Mein Wiki - Benutzerbeiträge [de]

Best Waterproof Cameras

2013-03-30T01:56:32Z

Gilhugh02: Die Seite wurde neu angelegt: „When evaluating a water-resistant digital camera lens speed or the "f-stop" rating. The faster the lens., e.g., the lower the f-stop number the better and the mor…“

When evaluating a water-resistant digital camera lens speed or the "f-stop" rating. The faster the lens., e.g., the lower the f-stop number the better and the more light that the lens allows into the digital camera making higher qualtity less noisy images. f2.0 is very fast and f3.9 is ok, but it will have more difficulty in situations where the lighting is low and will typically be more hard to focus in lower light situations. A different characteristic is the capability of the zoom lens and how much of the "zoom" is created by the lens versus a digital zoom, where software is producing the zooming result. One more characteristic for taking pictures close up would be the ability to take macro shots and how near to the subject matter you can get the camera and still focus. One other characteristic to consider is the ability to take video and the video processors speed, e.g., does the camera have a high speed video processor meaning it can capture in excess of 200 frames per second (fps), or else is it a low speed, e.g. around 30 fps. The faster the video processor, e.g. more fps, the the higher the quality of the video.

The assessments of the waterproof digital cameras listed below provides a good quality synopsis of several of the best point and shoot water-resistant cameras along with a suggestion on the top camera.

Waterproof cameras reviewed:
<ol>
<li>Panasonic Lumix TS4 12.1 TOUGH Waterproof Digital Camera with 4.6x Optical Zoom
<li>Nikon COOLPIX AW100 16 MP CMOS Waterproof Digital Camera with GPS and Full HD 1080p Video
<li>Canon PowerShot D20 12.1 MP CMOS Waterproof Digital Camera with 5x Image Stabilized Zoom 28mm Wide-Angle Lens a 3.0-Inch LCD and GPS Tracking
<li>Fujifilm XP170 Compact Digital Camera with 5xOptical Zoom Lens
<li>Olympus Stylus TG-830 iHS Digital Camera with 5x Optical Zoom and 3-Inch LCD
<li>Pentax Optio WG-1 Adventure Series 14 MP Waterproof Digital Camera with 5x Wide-Angle Optical Zoom
<li>Olympus TG-1iHS 12 MP Waterproof Digital Camera with 4x Optical Zoom
</li>
</ol>

If you are willing to pay out approximately $1,000 to obtain the [http://www.squidoo.com/best-waterproof-point-and-shoot-camera finest underwater camera] setup then one of the top underwater cameras in the extreme camera market is positively the Olympus TG-1 iHS. This digital camera when bought with the optional Olympus underwater case and strobe enables the diver to take photos in over 130 feet of water and in addition makes a very decent entry level underwater camera for any diver. TotalThe e expenditure consists of the camera, a rugged case which enables the diver to take the camera to a depth of 135 feet along with an independent strobe that delivers the capability to shoot in a varity of different situations.

Understanding Coral Reefs

2013-03-19T04:26:25Z

Gilhugh02:

[http://blog.stevenwsmeltzer.com/what-are-coral-reefs/introduction-to-the-underwater-world/ What Are Coral Reefs] - Learning about Coral Reefs
[http://blog.stevenwsmeltzer.com/what-are-coral-reefs/ Coral reefs] are made up of tiny animals that belong to the class anthozoans, the major class of organisms within the phylum cnidaria (the "c" is silent). Cnidaria has more than 6,000 recognized species of sea fans, sea pansies, jellyfish, and sea anemones. Corals, after their larvae phase, aren't mobile but rather stay fixed in a single place. This type of animal is called a sessile animal.

