cp

Forum username: cp
Real name: Chris (Cp)
Posts: 298
Active years: 2004–2015
Primary forums: Video Gear and Technique, Photography Gear and Technique, Photo/Video Showcase
Specialization: Underwater videography, Panasonic GH4, Canon 5D Mark III video, Nauticam systems

Community Role

cp (Chris) was an underwater videographer and photographer active on Wetpixel from 2004 through 2015. With 298 posts, he was a significant contributor to the video side of the community, particularly during the transition from dedicated video cameras to hybrid stills/video DSLRs and mirrorless cameras. His work with the Panasonic GH4 in a Nauticam housing was among the early underwater field tests of that groundbreaking 4K-capable mirrorless camera.

Chris was technically sophisticated, experimenting with custom underwater video rigs including shoulder-mount stabilizers and Nauticam buoyancy solutions. His connections within the Nauticam dealer network and references to custom rig work (built by “Ryan” right before departures) suggest he was well-integrated in the professional underwater imaging community.

Notable Contributions

• “GH4 footage and rig pic” (64 replies): Started the most-discussed thread in his history in May 2014, sharing 4K video footage shot with the Panasonic GH4 at Cat Island and detailed photos of his custom underwater video rig. The rig featured a Nauticam housing with a shoulder/stability mount, adjustable monitor positioning, and multiple Nauticam buoyancy floats (60x250mm). He noted that three floats were nearly but not quite sufficient for neutral buoyancy, and discussed solutions including lighter tripod bases and additional float arms. The thread drew significant attention as one of the first underwater GH4 field reports, with 64 replies discussing the camera’s video capabilities and rig design (^[1]).

• “Video Clip shot with Canon 5D Mark III” (12 replies): Shared underwater video footage from the Canon 5D Mark III, contributing to the community’s evaluation of Canon’s full-frame video capabilities underwater (^[2]).

• “Workflow question re: versions/formats” (10 replies): Started a discussion in 2004 about managing image file formats (NEF, PSD, TIFF, JPEG) and version control for post-processing workflows (^[3]).

• “NEX-7 Photos” (8 replies): Shared photos of the Nauticam housing for the Sony NEX-7, generating discussion about the system’s potential for underwater use (^[4]).

Activity Profile

cp was active across 11 years (2004–2015), with a notable gap in 2007 and 2009 and peak activity from 2010 onward as DSLR and mirrorless video capabilities matured. He started 20 threads and contributed 298 posts, with 1 article comment. His equipment evolution from early video formats through Canon 5D Mark III to Panasonic GH4 mirrored the broader industry trajectory toward mirrorless 4K video. His involvement with custom Nauticam video rigs placed him at the higher end of the underwater video community’s technical sophistication.