2018
Key events
A watershed year defined by two seismic shifts: the full-frame mirrorless revolution and the transfer of Wetpixel itself. Within a six-week window in late summer and autumn, Nikon launched the Z6/Z7, Canon launched the EOS R, and Panasonic announced the L-Mount Alliance with Leica and Sigma — effectively ending the DSLR era for many photographers. Sony’s a7 III shipped at $2,000 and rapidly became one of the most popular full-frame cameras for underwater use. Alex Mustard was awarded an MBE for services to underwater photography. Wetpixel’s co-founder Eric Cheng transferred ownership of the site to Adam Hanlon, effective December 1, 2018 — closing a chapter that began in 2001.
On the conservation front, the Great Pacific Garbage Patch was found to contain 1.8 trillion plastic pieces; Belize banned all offshore oil exploration to protect its barrier reef; and the Maldivian police demolished Jason deCaires Taylor’s Coralarium sculpture following a court order. Bob Halstead, pioneer of muck diving in Papua New Guinea, died in December. Subal restructured, moving production to Belgrade while retaining Austrian servicing. The DEEP Indonesia 2018 competition sparked controversy over alleged subject manipulation in the winning image. A major earthquake struck Lombok, affecting dive tourism across the Gili Islands. The ethics debate in underwater photography intensified throughout the year.
January
- 2018-01-03: Subal confirms a restructuring: bulk production has moved from Austria to Belgrade, while the Steyr facility becomes a service center and a new showroom opens in Vienna. Owner Harald Karl clarifies the situation after reports of financial difficulty surface on Wetpixel forums. ([1])
- 2018-01-03: Blue Planet II premieres in the United States on BBC America on January 20, after its UK broadcast the previous autumn. ([2])
- 2018-01-08: Panasonic announces the GH5S at CES — a cinema-focused variant of the GH5 with a 10.2MP sensor optimized for low-light video, dual native ISO, and 4K 60p. ([3])
- 2018-01-15: Peter Rowlands career interview coinciding with UwP Magazine’s 100th issue, reflecting on 45 years of underwater image making and 17 years of digital publishing. ([4])
- 2018-01-19: UW-Fotopartner, a major European underwater photography equipment retailer, files for bankruptcy. ([5])
- 2018-01-31: Belize passes a law banning all oil exploration in its waters, strengthening protections for the Belize Barrier Reef — the largest in the Western Hemisphere and a UNESCO World Heritage site. ([6])
February
- 2018-02-01: World ShootOut 2017 results announced at BOOT Dusseldorf: Franco Tulli wins Best Picture of the Year with a coconut octopus image. ([7])
- 2018-02-01: The liveaboard Waow catches fire in Indonesian waters; crew and passengers are safely evacuated, but the vessel sinks and is a total loss. ([8])
- 2018-02-15: Underwater Photographer of the Year 2018: Tobias Friedrich wins the overall title with a panoramic image of the Thistlegorm wreck. ([9])
- 2018-02-18: Our World Underwater 2018: Shane Gross wins Best of Show. ([10])
- 2018-02-19: Strobe comparison test published: Inon Z330 vs Retra Flash vs Symbiosis SS2 — a detailed head-to-head of three current-generation strobes. ([11])
- 2018-02-27: Sony announces the a7 III: 24.1MP, 693-point phase-detection AF covering 93% of the frame, 4K video with no pixel binning, $2,000 — rapidly becoming one of the most popular full-frame cameras for underwater use. ([12])
March
- 2018-03-02: DEEP Indonesia 2018 results: Yung-Sen Wu wins Best of Show with a blue-ring octopus image. The image later becomes controversial. ([13])
- 2018-03-05: Seacam Silver D850 housing announced, offering the brand’s flagship build quality for the Nikon D850. ([14])
- 2018-03-05: Underwater photographer Art Haseltine dies unexpectedly after contracting pneumonia. A marine biologist who worked 22 years with the California Department of Fish and Game, he was known for his boundless enthusiasm and time spent in the water. ([15])
- 2018-03-23: Controversy erupts around the DEEP Indonesia competition: Yung-Sen Wu’s Best of Show winning blue-ring octopus image is alleged to involve subject manipulation, sparking a broad community debate about ethics in underwater photography competitions. ([16])
- 2018-03-23: A peer-reviewed study estimates the Great Pacific Garbage Patch contains approximately 1.8 trillion plastic pieces — a finding widely covered in the Wetpixel community. ([17])
