
- Wetpixel article, Sep 17, 2012: Canon Announces The Eos 6d1 ↩
- Wetpixel article, Sep 17, 2012: Panasonic Lumix Gh3 Released At Photokina ↩
- Wetpixel article, Sep 18, 2012: Google Acquires Nik Software ↩
- Wetpixel article, Sep 24, 2012: Eric Cheng At Photographersgoogle ↩
- Wetpixel article, Sep 26, 2012: Google Takes Street View Underwater ↩
- Wetpixel article, Oct 1, 2012: New Study Underlines Decline Of Great Barrier Reef ↩
- Wetpixel article, Oct 17, 2012: Gopro Unveils The Hero3 ↩
- Wetpixel article, Oct 17, 2012: Backscatter Appointed As Olympus Distributor ↩
- Wetpixel article, Oct 23, 2012: Nikonos Rs Lens Project Finalized ↩
- Wetpixel article, Nov 6, 2012: Seacam Unveils 3d Video Housing ↩
- Wetpixel article, Nov 9, 2012: Nauticam Announces The Na 1dx Housing ↩
- Wetpixel article, Nov 8, 2012: Wetpixel Divephotoguide Party Dema 2012 ↩
- Wetpixel article, Nov 19, 2012: Wetpixel Coverage From Dema 2012 ↩
- Wetpixel article, Nov 22, 2012: Eu Votes For Shark Finning Ban ↩
- Wetpixel article, Dec 11, 2012: Nauticam Announces The Na D600 Housing ↩
- Wetpixel article, Dec 19, 2012: Sea And Sea Announces Housing For Nikon D600 ↩
- Wetpixel article, Dec 21, 2012: Ikelite Annouces A Housing For The Eos 6d ↩
- raw/articles/2012/ (unknown) ↩