2017
Key events
A pivotal year anchored by the deaths of two beloved figures — shark filmmaker Rob Stewart and wetsuit pioneer Jack O’Neill — and by a string of landmark camera releases. Sony’s a9 redefined mirrorless sports performance; Nikon’s D850 set a new standard for full-frame resolution. Nauticam shipped the WACP (Wide Angle Corrector Port), which Alex Mustard called a revolutionary advance in water-contact optics. The Inon Z240 — perhaps the most widely used underwater strobe of the 2000s–2010s — was discontinued, and its successor the Z330 was previewed and shipped by year’s end. Chasing Coral premiered on Netflix and became a touchstone documentary for the underwater community. A cruise ship grounded on Raja Ampat reef, resulting in a fine of ~$450M — a landmark in marine damage liability. PADI changed ownership for $700M, signaling continuing consolidation of the dive industry. Nikon announced cutbacks and 1,000 job losses, reflecting the broader camera market contraction. Hurricanes Irma and Maria devastated Caribbean dive destinations, prompting Wetpixel to launch a matched-donation relief campaign. Beyonce’s underwater maternity photography went viral, introducing millions to the medium.
January
- 2017-01-01: Nauticam announces the NA-H4D housing for the Hasselblad H4D/H3D medium format camera systems — a niche but technically ambitious product bridging medium format and underwater photography. ([1])
- 2017-01-04: Panasonic announces the GH5 Micro Four Thirds camera at CES: $1,999, 4K 60p, 10-bit 4:2:2 internal video — immediately recognized as the most capable hybrid video camera for underwater videographers in its class. ([2])
- 2017-01-06: Kodak announces it will reintroduce Ektachrome film in both Super 8 and 35mm transparency formats, reviving the iconic slide film discontinued in 2012. ([3])
- 2017-01-06: Sea & Sea announces the MDX-5DMKIV housing for the Canon EOS 5D Mark IV, shipping at $3,899. ([4])
- 2017-01-11: 2016 Ocean Art competition results: Matty Smith wins Best of Show with a Portuguese Man Of War image. ([5])
- 2017-01-18: Nauticam ships the NA-A6500 housing for the Sony a6500 at $1,800. ([6])
- 2017-01-25: Surveys reveal 70% of Japan’s largest coral reef has died. ([7])
- 2017-01-26: Nauticam ships the NA-E-M1II housing for the Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II. ([8])
- 2017-01-27: BOOT 2017 show report from Dusseldorf. ([9])
February
- 2017-02-01: Alex Mustard previews the Retra Flash strobe (€699) ahead of its formal launch. ([10])
- 2017-02-03: Beyonce announces her twin pregnancy with a series of underwater maternity photographs that become the most-liked images on Instagram, bringing unprecedented mainstream attention to underwater photography as a medium. ([11])
- 2017-02-03: Filmmaker and shark advocate Rob Stewart goes missing during a dive off Islamorada, Florida, while filming Sharkwater: Extinction. His body is found by ROV near the wreck he was diving. Stewart directed the original Sharkwater (2006), which brought international attention to shark finning. ([12], [13])
- 2017-02-03: World ShootOut 2016 results announced at BOOT: Virginia Salzedo wins Best of Show; U.S.A. Team wins the Global Championship. ([14])
- 2017-02-12: Underwater Photographer of the Year 2017: Gabriel Barathieu wins overall with a split-level image of a green sea turtle in Mayotte. ([15])
- 2017-02-13: Nikon announces cost-cutting measures including 1,000 voluntary redundancies and the cancellation of the DL compact camera series, citing a “slow-down of the market.” ([16])
- 2017-02-25: Our World Underwater 2017: Yatwai So wins. ([17])
- 2017-02-26: Wetpixel interviews Marty Snyderman about his career and his new online magazine for young ocean enthusiasts, Featured Creatures. ([18])
March
- 2017-03-04: The cruise ship Caledonian Sky runs aground in Raja Ampat, Indonesia, damaging an estimated 18,882 square metres of reef — 13,270 square metres completely destroyed. The incident becomes a major story in the underwater community. ([19])
