DEMA 2014 Summary Part II

Fantasea

Fantasea‘s new rising star is the FRX100 III housing for the popular Sony RX100 III. The camera has been announced as the best compact camera released to date, and many housings have been created for it. Using their 2 previous housings for the P7000 and G16 as a solid base to built up on, Fantasea have created the FRX100 III as a high-end polycarbonate housing, priced competitively and including all the great features we from the G16 but this time with a round 55mm port for easier mounting of filters and wet lenses.

We have had high expectations from this housing, and we were pleased to realize that it felt just as we expected when playing around with it.

Beneath the Surface

BTS has been busy this year! Constantly improving their mounting options, this year we have seen many new types of GoPro mounts, featuring the innovative quick release for easy assembling and disassembling of your rig, and supporting many types of lights including Bigblue, Sola, YS mounted and the new universal mount which fits any round / oval light between 0.75″ to 1.25″.

BTS have also recently released their float foams for improving your rigs buoyancy, and will soon release the long awaited floats for flex arms as well.

Big Blue

Big Blue have updated their whole video/dive light arsenal, producing smaller, stronger, more efficient lights than ever. Our favorite was probably the AL1800XWP – A tiny light capable of producing 1800 lumens AND red light, selling for only $249.99! This will definitely be popular in 2015. A few more popular models introduced are the VTL2800P (successor for the popular VTL2500P), which is capable of Flood / Spot / Red modes, and the VL5800P, an incredibly strong light in a very small package and affordable price.

We also got a glimpse of Big Blue’s new monster video light, AKA “Big Chubby“, capable of an astounding 25,000 lumens (predecessor produced “only” 15,000). “Chubby Jr.” is the new 15,000 lumen light, now in a smaller package. These lights are actually strong enough for still shots, so if you’re looking for just one light for both, that’s a great option.

I-Torch

At the I-Torch booth the hottest thing were the new Venom lights. These high end video lights, slightly resembling the Sola, have a great feel to them, fantastic beam and color quality, great controls and even an optional remote control for 2 models, allowing simultaneous control on multiple lights, just like the FIX lights we mentioned earlier.

The flagship is the Venom35s which is the most versatile light, capable of Spot / Flood and Red modes and producing 3500 Lumens.

Another cool thing introduced by I-Torch is a whole new line named “Sharkhon Anto“, which is basically the underwater photographer’s version for Lego! You can literally build your own tray using a few colorful generic components, capable of almost infinite mounting combinations for any type of cam/housing.

Continue to Part III of DEMA 2014 coverage!

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Ran Mor

Sales and Marketing at Mozaik Underwater Cameras

Ran is a professional photographer for over 14 years. His passion for scuba diving and photography has pushed him to combine his profession and hobby and become a professional underwater photographer. Teaching is one of his greatest passions and over the years he has shared his experience with many divers and aspiring photographers. Along with his wife Danielle, an experienced Scuba Instructor, they have founded Dive and More, leading dive trips and UW photo workshops all over the world. Ran is also an electrical engineer and an avid internet marketing specialist.
Visit his personal portfolio at www.ranmorphoto.com.

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