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Introducing the ACU system from Aquatica

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Aquatica has assembled and redesigned its whole range of close up accessories under the ACU system banner, which stands for Aquatica Close-Up System.

The ACU system consolidates all the components of Aquatica’s macro and close-up accessories (new and existing ones) into a comprehensive underwater close-up system. In doing so, Aquatica’s engineering department reviewed the system so that every component would work flawlessly with each other. Aquatica took the double element close up lenses it already had, now known as the ACU5 and ACU10, and matched every component of the system to the optical characteristics of the macro lens of your choice.

This consolidation makes it simple for you to navigate through the system and pick the right setup for your macrophotography requirements.

With top quality close up lenses as the cornerstone of the ACU system, a new Mini Macro Port with a much smaller frontal signature was created – on its front is a bayonet ready to accept the ACU Flip Holder in both single and double versions. To optimize the ACU system to its full potential, the port extension ring selection was revised with a new series being introduced. New gears for manually focusing the popular macro lenses have also joined the ranks of the Aquatica system.

The ACU system essential components

The ACU5 and ACU10 lenses

aquatica-acu-reviewThe cornerstone of the ACU system is its water contact close up lenses, the ACU5 and ACU10, these are doublet type close up diopters made of BK7 fully coated mineral glass. They offer unsurpassed corner to corner image quality when mounted on Aquatica’s dedicated ACU system. Optical elements are sealed in a lens body which like all ACU System components is machined from top grade aluminum alloys and anodized to military specification.

The ACU Flip Holder

Available as a single or double hinged holder, it is optimized to work with the ACU5 and ACU10 close up lenses, bringing the rear element of the ACU lenses right to the front window lens of the macro port, an essential detail for making the most of underwater water contact lenses. Its 67mm threads means that it is flexible in its selection of close up lens available. The ACU Flip holder locks firmly on the front of the ACU Mini Macro Port with absolutely no potential of rotating out of alignment by itself.

The ACU Mini Macro Port

This port is a key element of the new system. Its small frontal signature makes lighting your macro subject easy in close quarters. This port has a bayonet on its front which is ready for receiving and safely locking in place the ACU Flip Holder at a moment’s notice. Additionally, the rear features a locking tab compatible with the newly introduced lockable 4000 series extension rings. The 77mm diameter of its front is designed so that the ACU Flip Holder lenses are able to sit right up against the port window lens to extract the maximum performance from the ACU5 and ACU10 close up lenses.

The ACU 77mm to 67mm step down ring

This step down ring is available for converting the ACU Mini Macro Port to accept the ACU5 and ACU10 lenses directly on the port, it also makes the ACU Mini Macro Port compatible with most close up lenses equipped with 67mm thread.

The ACU lens caddy

This convenient lens caddy mounts on our Aquatica grips and will accept the ACU lenses as well as most close up lenses of 67mm threaded mounts.

Manual Focusing gears

A definitive advantage when working at large magnification is the capability of manually focusing the lens. New focusing gears have been introduced for the popular macro lenses currently used in underwater photography, which connect directly to the housing focusing knob located on the left side of Aquatica housings.

Compatibility

Typical of Aquatica commitment to its already established users, compatibility with previous components is a constant priority for the company. Previous macro ports can access the ACU5 and ACU10 lenses with Aquatica’s ACU 19351 lens holder, and owner of 1000 series extensions can convert these extension rings with a locking collar to secure them to the ACU Mini Macro Port.