- 2017-03-18: The Photography Show 2017 takes place March 18–21 at the NEC, Birmingham. ([20])
- 2017-03-22: PADI is sold to Mandarinfish Holding for $700 million, marking one of the largest transactions in the recreational diving industry. ([21])
- 2017-03-25: DEEP Indonesia 2017 results: Ralph Pace wins Best of Show and Animal Behaviour Gold with “Revillagigedo Roundup.” Combined with Our World Underwater, it represents the “superbowl” of underwater imaging competitions with over $100,000 in prizes. ([22])
- 2017-03-25: Subal announces the Navy housing line. ([23])
- 2017-03-28: UWTechnics TTL converter reviewed; priced at $495, it enables TTL flash triggering for housings that lack dedicated support. ([24])
- 2017-03-29: SAGA Trio macro lens reviewed at €847. ([25])
- 2017-03-31: Scott “Gutsy” Tuason’s blackwater diving work is featured on Wetpixel, showcasing this emerging genre of underwater photography practiced in the Philippines. ([26])
April
- 2017-04-12: Nikon announces the D7500 DX DSLR at $1,249 — a mid-range body positioned between the D500 and entry-level DX lines. ([27])
- 2017-04-15: ADEX 2017 Singapore attracts 60,000+ visitors; Sylvia Earle appears as keynote speaker. ([28])
- 2017-04-19: Sony announces the a9 full-frame mirrorless camera: 24.2MP stacked BSI sensor, 20fps with no blackout, 693-point AF, $4,500 — the most significant challenge to DSLR sports and action photography to date. ([29])
- 2017-04-20: Canon announces the C-Log upgrade for the EOS 5D Mark IV, adding flat-profile video capabilities to the popular DSLR. ([30])
- 2017-04-21: Tales by Light Season 2, featuring Eric Cheng, becomes available on Netflix. ([31])
May
- 2017-05-05: Nauticam ships the NA-GH5 housing for the Panasonic GH5 at $2,650. ([32])
- 2017-05-09: PADI asks Wetpixel to publish guidelines on ethical behavior toward marine life during underwater photography. ([33])
- 2017-05-15: Planet Earth II wins BAFTA Awards. ([34])
- 2017-05-17: Olympus announces the TG-5 compact at $449 with improved AF, RAW support, and a 25mm-equivalent f/2 lens. ([35])
- 2017-05-25: Jellyfish Lake in Palau officially closes to visitors following the continued collapse of its jellyfish population. ([36])
- 2017-05-30: Nikon’s 8-15mm f/3.5-4.5E ED fisheye zoom lens ships at $1,249 — a versatile underwater wide-angle option covering full-circle to full-frame fisheye. ([37])
- 2017-05-30: The operators of the Caledonian Sky are fined approximately Rp6 trillion (~$450 million) by the Indonesian government for the Raja Ampat reef damage, covering ecosystem, economic, rehabilitation and claim costs. ([38])
- 2017-05-31: Google ceases support of the Nik Collection photo editing plugins, leaving their future uncertain until DxO acquires them later in the year. ([39])
June
- 2017-06-01: Paralenz Dive Camera ships at $599: 4K video, depth-rated to 200m, auto-white balance calibrated for underwater use. ([40])
- 2017-06-02: Jack O’Neill, founder of O’Neill wetsuits and widely credited with democratizing cold-water surfing and diving, dies at age 94. ([41])
- 2017-06-05: Inon discontinues the Z240, ending production of arguably the most widely used underwater strobe of the 2000s and 2010s. ([42])
- 2017-06-05: Gabon announces Africa’s largest network of marine protected areas, creating 20 marine reserves covering roughly 53,000 square kilometres. ([43])
- 2017-06-25: Taxonomists reclassify the genus Manta into Mobula, merging manta rays with devil rays under a single genus. The change affects how conservation legislation names protected species. ([44])
- 2017-06-26: Adam Hanlon publishes a two-part editorial on the ethics of octopus imagery, addressing staged underwater photographs and subject manipulation — a recurring debate in the community. ([45])
- 2017-06-27: Micron announces it is discontinuing the Lexar retail memory card and storage business, ending a major brand presence in camera accessories. ([46])
