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It’s Thanksgiving. A time to be with family and friends, to eat hearty and too much, and to count your blessings. I am thankful  for my family and friends, for my good health and for all of you who have made my career in diving so rewarding. I did not expect the response I received to last issue’s announcement of the closing of Liburdi’s Scuba Center. I must say some of the e-mails brought a tear to my eye. I won’t bore you all. I will share only two:   Hi Joe, I was one of your students when I purchased my first UW camera—a Sea & Sea MX10/YS40A. I remember the pool "reef" sessions and all your great suggestions. Your soft spoken comments and encouragement got me "hooked" on UW photography and the wall in our family room shows it! It has been over 12 years since I got certified and your enthusiasm got me hooked on UW photography. I will never be a pro UW photographer but my passion for diving and taking UW photos is largely due to your influence and I thank you for that great gift. Best Regards, Bob D. Joe and Cara-  We really enjoy being included in your newsletter family.  The Liburdi family, especially both of you and Matthew, have been a major influence in our lives.  You have opened up the underwater world to us and shaped our view of recreation, vacation and conservation in ways that are incredibly rewarding and difficult to describe to most people. We know you will understand this bond. Your influence will impact how we view our world for decades to come.  This is an incredible gift that we will cherish for the rest of our lives! Thank you .  Tim and Connie   I am thankful my life as a diver and photographer has made a difference. May you all have a very Happy Thanksgiving.

New Photo Gear for 2009

I was in Las Vegas last month at the DEMA (Diving Equipment & Marketing Association) show and I had the opportunity to view and handle the latest underwater equipment for 2009.  Most of it was very impressive and I was licking my lips for want of some of it.

So what’s new in underwater photo gear?

Sea & Sea has announced the new generation of their DX-series.

The DX-1200HD camera and housing package, with a suggested list price of $629, is ideal for the beginner and the casual, occasional underwater photographer.

Features:

• High definition CCD – 1/1.72-inch primary color CCD with 12.19 effective megapixels (maximum number of recording pixels 12.43 megapixels) and 3x optical zoom lens (35–102 mm).
• Features SEA&SEA mode, a still image mode for optimal underwater photography.
• White balance settings (Auto, Daylight, Cloudy, Fluorescent, Tungsten, Sunset, Custom)
• Exposure compensation function (±2EV in 0.5EV steps).
• ISO up to ISO 3200.
• Movie function (HD Video) at 30 frames/second.
• 16MB built-in memory. Can record on SD / MMC / SDHC memory cards (up to 8GB).
• Specially designed lithium-ion battery and battery charger included.
• Strobe Diffuser that softly diffuses the light of the built-in flash.
• Strong and durable build, with a depth rating of up to 45m / 150ft.

DX-2G Camera and housing package. This camera is an upgrade from the previous DX-1G, which was a mega hit last year. This new model offers 12.1 effective megapixels. It has a new buffer memory allowing up to 5 continuous shots in RAW mode. This is good news for the RAW shooters.

• High quality with 12.1 effective mega pixels.
• Super macro to wide-angle.
• Manual mode for the advanced shooter.
• Capable of RAW image photography.
• Go to www.seaandsea.com for a complete line-up of features and accessories.

Cara and I both used the DX-1G and had very good results. It is compact and lightweight and performed like an SLR. When the See Life LCD Optical Magnifier was added, it became even more fun to use. The problem with point and shoot digitals is the LCD screen. Whether you use it topside or underwater, the reflection and glare in bright conditions  make it hard to see what you are shooting. The Magnifier solves the problem, so now I can recommend, without reservation, the DX series.  For more on the Magnifier, click here.

There is a new line up of polycarbonate housings for the Nikon D-60 and Canon’s EOS XSi/Eos 450 digitals. 
Call for Joe for details as they are not listed on Sea & Sea web as yet.

There is a new series of housings labeled the MDX which willl house the Nikon D-300, Nikon Pro D3, Canon 40D, and Canon EOS-1D, MarkIII/EOS-1Ds MarkIII.  These housings are machined from solid block aluminum and designed for ultimate precision, ergonomics and performance. These are state of the art and recommended for experienced and serious shooters. Call for prices and details. 

The big news in the Sea & Sea strobe line is the release of the YS-110a and the YS-17.

