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There are some examples coming out on FB now Andi Voeltz shared some using the 20-50 F4. Pasting one image here (mods - please remove if violates rules - It is pretty clearly branded so gives credit to photog). Looks promising! Can't wait for more images - and I would be really happy if a port like this worked with a lens as nice as the 20-50 (or any L lens for that matter).

Just an update on my progress: I ultimately went with the UWTechnics 11032-HSS. I tested it today using the Retra profile (set to 7) with the Retra Pro Max, and M mode, TTL, and HSS all worked properly. I also did not encounter any black bands caused by flash-sync timing issues with the camera. Anyone having the same issue as me should consider upgrading to a better trigger.

Second, updated edition. Blennies of the Mediterranean Sea introduces readers to one of the most fascinating groups of small coastal fishes inhabiting the shallow waters of the Mediterranean. The suborder Blennioidei, with about 880 species worldwide, is represented in the Mediterranean by the families Blenniidae, Tripterygiidae, and Clinidae, whose members display remarkable diversity in form, colour, and behaviour while living closely associated with rocky coastal habitats. In this second, revised and updated edition, Francesco Tiralongo expands the guide by including additional species, both alien and recently described by science, reflecting the rapidly evolving knowledge of Mediterranean fish biodiversity. Supported by colour photographs and detailed hand-drawn illustrations of diagnostic characters, this book provides clear and reliable tools for species identification, making it an essential reference for ichthyologists, divers, fishermen, and all enthusiasts of Mediterranean marine life.

I was (and remain) very happy with my D850 system. The nudge that pushed me to get a Z8 system was a $10,000 insurance payout for a canceled liveaboard trip due to a broken leg. That and the absolute racket the D850 made shooting rapid-fire on the Kenya Safari trip that ended up breaking my leg. Silent shooting is another big benefit of mirrorless, even if it doesn't matter UW its a big deal for wildlife and events. If I couldn't dive for 3 months at least I could spend the found money on a new camera system! A silver lining in every cloud.

Ok, looking forward to see your Maldives footage 🤩 I see that the biggest complaint from users is that you cannot use the camera for land and underwater shooting because the lenses swap requires a dry and clean station. You cannot do it on the boat or the beach. In the meantime I see perfectly stitched videos. Unfortunately most of them being vertical (I'm old). I guess still there will be problems stitching object passing in front of the camera at less than one meter. https://www.instagram.com/reel/Db8OCxZK-Qt/?igsi=MWpvY2Y0ZzA3Mnd1

My personal experience: Oly 5050 (Oly housing) -> D90 (Nauticam) -> D800 (Nauticam) -> D850 (Nauticam) I waited and waited for Nikon to come out with a DSLR replacement for the D850 - until they didn't - at which point I went D850 with all my legacy glass and Nauticam gear. I'm getting to the point where I may pick up another D850 body to keep shooting DSLR. For ME: I'm changing my packing regimen and getting as much super heavy stuff off my person when I travel as I get closer to 60yo. Paying for a 3rd checked bag, if it's not already included, is a lot less expensive than changing to a mirrorless system.

There clearly are ways to reduce noise and INCREASE sharpness at the same time during post-processing. Yes, this is AI - at its best. And these algorithms are likely driving much of the improved signal/noise ratio in the new camera bodies' jpg engines (no matter which sensor format).

I'm just finalising my purchase plans for getting back into underwater photography after a 30-odd year break - my last underwater camera was a housed Nikon F4. I'm choosing to go mirrorless due to the ability to fit a large 5 or 7 inch monitor to the camera rig which will make underwater shooting easier for me. It will be a FF mirrorless, probably a Nikon Z5ii in a Nauticam housing, but potentially it could be a Sony FF in a Nauticam housing.

You’d have to move down from the super heavyweight class to middle weight 🙂 Unfortunately DX does not have any great options atm in the z-series for UW inmo. The new z5ii is however inmo a very interesting FF alternative unless you think you must have 45 mp instead of 25. With the new Nauticam design that thing is seriously small. I’d be surprised if it doesn’t challenge the M4/3 Olympus in a Nauticam for weight and petiteness.

Hey Tomo Great to have you with us. A warm welcome to Waterpixels. Best wishes Tim

Hi everyone, just joined from here in the UK, looking forward to exchanging with you all on here, cheers!

