uwphotonewbie

Forum username: uwphotonewbie (also UWphotoNewbie)
Real name: Chris
Posts: 826
Active years: 2002–2013
Primary forums: Photography Gear and Technique, Lights/Strobes/Lighting
Specialization: Ikelite systems, Nikon D70 era documentation, macro techniques, port systems

Community Role

uwphotonewbie (Chris) was one of Wetpixel’s original community members, joining in late 2002 — barely a year after the site’s founding. Despite his self-deprecating username, Chris became a deeply knowledgeable contributor over his 11-year tenure, documenting the entire arc of consumer digital underwater photography from compact cameras through the pivotal Nikon D70 revolution and beyond. His early posts capture a moment when the transition from film to digital was still unfolding and questions like “what is a digital slave sensor?” were genuinely novel.

Chris was especially valuable as a meticulous, detail-oriented reporter who would purchase new equipment, thoroughly test it, and post comprehensive write-ups with observations that manufacturers themselves might not have documented. His willingness to ask “newbie” questions while providing expert-level analysis made his threads uniquely accessible and informative.

Notable Contributions

The D70 Housing Revolution

Chris’s two most important threads bookended the Nikon D70 underwater housing launch — a pivotal moment in digital underwater photography:

“Eye Candy (Sea & Sea D70)” (40 replies, March 2004): Chris spotted early images of the Sea & Sea D70 housing online and shared them with the community, sparking excited discussion about its features and pricing (approximately 198K yen / $1,850). This was among the first times the community had seen a housing for what would become the camera that convinced many underwater photographers to switch from film to digital. The thread drew responses from Eric Cheng (“Guest echeng”) and James Wiseman, who confirmed they had seen the housing at DEMA and noted it was “a LOT smaller” than previous models (^[1]).

“D70 Housing is Here!!!” (51 replies, May 2004): Chris wrote one of Wetpixel’s most detailed housing unboxing and first-impressions posts when his Ikelite D70 housing arrived. He had pre-ordered it in February 2004, making him one of the earliest adopters. His multi-page initial report covered:

• Build quality assessment (thick polycarbonate, transparency for troubleshooting)
• Port compatibility testing across multiple lens and port combinations (5503.50 with 12-24mm, 5505 with 60mm macro, 5503.55 with kit lens)
• DS125 strobe sync speed testing (capable of keeping up with D70’s continuous 3fps drive at most power levels)
• Travel packing solutions (Lowepro Trekker Pro, Summerville 30-can cooler)
• Practical tips on O-ring lubrication, latch technique, and manual controller cord lengths

The thread became a reference for the flood of photographers who adopted the Nikon D70 as their first underwater DSLR, with subsequent posts documenting his pool tests and early ocean results from Key Largo (^[2]).

Ikelite Modular Flat Port System Review

Chris authored what was essentially a community review of Ikelite’s new modular flat port system for the 8-inch dome port platform (40 replies, April 2008). He documented how the system allowed him to shoot five lenses (Nikon 10.5mm, 12-24mm, Sigma 15mm FE, Nikon 60mm, and 105mm VR) with just two complete port assemblies plus one extension — replacing the five separate ports he previously traveled with. His detailed assessment covered:

• Compatibility specifics (lens clearances, UV filter room, diopter space)
• Build quality (rubber port covers replacing rust-prone neoprene grommets, included strap wrench)
• Cost analysis (more expensive than individual ports but far more flexible)
• Pre-production field testing experience with the 105mm VR configuration

The thread addressed community concerns about Ikelite port reliability, with Chris firmly defending his experience of zero leaks (^[3]).

Exotic Macro Beyond 1:1

Chris’s “Exotic Macro Beyond 1:1” thread (38 replies, January 2005) became a seminal community discussion on supermacro techniques. He systematically catalogued five approaches to exceeding 1:1 magnification — diopters, teleconverters, extension tubes, reverse-mounted lenses, and stacked lenses — and asked the community to evaluate each for underwater use. The thread drew detailed technical responses from Craig (who provided expert diopter analysis, noting that Nikon’s numbering system was not related to actual magnification power) and Starbuck, who shared his elaborate Nikon 105mm + 1.4x TC + INON wet lens rig capable of 3.5:1 magnification. The thread served as an early reference document for the supermacro techniques that would later become a major genre in underwater photography (^[4]).

Ikelite Manual Digital Slave Sensor

Chris’s earliest notable thread (December 2002) discussed the brand-new Ikelite manual digital slave sensor, which had just been shown at DEMA. The thread is historically significant as it drew direct responses from both Eric Cheng (“Guest echeng”) and Ikelite’s own account, with Ikelite providing detailed specifications: ten power settings in half-stop increments, compatibility with digital SubStrobes, and the ability to operate with or ignore pre-flash. This kind of manufacturer engagement on Wetpixel was characteristic of the site’s early years and demonstrated Chris’s ability to draw authoritative responses with well-formulated questions (^[5]).

Broader Forum Activity

Beyond his marquee threads, Chris contributed extensively across many practical topics:

• D70 ecosystem threads: Housing compatibility, firmware updates, AF questions, buoyancy solutions, strobes, filter holders, and lens choices — essentially every aspect of the D70 underwater system (^[6], ^[7], ^[8])
• Camera transition discussions: Contributed to threads on Nikon D200 announcements, Canon 5D, D2X rumors, and the perennial D70-vs-Canon debates (^[9], ^[10])
• Ikelite expertise: Dome port compatibility, condensation issues, strobe questions, zoom clamp fitment — deep institutional knowledge of the Ikelite product line (^[11], ^[12])
• Lens discussions: Contributed to threads on the Sigma 15mm FE, Nikon 60mm vs 105mm macro choices, close-up lens options, and wide-angle prime selection for the D70 (^[13], ^[14])
• Travel and dive logistics: Packing tips, Belize dive planning, and travel rig optimization (^[15], ^[16])

Gear History

Chris’s equipment evolution mirrors the early digital underwater photography era:

• 2002: Canon S300 point-and-shoot with Ikelite DS-125 strobe and manual controller — his first underwater setup
• 2004–2007: Nikon D70 in Ikelite housing with dual DS125 strobes, manual controllers, 8-inch Ultralight buoyancy arms. Lens kit: Nikon 12-24mm, 60mm macro, 105mm macro, Sigma 15mm FE, kit lens (18-70mm) with B+W +4 diopter
• 2008 onwards: Upgraded to Ikelite modular flat port system, added 105mm VR, continued with Nikon/Ikelite platform through at least 2013

His progression from a Canon compact with a single strobe to a full Nikon DSLR system with five lenses and modular ports represents the typical journey of serious underwater photographers during the 2002–2008 period.

Historical Significance

Chris’s posts have particular value as primary historical documents. He was active during Wetpixel’s formative years (2002–2005) when the community was smaller and threads often included direct participation from manufacturers (Ikelite), site co-founders (Eric Cheng), and industry figures (James Wiseman). His detailed, methodical approach to testing and documenting equipment means his threads capture specific product details, prices, and compatibility information that might otherwise be lost.

His username itself — “uwphotonewbie” — is a time capsule of an era when digital underwater photography was genuinely new to almost everyone, and even experienced film photographers were starting from scratch with digital systems.

Activity Profile

• Joined: November 2002
• Last active: November 2013
• Total posts: 826 across 98 threads started
• Comments on articles: 14
• Articles mentioned in: 1
• Peak years: 2004–2008 (D70 era through modular port system)
• Active in 11 of 12 years (2002–2013, with a gap in 2011)
• Activity score: 1,153