April
- 2018-04-05: Apple announces ProRes RAW format in Final Cut Pro 10.4.1, enabling editors to play full-quality 4K ProRes RAW in real time. ([18])
- 2018-04-09: NAB 2018: Blackmagic Design announces the Pocket Cinema Camera 4K at $1,295 — a compact 4K cinema camera that immediately attracts interest from underwater videographers. ([19])
- 2018-04-16: ADEX 2018 Singapore: Nauticam unveils the production model of the WACP; Seacam launches the Sea Flash 60 for Canon with HSS — the first non-Canon strobe to support Canon HSS; Peter Hughes receives a lifetime achievement award. ([20])
- 2018-04-21: SmugMug acquires Flickr from Verizon/Oath, rescuing the photo-sharing platform from likely closure. ([21])
- 2018-04-22: DxO Labs enters receivership, putting the future of its RAW processing software and the Nik Collection in doubt. ([22])
- 2018-04-25: Retra ceases production of their original Flash strobe, citing production time and availability issues. The company commits to continuing accessories, LSD production, and warranty support while developing replacement models. ([23])
- 2018-04-27: The Animals in their Environment category winner of WPOTY 2017, by Marcio Cabral, is disqualified after investigation reveals the anteater in the image was likely a taxidermically stuffed animal. ([24])
May
- 2018-05-05: Canon Collective and Scubapix co-host an underwater photography event at Heron Island on the Great Barrier Reef. ([25])
- 2018-05-28: Mike Bartick begins an article series on blackwater diving techniques — a growing discipline in which photographers dive over deep water at night to photograph pelagic invertebrates and larval fish. ([26])
- 2018-05-30: Backscatter publishes a detailed underwater comparison of the Nikon D850 vs Sony a7R III, tested by CEO Jim Decker in Roatan and Little Cayman — a key resource as photographers debated the DSLR-to-mirrorless transition. ([27])
June
- 2018-06-05: Sony announces the RX100 VI compact: 20.1MP, 1-inch sensor, 24-200mm f/2.8-4.5 lens, 4K video, $1,000. ([28])
- 2018-06-06: Maluku Divers, a much-loved resort in Ambon, Indonesia, closes due to a land ownership dispute, leaving 45 employees out of work. ([29])
- 2018-06-08: Alex Mustard is awarded an MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire) for “services to underwater photography” — a formal recognition of his contributions as photographer, educator, and Wetpixel associate editor. ([30])
- 2018-06-23: The Shootout 2018: Team Lembeh wins by a margin of two votes per image; Galice Hoarau wins the individual competition. ([31])
- 2018-06-27: Jack Connick publishes a comprehensive review of the Nikon D850 and Nauticam NA-D850 housing. ([32])
- 2018-06-28: Mike Bartick publishes an article on backlighting techniques — the second installment in his Wetpixel lighting series. ([33])
July
- 2018-07-04: Adam Hanlon publishes a comparison review of Nikon FX wide-angle lenses underwater, addressing dome port theory and lens selection challenges. ([34])
- 2018-07-09: UNESCO removes the Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System from its list of World Heritage Sites in Danger, following Belize’s legislative reforms banning oil drilling. ([35])
- 2018-07-17: A new species of dogfish shark is named Squalus clarkae in honor of Eugenie Clark, the pioneering marine biologist and founding director of Mote Marine Laboratory. ([36])
- 2018-07-25: Nikon pre-announces a full-frame mirrorless camera system with a new Z mount — formally ending any uncertainty about Nikon’s mirrorless direction. ([37])
- 2018-07-28: Jason deCaires Taylor’s Coralarium sculpture installation opens in the Maldives — an underwater gallery of life-size human forms designed to serve as an artificial reef and meditation on the climate crisis. ([38])
August
- 2018-08-06: A series of major earthquakes strike the Indonesian island of Lombok (up to 6.9 magnitude), causing fatalities and prompting evacuation of all tourists from the Gili Islands. Tremors are felt in Bali. ([39])
- 2018-08-13: Nikon re-registers the NIKONOS trademark, fuelling speculation about a potential revival of the legendary underwater camera line. ([40])
- 2018-08-14: Trailer released for Sharkwater Extinction — Rob Stewart’s posthumously completed sequel to Sharkwater (2006), documenting ongoing shark finning operations. ([41])