[http://www.stevenwsmeltzer.com Coral reef] colonies are composed of millions of these tiny, cup-shaped animals termed polyps. A single coral polyp might be as large as a saucer or smaller than the head of a pin. Millions of polyps functioning in concert in a cooperative colony generation after generation create the limestone skeletons that form the framework of the wonderful coral reef. Corals begin life in tropical waters as free-floating larvae. After a relatively short period of time, the larva eventually attaches itself to a hard surface and becomes a polyp. Coral reef colonies reproduce both sexually and asexually. In sexual reproduction, the coral polyps discharge both eggs and sperm into the water. (This is also known as coral spawning.) One kind of asexual reproduction takes place when fragments of coral are broken off as a result of storm action. The broken pieces of corals usually survive and continue to grow and make a new colony. This process is referred to as "fragmentation". Corals exist in colonies consisting of numerous individuals, each of which is called polyp. They secrete a hard calcium carbonate (rock-like) skeleton, which serves as a uniform foundation or substrate for the colony. This skeleton enables two fundamental functions, first for the coral itself it provides fortification, as the polyps can contract into the structure if predators approach and second this same skeletal construction is what makes up the coral reefs over time. The calcium carbonate is secreted at the bottom of the polyps, consequently the living portion of the coral colony occurs at the exterior of the skeletal structure, totally covering it. The calcium carbonate deposited by the living colony incessantly adds to the size of the general structure and consequently the growth of the reef. The expansion of these reef structures varies widely, based on the varieties of coral and environmental conditions-- ranging from 0.3 to 10 centimeters per year. Different varieties of coral assemble structures of various sizes and shapes such as brain corals, fan corals, encrusting corals, etc., producing amazing variety and complexity in the coral reef ecosystem. Different coral species tend to be segregated into characteristic zones on a reef, separated out by competition with other species and by environmental conditions. The skeletons of stony corals are secreted by the lower part of the polyp. This process produces a cup, known as the calice, in which the polyp is located. The walls encircling the cup are known as the theca, and the base is known as the basal plate. Thin, calcareous septa (sclerosepta), that provides structural integrity, armor, and an increased surface area for the polyp's soft tissues, extend upward from the basal plate and branch inward from its external wall. Periodically, a polyp will lift off its base and exude a new floor or base to its cup, forming a new basal plate above the previous one. This produces a minute chamber in the skeleton. If polyps are physically stressed or under probable attack, they move down into the calice so that practically no portion is exposed above the skeletal platform. This protects the organism from predators and the elements (Barnes, R.D., 1987; Sumich, 1996). Corals contain only a limited degree of organ development and consists of three fundamental tissue layers: an outer layer or epidermis, an inner layer of cells lining the gastrovascular cavity (an internal space for digestion) and a layer called the mesoglea between the other two layers Barnes, R.D., 1987. Corals feed by reaching out by means of tentacles to seize prey such as small fish and planktonic creatures (any drifting organisms, animal, plant, archaea or bacteria that inhabit the pelagic zone of the oceans). See Also: Creatures of the Coral Reefs Resources: Marine Species Galleries: Coral Reef Images Pictures of Fish Sea Turtles Crustaceans and Echinoderms Moray Eels Detailed Information on select Marine Species: Caribbean Fish Hawaiian Fish Sponges Crustaceans, Invertebrates, Mollusks, Echinoderms

Wreck diving Grand Cayman - USS Kittiwak

2013-02-25T22:16:43Z

Gilhugh02:

This is a great wreck dive in grand cayman and one of the best in the caribbean The USS Kittiwake has been on the reef for a about 18 months ago and the site is aging very well. The ship has five decks, is a little over76 meters in length amd 12 meters in beam and about 50 feet high. The ship was designated specifically for submarine rescue and was launched on July 10, 1945 and she was reefed in Grand Cayman in January 2011.

The following is an overview of the dive, some history about the ship and information on the subject of the vessel and an guide of what you will see on the shipwreck. You can see the complete [http://stevenwsmeltzer.com/gallery/Kittiwake-Grand-Cayman/G0000JtpXOPWAQac/ photo gallery] on the website and see the blog article for the [http://blog.stevenwsmeltzer.com/dive-site-reviews-and-listings/dive-sites/scuba-diving-grand-cayman-uss-kittiwake-shipwreck/ USS Kittiwake] for additional information on the wreck plus a history about the ship.

