Making The Leap To 4k Pro. Please Help.

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I’ve been looking at the Gates housing for the AX100, and also the housing by German company Sealux. The Sealux seems to have the better Wide angle port - real optical glass and giving almost 20% more angle than the Gates GP34. It also has an internal redfilter flip and a +4 diopter flip which apparently you can use in parallel!

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Do you know if the Sealux ports can be mounted to photo housings, e.g. your RX100IV?

I am looking for the ideal 4k setup for my rx100m4, and so far the only viable wide lens seems to be the WWL-1, I am looking for really high-quality alternatives.

Here's the English page for the Sealux HDX100 for the Sony AX100. Bear in mind that the flip diopter in that housing (and also the Gates housings) is probably a simple, single-element diopter and not an achromatic diopter. Such diopters cause chromatic aberration, making the image increasingly blurry towards the edges. It will work, but don't expect stellar macro results. See my old thread where I tested a Century Optics achromatic diopter against a non-achromatic flip diopter.

I don't know of any housing that includes an internal flippable achromatic diopter. Screw-on only unfortunately.

Do you know if the Sealux ports can be mounted to photo housings, e.g. your RX100IV?

 

I am looking for the ideal 4k setup for my rx100m4, and so far the only viable wide lens seems to be the WWL-1, I am looking for really high-quality alternatives.

I don't know but I don't think so. This Sealux dome seems to be made specifically for the AX100 housing and the one for the Sony HXP 70, which afaik uses the same lens as the AX100. Just got the quote from Sealux. This wide angle dome is EUR 1.500!! certainly not a bargain...

Here's the English page for the Sealux HDX100 for the Sony AX100. Bear in mind that the flip diopter in that housing (and also the Gates housings) is probably a simple, single-element diopter and not an achromatic diopter. Such diopters cause chromatic aberration, making the image increasingly blurry towards the edges. It will work, but don't expect stellar macro results. See my old thread where I tested a Century Optics achromatic diopter against a non-achromatic flip diopter.

 

I don't know of any housing that includes an internal flippable achromatic diopter. Screw-on only unfortunately.

Hi Nick,

thanks for the pointer. Thats one of the things I need to find out. Its likely to be a simple adapter as I don't think there is enough space in the housing in front of the cam to put in much more... In that respect the Gates 34A dome with the 'external' SAGA Flip adapter that that spanish guy uses in his videos might be the better solution.

On the other hand the Sealux Dome really looks tasty...

By the way, I love your videos. Watched a lot of them if not all. I will never even get close to those results!!

Well, looks like this is a good deal:

http://reefphoto.com/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=161_165&products_id=8541

The only drawback is the 14-42mm lens is not fast. From what I read, the 14-42mm is just as sharp as the Panasonic 12-35mm, just that the 12-42mm is slower. This package save you a lot, the WWL-1 is normally $1000, the camera body is normally $1200, the Flexitray set up is normally $270, the body housing is normally $1600.

 

Hi Gearbow,

 

I am actually seriously investigating this camcorder since a few weeks as well. I am currently using a RX100iv setup – a great little compact which I for sure will keep "on land" but I am still not convinced the „stills cam“ ist the right tool for people like me who primarily shoot video underwater – even tough most people seem to take that route these days.

 

But looking at ergonomics (perfectly balanced housing) , ease of use and – above all – the results I have seen coming out oft he AX100, I am really impressed! I have seen the clips by that spanish guy you are quoting above and quite a few others – and most just look great. Manual WB seems to work really easy and well with this cam.

 

I’ve been looking at the Gates housing for the AX100, and also the housing by German company Sealux. The Sealux seems to have the better Wide angle port - real optical glass and giving almost 20% more angle than the Gates GP34. It also has an internal redfilter flip and a +4 diopter flip which apparently you can use in parallel! On the Gates, you have only one flip: either use an internal redfilter or the diopter – you cant have both. So this pretty much sounds like a "one-stop-setup" being able to cover whale sharks as well as nudibranches.

