Proud new owner of a nauticam a7rv setup with a Kraken 5.5" monitor. The cables that came with the monitor weren't ideal, so while im waiting for the thin ribbons and hdmi connectors to arrive, I've been contemplating the monitor positioning.

I had originally tried a long clamp connected to one of my spare ball mounts on top of the housing, but the tension I had to put on the clamp screw to feel confident about its stability, was just too much for my liking.

So after a bunch of 3d print prototypes, I came up with this mount. I've made it out of 3mm 3³16 (a4-70) stainless. Cutting, scoring and folding the template was the easy bit. Then I had a go at tig welding the score lines. That took 6 hours of welding, grinding and finishing. If i had a brake press, life would be so much better.

The base mount is at a fixed angle of about 20 degrees. I've made it so I can add a small tilt/swivel bracket later if i don't like the position or inflexibility. Note the centreline of the Kraken mounting bolt holes is about 4mm offset from the centre of the screen. I've positioned the screen to be the centre of the lens, to help with the inevitable "wtf did the bloody thing go?" underwater thoughts.

I think this also helps the rig more compact without utilising the top ball mount.

The float screen shade (prototype) serves a few purposes. It negates the ~260g sink the screen has,it also shades the screen while in use and it acts as a bit of an exposure protector while the rig is out of the water.

The Kraken screen is super bright, but if i can turn the brightness down, i can then maximise screen time.

I think I will call the screen shade 'Greta' after everyone's favourite activist... well, everyone's favourite activist's hair cut.

Greta.

Nice work!

I've now positioned my monitor directly behind the case itself; it's the most ideal position for me.

The HDMI cables for the case always seem to be a problem. For my monitor case (homemade), I use Nauticam cables.

I find your "GRETA" interesting. Does it come out of the 3D printer normally? Is it completely sealed?

14 minutes ago, Tino Dietsche said:

Does it come out of the 3D printer normally? Is it completely sealed?

This is just a prototype in PETG. It's a simple U shape with one hole sleeve for the mounting. I'm intending to print in ASA/ABS and surface smoothed to try and ensure it remains sealed. Time will tell how long it lasts.

4 hours ago, foetusmachine said:

This is just a prototype in PETG. It's a simple U shape with one hole sleeve for the mounting. I'm intending to print in ASA/ABS and surface smoothed to try and ensure it remains sealed. Time will tell how long it lasts.

This post might be helpful, talks about how to make 3D printed parts waterproof:

Very nice! My goal was to place monitor a little away from me - also to access topside buttons easy - and being able to tilt but the fixed bracket has its own advantages.

Does this Kraken has HDR PQ or HLG mapping of Slog3 signal available? What I don't like on Shinobi is inability to access settings underwater and what I do like is battery lasting for 6 dives at 1000nits and the HDR screen with that PQ option.

On 10/19/2025 at 9:41 AM, Tino Dietsche said:

Nice work!

I've now positioned my monitor directly behind the case itself; it's the most ideal position for me.

The HDMI cables for the case always seem to be a problem. For my monitor case (homemade), I use Nauticam cables.

I find your "GRETA" interesting. Does it come out of the 3D printer normally? Is it completely sealed?

This is really interesting, how have you make the housing for the monitor ? I'm about to buy one but I like to do the things myself.

Does anyone else find it frustrating that mirrorless housings don't permit the cameras articulated screen to be tilted upward at 45 degrees or so? I'd not be looking at monitors or additional view finders if that was accommodated by the housing.

On 10/19/2025 at 12:27 AM, foetusmachine said:

I had originally tried a long clamp connected to one of my spare ball mounts on top of the housing, but the tension I had to put on the clamp screw to feel confident about its stability, was just too much for my liking.

This is what I do for my Kraken 7" monitor and I really like it. I had a 5" clamp previously and it wouldn't hold the monitor by the 3" works well. I flip the screen upside down and then flip the image upside down in the monitor options so the image is right side up to me.

I almost did a hard mount but I like the ability to move the monitor position depending on my orientation to the camera, sun, etc. Sometimes I'm looking straight down at the monitor when I'm holding the camera on the bottom and I want the monitor to face me, other times it's way out in front of my and I adjust the monitor to a different angle for a better view. The cable orientation isn't ideal but works pretty well overall. I do find that my monitor feed cuts out sometimes during a live feed or when reviewing certain specific pictures for some reason. Haven't figured that part out yet but my 5DIV is set to output 24FPS which is the lowest it'll go.

UltraLight Camera Solutions

Ultralight AC-CSL long clamp with 1/4"-20 course-thread f...

The Ultralight AC-CSL is a long ball clamp featuring a 1/4" course-thread black knob, designed for secure and stable connections in both cinema and underwater camera arm systems. With the added reach

On 10/19/2025 at 6:41 PM, Tino Dietsche said:

Is it completely sealed

This is how the hood looks, printed in ASA and vapour polished. This again is only printed in a lightweight, standard profile, so it might not be robust enough. If i print it as "strong", its quite a bit heavier and I will need to increase its volume slightly to compensate. I'll try this one first and see how it goes and how long it lasts.

Edited October 21Oct 21 by foetusmachine

On 10/20/2025 at 3:16 AM, RomiK said:

Very nice! My goal was to place monitor a little away from me - also to access topside buttons easy - and being able to tilt but the fixed bracket has its own advantages.

Does this Kraken has HDR PQ or HLG mapping of Slog3 signal available? What I don't like on Shinobi is inability to access settings underwater and what I do like is battery lasting for 6 dives at 1000nits and the HDR screen with that PQ option.

On 10/20/2025 at 3:16 AM, RomiK said:

HLG mapping

I've not done video... yet. See video of the screen settings under HDR... is this what you mean?