Enjoy high-definition at a reasonable price. Sea and Sea’s VX-1 video housing for Sony HDR-11/12,
HDR-HC3,DCR-DVD505

I don’t want to make this newsletter too long, so I won’t go into detail about Ikelite and Light and Motion products. I will leave that to another issue. You can take a look at their 2009 lines by visiting www.ikelite.com  and www.uwimaging.

If any of you are interested in purchasing camera equipment or taking photo lessons, I am still available.  Feel free to call or write anytime.

Travel Plans

The Philippine Islands
Best of the Visayas Safari
Stella Maris Explorer Liveaboard

8 days /7 nights/6 diving days

July 10 - 22, 2009

Starting at $3795

We’re going on a live-aboard cruise to the very best of the dive sites of the Visayan group of islands, some of the Philippine’s most successful marine protected areas. Mactan, Dauin, Apo Island, Balicasag and Cabilao, Malapascua and Gato are on every diver’s must see list. Dive them with us in the comfort of the Stella Maris Explorer.

The M/Y Stella Maris Explorer is a spacious 118-foot, full service dive cruiser. All cabins are fully air- conditioned with ensuite toilet and bath. It has a spacious open-air top deck, jacuzzi, entertainment center, and all the amenities you’d expect on a pleasure yacht.

We will be staying in Cebu at a waterfront hotel for two days and two nights. We are working on the extension plans and will have details soon.  

For more on the Visayas Safari click here.

You are invited!
Joe’s 80th Birthday Blast
Sunday October 11, 2009
Banquet, Band and Dance
The Cortez Club, La Paz, Mexico

This is the biggest celebration of the year! Joe’s 80th Birthday! An event that will inspire all of us. At 80 years young, he still dives and still takes pictures and looks like only 70! What is his secret? “Diving,” he says. Isn’t that a bit strenuous for a man of your age? Why don’t you relax and go on a cruise? “No way,” he says, “I’ll do that when I get old.”

We chose October because it’s the best time of year for diving the Sea of Cortez. This last trip was the first time weather disappointed us. We had a tropical storm and the water was too murky to see whale sharks. We expect the perfect conditions we have become accustomed to for the party: dry, hot sunshine, 85-degree water, 100-ft vis, whale sharks, sea lions for sure, maybe mantas and so much more!

5 Nights, 6 Days, 3 Days of Diving
$1059

5 Nights, 6 Days, 4 days of Diving
$1219

7 Nights, 8 Days, 5 Days of Diving
$1504

All Packages Include:

Accommodations at the La Concha Beach Resort
Ocean view room, double occupancy
American breakfast
3-tank diving
Whale Shark Spotter plane
Box lunch, snacks and beverages on dive days
Boat guides, tanks, weights, belts
La Paz Airport transfers
Hotel & Diving Taxes
Joe's 80th Birthday Party
Gifts and Prizes

Per person, double occupancy.

Land package only. Does not include airfare. Gratuities not included

Additional nights, additional days of diving, single supplement, non diver packages available.
To know more about our trip, go to our website: www.JoeLiburdi.com and click on Tours. To book, print out the Reservations Form, sign and send your payment.

To talk about it, call Joe or Cara at 949-448-0499.

Photo Tip of the Month
Manual Mode Photography with the DX-1G

Using the camera In “Manual Mode” produces better and far more creative pictures.

• When using the normal built-in lens I recommend starting with an f/stop around f/8 with a shutter speed of 1/125 and ISO set at 200.
• When shooting with the Wide Angle Conversion Lens, start by setting the f/stop at f/8, and a shutter speed of 1/125, with ISO set at 200.
• When shooting in the Macro Mode start shooting at f/9.1 with a shutter speed of 1/125.  I recommend setting the ISO at 100 for Macro shots.
• Set the strobe to the TTL mode and the power selector set to “Full”.  Make sure the slave switch is set to the “On” position.  Note:  The power selection on the strobe can be adjusted as needed.  Turn selector clockwise to reduce power.  Adjust your exposures accordingly.
• Shoot in close.  By close I mean no further than 3-4 feet underwater. Three/four feet underwater is approximately two arm lengths. 
• Always check your first shot.  Adjust exposures by adjusting f/stop and if necessary reduce strobe power by adjusting the power setting.

The DX-1G with its YS-110 strobe does work once you get the hang of it.  Don't measure the system against pictures taken with SLR systems. Compact cameras do a great job, but they do have their limitations. Compact camera systems are great for the beginner. I can’t think of a better way to start a career or hobby capturing the wonders of our Underwater World.

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