Sony RX100 VA - Nauticam package

Hey folks,

After having used my Sealife DC2000 Pro Duo set on a one week liveaboard and other dives before & after that, I've decided to cut my losses and switch cameras as I'm not happy with it. So after doing some research, I've narrowed it down to the following camera package:

Nauticam NA-RX100V Underwater Housing AND Sony RX100 V Camera w/Dual Inon S-2000 Strobe

https://www.housingcamera.com/id5198-nauticam-housing-sony-rx100-v-pkg.html

Any thoughts on whether this is a good package to start out with as I would like a small and light setup for travelling? I was thinking of getting the following accessories as well:

1. Shutter release extension button (now)
2. Focus light (any recommendations on one? Can it double as video light if I mount it on the hot-shoe? Can I salvage my Sealight Sea Dragon 2000 Dive Light SL986 and use it as a focus/video light somehow?).
3. Vacuum pump (do I need this?).
4. Nauticam WWL-1 Wide angle lense (later)

Much appreciated.

The shutter release does make things easier. Definitely get the the vacuum valve/pump, gives great peace of mind! It should be a good little package.

Did you see this article: https://www.backscatter.com/reviews/post/Backscatter-Best-Underwater-Compact-Cameras

The Nauticam housing with tray is the same price for both the LX10 and RX100VA so they might allow the same package for the LX10 as the RX100VA - wouldn't hurt to ask if it was of interest. Note the link you provided states ships to the Americas and the Caribbean, and you don't appear to be located there.

I agree with Chris on the vacuum valve. For what they cost - in relation to the whole package - they are well worth it. Peace of mind.....

This thread will give you lots of background:

http://wetpixel.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=56575&page=2&hl=%2Bvacuum+%2Bvalve&do=findComment&comment=399244

The shutter release does make things easier. Definitely get the the vacuum valve/pump, gives great peace of mind! It should be a good little package.

 

Did you see this article: https://www.backscatter.com/reviews/post/Backscatter-Best-Underwater-Compact-Cameras

 

The Nauticam housing with tray is the same price for both the LX10 and RX100VA so they might allow the same package for the LX10 as the RX100VA - wouldn't hurt to ask if it was of interest. Note the link you provided states ships to the Americas and the Caribbean, and you don't appear to be located there.

Thanks for all the advice Chris. I was actually torn between the two (Sony RX100 VA & Panasonic LX10) but I'm probably going to be ordering everything except the camera itself online and purchase the camera locally for warranty purposes. Unfortunately the LX10 isn't available in our local photography store, so that kind of ruled it out. Thanks for pointing out the shipping restriction, I should be able to work around that by using my US based DHL forwarding mailbox address (it's how I order items from Amazon US all the time). I've read a lot of reviews and comparisons between the two such as:

http://www.divephotoguide.com/underwater-photography-special-features/article/2019-top-best-compact-cameras-housings-underwater-photography-video

And it seems the Sony is a good all rounder (possibly better for still photos) while the Panasonic is especially good for video (although the lack of Auto ISO in manual video mode is a con it seems). While I do want to eventually want to try out both with whichever compact I get, I'm focusing on still photos at the moment and will try video later on. Any idea how the Sony RX100 custom white balance compares to the Panasonic LX10?

I agree with Chris on the vacuum valve. For what they cost - in relation to the whole package - they are well worth it. Peace of mind.....

 

This thread will give you lots of background:

 

http://wetpixel.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=56575&page=2&hl=%2Bvacuum+%2Bvalve&do=findComment&comment=399244

Thanks for the confirmation on the vacuum vale and the forum link. I'll delve into it.

The Sony is a great little camera. I spent a few years with a first generation RX100 in Nauticam, with S2000 strobes and it was a great system (still have it actually, sometimes carry it as a backup ;-)

In fact if you don't need 4k video then maybe a second hand older camera/housing would be fine and allow you to spend the change on accessories.

You will find any of the RX100 series much better than the Sealife...

The RX100 needs an adaptor to do any macro, eg a macro adaptor like the Nauticam CMC. Good idea to get a flip mount for it.

The WWL-1, although said to be fantastic with the RX100, will turn a small light travel system into a heavy bulky one, so be careful.

Be aware that the battery life of the Sony is short. One dive only, so spare batteries are essential (a standalone charger is useful), and good battery conservation practice is helpful during a dive to make sure it lasts until the end.

I'd recommend a vacuum valve, it gives great peace of mind. Nauticam's system is excellent and has saved my camera a couple of times...

The Sea Dragon light - might be better to get something new and try to sell that with the Sealife camera as a package? You'd have to rig up a mount for it as it uses the Sealife mounting system I think.

Thanks for the feedback & advice Dave. I am actually trying to sell the Sealife but there's not much of a market for used uw photo gear where I'm at unfortunately. Actually thinking of selling it abroad and paying the shipping myself if I find a buyer. Thanks for the tips on the wet lenses, I'll keep that in mind later on when I consider buying them. The short battery life is a concern but as you said it might be offset with several spare batteries I guess. Thanks again!

I think there is not much point anymore buying a compact camera when you can run a micro four third with wet lenses

Get a second hand MFT (am selling one) and then build on wet lenses

When you need fisheye or long lenses they are there and when you change camera all ports lenses etc will remain

Really there is no point to invest in advanced compacts any more as you have a port system or the lens is too short

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Thanks for the feedback Interceptor. I was actually considering this initially as a mid-way solution (lighter than DSLR and more affordable while having better image quality and AF performance than compacts,the Olympus' especially are tempting). However, even with affordable 4/3 mirrorless bodies, the lenses, ports and housings are still much more expensive, bigger and heavier than a compact setup. At the end of the day, I'm not sure I can justify the added expense as a beginner hobbyist UW photographer and more importantly I don't want to shoulder the added weight burden while traveling with the restrictive baggage allowances these days.

This blog post shares similar thoughts to mine just articulated much better, in more detail and with actual on hand experience with the different systems (for those going through a similar dillema to mine):

https://aquabluedreams.com/page/my-digital-de-evolution/

The mark III to V are useless if you really want an RX100 try to find an old I or II

The lens 28-100 is much better and you can really take any type of shots

From Mark III onwards the lens is 24-70 which is not useful vignette at wide end and short tele the sensor is substantially the same

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Thank you for the tip on the RX100. I'll look into that alternative option.

FWIW, I followed interceptor121s advice with rx100s a year or so back (his blog is very useful) and picked up a rx100mk2 for half the price of the new mark Vs. I do strictly stills and mostly wide angle and I'm very happy with the setup. This is just a hobby for me too, the camera is much more capable than my skills at this point (moved up from a TG-4) and packing it even with my WAL isn't too difficult.