- 2017-06-29: Canon announces the 6D Mark II (29.2MP, Dual Pixel AF, articulating screen) and SL2 at the same event. ([47])
July
- 2017-07-05: Adam Hanlon publishes a review of the Seacam Silver D500 housing. ([48])
- 2017-07-06: Images emerge from the deepest dive ever conducted under Antarctic ice. ([49])
- 2017-07-08: Laurent Ballesta’s Gombessa IV expedition documentary from Fakarava atoll in French Polynesia is posted, documenting spawning grouper and predatory grey reef sharks in an extraordinary aggregation. ([50])
- 2017-07-11: Adam Hanlon reviews the Nikon 8-15mm f/3.5-4.5 fisheye zoom underwater. ([51])
- 2017-07-14: Chasing Coral, documenting coral bleaching events worldwide, premieres on Netflix — becoming an immediate reference point in Wetpixel community discussions about marine conservation. ([52])
- 2017-07-28: Nauticam ships the NA-A9 housing for the Sony a9. ([53])
August
- 2017-08-22: Paul Allen’s research vessel R/V Petrel locates the wreck of the USS Indianapolis in the Philippine Sea at 5,500m depth — the ship that delivered atomic bomb components in 1945 and suffered one of the worst shark attack events in history after sinking. ([54])
- 2017-08-23: Nikon announces the D850: 45.7MP BSI CMOS, 4K video, 7fps burst, $3,299 — widely regarded as the finest all-round DSLR of its generation. ([55])
- 2017-08-30: UW Technics ships a TTL converter for Canon housings. ([56])
- 2017-08-31: Sony announces the RX0: a 1-inch sensor, waterproof to 10m, ultra-compact action-oriented camera. ([57])
September
- 2017-09-05: Hurricane Irma devastates Caribbean dive destinations; Wetpixel launches a matched-donation fundraising campaign through Direct Relief, pledging to match the first $5,000 in donations. Hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria collectively cause widespread damage to dive tourism infrastructure across the Caribbean in 2017. ([58], [59])
- 2017-09-11: DaVinci Resolve 14 ships, offering free-tier color grading and audio tools widely adopted by underwater video editors. ([60])
- 2017-09-20: Alex Mustard reviews the Retra Flash strobe, disclosing that he collaborated with Retra on its development. ([61])
- 2017-09-27: Blue Planet II is previewed at the BFI IMAX London ahead of its broadcast premiere. ([62])
- 2017-09-28: GoPro announces the HERO6 Black with GP1 processor, 4K 60fps, and improved image stabilization. ([63])
- 2017-09-28: Nauticam WACP (Wide Angle Corrector Port) reviewed by Alex Mustard. Mustard describes it as a revolutionary advance in water-contact wide-angle optics, correcting corner blur and chromatic aberration across the image circle at close focusing distances. ([64])
October
- 2017-10-03: Sea & Sea announces the YS-D2J strobe — a revised, Japan-manufactured version of the YS-D2 designed to address reliability issues reported in the original model. ([65])
- 2017-10-06: Nauticam ships the NA-D850 housing for the Nikon D850 at $3,800. ([66])
- 2017-10-16: Canon announces the G1 X Mark III compact with an APS-C sensor — the first compact camera to pair a large sensor with a built-in lens at this size class, generating interest among underwater photographers seeking compact alternatives. ([67])
- 2017-10-19: Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2017 winners announced at the Natural History Museum, London: Tony Wu (Mammals category), Brian Skerry (Amphibians & Reptiles), Laurent Ballesta (Earth’s Environments), Thomas Peschak (Portfolio Award). ([68])
- 2017-10-24: UK DIVE Show 2017 at the National Exhibition Center, Birmingham draws large numbers of underwater image makers and equipment suppliers. ([69])
- 2017-10-25: Sony announces the a7R III: 42.4MP, 10fps, improved battery life and AF, €3,500 — widely adopted by underwater photographers transitioning from DSLR. ([70])
- 2017-10-25: DxO acquires the Nik Collection from Google, rescuing the plug-in suite from abandonment. ([71])
- 2017-10-25: Ikelite and Subal announce Nikon D850 housings: Ikelite at $1,695 ([72]), Subal at €3,490 ([73]).
