Quality of Nauticam housings

Leaks - And I DID have a monumental 100% flood... but it wasn't caused by Nauticam - I was taking pictures of a local kid on Ambon who I let hold the Nauticam housing... and I guess he got curious about what those shiny metal latches were for on the sides, so he popped them open underwater right in front of me!!

So housings now need child proofing? But that would mean half the adults won't be able to open it either!

So housings now need child proofing? But that would mean half the adults won't be able to open it either!

Finally a rational reason to explain Hugyfot´s locking system!

Keri, I am sorry for your camera-lens I hope you had a backup to, at least, enjoy the rest of the trip.

We're considering a 45º viewfinder but we do not have a committed plan for it right now. A version of the Inon 45 degree viewfinder is available for Nauticam housings right now.

How does the image compare with your 180 degree viewfinder vs. the Inon 180?

You will not need to remove the port or lens to remove the camera from the back. I'm hopeful you'll be able to open the card door without removing the camera but I will let you know once I get one in my hands to test.

 

Thanks,

Chris

Looking forward to hearing what you find with this - if you can change the card and battery without removing the camera that would be great. Of course if we could just download and recharge the battery via USB ports on the outside of the housing that would be fantastic!

Ports - I didn't get to use the native Nauticam ports - I used my Ikelite modular port system instead. Their adapter ring system made the normally 'wobbly' Ike port rock-steady, which was really impressive.

Keri, do you know if the adapter can accomodate the "Super-wide angle port body for Ikleites 8 inch dome (the one that is used for fisheyes with a part number 5510.10 or 5510.11).

Regards

Bent C

I wonder if there is a plan to support 14-24mm lens or not since I cannot find it on Nauticam's port chart. I assume that there will be support for one since there is a D700 housing.

14-24 will be listed in the next version of the Nikon Port Chart released. It is fully compatible with Nauticam ports and extension rings, and a zoom gear is being built.

How does the image compare with your 180 degree viewfinder vs. the Inon 180?

To my eye, the Nauticam image is larger and brighter with less distortion. There is less edge distortion, less purple fringing, and the Nauticam viewfinder is more tolerant of varying eye placements. The optical diameter is larger, allowing it to be used with full frame cameras.

Keri, do you know if the adapter can accommodate the "Super-wide angle port body for Ikleites 8 inch dome (the one that is used for fisheyes with a part number 5510.10 or 5510.11).

There are now two adapters. One is a replacement for 5510.10/5510.11 allowing the Ikelite 8" dome port to be used with super wide/fisheye lenses on a Nauticam housing, and a separate adapter accommodates all other ikelite modular and one piece ports.

All of the port adapters precisely preserve the camera mount -> port mount distance used by the port manufacturer, allowing you to continue to use the port manufacturer's extension ring recommendations.

Does anybody know if Nauticam has plans to make a housing for the 5D MK2?

It's clear that they are focusing in the newest models, but there will be no replacement for the 5D MK2 for at least a couple of years.

Thank you for your post here Chris. It is good to read your response to questions and concerns.

 

This is my perspective as a potential buyer. I have been a loyal customer with Ikelite since 1970's, they have done well with me with much attention to service and affordable products. But with my 7D I'm looking for full access to all it's capability and in an ergonomic design, I'm willing to consider to spend twice to what an Ikelite sells for, but I will make that decision only after I have had the housing in my hands and play with the controls and look through the VF and then after an actual wet trial in pool or ocean.

 

Andy from H2OphotoPROS many years ago provided Sea&Sea housing trials on a local diveboat trip for my then new Canon 60D for a local UWphoto club. This is what I would like to have available again hopefully in my decision to house my 7D.

 

BTW. I'm a photographer and pictures make me much more excited than computer drawings. So for me get the real pictures of the housing, get an honest real review from a well respectable source, and a real housing to my local dealer to hold and play with this beauty .

 

Bo

Hi fotoscubo714....

