Macro Port Buoyancy Float for Nauticam n120

https://makerworld.com/en/models/2784346-macro-port-buoyancy-float-for-nauticam-n120#profileId-3094935

Add clean, professional looking buoyancy to your Nauticam housing with these waterproof, pressure resistant buoyancy float rings. Up to 355g of buoyancy! (12.5 ounces)

Models for:

• Port 60 (60mm AF-S) / +235g buoyancy

• Port 87 (105mm AF-S or z105mm) / +350g buoyancy

• Port 60+20mm extension (z105mm) / +280g buoyancy

Underwater camera housings are quite heavy and tend to be negative in the water, requiring the addition of buoyancy floats to get the rig near neutral in the water. Typically, this is done with high density foam floats on the strobe arms. Another option is a float collar on the ring. I found these to be really ugly, and non-professional looking and figured I could try to make something better.

 

As a fun an interesting experiment I decided to try and create a cleaner solution by 3D printing a custom fitted hollow float ring that snugs up to the contours of my Nauticam n120 macro ports. A float ring on the port has the added benefit of better balancing the entire rig, especially if you are using heavy glass diopters on the macro port. 

 

After a great deal of experimentation, advice from others, and testing I have developed a very good solution that is extremely durable and functional. With several hundred dives completed without any leaks or failures on dives up to 120 feet (40 meters) of depth, I am pleased to share the models with others that would like to make their own. 

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I first posted about this project over a year ago. After hundreds of dives and some minor iteration changes, I am confident enough with this design to share it freely for others. It's printed in ABS or ASA and requires no additional sealants or treatments to be completely watertight and pressure resistant to 40 meters.

These float rings are fantastic in the water. The provide a clean, professional look, added buoyancy, but also better balance of the whole rig when using heavy glass diopters up front.

Edited 18 hours ago18 hr by Dave_Hicks

I need to get you my N100 Port 105 if I can stop using it all the time.

18 minutes ago, Grantmac said:

I need to get you my N100 Port 105 if I can stop using it all the time.

Sure, lets meet for a dive and I can borrow some parts afterwards. You'll get in a dive and should have that itch scratched for a few days at least! Any time, I am free most of the week.

3 hours ago, Dave_Hicks said:

Macro Port Buoyancy Float for Nauticam n120

https://makerworld.com/en/models/2784346-macro-port-buoyancy-float-for-nauticam-n120#profileId-3094935

Add clean, professional looking buoyancy to your Nauticam housing with these waterproof, pressure resistant buoyancy float rings. Up to 355g of buoyancy! (12.5 ounces)

Models for:

• Port 60 (60mm AF-S) / +235g buoyancy

• Port 87 (105mm AF-S or z105mm) / +350g buoyancy

• Port 60+20mm extension (z105mm) / +280g buoyancy

Underwater camera housings are quite heavy and tend to be negative in the water, requiring the addition of buoyancy floats to get the rig near neutral in the water. Typically, this is done with high density foam floats on the strobe arms. Another option is a float collar on the ring. I found these to be really ugly, and non-professional looking and figured I could try to make something better.

 

As a fun an interesting experiment I decided to try and create a cleaner solution by 3D printing a custom fitted hollow float ring that snugs up to the contours of my Nauticam n120 macro ports. A float ring on the port has the added benefit of better balancing the entire rig, especially if you are using heavy glass diopters on the macro port. 

 

After a great deal of experimentation, advice from others, and testing I have developed a very good solution that is extremely durable and functional. With several hundred dives completed without any leaks or failures on dives up to 120 feet (40 meters) of depth, I am pleased to share the models with others that would like to make their own. 

---

I first posted about this project over a year ago. After hundreds of dives and some minor iteration changes, I am confident enough with this design to share it freely for others. It's printed in ABS or ASA and requires no additional sealants or treatments to be completely watertight and pressure resistant to 40 meters.

These float rings are fantastic in the water. The provide a clean, professional look, added buoyancy, but also better balance of the whole rig when using heavy glass diopters up front.