November
- 2017-11-01: DEMA 2017 runs November 1–4 in Orlando. ([74])
- 2017-11-01: Gates Underwater announces the Pro Explore housing for the RED DSMC2 cinema camera. ([75])
- 2017-11-08: Panasonic announces the G9: 20.3MP, 80MP high-res mode, 20fps burst, $1,699. ([76])
- 2017-11-13: Sea & Sea ships the MDX-D850 housing for the Nikon D850. ([77])
- 2017-11-15: The Fiji Siren liveaboard is reported lost at sea; all passengers and crew are rescued safely. ([78])
- 2017-11-20: Mexico expands the Revillagigedo Archipelago marine reserve to 57,000 square miles, making it the largest fully-protected marine reserve in North America. ([79])
- 2017-11-21: Mount Agung erupts in Bali, disrupting dive travel to Tulamben and surrounding sites. ([80])
- 2017-11-25: Inon previews the Z330 strobe (GN33), the direct successor to the discontinued Z240. ([81])
- 2017-11-28: CMAS World Underwater Photography Championship in La Paz, Baja California: Spain wins the team title. ([82])
December
- 2017-12-02: A fatal shark bite occurs at Cocos Island, Costa Rica. ([83])
- 2017-12-04: Anilao Shootout 2017 results announced. ([84])
- 2017-12-07: Palau unveils the Palau Pledge — a visa program requiring all visitors to sign an environmental pledge stamped in their passport, the first of its kind. ([85])
- 2017-12-12: Nauticam ships the NA-A7RIII housing for the Sony a7R III at $2,850. ([86])
- 2017-12-14: Apple releases Final Cut Pro 10.4 with 360 VR editing and HDR support. ([87])
- 2017-12-14: National Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year contest winners announced. ([88])
- 2017-12-19: Adobe releases Lightroom 6.14, the final update to the perpetual-license version of Lightroom, effectively ending non-subscription Lightroom as a supported product. ([89])
- 2017-12-21: Inon Z330 ships December 24. ([90])
- 2017-12-22: Aquatica ships the AD850 housing for the Nikon D850 at $2,895. ([91])
- 2017-12-28: Inon ships the UCL-90 close-up lens. ([92])
References
Sources
- Wetpixel article, Jan 1, 2017: Nauticam Announces Housing For Hassleblad H4d And H3d ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jan 4, 2017: Panasonic Announces The Gh5 Camera ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jan 6, 2017: Kodak Rereleases Ektachrome Film ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jan 6, 2017: Seasea Announces New Housing For Eos 5d Mark Iv ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jan 11, 2017: 2016 Ocean Art Winners Announced ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jan 18, 2017: Nauticam Ships Housing For Sony A6500 ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jan 25, 2017: 70 Percent Of Japans Largest Coral Reef Has Died ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jan 26, 2017: Nauticam Ships Housing For Olympus Om D E M1 Mark Ii ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jan 27, 2017: Shoe Report Boot 2017 ↩
- Wetpixel article, Feb 1, 2017: Preview Retra Strobe By Alex Mustard ↩
- Wetpixel article, Feb 3, 2017: Beyonce Announces Second Pregnancy To The World With Underwater Photographs ↩
- Wetpixel article, Feb 3, 2017: Urgent Help Needed Rob Stewart Missing Off Islamorada Florida ↩
- Wetpixel article, Feb 3, 2017: Rip Rob Stewart ↩
