2015
Key events
Sony’s a7R II (42.4MP BSI sensor, 4K, 5-axis IBIS) landed in June as the most consequential mirrorless body to date for serious UW photographers, triggering immediate housing development from every major maker. Canon raised the resolution bar with the 5DS/5DSR at 50.6MP. The year was marked by losses: pioneering marine biologist Dr. Eugenie Clark (“Shark Lady”) died in February at 92; Lotte Hass — one of the first women underwater filmmakers — died in January at 86; Richard Theiss died in early February. Eric Cheng left Wetpixel for DJI, closing his founding chapter. Adobe’s Dehaze slider debuted in Lightroom CC 2015, immediately adopted for underwater editing. The “Ask the Pros” editorial format launched, gathering perspectives from 15+ photographers. Keri Wilk’s sperm whale “poonado” image went viral, bringing mainstream attention to marine behavior photography.
January
- 2015-01-02: Lotte Hass, pioneering underwater filmmaker and one of the first women to dive for film, dies at age 86. ([1])
- 2015-01-07: 2014 Ocean Art results published; Ray Collins wins Best of Show. ([2])
- 2015-01-08: Nauticam ships NA-G7X housing for Canon G7X at $1,100 using the N50 port system. ([3])
- 2015-01-26: Keri Wilk’s sperm whale “poonado” image goes viral internationally, drawing widespread mainstream coverage to marine behavior photography. ([4])
- 2015-01: Wetpixel Tiger Sharks expedition at Tiger Beach, Bahamas runs. ([5])
February
- 2015-02-03: Nauticam releases the CMC-1 (Compact Macro Converter) at $320, a new wet close-up lens for mirrorless and compact cameras. ([6])
- 2015-02-05: Olympus announces the OM-D E-M5 Mark II with 5-axis IBIS and 40MP high-resolution mode. ([7])
- 2015-02-06: Canon announces the EOS 5DS and 5DSR (50.6MP) alongside the EF 11-24mm f/4L ultra-wide lens at CP+. ([8])
- 2015-02-10: Nikon announces D7200 at CP+ with improved high-ISO performance and 51-point AF. ([9])
- 2015-02-14: Affinity Photo beta launches at approximately $50, positioned as a Photoshop alternative. ([10])
- 2015-02-16: Underwater Photographer of the Year 2015 results: Nuno Sá wins Overall winner. ([11])
- 2015-02-22: Eric Cheng’s son Mako is born. ([12])
- 2015-02-25: Dr. Eugenie Clark, marine biologist known as the “Shark Lady” and a major figure in popularizing sharks for diving culture, dies at age 92. ([13])
- 2015-02: Richard Theiss, underwater videographer and Wetpixel contributor, dies. ([14])
March
- 2015-03-01: Our World Underwater 2015: Anthony Berberian wins Best in Show. Judges include Alex Mustard, Eric Cheng, Keri Wilk, and Brian Skerry. ([15])
- 2015-03-06: Nauticam announces NA-A7II housing for Sony a7II at $2,750. ([16])
- 2015-03-10: Dr. Eugenie Clark tribute article published on Wetpixel. ([17])
- 2015-03-10: Alex Mustard leads masterclass at Natural History Museum London. ([18])
- 2015-03-19: Eric Cheng interview in HuffPost confirms he is now working at DJI, marking his departure from day-to-day Wetpixel involvement. ([19])
- 2015-03-25: The Photography Show 2015 at NEC Birmingham; Nauticam, housing makers exhibit. ([20])
April
- 2015-04-13: Nauticam ships NA-EM5II housing for Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark II at $1,450. ([21])
- 2015-04-17: Brian Skerry named Nikon Ambassador. ([22])
- 2015-04-21: Adobe releases Lightroom 6 / Lightroom CC with GPU acceleration, HDR merge, panorama merge, and new facial recognition. ([23])
- 2015-04-26: Rob Stewart’s documentary “Revolution” released online; covers ocean acidification and marine conservation. ([24])
- 2015-04: ADEX 2015 Singapore dive show coverage. ([25])
- 2015-04: ARRI ALEXA Mini announced; Gates Underwater MINI housing announced for it. ([26])
May
- 2015-05-07: BBC “Shark” documentary series premieres; features underwater cinematography subjects relevant to the Wetpixel community. ([27])