Professional photographers and well-established magazine editors from around the world stake their reputation on the quality of the images they make with the Aquatica system and its ACU close up lenses:

“The Aquatica ACU5 and ACU10 are essential bits of kit in my macro arsenal. I use them with my Canon 5Dsr and the results are not only spectacular but eye searingly sharp… if I do my part. For the serious macro shooter, the ACU5 and ACU10 close-up lenses are a worthy addition to one’s repertoire.”Stewart Sy, Photographer

“The new Aquatica Mini Macro Port coupled with the ACU5 and ACU10 diopter kit really has taken my macro photography to the next level. The ACU System gives me three magnification options at the flip of a hinge, effectively 3 lenses in one, so now I’m ready for anything on any given dive. One moment I can shoot a fish portrait, next I’m shooting a Pygmy seahorse the size of a grain of rice! I love options when shooting!”Matty Smith, Photographer

“There is a whole tiny world to discover and the only way to see this world if through professional Macro glass. Aquatica’s ACU5 and ACU10 macro set up has opened up this world in a sharp and bright new way.”Mauricio Handler, Photographer

To know more about the ACU System visit www.aquatica.ca or email info@aquatica.ca.

Nick and Caroline (Frogfish Photography) are a married couple of conservation driven underwater photo-journalists and authors. Both have honours degrees from Manchester University, in Environmental Biology and Biology respectively, with Nick being a Fellow of the Royal Photographic Society, a former high school science teacher with a DipEd in Teaching Studies. Caroline has an MSc in Animal Behaviour specializing in Caribbean Ecology. They are multiple award-winning photographers and along with 4 published books, feature regularly in the diving, wildlife and international press They are the Underwater Photography and Deputy Editors at Scubaverse and Dive Travel Adventures. Winners of the Caribbean Tourism Organization Photo-journalist of the Year for a feature on Shark Diving in The Bahamas, and they have been placed in every year they have entered. Nick and Caroline regularly use their free time to visit schools, both in the UK and on their travels, to discuss the important issues of marine conservation, sharks and plastic pollution. They are ambassadors for Sharks4Kids and founders of SeaStraw. They are Dive Ambassadors for The Islands of The Bahamas and are supported by Mares, Paralenz, Nauticam and Olympus. To find out more visit www.frogfishphotography.com

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Diver Discovering Whale Skeletons Beneath Ice Judged World’s Best Underwater Photograph

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UPY

An emotive photograph showing a freediver examining the aftermath of whaling sees
Alex Dawson from Sweden named Underwater Photographer of the Year 2024. Dawson’s
photograph ‘Whale Bones’ triumphed over 6500 underwater pictures entered by underwater
photographers from around the world.

“Whale Bones was photographed in the toughest conditions,” explains chair of judging
panel Alex Mustard, “as a breath-hold diver descends below the Greenland ice sheet to bear
witness to the carcasses. The composition invites us to consider our impact on the great
creatures of this planet. Since the rise of humans, wild animals have declined by 85%. Today,
just 4% of mammals are wildlife, the remaining 96% are humans and our livestock. Our way
needs to change to find a balance with nature.”

UPY

Photo: Rafael
Fernandez Caballero

Whales dominated the winning pictures this year with Spanish photographer Rafael
Fernandez Caballero winning two categories with his revealing photos of these ocean giants:
a close up of a grey whale’s eye and an action shot of a Bryde’s whale engulfing an entire bait
ball, both taken in Magdalena Bay, Baja California, Mexico. Fernandez Caballero took ‘Grey
Whale Connection’ while drifting in a small boat, holding his camera over the side in the water
to photograph the curious whale. ‘The End Of A Baitball’ required Fernandez Caballero to dive
down and be in exactly the right place at the moment the whale lunged. “The photo shows
the high speed attack,” he said, “with the whale engulfing hundreds of kilograms of sardines
in one bite — simply unforgettable to see predation on such a scale.”

UPY

Photo: Rafael
Fernandez Caballero

Lisa Stengel from the United States was named Up & Coming Underwater Photographer of the Year 2024 for her image of a mahi-mahi catching a sardine, in Mexico. Stengel used both a very fast shutter speed and her hearing to catch the moment. “If you listen there’s an enormous amount of sound in the ocean,” she explained. “The action was too fast to see, so I honed in on the sound of the attacks with my camera to capture this special moment.”