- Wetpixel article, Feb 3, 2017: Results Of World Shoot Out Announced ↩
- Wetpixel article, Feb 12, 2017: Underwater Photographer Of The Year 2017 Results ↩
- Wetpixel article, Feb 13, 2017: Nikon Announces Cut Backs And Job Losses ↩
- Wetpixel article, Feb 25, 2017: Our World Underwater 2017 Winners Announced ↩
- Wetpixel article, Feb 26, 2017: Interview With Marty Snyderman ↩
- Wetpixel article, Mar 14, 2017: Recovery Of Raja Ampat Reef Damaged By Cruise Ship Up To 100 Years ↩
- Wetpixel article, Mar 22, 2017: Report The Photography Show 2017 ↩
- Wetpixel article, Mar 22, 2017: Padi Sells For 700 Million ↩
- Wetpixel article, Mar 25, 2017: Results Deep Indonesia 2017 ↩
- Wetpixel article, Mar 25, 2017: Subal Announces Navy Housing Line ↩
- Wetpixel article, Mar 28, 2017: Field Review Uwtechnics External Optical Ttl Converter ↩
- Wetpixel article, Mar 29, 2017: Review Saga Trio Macro Lens System ↩
- Wetpixel article, Mar 31, 2017: Scott Gutsy Tuason Blackwater Diving ↩
- Wetpixel article, Apr 12, 2017: Nikon Announces The D7500 ↩
- Wetpixel article, Apr 15, 2017: Report Imaging Products At Adex 2017 ↩
- Wetpixel article, Apr 19, 2017: Sony Announces The 9 Full Frame Mirrorless Camera ↩
- Wetpixel article, Apr 20, 2017: Canon Announces C Log Upgrade For Eos 5d Mark Iv ↩
- Wetpixel article, Apr 20, 2017: Season 2 Of Tales By Light On Netflix ↩
- Wetpixel article, May 5, 2017: Nauticam Ships Housing For Panasonic Gh5 ↩
- Wetpixel article, May 9, 2017: Article Guidelines For Photographers ↩
- Wetpixel article, May 15, 2017: Planet Earth Ii Wins Bafta Awards ↩
- Wetpixel article, May 17, 2017: Olympus Announces The Tg 5 Tough Compact Camera ↩
- Wetpixel article, May 25, 2017: Jellyfish Lake Closure Announced ↩
- Wetpixel article, May 30, 2017: Nikon Ships 8 15mm Fisheye Lens ↩
- Wetpixel article, May 30, 2017: Cruise Ship Owners Fined For Reef Damage ↩
- Wetpixel article, May 31, 2017: Google Ceases Support Of Nik Plugins ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jun 1, 2017: Paralenz Ships Diving Action Cam ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jun 2, 2017: Jack Oneill Pioneer Of The Wetsuit Has Passed Away ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jun 5, 2017: Inon Ceases Production Of Z240 Strobe ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jun 5, 2017: Gabon Announces Africas Largest Network Of Marine Protected Areas ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jun 25, 2017: Genus Manta Ceases To Exist ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jun 26, 2017: The Ethics Of Octopus Imagery Part 1 ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jun 27, 2017: Micron Discontinues Lexar Memory Cards ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jun 29, 2017: Canon Announces 6d Mark Ii And Rebel Sl2 Cameras ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jul 5, 2017: Review Seacam Silver Housing For D500 ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jul 6, 2017: Amazing Images From The Deepest Dive Ever Under Antarctic Ice ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jul 8, 2017: Video Gombessa Iv Genesis ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jul 11, 2017: Review Nikon 8 15 Mm F 3.5 4.5 Fisheye Lens ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jul 9, 2017: Chasing Coral Premieres This Week On Netflix ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jul 28, 2017: Nauticam Ships Housing For Sony A9 ↩