- 2015-05-07: Daniel Botelho exhibition opens at the Louvre, Paris. ([28])
- 2015-05-12: Olympus announces 8mm f/1.8 Fisheye PRO and 7-14mm f/2.8 PRO lenses for Micro Four Thirds. ([29])
- 2015-05-12: Nauticam ships NA-D7200 housing for Nikon D7200 at $3,300. ([30])
- 2015-05-15: Aquatica announces AD7200 housing for Nikon D7200 at $2,995. ([31])
- 2015-05-28: CMAS World Championship of Underwater Photography: Damir Zurub wins. ([32])
June
- 2015-06-10: Sony announces a7R II (42.4MP BSI sensor, 4K internal, 5-axis IBIS) at $3,200 — widely regarded as the most significant mirrorless body to date for underwater still and video work. ([33])
- 2015-06-10: Sony announces RX100 IV with 960fps high-speed video capability and 4K recording. ([34])
- 2015-06-15: Adobe releases CC 2015 including the new Dehaze slider in Lightroom and Camera Raw — immediately adopted by UW photographers to recover contrast and color in hazy images. ([35])
- 2015-06-24: Zen Underwater ships DP-230 dome port for Canon EF 11-24mm f/4L at $1,999. ([36])
- 2015-06-30: Wetpixel publishes “Ask the Pros: Split Shots,” gathering perspectives from 15 underwater photographers on split-level technique — launching the “Ask the Pros” editorial format. ([37])
July
- 2015-07-02: Sea & Sea announces the YS-D2 strobe — successor to the YS-D1, GN 32, audible TTL confirmation, $719.95. ([38])
- 2015-07-02: Sony FE 90mm f/2.8 Macro G OSS ships at $1,099 — first viable macro option for Sony full-frame mirrorless underwater shooters. ([39])
- 2015-07-03: Ikelite announces housing for Canon EOS 5DS/5DS R at $1,800. ([40])
- 2015-07-06: GoPro releases HERO4 Session — 50% smaller, 40% lighter, waterproof to 10m without housing, $399.99. ([41])
- 2015-07-09: Nauticam announces Epic LT housing for RED cameras — most travel-friendly RED housing, carry-on legal. ([42])
- 2015-07-10: Serif launches Affinity Photo at $39.99 — no subscription Photoshop competitor with RAW processing and 16-bit editing. ([43])
- 2015-07-16: Panasonic announces LUMIX GX8 with 20.3MP sensor and Dual I.S. — first Panasonic with combined body+lens stabilization. ([44])
- 2015-07-30: UN General Assembly passes resolution tackling illicit wildlife trafficking — first time UN supports CITES enforcement. ([45])
August
- 2015-08-14: Nauticam announces NA-5DSR housing for Canon 5DS/5DS R (50MP) at $3,600 — also compatible with 5D Mark III. ([46])
- 2015-08-25: Olympus announces OM-D E-M10 Mark II with 5-axis IS (previously only on higher models), $649.99. ([47])
- 2015-08-27: Adam Hanlon reviews Fantasea FG7X housing — praises ergonomics but finds Canon G7 X camera disappointing vs Sony/Panasonic compacts. ([48])
September
- 2015-09-02: Nauticam, with Hydroflex and DP Pete Romano ASC, releases Arri Alexa Mini housing at $19,000 — 250mm optically coated glass dome port. ([49])
- 2015-09-10: National Geographic Society sells majority shareholding to 21st Century Fox for $725M+ — ending 127 years as a non-profit. ([50])
- 2015-09-11: Shark sanctuaries declared around Bonaire and Saba — 8,500 square miles, the 11th and 12th worldwide. ([51])
- 2015-09-12: Sony announces a7S II — ISO 409,600, internal 4K at 100 Mbps, 5-axis IS, 120fps Full HD, $3,000. ([52])
- 2015-09-16: WWF Living Blue Planet Report: marine life populations have declined by half since 1970, tracking 5,829 populations of 1,234 species. ([53])
- 2015-09-25: Gates Underwater confirms upgrade path from DEEP EPIC/DRAGON housings to DEEP WEAPON — compatible with all RED EPIC models including RAVEN. ([54])
October
- 2015-10-02: First biofluorescent reptile discovered — critically endangered hawksbill sea turtle fluorescing red and green, found by David Gruber in the Solomon Islands. ([55])