Wow fantastic
I've just started looking into float option for the N100 Macro Port n125 (for a Sony FE 100mm F2.8), and this looks so clean compared to a float collar!
I'd really need a solution like this as I will have a double flip (if not a triple) on the lens as well...

Edited 15 hours ago15 hr by bghazzal

30 minutes ago, bghazzal said:

Wow fantastic
I've just started looking into float option for the N100 Macro Port n125 (for a Sony FE 100mm F2.8), and this looks so clean compared to a float collar!
I'd really need a solution like this as I will have a double flip (if not a triple) on the lens as well...

I will get some n100 designs created before long. So many Sony Shooters around these parts. 😀

34 minutes ago, bghazzal said:

Wow fantastic
I've just started looking into float option for the N100 Macro Port n125 (for a Sony FE 100mm F2.8), and this looks so clean compared to a float collar!
I'd really need a solution like this as I will have a double flip (if not a triple) on the lens as well...

BTW - The port float rings were designed to accommodate the Nauticam dual flip adapter and have sufficient clearance. It is pretty much the main reason I made these.

Awesome idea! An N120 port 125 would also be much appreciated!

21 minutes ago, DriftC said:

Awesome idea! An N120 port 125 would also be much appreciated!

What lens is that used for?

1 hour ago, Dave_Hicks said:

I will get some n100 designs created before long. So many Sony Shooters around these parts. 😀

1 hour ago, Dave_Hicks said:

BTW - The port float rings were designed to accommodate the Nauticam dual flip adapter and have sufficient clearance. It is pretty much the main reason I made these.

That would be truly fantastic Dave.
I'm sure a lot of Sony shooters will be interested in something for the new Sony 100mm, especially with a flip, as it will be quite nose heavy to begin with.

Housing is here, camera body and lens are ordered, last piece of the puzzle are Nauticam goodies (125 port and MFO3 + MFO1)
It's perfect timing as I'll be spending a lot of time on balance and buoyancy, and was really wondering how I'd go about balancing out the port + flip combo.

I haven't even started playing with this file yet, but if I wanted to use it for an N85-Macro port 65, is there a simple scaling (like 85%) or would it require a redesign?

6 minutes ago, SwiftFF5 said:

I haven't even started playing with this file yet, but if I wanted to use it for an N85-Macro port 65, is there a simple scaling (like 85%) or would it require a redesign?

Redesign. The contours of every port are different, location of screw holes, etc.

However the Cad model of these floats is very simple. 95% of the work was figuring out how to get a strong watertight print that won't leak or implode. I've done that work and shared it out.

I can easily make more, but need hands on with the port to measure, do a draft print or two to check fit, then a final print.

Edited 2 hours ago2 hr by Dave_Hicks

Perhaps Nauticam could send you CAD files for the ports. I'd be interested in one for macro port 94.

10 minutes ago, jlaity said:

Perhaps Nauticam could send you CAD files for the ports. I'd be interested in one for macro port 94.

I wonder if a phone based 3d scanner could make a good enough model of a port to make a "blank" to design the float around...

A set of measurements should really be sufficient you'd think. Not like it's a mechanism.

Im likely passing through Seattle in the next week then a week after, could do a drop off on my way.

2 minutes ago, Grantmac said:

A set of measurements should really be sufficient you'd think. Not like it's a mechanism.

Im likely passing through Seattle in the next week then a week after, could do a drop off on my way.

The truth is that 3d fabrication is iterative. Even with perfect measurements you get things too tight, too loose, half a millimeter out of alignment, etc. Different materials will expand or contact so even if you get the right dimension and you have to adjust it anyway.

I have made zoom gears from measurements a few times. Once i got it right the first time, another required three or four iterations to get the right fit. So it's not worth the headache.

2 hours ago, Dave_Hicks said:

Redesign. The contours of every port are different, location of screw holes, etc.

However the Cad model of these floats is very simple. 95% of the work was figuring out how to get a strong watertight print that won't leak or implode. I've done that work and shared it out.

I can easily make more, but need hands on with the port to measure, do a draft print or two to check fit, then a final print.

Thanks, that's what I was expecting. Scaling would have been too easy, and it never works that way. Thanks for all your design efforts, and explanations.