X-RAY MAGAZINE FEATURE

Signature Traits: Contributors' Picks

We asked our contributors to share their favorite underwater images that showcase the distinctive features of various underwater creatures, and they returned with a broad selection of macro and wide-angle shots featuring a variety of marine life, from majestic sharks and sea turtles to tiny nudibranchs and crustaceans.

Words:
X-Ray Mag Contributors
Images:
X-Ray Mag Contributors
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Photo & Video

(To see all the images in the article, please scroll down to the end and download the PDF.)

Here, X-Ray Mag contributors share their selected images from the tropical waters of the Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Cayman Islands, Saba, the Bahamas, Isla Mujeres in Mexico, and Cocos Island in Costa Rica, to the subtropical and temperate waters of the US East Coast.

Instant Recognition

Text and photos by Gary Rose, MD

X-RAY MAGAZINE FEATURE

UW Photo: Camera Sensors

How does sensor size impact image quality? Underwater photographer John Ares offers insights into the realm of camera sensors.

Words:
John Ares
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Photo & Video

Since the development of the digital photography revolution in the early 2000s, there have been many attempts to describe or define image quality in simple terms, including factors such as megapixels, resolution, sensor size and photosite size. These factors are related but not interchangeable. 

Megapixels were an early attempt to describe quality by multiplying the pixel dimensions of a photo. For example, 2,000 pixels wide multiplied by 1,500 pixels high equals 3,000,000 pixels, or three megapixels (3MP). One megapixel equals one million pixels.

X-RAY MAGAZINE FEATURE

Transparent & Translucent: Contributors’ Picks

We asked our contributors to share their favorite underwater photos showing the transparent and translucent qualities of underwater creatures, and they came back with a range of macro and wide-angle shots featuring a variety of marine life. Here, X-Ray Mag contributors share their selected images from the tropical waters of Palau, the Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia and Hawaii to the subtropical and temperate waters of Costa Brava in Spain, New Zealand, South Africa, the US East Coast and British Columbia in Canada.

Words:
X-Ray Mag Contributors
Images:
X-Ray Mag Contributors
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Photo & Video

(To see all the images in the article, please scroll down to the end and download the pdf.)

Exploring Transparency & Translucency

Text and photos by Kate Jonker

Press Release
Received from: SeaLife Cameras

SeaLife's New SportDiver Ultra Underwater Smartphone Housing

SeaLife

Boasting numerous design enhancements over the original acclaimed SportDiver model, the Ultra version offers universal compatibility with virtually all smartphones, including iPhones 8 and later models, as well as larger Android devices like the Samsung Galaxy Ultra series.

Engineered with an unwavering commitment to excellence, the SportDiver Ultra allows divers and snorkelers to capture stunning photos and videos with their smartphones down to depths of 130 feet (40 meters). 

SeaLife SportDiver Ultra Smartphone Housing

The SeaLife SportDiver Ultra is a compact and lightweight underwater housing designed for smartphones, enabling divers to capture photos and videos down to depths of 40 metres (130 feet). 

SeaLife

The housing is compatible with most Android models, including larger models such as the Samsung S Series Ultra and Google Pixel devices, as well as all iPhones from iPhone 8 through iPhone 15 Pro Max. It pairs seamlessly with the free SportDiver App, which is available on the App Store and the Play Store.”

Nitecore Rechargeable 18650 Li-ion Battery (4000mAh)

The Nitecore NL1840HP is a high-performance 4000mAh rechargeable button-top battery that is designed to be used in high-drain devices, such as underwater flash units.

Nitecore Rechargeable 18650 Li-ion Battery (4000mAh)
Nitecore

It has a voltage of 3.6V (14.4Wh), a continuous discharge current of 10A, and can be recharged over 500 times, making it cost-effective and environmentally friendly. It has a built-in intelligent protective circuit and a pressure relief valve, which safeguards it against overcharging, over-discharging and short circuits. 

AOI Wet Lens Holder

AOI

Attach your wetlenses to this holder when not in use. Keeping them nearby prevents loss and protects them from scratches or bumps. This holder is designed for a single wetlens and is mounted on the cold shoe mount atop your housing. Made of black hard-anodized aluminium alloy, it is compatible with 67mm-threaded lenses. Dimensions: 58.5mm x 19.3mm. Weight: 59.8g.

Weefine Smart Focus 2500 light

A true all-in-one unit, this 2500-lumen video light features a high-quality100-lumen COB LED style array and is compact at 120mm long. It also has a 100 lumen red beam and an 18W deep UV beam for fluorescence.

Weefine

 In addition, each colour beam can be used as an AFO focus light, which automatically shuts off when the unit’s electronic flash sensor detects a flash. With a wide 100-degree beam angle for greater illumination, the flood and red modes have adjustable brightness levels of 25%, 50% and 100%. When used in areas with ambient temperatures above 50°C, the brightness is automatically reduced to 20% to protect against overheating. 

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