- 2015-10-05: Chile declares 115,000 sq mi marine reserve around San Ambrosio and San Felix Islands — largest in the Americas — at Our Ocean Conference. ([56])
- 2015-10-09: NOAA declares third global coral bleaching event underway — 95% of US corals expected to face bleaching by end of 2015 due to strong El Niño. ([57])
- 2015-10-14: Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2015: Michael Aw wins Under Water category (Bryde’s whale, sardine run). ([58])
- 2015-10-16: Chuck Nicklin autobiography “Camera Man” announced — chronicles career including The Deep, Never Say Never Again, The Abyss. ([59])
- 2015-10-30: Aquatica announces housing for Sony a7R II and a7S II at $2,699 with Ikelite TTL integration option. ([60])
November
- 2015-11-04–08: DEMA Show 2015 in Orlando — Nauticam shows WWL-1 wet wide lens and Arri Alexa Mini housing; Aquatica debuts Sony a7R II housing; Subal shows Sony FS7 housing. ([61])
- 2015-11-18: Nikon confirms development of D5 flagship DSLR without releasing specs. ([62])
- 2015-11-28: “Racing Extinction” by Louie Psihoyos, co-produced by Shawn Heinrichs, premieres on Discovery Channel in 220+ countries. ([63])
- 2015-11-30: Japan announces resumption of Southern Ocean whaling in direct contravention of ICJ ruling. ([64])
December
- 2015-12-04: Retra releases LSD Ultimate — upgraded Light Shaping Device with modular mounting for Sea & Sea, Inon, Seacam, and Ikelite strobes, EUR 300. ([65])
- 2015-12-12: COP21 Paris Agreement reached — historic global commitment to limit warming below 2°C; significant implications for ocean warming and acidification. ([66])
- 2015-12-21: Ikelite ships housing for Sony a7 II, a7R II, and a7S II with proprietary TTL flash syncing. ([67])
- 2015-12-24: Giant squid (Architeuthis dux) enters shallow water in Toyama Bay, Japan — filmed by diver Akinobu Kimura, who guided it back to the deep. ([68])
References
- [69] — 599 articles processed (January through December 2015)
Sources
- Wetpixel article, Jan 2, 2015: Video Joel Grimes On Pricing ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jan 7, 2015: 2014 Ocean Art Competition Winners Announced ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jan 8, 2015: Nauticam Ships Na G7x Housing ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jan 26, 2015: Keri Wilks Sperm Whale Poonado Goes Viral ↩
- Wetpixel article, May 11, 2015: Spaces Available On Wetpixel Whale Sharks Expedition ↩
- Wetpixel article, Feb 3, 2015: Nauticam Announces Compact Macro Converter 1 ↩
- Wetpixel article, Feb 5, 2015: Olympus Announces Om D E M5 Mark Ii ↩
- Wetpixel article, Feb 6, 2015: Canon Announces 11 24mm F4 Wide Angle Lens ↩
- Wetpixel article, Feb 10, 2015: Nikon At The Cp Show ↩
- Wetpixel article, Feb 14, 2015: Serif Launches Affinity Photo ↩
- Wetpixel article, Feb 16, 2015: Results Of Upy 2015 Announced ↩
- Wetpixel article, Feb 22, 2015: Celebrating The Birth Of Mako Cheng ↩
- Wetpixel article, Feb 25, 2015: Rip Dr. Eugenia Clark ↩
- Wetpixel article, Feb 18, 2015: Rip Richard Theiss ↩
- Wetpixel article, Mar 1, 2015: Results Our World Underwater 2015 ↩
- Wetpixel article, Mar 6, 2015: Nauticam Ships Housing For Sony A7 Mark Ii ↩
- Wetpixel article, Mar 10, 2015: Dr. Eugenie Clark By Howard Rosenstein ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jan 28, 2015: Alex Mustard Offers Underwater Photography Masterclass ↩
- Wetpixel article, Mar 19, 2015: Wetpixel Publisher Eric Cheng Interviewed By Huffington Post ↩
- Wetpixel article, Mar 25, 2015: Report The Photography Show ↩
- Wetpixel article, Apr 13, 2015: Nauticam Releases Housing For Olympus Om D E M5 Mark Ii ↩
- Wetpixel article, Apr 17, 2015: Brian Skerry Named As Nikon Ambassador ↩
- Wetpixel article, Apr 21, 2015: Adobe Lightroom Cc 6 Release And Review ↩
- Wetpixel article, Apr 26, 2015: Rob Stewarts Revolution Released Online ↩