- 2018-08-15: Florida declares a state of emergency due to a devastating red tide bloom of Karenia brevis that kills fish, turtles, manatees, and a 26-foot whale shark along a stretch from Tampa to the Everglades. ([42])
- 2018-08-23: Nikon announces the Z6 and Z7 — its first full-frame mirrorless cameras, using the new Z mount. The Z7 (45.7MP, $3,400) and Z6 (24.5MP, $2,000) establish a major new housing ecosystem for underwater photographers. ([43])
September
- 2018-09-05: Canon announces the EOS R — its first full-frame mirrorless camera, using the new RF mount. Priced at $2,299, it marks Canon’s entry into a mirrorless full-frame market already contested by Sony and now Nikon. ([44])
- 2018-09-05: Inon D-200 strobe begins shipping — a new mid-range strobe positioned below the Z330, offering guide number 20. ([45])
- 2018-09-20: GoPro announces the HERO7 line with improved stabilization (HyperSmooth) and live streaming capability. ([46])
- 2018-09-24: Maldivian police destroy the Coralarium sculpture following a civil court order at the direction of former president Abdulla Yameen. ([47])
- 2018-09-25: Panasonic, Leica, and Sigma announce the L-Mount Alliance — a shared full-frame mirrorless mount — and unveil the Panasonic S1R (47MP) and S1 (24MP) cameras with 4K 60p, completing the year’s trio of full-frame mirrorless system announcements. ([48])
October
- 2018-10-06: Wetpixel and Alex Mustard co-host a Macro Workshop in Lembeh Strait, Indonesia. ([49])
- 2018-10-16: Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2018: Michael Patrick O’Neill wins the Under Water category. ([50])
- 2018-10-29: Ikelite announces the 200DL housing for the Nikon Z7 mirrorless camera. ([51])
- 2018-10-31: Nauticam MWL-1 ultra-wide conversion lens ships at $1,850 — a water-contact close-focus wide-angle optic compatible with 60mm full-frame equivalent macro lenses. ([52])
November
- 2018-11-05: ONEUW ONE160x strobe announced at €1,468, entering the premium strobe market alongside Retra and Inon. ([53])
- 2018-11-12: Retra announces the Flash Prime (€599) and Flash Pro (€739) — an updated strobe lineup replacing the discontinued original Flash. ([54])
- 2018-11-15: Nauticam NA-Z7 housing for Nikon Z6/Z7 ships at $3,450. ([55])
- 2018-11-15: DEMA 2018 runs in Las Vegas. ([56])
- 2018-11-16: Sea & Sea announces the MDX housing for the Nikon Z6 and Z7, compatible with both Z-mount and F-mount lenses via the FTZ adapter. ([57])
- 2018-11-27: Anilao Shootout 2018 concludes with 241 contestants from 23 countries; Dennis Corpuz named DOT (Department of Tourism) Underwater Photographer of the Year. ([58])
- 2018-11-30: Wetpixel announces the transfer of ownership from Eric Cheng to Adam Hanlon, effective December 1, 2018 — ending Cheng’s tenure as co-founder after 17 years. ([59])
December
- 2018-12-04: Nauticam NA-R housing for the Canon EOS R ships at $3,300. ([60])
- 2018-12-19: Bob Halstead dies — a pioneering underwater photographer and liveaboard operator based in Papua New Guinea, widely credited with popularising muck diving as a genre in PNG. ([61])
- 2018-12-18: Tales by Light Season 3 premieres on Netflix, featuring Shawn Heinrichs among its subjects. ([62])
- 2018-12-26: Japan announces its withdrawal from the International Whaling Commission (IWC), effective July 2019, signalling a resumption of commercial whaling. ([63])
References
Sources
- Wetpixel article, Jan 3, 2018: Subal Experiences Financial Issues ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jan 3, 2018: Blue Planet Ii Premieres In Us On January 20th ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jan 8, 2018: Panasonic Announces The Lumix Gh5s ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jan 15, 2018: Interview 45 Years Of Underwater Image Making With Peter Rowlands ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jan 19, 2018: Uw Fotopartner Enters Bankruptcy ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jan 31, 2018: Belize Passes Law To Prohibit Oil Exploration In Its Waters ↩
- Wetpixel article, Feb 1, 2018: Live On Stage World Shootout 2017 ↩
- Wetpixel article, Feb 1, 2018: Waow Liveaboard Severely Damaged In Fire ↩
- Wetpixel article, Feb 15, 2018: Results Of Upy 2018 Announced ↩
- Wetpixel article, Feb 18, 2018: Results Our World Underwater 2018 ↩
- Wetpixel article, Feb 19, 2018: Strobe Tests Inon Z330 Retra Flash And Symbiosis Ss2 ↩