- Wetpixel article, Aug 22, 2017: Paul Allen Finds Uss Indianapolis In Philippine Sea ↩
- Wetpixel article, Aug 23, 2017: Nikon Announces The D850 Full Frame Slr Camera ↩
- Wetpixel article, Aug 30, 2017: Uw Technics Ships Ttl Converter For Canon ↩
- Wetpixel article, Aug 31, 2017: Sony Unveils The Rx0 Action Cam ↩
- Wetpixel article, Sep 5, 2017: Wetpixel Sends Thoughts And Prayers To Those In The Path Of Hurricane Irma ↩
- Wetpixel article, Sep 10, 2017: Hurricane Relief Wetpixel Appeal ↩
- Wetpixel article, Sep 11, 2017: Blackmagic Design Ships Davinci Resolve 14 ↩
- Wetpixel article, Sep 20, 2017: Field Review Retra Flash By Alex Mustard And Friends ↩
- Wetpixel article, Sep 27, 2017: Blue Planet 2 Attenborough On The New Film Climate Change And Optimism ↩
- Wetpixel article, Sep 28, 2017: Gopro Announces Hero6 Action Cam ↩
- Wetpixel article, Sep 28, 2017: Review Nauticam Wide Angle Corrector Port ↩
- Wetpixel article, Oct 3, 2017: Seasea Announces Japanese Produced Ys D2 Strobe ↩
- Wetpixel article, Oct 6, 2017: Nauticam Announces Housing For Nikon D850 ↩
- Wetpixel article, Oct 16, 2017: Canon Has Announced The G1 X Mark Iii Compact Camera ↩
- Wetpixel article, Oct 19, 2017: Winners Wildlife Photographer Of The Year 2017 ↩
- Wetpixel article, Oct 24, 2017: Show Report Uk Dive Show 2017 ↩
- Wetpixel article, Oct 25, 2017: Sony Announces The A7r Iii Full Frame Mirrorless Camera ↩
- Wetpixel article, Oct 25, 2017: Dxo Acquires The Nik Collection ↩
- Wetpixel article, Oct 25, 2017: Ikelite Ships Housing For Nikon D850 ↩
- Wetpixel article, Oct 25, 2017: Subal Announces Housing For Nikon D850 ↩
- Wetpixel article, Nov 2, 2017: Show Report Dema 2017 ↩
- Wetpixel article, Nov 1, 2017: Gates Announces Pro Explore Housing ↩
- Wetpixel article, Nov 8, 2017: Panasonic Announces The G9 Mirrorless Camera ↩
- Wetpixel article, Nov 13, 2017: Seasea Ships Housing For Nikon D850 ↩
- Wetpixel article, Nov 15, 2017: Fiji Siren Has Been Lost At Sea ↩
- Wetpixel article, Nov 20, 2017: Mexico Expands Revillagigedos Marine Park ↩
- Wetpixel article, Nov 21, 2017: Mount Agung Erupts ↩
- Wetpixel article, Nov 25, 2017: Sneak Preview Inon Z330 Strobe ↩
- Wetpixel article, Nov 28, 2017: Spanish Team Wins Cmas World Championship ↩
- Wetpixel article, Dec 2, 2017: Tiger Shark Fatality In Cocos Island ↩
- Wetpixel article, Dec 4, 2017: Results Anilao Shootout 2017 ↩
- Wetpixel article, Dec 7, 2017: The Palau Pledge Is Unveiled A New Visa Entry Program ↩
- Wetpixel article, Dec 12, 2017: Nauticam Announces Housing For Sony A7riii ↩
- Wetpixel article, Dec 14, 2017: Apple Updates Final Cut Pro 3 ↩
- Wetpixel article, Dec 14, 2017: Winners Of National Geographic Nature Photographer Of The Year Contest Anno ↩
- Wetpixel article, Dec 19, 2017: Adobe Releases Final Version Of Lightroom Perpetual App ↩
- Wetpixel article, Dec 21, 2017: Full Details Of The Inon Z330 Strobe Announced ↩
- Wetpixel article, Dec 22, 2017: Aquatica Ships Ad850 Housing For Nikon D850 ↩
- Wetpixel article, Dec 28, 2017: Inon Ships Ucl 90 Close Up Lens ↩
- raw/articles/2017/ (unknown) ↩