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Fantasea introduces new UW lighting range

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Fantasea has introduced a selection of new products designed to enhance lighting of underwater images and videos, including LED Strobe Triggers, Fiber Optic Cables and a powerful video light.

Radiant 3000F Video Light
Cat. No. 6052

The Radiant 3000F Video Light is a durable and powerful video light, designed to significantly enhance color and light in underwater videos and still images. It offers a variety of advanced features for creative photographers.

Featuring an ergonomic design and a built-in YS connector, the Radiant 3000F Video Light can be comfortably integrated into any underwater photo system, such as with action cams, amphibious cameras, compact digital housings and more.

The Radiant 3000F offers a variety of operation modes, which make the light suitable to light a wide range of classic and creative compositions. Operation modes include flood light (100 degrees), spot light (15 degrees), red light, Ultra Violet (UV) & Blue light and two flashing modes (constant and SOS) that can serve for signaling / SOS purposes.

The Radiant 3000F makes use of 3 powerful LEDs for red light, 4 LEDs for UV & blue light, one X-PL LED for spot light and a new Cob (chip-on-board) LED array for flood light, which provides an impressively bright, wide and even beam. Color temperature of the beam is warm and assists with producing vivid and colorful videos and still images without having to use any color correction filters.

A battery power indicator light enables easy monitoring of the battery power. In the flashing modes the light can provide up to 8 hours of burn time (assuming the batteries are fully charged).

A user-friendly interface, based on two easily accessible buttons, allows for easy operation of the light. The Mode button allows switching between the various modes of light. The Intensity button allows adjusting power output in most light modes according to various compositions and diving conditions, as well as for extending the burn time of the light (the batteries will provide power for a considerably longer time when the light is set at lower intensity settings). Finally, a “memory” function will return the light to the same setting as previously used before the light was last turned off.

Depth rated to 100 meters/330 feet, the Radiant 3000F Video Light fulfills the needs of both recreational and technical divers.

Specifications

  • Depth ratio: 100 meters / 330 feet
  • Maximum output: Flood- 3000 lumens, Spot- 1000 lumens
  • Beam angle: 100 degrees (Flood, Red, UV & Blue and Flashing) / 15 degrees (Spot)
  • Material: Aluminum head, Polycarbonate body
  • Mount: YS Connector (interchangeable)
  • Battery: 2 x 18650 Li-ion batteries
  • Burn time: Flood – 50* minutes at 100% power, Spot: 100* minutes at 100% power
    * in optimal conditions
  • LED Lifespan: 35,000 hours
  • Color temperature: 5,000K
  • CRI: 90
  • Operation modes:
    Flood – 100% / 50% / 25% power
    Spot – 100% / 50% / 25% power
    Red – 100% / 40%
    UV & Blue
    Flashing
    SOS
  • Battery power indicator:
    Green (100%-60% power)
    Yellow (59%-30% power)
    Red (29%-15% power)
    Flashing Red (14%-1% power)
  • Dimensions: 56 x 122.5 mm / 2.2 x 4.82 inch (diameter x length)
  • Weight: 253g (without batteries)
  • Included in package: Instruction manual, protective bag, secure string, 4 x 18650 batteries, battery charger, 2 x replacement O-rings, Connector Ball to YS Mount, silicone grease and microfiber cloth

FA-1 LED Strobe Trigger
Cat. No. 6551

The FA-1 LED Strobe Trigger triggers underwater strobes and flashes to fire in sync with the camera using fiber optic cables.

Using the LED Strobe Trigger eliminates the need for the camera built-in flash to fire, thereby extending camera battery life and allowing for longer shooting sessions. Eliminating the camera built-in flash also keeps the camera from heating up, resulting with less condensation in humid conditions. The LED Strobe Trigger’s super quick recycle time allows for rapid shooting and triggering of the strobes without having to wait for the camera built-in flash to charge.

The FA-1 LED Strobe Trigger can be connected to any camera featuring a hot-shoe connection. It can be installed inside any camera housing offering sufficient space, anywhere inside the housing, for the main unit to be placed.

The FA-1 LED Strobe Trigger is capable of triggering most underwater strobes available in the market. Note that when using the LED Strobe Trigger, strobe output is controlled manually only.