Thanks for the feedback. I definitely hear what you are saying about seeing actual photos and being able to see the housing in person. I'm planning to support our dealers in doing some local demo days soon. Southern Cal (Catalina) is definitely in the works. I'll try to get the word out once we have dates for that.

Chris

Does anybody know if Nauticam has plans to make a housing for the 5D MK2?

 

It's clear that they are focusing in the newest models, but there will be no replacement for the 5D MK2 for at least a couple of years.

As of DEMA, there were no plans for a 5D Mark 2 housing. I hope that changes, but I would guess that it is too late to make a housing so long into a camera's life cycle.

Hi fotoscubo714....

 

Thanks for the feedback. I definitely hear what you are saying about seeing actual photos and being able to see the housing in person. I'm planning to support our dealers in doing some local demo days soon. Southern Cal (Catalina) is definitely in the works. I'll try to get the word out once we have dates for that.

Chris

Thanks Chris!

May I suggest that Nauticam reps contact local photography groups (OCUPS and LAUPS here) and inquire for short meeting time to introduce the actual housing and then follow up with a local boat trip for those interested? Maybe even work together with a Canon rep to talk about the new advancements of the 7D?

No better advertising than word of mouth (via website, wetpixel, tweeter, facebook, etc... )

To have the housing in people's hands will probably do all the selling you need with the design advancements you made.

BTW. With a vacuum check system you don't even have to worry about the latches being opened underwater by somebody curious.... .

Bo

Is the Subal port adapter for type 3 or 4 ports?

Happy owner of a Nauticam D90 which just took a trial run today for three dives to Catalina. REALLY liking this housing, the other photogs on the boat were amazed at the accessibility of all the controls and overall fit/finish of the housing. I was using the Nauticam ports/focus ring for the 105VR (wish I had had a wide angle set-up, it was beautiful out today!). Didn't really capture any photos I am proud of, was more of a trial run and first time with the 105VR, so sorry, no photos!

Anyone in So. Cal who wants to check it out, feel free to pm me.

Both are available, these guys think of everything !

Did I mention, I'm now the official UK distributor for Nauticam, so any UK based people are welcome to contact me. Website will be up shortly.

Alex

Is the Subal port adapter for type 3 or 4 ports?

To my eye, the Nauticam image is larger and brighter with less distortion. There is less edge distortion, less purple fringing, and the Nauticam viewfinder is more tolerant of varying eye placements. The optical diameter is larger, allowing it to be used with full frame cameras.

Many thanks Ryan.

Chris - sounds like you had better hurry up with that 45 degree viewfinder!

I just spent 8 days shooting with a prototype NAD300 housing in the Socorros of the west coast of mexico. Almost all big animal, big current diving. Before the trip I did a couple of shakedown dives here in Puget Sound in cold water with the system.

Overall it is very rugged and well-made. My prototype had control issues that are being attended to. Weight has been reduced by .2k. I'm trading up to a D300s for the final. I'm not going to go into details, except to say Ryan and Nauticam are well on the job to smoothing out the wrinkles on an awesome line.

The optical viewfinder is terrific, allowed full finder viewing easily, even with a sort of one eye on the animal, one eye in the viewfinder approach.

I mainly shot two lenses; the Tokina 10-17FE behind a Sea & Sea Optical Dome Port and SX ring as well as a 17-70 Macro Sigma with the same set up with the addition of an RDX ring. NauticamUSA knocked out a zoom gear for the lens, which I'll be trading in for the newest HSM/OS model when it ships. I did one dive with a Nikon 60 micro and one with a 105VR, both worked great, and the manual focus for the 105VR is sweet. Port changes are fairly fast, you do need to take the camera out, but otherwise it's pretty quick. Cards & batteries can be changed without removal from it's tray.

I used 2 YS 110a strobes in optical D-TTL mode which seemed quite accurate within the confines of TTL. One cool thing is that you can shoot at 1/320sec TTL/FP in optical sync mode with the Nikon.