11 hours ago, atus said:

how have you make the housing for the monitor

The monitor is already in a housing. It's a dedicated underwater monitor.

11 hours ago, Grantmac said:

frustrating

My eyesight is the frustrating thing. I've always used the rear screen and never the viewfinder. 99% of my experience has been with seafrogs where the rear screen is always flat on the camera. I've only just made the change to Nauticam that has the screen sitting slightly tilted up, which is actually a big improvement.

In the end though, while I have a prescription mask that I've updated over the years, the camera screen is just too small and I'm hoping to get a new lease on life with the external monitor.

4 hours ago, brightnight said:

adjust the monitor to a different angle for a better view

So, i designed the hard mount to provide a compact, slightly tilted view for what i thought would be the majority of my photography. I also designed it to accept the standard ball mount arrangement if I need it of find that the hard mount doesn't suit me after all.

A challenging project with a professional result. Congratulations!

I only shoot video, and I'll share my experience with the monitor's usage. The different shooting situations and the position of your arms and eyes change significantly depending on whether you are doing wide or macro shots. Furthermore, in macro the critters (marine creatures) almost never cooperate and they are found in absurd locations that require patience to position the camera. For this reason, the position and, above all, the ability to freely adjust the monitor to facilitate shooting is fundamental. On a macro dive, I reposition the monitor dozens of times. Therefore, a similar mounting setup would be severely limiting.

I use a Nauticam long clamp and can easily find a tension that holds the monitor in place but still allows it to be moved with one hand. Having a quality clamp is important.

When I was young I used to place the monitor on the back of the housing, just in front of the display. But now, with my presbiopia, even with readers , forced me to put the monitor away, on top of the port.

The Kraken monitor was on my short list. Does it not come with a sunshade by default?

Could you post a picture of the cable routing?

I've just bought the new Weefine WED-5 Pro. It seems perfect for me except for cable routing. I hope to write a quick hand on review asap.

23 minutes ago, Davide DB said:

Does it not come with a sunshade by default?

I didn't get a shade in the box. I guess they thought the brightness of the screen would be able to break through the brightest sunlight.

Here are some pictures of the external routing to the m24 port on my a7rv housing. They do also supply a m16 port connection that has a moulded-in flat ribbon.

My closeup vision has gone by the wayside, but I can still dive without any sort of closeup lens, but I certainly couldn't use a monitor for my shooting, for me it's a Nauticam 45° viewfinder all the way, the view through it with the diopter adjustment that I can use UW is perfect - easy to see sharpness, setting, no issues with sun or glare and I can use it with the housing sitting on the sea bed.

18 minutes ago, Chris Ross said:

My closeup vision has gone by the wayside, but I can still dive without any sort of closeup lens, but I certainly couldn't use a monitor for my shooting, for me it's a Nauticam 45° viewfinder all the way, the view through it with the diopter adjustment that I can use UW is perfect - easy to see sharpness, setting, no issues with sun or glare and I can use it with the housing sitting on the sea bed.

Yes for photography it is a complete different story.

26 minutes ago, foetusmachine said:

I didn't get a shade in the box. I guess they thought the brightness of the screen would be able to break through the brightest sunlight.

Here are some pictures of the external routing to the m24 port on my a7rv housing. They do also supply a m16 port connection that has a moulded-in flat ribbon.

Thanks,

Yes, the connector is way better than mine. They have the HDMI port recessed on the back so they save some centimeters. On mine, the connector sticks out on the side and it bumps on the left floating arm. Weefine told me they are thinking to design a new 90 degree connector.

The good thing is they have a proper internal HDMI cable (Nauticam style).

On 10/18/2025 at 9:27 PM, foetusmachine said:

Proud new owner of a nauticam a7rv setup with a Kraken 5.5” monitor. The cables that came with the monitor weren't ideal, so while im waiting for the thin ribbons and hdmi connectors to arrive, I've been contemplating the monitor positioning.

I had originally tried a long clamp connected to one of my spare ball mounts on top of the housing, but the tension I had to put on the clamp screw to feel confident about its stability, was just too much for my liking.

Nicely done!

23 hours ago, foetusmachine said:

I've not done video... yet. See video of the screen settings under HDR... is this what you mean?

Yes! This is what I mean! What other options it shows under that HDR option beside 709 please?

22 hours ago, Davide DB said:

I've just bought the new Weefine WED-5 Pro. It seems perfect for me except for cable routing. I hope to write a quick hand on review asap.

Does this have HDR mapping in the menu? Which options and do they work? Thanks!

44 minutes ago, RomiK said:

beside 709

Options are 709, 2020 and P3.

2 hours ago, RomiK said:

Does this have HDR mapping in the menu? Which options and do they work? Thanks!

Only Rec.709, sorry

On 10/20/2025 at 9:52 PM, atus said:

This is really interesting, how have you make the housing for the monitor ? I'm about to buy one but I like to do the things myself.

I've had the idea for a simple and lightweight monitor housing for a while now. About five years ago, I was able to turn it into reality together with the German underwater housing manufacturer UK-Germany. At that time, underwater monitor housings already existed, but they were either extremely expensive, large, and heavy, or mostly based on recorder monitors.

But I only wanted a simple monitor, a sort of viewfinder replacement.

For the monitor, I chose a simple product from Feelworld, as I absolutely had to have normal buttons on the device. We initially wanted to create our own cable solution for connecting the underwater housing to the monitor housing, but that was too complicated, so we opted for HDMI connectors and cables from Nauticam.

The monitor housing is made of POM plastic and was milled from a single block. The front is made of Plexiglas.