 

I am waiting for some more details on the Sealux housing. Seems to be one of those typical small German companies: Great engineering but lousy marketing So I have to drag things out of them that are readily available for download from other manufacturers, like user manual etc.... I’m working on it. Happy to share whatever i find.

 

And: opposite to popular opinion the housings aren't that bulky. Sure they are larger than compact housings but the AX100 housing will fit into cabin luggage.

On resale value: I am hunting for a used Gates but cant find one - so not too bothered about resale value.

I would be very interested in finding out how they answered your questions. I am thinking more and more about this and your explanation as far as having the option to have a much wider angle port while still being able to shoot macro is exactly what I want also to use both the diopter and red filter internally is very interesting. I have not done any real macro filming yet but i imagine as long as you are close you can light it with lights. but further away would be nice to use the filter.

Here's the English page for the Sealux HDX100 for the Sony AX100. Bear in mind that the flip diopter in that housing (and also the Gates housings) is probably a simple, single-element diopter and not an achromatic diopter. Such diopters cause chromatic aberration, making the image increasingly blurry towards the edges. It will work, but don't expect stellar macro results. See my old thread where I tested a Century Optics achromatic diopter against a non-achromatic flip diopter.

 

I don't know of any housing that includes an internal flippable achromatic diopter. Screw-on only unfortunately.

Did you have a chance to view the AX100 footage on page one of this thread. What do you think of those close ups with +5 diopter?

Well, looks like this is a good deal:

 

http://reefphoto.com/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=161_165&products_id=8541

 

The only drawback is the 14-42mm lens is not fast. From what I read, the 14-42mm is just as sharp as the Panasonic 12-35mm, just that the 12-42mm is slower. This package save you a lot, the WWL-1 is normally $1000, the camera body is normally $1200, the Flexitray set up is normally $270, the body housing is normally $1600.

Very interesting as well. Especially if I was looking at a bridge system until 4k 60fps and that could be used later as B-roll camera.

Another option for the Ax100 is the mangrove housing with wide angle port. looks like the port is made by Fathom. Can't find prices yet for the Sealux or Mangrove yet.

• DP-M77x125: the new DP-M77x125 wide angle conversion dome port provides all of the benefits of a dome port underwater. The conversion dome corrects for the refractive magnification of the flat port underwater to restore the camera's original angle of coverage. It increases the underwater field of view of your camcorders lens allowing to recover 105% of the FOV (field or view) of your camcorder on land. This is a semi - wide angle. You can use around 80% your zoom range.

I looked at the Mangrove as well but I have ruled this out as it has the screen at the back of the housing, which I don't find ideal. The housing could be an option with an external monitor on top, which Mangrove does offer as well. But there you have the problem that the AX100 does not allow the 4k signal to be relayed to an external monitor - it will just turn black. Pretty stupid - but thats the way it is...

On the Sealux I got the pricing. Here in Germany its EUR 2.850 with the standard port. Pretty much comparable to the price of the Gates. The Sealux Wide Angle (120 degrees) is a whopping EUR 1.500 - as already mentioned in my post above. But its multiple element optical glass, comparable to the Fathom optics available for the "larger" Gates systems but unfortunatly not for the AX100.

I now also have info on the macro adopter: As already assumed it is not achromatic as that would not fit into the housing. I received a PDF copy of the user manual in German. I am sure they will happily send you the english version if you mail them at info@sealux.de. Its not as detailed as the Gates manual but handling seems to be pretty much straightforward.

I am slightly wary of using a 1.500 EUR glass and putting it in 4-5 cm distance of a coral, which you need to do for close macro. One unexpected move or current and you got the scratch... OK, you will rightly tell me to work on my buoyancy - but these things do happen quickly. Without doubt the Gates wide angle is less sophisticated but its also cheaper and its acrylic, so you could polish out slight scratches.

Many things to think about...

 

 

 

 

I am slightly wary of using a 1.500 EUR glass and putting it in 4-5 cm distance of a coral, which you need to do for close macro. One unexpected move or current and you got the scratch... OK, you will rightly tell me to work on my buoyancy - but these things do happen quickly. Without doubt the Gates wide angle is less sophisticated but its also cheaper and its acrylic, so you could polish out slight scratches.

