Nikonos style bulkhead components

Hey all,

I like to tinker with stuff and wanted to ask - does anyone know how to get the components for the S&S/Nikonos style bulkheads? Is this completely proprietary? Or does it simply have another name?

I know I could re-purpose a $100-140 bulkhead (or part out something used) but I wanted to ask if I could buy the components anywhere...

Essentially, I want to run an electrical cable from my housing to a water proof "something else" that I can tinker with remote shutter/programmable selfie mode/strobe/etc.

Thanks!

Hey all,

 

I like to tinker with stuff and wanted to ask - does anyone know how to get the components for the S&S/Nikonos style bulkheads? Is this completely proprietary? Or does it simply have another name?

 

I know I could re-purpose a $100-140 bulkhead (or part out something used) but I wanted to ask if I could buy the components anywhere...

 

Essentially, I want to run an electrical cable from my housing to a water proof "something else" that I can tinker with remote shutter/programmable selfie mode/strobe/etc.

 

Thanks!

Yes it is possible to buy bulkheads and install them yourself. I have done so for my Seacam housings to install remote control. I bought my bulkheads from the US distributor. You may be able to do so for your housings as well.

You need to be aware of the specifics needed for your housings. There are different sized holes and threading. Seacam uses metric sizes for both. Others may use inch based sizes. Also, one can get bulkheads for S6, Nikonos (N5, maybe even N3), Ikelite, or EO (wet connector). EO bulkheads are not very common these days but once were the standard. There are a few other types of bulkheads as well such as the one Hasselblad used in their blue housings from the 70s. Pentax used a Nikonos II bulkhead in their 6x7 housing.

Hi Tom - thanks for your input.

I guess I wasn't meaning just installing the bulkhead myself, but building bulkheads onto custom parts, and using the Nikonos/Sea&Sea style sync cable to provide the electrical connection to and from either my camera, strobe, or custom electronics. For example, if I wanted to try to make my own remote trigger, I would want to connect my strobe via a electrical sync cable, to a small, waterproof 'box' that I would install a traditional housing bulkhead, that can house some small electronics.

But, if I wanted to go the other way though (do "something" based on the camera trying to trigger a strobe) then I would need the other side of the sync cable. That's where I was curious - if it was easy to find the male/female parts of these bulkheads/cables online for building stuff.

You might want to look into S6 connectors as the cables are double ended (same connector on each end). S6 cables and bulkheads, however, are expensive.

You might be wondering about something similar with the other types?? One solution would be to buy two Ike extension cables and cut the ends off you do not want (female - like the bulkheads) then combine the two remaining parts yielding you an extension cord with the connectors you want (male) and getting an almost twice as long cord. You would have to use Ike bulkheads. There are kits available for making a waterproof wire to wire junction or you could fake one. First make a VERY secure soldered connection which you would encase in epoxy using a mold of your making.

PS. I have not actually seen one but Ike makes synch cords to use their strobes with their housings so would be Ike, maybe same sex, on both ends.