Specifications

  • LED type: Ultra bright white LED
  • LED ports: 2
  • Voltage: 3.7 V
  • Power consumption: 5 milliwatt
  • Battery: 110mAh Lithium Polymer battery
  • Charging time: 1.5 hours
  • Flash capacity: 10,000 (when fully charged)
  •  Battery life: Up to 72 hours (when fully charged)
  • Auto power-off time: 3 hours
  • Dimensions: 40.5 x 45 x 13 mm / 1.6 x 1.77 x 0.51 inch
  • Weight: 16.8 g / 0.51 oz
  • Included in package: LED Strobe Trigger main unit, LED cable, Hot-shoe cable, Spongy LED trigger ports, Velcro sticker, Rubber band and USB cable

Product Demo Video


FA-2 LED Strobe Trigger
Cat. No. 6552

The FA-2 LED Strobe Trigger triggers underwater strobes and flashes to fire in sync with the camera using fiber optic cables.

Using the LED Strobe Trigger eliminates the need for the camera built-in flash to fire, thereby extending camera battery life and allowing for longer shooting sessions. Eliminating the camera built-in flash also keeps the camera from heating up, resulting with less condensation in humid conditions. The LED Strobe Trigger’s super quick recycle time allows for rapid shooting and triggering of the strobes without having to wait for the camera built-in flash to charge.

The FA-2 LED Strobe Trigger can be connected to any camera featuring a hot-shoe connection. It was designed to be installed inside Fantasea housings, but can also be installed inside other housings featuring sufficient space above the camera hot-shoe.

The FA-2 LED Strobe Trigger is capable of triggering most underwater strobes available in the market. Note that when using the LED Strobe Trigger, strobe output is controlled manually only.

Specifications

  • LED type: Ultra bright white LED
  • LED ports: 2
  • Voltage: 3.7 V
  • Power consumption: 5 milliwatt
  • Battery: 110mAh Lithium Polymer battery
  • Charging time: 1.5 hours
  • Flash capacity: 10,000 (when fully charged)
  •  Battery life: Up to 72 hours (when fully charged)
  • Auto power-off time: 3 hours
  • Dimensions: 40.5 x 45 x 20.5 mm / 1.6 x 1.77 x 0.8 inch
  • Weight: 16.8 g / 0.59 oz
  • Included in package: LED Strobe Trigger main unit, LED cable, Spongy LED trigger ports, rubber band and USB cable

See Product Demo Video Above


Fiber Optic Cable A1
Cat. No. 6301

The Fiber Optic Cable A1 connects between the camera housing and a single slave strobe, thus allowing triggering the strobe in sync with the camera. The Fiber Optic Cable A1 is 45.3 cm / 17.8 inch long.

Using the plugs included, one end of the cable attaches to the fiber optic cable port on the camera housing, right against the camera built-in flash or LED Strobe Trigger (if using one), and the other end attaches to the strobe slave sensor. The light emitted by the camera built-in flash or LED Strobe Trigger is transmitted through the fiber optic cable to the strobe slave sensor, thus triggering it to fire in sync with the camera.

The Fiber Optic Cable A1 features a plug on its end which is compatible with Fantasea housings and other housings featuring a similar design of fiber optic cable ports. This plug is also compatible with many popular strobes. In a case of connecting the fiber optic cable to a housing or strobe featuring a different fiber optic cable port design, a compatible adaptor (separately acquired) can be mounted on or instead of the existing plug.


Fiber Optic Cable B2
Cat. No. 6302

The Fiber Optic Cable B2 is a dual fiber optic cable which connects between the camera housing and two slave strobes, thus allowing triggering the strobes in sync with the camera. The Fiber Optic Cable B2 features cables which are 45.3 cm / 17.8 inch long.

Using the plugs included, one end of the dual cable attaches to the fiber optic cable port on the camera housing, right against the camera built-in flash or LED Strobe Trigger (if using one), and the other two ends attach to the strobes slave sensors. The light emitted by the camera built-in flash or LED Strobe Trigger is transmitted through the fiber optic cables to the strobes slave sensors, thus triggering them to fire in sync with the camera.

The Fiber Optic Cable B2 features a plug on each of its ends which is compatible with Fantasea housings and other housings featuring a similar design of fiber optic cable ports. This plug is also compatible with many popular strobes. In a case of connecting the fiber optic cable to a housing or strobe featuring a different fiber optic cable port design, a compatible adaptor (separately acquired) can be mounted on or instead of the existing plug.


Further information can be found shortly on www.fantasea.com.

Distributed in the UK by Blue Orb Distribution.

Blogs

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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