 

Many things to think about...

 

 

 

 

.....Why is putting the monitor behind less than ideal?

 

 

......Definitely would be difficult to keep the port scratch free if you have to get that close to the corals. Could you not be further away and use zoom? I don't know I have never shot macro.

By the way what is the RX-100 IV failings that you are not quite happy with that is making you think about the AX100?

 

 

.....Why is putting the monitor behind less than ideal?

 

 

......Definitely would be difficult to keep the port scratch free if you have to get that close to the corals. Could you not be further away and use zoom? I don't know I have never shot macro.

 

Its just my personal view a monitor at the rear is not so nice as you cant judge distance that well if you carry a 30cm "tube" in front of your head :-).

Well, if you really want close macro, then you will not have much room for zooming. The focus range of those macro diopters is pretty limited from what I know and have experienced personally (although certainly not being an expert on the topic). So at the end of the day, you have to be close to your nudibranch / pygmy whatever it is. And once you are close, get closer :-)

On the RX 100iv: To avoid any misunderstanding, Its a fantastic little camera. It would be the perfect tool for people doing half video, half stills. Thats kind of what I had in mind, but now I just find myself doing mostly video anyway which re-triggers my thought process. One downside might be that manual WB is a bit tricky. Its not as bad as some people describe it but its also not as straightforward as on the AX100.

The other down side is that even such compact RX100 system once you add the housing, tray, two lightarms, two video lights and a wide dome (INON WWL 100 for me), it all adds up to about 4,5kg above water. That's only slightly less than the AX100 Gates or Sealux system incl. camera. BUT: Once in the water, the RX100iv system is negatively buoyant by about 2,3kg, so you have to add a whole stack of floats to get it balanced. The AX100 in a Gates or Sealux housing on the other side is neutrally balanced "out of the box" !!

In terms of handling, it makes a big difference and reduces drag. Again just my opinion not being en expert and still learning....

 

Did you have a chance to view the AX100 footage on page one of this thread. What do you think of those close ups with +5 diopter?

Not sure which footage you mean. I just watched the video below and thought it was pretty good, then noticed in the description he says "No diopters lens employed".

Gearbow was probably talking about that other clip from Juan, called "The Invisible". On that one a +5 SAGA Diopter was used according to the description.

I felt that the clip you copied above has a slight green cast in some areas. But I think that's one of Juan's earlier ones with the AX100. Some of the later clips I find pretty remarkable in terms of color balance.

 

Hi Gearbow,

 

I am actually seriously investigating this camcorder since a few weeks as well. I am currently using a RX100iv setup – a great little compact which I for sure will keep "on land" but I am still not convinced the „stills cam“ ist the right tool for people like me who primarily shoot video underwater – even tough most people seem to take that route these days.

 

But looking at ergonomics (perfectly balanced housing) , ease of use and – above all – the results I have seen coming out oft he AX100, I am really impressed! I have seen the clips by that spanish guy you are quoting above and quite a few others – and most just look great. Manual WB seems to work really easy and well with this cam.

 

I’ve been looking at the Gates housing for the AX100, and also the housing by German company Sealux. The Sealux seems to have the better Wide angle port - real optical glass and giving almost 20% more angle than the Gates GP34. It also has an internal redfilter flip and a +4 diopter flip which apparently you can use in parallel! On the Gates, you have only one flip: either use an internal redfilter or the diopter – you cant have both. So this pretty much sounds like a "one-stop-setup" being able to cover whale sharks as well as nudibranches.

 

I am waiting for some more details on the Sealux housing. Seems to be one of those typical small German companies: Great engineering but lousy marketing So I have to drag things out of them that are readily available for download from other manufacturers, like user manual etc.... I’m working on it. Happy to share whatever i find.

 

And: opposite to popular opinion the housings aren't that bulky. Sure they are larger than compact housings but the AX100 housing will fit into cabin luggage.

On resale value: I am hunting for a used Gates but cant find one - so not too bothered about resale value.

Hi ..Have you any updates on info ? what are you using now?

Cheers

Tony