What you will find on the Dive:

The vessel was sunk In january 2011 off the west side of the island at the end of Seven Mile Beach in Grand Cayman.

There are 5 decks on the 47 foot tall [http://stevenwsmeltzer.com/gallery-image/USS-Kittiwake-Grand-Cayman/G0000JtpXOPWAQac/I0000Wcb0w0RopvI USS Kittiwake]. Externally, the crow's nest, mast and large stern a-frame have been cut down and remounted to make her height suitable for Cayman waters. The are two bridges on the upper decks (both an external and internal bridge to allow operations in heavy seas) along with the navigation and radio rooms. The has also been removed. The Captain and XO's quarters are located on the upper decks

The main deck contains a number of different rooms or work areas including the recompresson chambers, the rec room and toolshop. You will note the large [http://stevenwsmeltzer.com/gallery-image/USS-Kittiwake-Grand-Cayman/G0000JtpXOPWAQac/I0000nrOSPnFJRtU a-frame structure] on the stern which supported submarines and hard hat divers, as well as the diving bell where divers would enter to return to the ship from the ocean and then be placed in the chambers for decompression.

Below the main deck, 2 decks exist that include the crews quarter, medic/hospital station, engine and propulsion rooms,[http://stevenwsmeltzer.com/gallery-image/USS-Kittiwake-Grand-Cayman/G0000JtpXOPWAQac/I0000QmV9jUuDJyQ air bank storage] and compressors, as well as the steering gear, shaft, gyro, ammunition lockers, cold storage and barber shop to name a few areas. While the USS Kittiwake has been opened up with big[http://stevenwsmeltzer.com/gallery-image/USS-Kittiwake-Grand-Cayman/G0000JtpXOPWAQac/I0000evHtkg3GaYQ access holes] both vertically and horizontally, all of the space on the ship was utilized when the boat was in service.

Make sure to plan your dive well. One approach would be to begin at the stern before entry into the vessel to take photographs near the[http://stevenwsmeltzer.com/gallery-image/USS-Kittiwake-Grand-Cayman/G0000JtpXOPWAQac/I0000MlfKl.47lgI "USS Kittiwake" logo] on the the backof the ship and also get photographs by the screw (propeller) and rudder. For Divers that intend on entering the shipwreck, you can then make your way to the top of the ship and go into the funnel which is located on the Bridge Deck. Should you not plan on entering the shipwreck you can begin your investigation of the ship on the main deck just above the Screw..

The [http://stevenwsmeltzer.com/gallery-image/USS-Kittiwake-Grand-Cayman/G0000JtpXOPWAQac/I0000ndu7PcxF.bM entry through the funnel can be a great location for underwater photography] and I would suggest taking the photo looking up from the bottom of the funnel to the top of the funnel. I would suggest silhouetting one of your dive buddies diving down into the shipwreck. You can exit into the ship on several of the decks including the first platform or in the cargo hold. The cargo hold should only be entered by experienced advanced divers. When you exit to the first platform you will see the Engineering logo in the Motor Room section. This section can be accessed easily and can be the subject of a very interesting underwater photograph close to the "[http://stevenwsmeltzer.com/gallery-image/USS-Kittiwake-Grand-Cayman/G0000JtpXOPWAQac/I0000Y0UeUwX5JJc Engineering Mural]". The sediment can be substantial here so you should move gradually to prevent clouding up the water. For experienced divers you should also check out shaft alley and the front hold areas of the ship. For other divers you may view a variety of areas on the first platform and after that start going up deck by deck until finally arriving at the Bridge (Pilot House) where you can do you safety stop as it is at about 5 to 6 meters or 15 to 18 feet.

Review photos of additional [http://stevenwsmeltzer.com/gallery/Shipwrecks/G0000OtMyTETA74I/ shipwrecks] on http://www.stevenwsmeltzer.com or visit his [http://blog.stevenwsmeltzer.com/dive-site-reviews-and-listings/dive-sites/scuba-diving-grand-cayman-uss-kittiwake-shipwreck/ blog] for critiques of other wrecks.