I am the NauticamUSA PNW dealer here in the US (and a WetPixel sponsor) and would invite all inquiries.

Here's a few shots - I have shot a D80 for quite a while, but just starting out on the D300, so be kind... ;-)

Jack

I just spent 8 days shooting with a prototype NAD300 housing in the Socorros of the west coast of mexico. Almost all big animal, big current diving. Before the trip I did a couple of shakedown dives here in Puget Sound in cold water with the system.

 

 

Jack

Thanks for the report. It is good to read that Nauticam is sensitive to dealers input and willing to have their stuff be test-proven.

I much rather wait a month or two longer and have a housing that has all the obvious bugs eliminated by test reports from those experienced. I don't have to deal with them and be a happier customer. But it is good to let us know and keep us updated in the meantime.

I love your dolphin portrait with the few air bubbles providing clues to subject orientation. Great shot! Sigma 17-70 lens?

Bo

As far as I know, the control issues I reported are being dealt with now, in fact were already mostly dealt with. The production housings will have these integrated. I expect I'll have the production D300s housing in a week or so.

Dolphin was shot with the Tokina 10-17.

Second Manta with the Sigma 17-70.

Jack

As far as I know, the control issues I reported are being dealt with now, in fact were already mostly dealt with. The production housings will have these integrated. I expect I'll have the production D300s housing in a week or so.

 

Dolphin was shot with the Tokina 10-17.

 

Second Manta with the Sigma 17-70.

 

Jack

Nice! I have to agree with Berkley White that the Tok is the best fisheye lens ever. I hope the rumors of its discontinuation are false. Be nice to have this lens for FF though.

Since Nauticam housing can fit so many different brand domes, which would be the best dome for the Tok1017? Recognizing that diameter is use specific i.e. 8" for split shots.

Bo

I love the Sea & Sea Optical Dome Port, small size and crisp corners, but it is pricey as it is glass. Nauticam's white balance port is pretty cool to shoot video with.

Jack

Does anyone have any input as to the quality of the Nauticam ports as compared to others? Since the housing will accept ports of several manufacturers, not only does it help out those who already own a housing to use the ports they already have, but it gives many options for someone like me who does not yet have a dSLR housing. Is there any difference in the optical quality of say the Nauticam 8.5 fisheye dome as compared to other acrylic fisheye dome ports that can also be used with this housing?

Faint....

My brain considered fainting for a moment, but it was interrupted by an abrupt and thorough soiling of my wetsuit.

Faint?............ Bring the damn vibrilator to restart my heart!..... OMG.

 

Keri, have you been able to make a good laugh about it yet

Once my tear ducts ran dry from days of crying myself to sleep, I was indeed able to take a step back, and laugh about how ridiculous a situation I got myself into. But no amount of laughing or crying is going to bring my beloved Nikkor 105mm AF-D back to life...

So housings now need child proofing? But that would mean half the adults won't be able to open it either!

Sad, but true! LOL

Finally a rational reason to explain Hugyfot´s locking system!

 

Keri, I am sorry for your camera-lens I hope you had a backup to, at least, enjoy the rest of the trip.

Unfortunately, I didn't have a backup with me, but Andy Shorten from Archipelago Fleet/Maluku Divers went out of his way to dig up a d90 body in Bali, and Lucas/Shannon Price kindly 'muled' it out to me in Sorong for the last leg of my trip in Raja Ampat. If I didn't have the Nauticam with me, I'm sure the quality/quantity of images that I brought home would've drastically suffered. The 180 degree viewfinder really blew me away - framing didn't involve guessing for a change, so I found myself shooting far fewer shots to get what I wanted (compared to my Ikelite rig).

indoreef - I didn't have a chance to use the Nauticam ports, but I did have one of their flat ports with me (for the Nikon 105mm lens). You can tell that Nauticam knows what they're doing from a manufacturing standpoint just from the look/feel of it (very similar to the Sea & Sea DX Macro Port 50), but can't comment on its optical qualities, since I never used it.

Keri