- Wetpixel article, Mar 31, 2015: Wetpixel Scubacam Party Adex 2015 ↩
- Wetpixel article, Sep 2, 2015: Nauticam Releases Housing For Arri Alexa Mini ↩
- Wetpixel article, May 2, 2015: Bbc New Series Shark Goes To Air ↩
- Wetpixel article, May 7, 2015: Daniel Botelho Exhibits At The Louvre ↩
- Wetpixel article, May 12, 2015: Olympus Announces New 8mm Fisheye And 7 14mm Wide Angle Lenses ↩
- Wetpixel article, May 12, 2015: Nauticam Ships The Na D7200 ↩
- Wetpixel article, May 15, 2015: Aquatica Releases D7200 Compatibility Notice ↩
- Wetpixel article, May 28, 2015: Report Cmas World Underwater Photography Championship ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jun 10, 2015: Sony Announces The A7r Ii Mirrorless Full Frame Camera ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jun 10, 2015: Sony Unveils The Rx100 Iv Compact Camera ↩
- Wetpixel article, May 28, 2015: Adobe Trails The Dehaze Slider ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jun 24, 2015: Zen Ships Port For Canon 11 24mm ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jun 30, 2015: Ask The Pros Split Shots ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jul 2, 2015: Seasea Announces The Ys D2 Strobe ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jul 2, 2015: Sony Ships 90mm Macro Lens ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jul 3, 2015: Ikelite Announces Housing For Eos 5dr And 5dr S ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jul 6, 2015: Gopro Releases The Hero4 Session ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jul 9, 2015: Nauticam Announces The Epic Lt Housing ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jul 10, 2015: Serif Launches Affinity Photo1 ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jul 16, 2015: Panasonic Announces The Lumix Gx8 ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jul 30, 2015: Un Passes Resolution Aiming To Reduce Wildlife Crime ↩
- Wetpixel article, Aug 14, 2015: Nauticam Announces Eos 5d Housing ↩
- Wetpixel article, Aug 25, 2015: Olympus Announces The Om D E M10 Mark Ii ↩
- Wetpixel article, Aug 27, 2015: Review Fantasea Fg7x Housing ↩
- Wetpixel article, Sep 2, 2015: Nauticam Releases Housing For Arri Alexa Mini ↩
- Wetpixel article, Sep 10, 2015: National Geographic Magazine Bought By Fox ↩
- Wetpixel article, Sep 11, 2015: Shark Sanctuaries Announced Around Dutch Caribbean Islands ↩
- Wetpixel article, Sep 12, 2015: Sony Announces The 7s Ii Camera ↩
- Wetpixel article, Sep 16, 2015: Wwf Living Blue Planet Report 2015 ↩
- Wetpixel article, Sep 25, 2015: Gates Confirms Red Housings Upgrade Path ↩
- Wetpixel article, Oct 2, 2015: Scientists Find First Ever Biofluorescent Reptile In Solomon Islands ↩
- Wetpixel article, Oct 5, 2015: New Marine Reserves Announced At The Our Oceans Conference ↩
- Wetpixel article, Oct 9, 2015: Noaa Warns Of Third Coral Bleaching Event ↩
- Wetpixel article, Oct 14, 2015: Results Of Wpoty 2015 Announced ↩
- Wetpixel article, Oct 16, 2015: Collectors Editions Of Camera Man By Chuck Nicklin Available ↩
- Wetpixel article, Oct 30, 2015: Aquatica Announces Their Housing For The Sony A7r Ii ↩
- Wetpixel article, Nov 8, 2015: Wetpixel Reports Live From Dema 2015 ↩
- Wetpixel article, Nov 18, 2015: Nikon Confirms D5 Plans ↩
- Wetpixel article, Nov 28, 2015: Racing Extinction Goes To Air On 2 December ↩
- Wetpixel article, Nov 30, 2015: Japan To Resume Southern Ocean Whaling ↩
- Wetpixel article, Dec 4, 2015: Retra Releases Lsd Ultimate ↩
- Wetpixel article, Dec 12, 2015: Cop21 Paris Results In Historic Global Agreement ↩
- Wetpixel article, Dec 21, 2015: Ikelite Is Shipping Housing For Sony Alpha A7 Ii A7r Ii A7s Ii ↩
- Wetpixel article, Dec 28, 2015: Giant Squid Filmed In Shallow Water In Japan ↩
- raw/articles/2015/ (unknown) ↩