“It is such an exciting time in underwater photography because photographers are capturing such amazing new images, by visiting new locations and using the latest cameras,”
commented judge Alex Mustard. “Until this year I’d hardly ever see a photo of a mahi mahi,
now Lisa has photographed one hunting, action that plays out in the blink of an eye.”
The Underwater Photographer of the Year contest is based in the UK, and Jenny Stock,
was named as British Underwater Photographer of the Year 2024 for her image “Star
Attraction”, which finds beauty in species of British wildlife that are often overlooked.
Exploring the west coast of Scotland, Stock explained “in the dark green depths my torch
picked out the vivid colours of a living carpet of thousands of brittle stars, each with a
different pattern. I was happily snapping away, when I spotted this purple sea urchin and I
got really excited.”

Photo: Jenny Stock

In the same contest, Portuguese photographer, Nuno Sá, was named ‘Save Our Seas
Foundation’ Marine Conservation Photographer of the Year 2024, with his photo ‘Saving
Goliath’, taken in Portugal. Sá’s photo shows beachgoers trying to save a stranded sperm
whale. The picture gives us hope that people do care and want to help the oceans, but also
warns us that bigger changes are needed. “The whale had been struck by a ship and its fate
was sealed,” explains Sá. “An estimated 20,000 whales are killed every year, and many more
injured, after being struck by ships-and few people even realise that it happens.”

UPY

Photo: Nuno Sá

More winning images can be found at www.underwaterphotographeroftheyear.com.

About Underwater Photographer of the Year

Underwater Photographer of the Year is an annual competition, based in the UK, that celebrates photography beneath the surface of the ocean, lakes, rivers and even swimming pools, and attracts entries from all around the world. The contest has 13 categories, testing photographers with themes such as Macro, Wide Angle, Behaviour and Wreck photography, as well as four categories for photos taken specifically in British waters. The winners were announced in an award ceremony in Mayfair, London, hosted by The Crown Estate. This year’s UPY judges were experienced underwater photographers Peter Rowlands, Tobias Friedrich and Dr Alexander Mustard MBE.

Header image: Underwater Photographer of the Year 2024 winner Alex Dawson

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World’s Best Underwater Photographers Unveil Breathtaking Images at World Shootout 2023

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The winners of the prestigious World Shootout 2023 underwater photography competition were announced at this year’s BOOT Show, captivating audiences at the world’s largest diving and water sports exhibition in Dusseldorf, Germany. Hundreds of photographers from 54 countries competed across nine categories, pushing the boundaries of creativity and technical skill.

Grand Prize Winners

  • Picture of the Year: Spanish photographer Eduardo Acevedo “secured” the top Honor with the prestigious prize the “boot Dusseldorf Director’s Prize, earning an Andromeda statuette and a €2,000 cash prize.
  • Best 5 Images Portfolio: Luc Rooman from Belgium triumphed in this category, winning a dream 4-week diving trip for two to Papua New Guinea, valued at $18,900.
  • Amateur Photographer: Alexandra Ceurvorst from the USA impressed the judges with her talent, taking home the 1,000 cash prize award.

Celebrating Diversity and Innovation

This year’s competition saw 11,680 entries from 964 photographers, showcasing a remarkable spectrum of skills and perspectives. From the intricate wonders of Macro photography to the beauty of “Black Water”, the “Underwater Fashion” category added a touch of artistry and innovation, while the ever-important ” Environmental & Conservation” category served as a powerful reminder of the need to protect these fragile ecosystems.

Looking Ahead: AI and Ocean Conservation

World Shootout founder and producer David Pilosof unveiled an exciting addition for the 2024 competition: this year the Environmental category will be focusing on the impact of plastic on our oceans and future.

This category will embrace the potential of AI or other editing software as a tool to amplify the conservation message.

Entrants will submit campaigns of three original underwater photographs dealing with plastic pollution, along with their final AI assistance processing. This innovative approach encourages artistic expression while raising awareness about a critical environmental issue.

Explore the Stunning Collection

Discover the complete album of competition entries by clicking here.

For Low-resolution photos of finalist entries in eight categories, click here.

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