As well as Nauticam X6 replaces lenses. Different distortion so stitching can work out the housing thickness and also mainly much closer focus to be able to have virtual image produced by the housing in focus. It also means that above water nothing except of very very close to housing is somewhat in focus. Now Nauticam replacement lens is built into the housing, into their glass port. With X6 you get separate lenses. The pool samples show that up close Nauticam with X5 is much much sharper. In the distance it may be up to camera sensitivity as X6 shown better contrast and resolution from like 1M on. X6 will not and cannot fit in X5 housing but anyone having X5 housing may have little incentives to jump onto X6 if they have camera mounted on DPV. For me and placement on camera housing lighter X6 package makes more sense.

That’s been my experience, too. One ends up with images that have low contrast. Lightroom’s Dehaze is a real life-saver, but it’s only a work-around. The camera might have lots of dynamic range, but you don’t get the benefit when shooting in haze … and we often have these conditions here in North Carolina.

From what I've read, they provide special lenses for the underwater housing.

There’s a Sony ”screw-on” fisheye that one attach to a 28/f2 mm prime, I saw in the latest UWP show. Turns it into a 16 mm FE lens.

Hi, I also have been a Nikon DSLR user for many years. After starting underwater photography with an Olympus C7070, I moved on to a D300 in a Hugy housing. Next came a D800E in a Seacam housing, and I arrived at the D850 in a Nauticam housing. I was lucky enough to buy a used NA-D850 setup—including the camera body and a 45° viewfinder—for 3,000 euros in 2023. That same year, I also managed to find a new, genuine Nauticam-to-Seacam adapter in Western Australia, allowing me to continue using my Seacam ports. I remain very satisfied with the system and see no compelling reason to switch to mirrorless. I struggle to follow the arguments regarding the weight and size differences between DSLR and mirrorless cameras. Given my age, I would certainly appreciate lighter gear, but I don't quite see the advantage here. I once compared the dimensions of Nauticam housings for Nikon cameras via the German importer: Nikon Z7: 360x200x160mm, 3kg Nikon Z8: 356x204x163mm, 3.4kg; Nikon D850: 360x195x135mm, 3.1kg. Camera weights: D850 1kg, Z7 0.6kg, Z8 0.9kg. I honestly don't understand where the significant difference lies that would justify a switch regarding weight and dimension. Perhaps I am misunderstanding something. Mirrorless cameras certainly offer innovations and various advantages. However, switching systems in underwater photography costs a hell of money. Everyone has to decide for themselves how much it is worth to them and to what extent it will actually result in better photos. The situation regarding weight and dimensions is, of course, different with Micro Four Thirds (M43) systems. But in my opinion, comparing M43 to full-frame is like comparing apples and oranges. Otherwise, we wouldn't need the different formats—or pay the corresponding prices for them. Ultimately, everyone has to decide what works best for them and how much money left on the account.

D850 is when IQ peaked and it had already surpassed what’s usable, unless you shoot for lab tests, inmo. As @TimG I’m also a Nikon shooter DSLR since old. Downsizing was the big advantage for me when I went mirrorless. The electronic viewfinders on new mirrorless can be very good (not all) as well as the AF. So if you’re not bothered by size and weight (travel?) or buying 2:nd hand, there should be super deals on eg Nauticam or Subal 850 housings.

Hi Tino I've just have this printed in China (JLCPCB) but not sure how it works. On my print, the larger ring slips off the smaller retainer ring - did you glue it on? Or maybe I'm mounting it wrong / the material used. thanks! EDIT - after trying multiple combination I managed to make it click on somehow, but not sure if this is the "correct" way, as it looks a little different from your pic:

I'm not 72 yet but I feel every kg these days, while it's certainly tempting to want to take your favourite camera UW, there's lighter options that are every bit as good these days. Not saying don't do it but check out the size and weight of a housed D850 and how you would travel with it before leaping in.

Is there anything you can’t do with your D850 that you think you might be able to do with, say, a Nikon Z? I doubt that focussing or underwater image quality will be significantly better with mirrorless. I’ve been a long-time D500 user (and like you D100, 200, 300 and 800) and hankered about going mirrorless. But the only real advantage I could think of was in-viewfinder review. A very nice feature, especially for macro, but at huge cost: new body, new housing. As Dave suggests, you can probably pick up a used D850 housing in great condition for an excellent price. Two have been advertised recently on our Marketplace.

The quality and focus abilities of the D850 are at least 90% as good as anything else on the market. Certainly the lenses are as well, often its the same lenses. There are clearly advantages to mirrorless models, which is why i upgraded to the Z8. However, i kept my D850 and housing as a backup. You would be very happy with that system and can get years of use out of it.

Honestly from what I've read the D850 can do still images with all but the newest mirrorless. Plus I'm betting you can find a housing for a decent price if you keep your eyes open. Many people are still using adapted lenses from that era.