jimbo1946 (Jim Chambers)

Forum username: jimbo1946
Real name: Jim Chambers
Posts: 605
Active years: 2003–2009
Primary forums: Photography Gear and Technique, General Chat, Trip Reports and Travel
Specialization: Nikon D100 photography, fish identification, early digital transition

Community Role

Jim Chambers, known as jimbo1946, was an active early-era member of the Wetpixel community from 2003 to 2009. Based in Atlanta, Georgia, he was a dedicated Nikon shooter who made the transition from film (Nikonos system with Aquatica housings) to digital with the Nikon D100 in an Aquatica housing. His 605 posts combined technical questions with warmth, humor, and a deep knowledge of marine species identification.

Jim’s username suggests a birth year of 1946, making him one of the community’s more experienced members. He was known for his self-deprecating humor, detailed species knowledge (he once called out a Mexican tourism ad for using Pacific fish species to advertise Caribbean diving), and his friendship with established figures like Stephen Frink, whom he knew from the Nikonos Shootout era.

Notable Contributions

Popular Photography Contest Winner

In October 2003, Jim announced that one of his underwater photographs won first place in the “Your Best Shot” contest in Popular Photography magazine’s November issue, earning $300 and valuable mainstream exposure for underwater photography. Community member Kasey described it as “one of the greatest behavior images I’ve ever seen” (^[1]).

Early Nikon 12-24mm DX Adoption

Jim was among the first Wetpixel members to receive the Nikon 12-24mm DX zoom lens in September 2003, documenting his excitement ahead of a Fiji dive trip. The thread generated discussion about wide-angle lens options for digital SLRs at a time when Canon shooters had no equivalent lens (^[2]).

D100 Sensor Cleaning

His thread about cleaning the D100 low-pass filter drew a response from Stephen Frink himself, revealing a personal connection between the two. Jim’s reply mentioned missing the Frinks at “Nikonos Shootouts,” indicating he was part of the pre-digital underwater photography community (^[3]).

Marine Species Identification Advocacy

Jim demonstrated strong species identification skills when he wrote a letter to VisitMexico.com calling out their newspaper advertisement showing Pacific fish species (Ornate Butterflyfish, Orangespine Unicornfish, Clown Triggerfish) to promote diving in Cozumel. The thread revealed his attention to detail and passion for accuracy in marine life representation (^[4]).

Coral Reef Stamps

Jim shared his enthusiasm for the USPS “Pacific Coral Reef” stamp pane in 2004, sparking a lighthearted cross-cultural exchange with UK-based member cybergoldfish about postage stamps and coral reef conservation (^[5]).

Gear History

• Film era: Nikonos system, Aquatica 90 housing (sold to cybergoldfish), 14mm lens
• 2003: Nikon D100 in Aquatica housing, Nikon 12-24mm DX zoom lens
• 2003–2009: Continued with Nikon DSLR systems

Activity Profile

• First post: April 2003
• Last post: June 2009
• Peak years: 2003–2005
• 51 threads started
• Top threads: “D100 Question” (21 replies), “Popular Photography” (18 replies), “The 12-24mm lens came!” (15 replies), “Coral Reef Stamps” (15 replies), “Misleading advertising for Cozumel” (13 replies)
• Dive destinations mentioned: Fiji, Cozumel, Caribbean