- Wetpixel article, Feb 27, 2018: Sony Announces The 7 Iii Full Frame Mirrorless Camera ↩
- Wetpixel article, Mar 2, 2018: Results Deep Indonesia 2018 ↩
- Wetpixel article, Mar 5, 2018: Seacam Announces Silver D850 Housing ↩
- Wetpixel article, Mar 5, 2018: Rip Art Haseltine ↩
- Wetpixel article, Mar 23, 2018: Deep 2018 Results Controversy ↩
- Wetpixel article, Mar 23, 2018: The Ocean Cleanup Foundation Releases Starling Results Of Pacific Garbage P ↩
- Wetpixel article, Apr 5, 2018: Apple Announces Prores Raw Format ↩
- Wetpixel article, Apr 9, 2018: Blackmagic Design Announces Pocket Cinema Camera4k ↩
- Wetpixel article, Apr 16, 2018: Show Report Adex 2018 By Drew Wong ↩
- Wetpixel article, Apr 21, 2018: Smugmug Acquires Flickr ↩
- Wetpixel article, Apr 22, 2018: Dxo Labs Goes Into Receivership ↩
- Wetpixel article, Apr 25, 2018: Retra Ceases Production Of Their Flash ↩
- Wetpixel article, Apr 27, 2018: Winning Wpoty Image Disqualified ↩
- Wetpixel article, May 5, 2018: Live Updates Canon Collective Scubapix Imaging Event At Heron Island ↩
- Wetpixel article, May 28, 2018: First Installment Of ↩
- Wetpixel article, May 30, 2018: Backscatter Compares The Nikon D850 And Sony A7riii ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jun 5, 2018: Sony Announces Rx100 Vi Compact Camera_1 ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jun 6, 2018: Maluku Divers Closes ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jun 8, 2018: Alex Mustard Is Awarded An Mbe ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jun 23, 2018: Final Results The Shootout 2018 ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jun 27, 2018: Review Nikon D850 And Nauticam Na D850 By Jack Connick ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jun 28, 2018: Backlighting Article By Mike Bartick ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jul 4, 2018: Review Nikon Fx Wide Angle Lenses ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jul 9, 2018: Coral Protections Lead Unesco To Remove Belize Barrier Reef From World Heri ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jul 17, 2018: New Shark Species Named In Honor Of Eugenie Clark ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jul 25, 2018: Nikon Formally Announces Full Frame Mirrorless Camera ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jul 28, 2018: Jason Decaires Taylor Opens Coralarium In The Maldives ↩
- Wetpixel article, Aug 6, 2018: Major Earthquake Impacts Indonesia ↩
- Wetpixel article, Aug 13, 2018: Nikon Re Registers Nikonos Trademark ↩
- Wetpixel article, Aug 14, 2018: Trailer For Sharkwater Extinction Has Been Released ↩
- Wetpixel article, Aug 15, 2018: Florida Declares State Of Emergency Due To Red Tide ↩
- Wetpixel article, Aug 23, 2018: Nikon Announces Z Series Mirrorless Cameras ↩
- Wetpixel article, Sep 5, 2018: Canon Announces Eos R System ↩
- Wetpixel article, Sep 5, 2018: Inon Announces The D 200 Strobe ↩
- Wetpixel article, Sep 20, 2018: Gopro Announces Hero7 Cameras ↩
- Wetpixel article, Sep 24, 2018: Maldivian Police Destroy Jason Decaires Taylor Sculpture ↩
- Wetpixel article, Sep 25, 2018: Panasonic Announces Two Full Frame Mirrorless Cameras ↩
- Wetpixel article, Oct 6, 2018: Live Reports Wetpixel Mustard Macro Workshop 2018 ↩
- Wetpixel article, Oct 16, 2018: Result Wildlife Photographer Of The Year 2018 ↩
- Wetpixel article, Oct 29, 2018: Ikelite Announces Housing For The Nikon Z7 Mirrorless Camera ↩
- Wetpixel article, Oct 31, 2018: Nauticam Ships Mwl 1 Ultra Wide Conversion Lens ↩
- Wetpixel article, Nov 5, 2018: Oneuw Releases The One160x Strobe ↩
- Wetpixel article, Nov 12, 2018: Retra Announces New Strobes ↩
- Wetpixel article, Nov 15, 2018: Nautical Ships Housing For Nikon Z6 And Z7 Mirrorless Cameras ↩
- Wetpixel article, Nov 15, 2018: Dema 2018 ↩
- Wetpixel article, Nov 16, 2018: Seasea Announces Mdx Housing For Nikon Z6 And Z7 ↩
- Wetpixel article, Nov 27, 2018: Live Reports Anilao Underwater Shootout 2018 ↩
- Wetpixel article, Nov 30, 2018: Change Of Ownership At Wetpixel ↩
- Wetpixel article, Dec 4, 2018: Nauticam Ships Na R Housing For Canon Eos R ↩
- Wetpixel article, Dec 19, 2018: Rip Bob Halstead ↩
- Wetpixel article, Dec 18, 2018: Season 3 Of Tales By Light On Netflix ↩
- Wetpixel article, Dec 26, 2018: Japan To Resume Commercial Whaling ↩
- raw/articles/2018/ (unknown) ↩