Aquatica announces underwater housing for Nikon D300s

by Eric Cheng Friday, October 30th, 2009

Aquatica Nikon D300s underwater housing

PRESS RELEASE

October 2009. Aquatica is proud to announce its latest addition, a housing for the new Nikon D300s, with 12.3 mega pixels and HD video this camera/housing combination bring the underwater imaging to another level. Introduced with this Aquatica housing is the options of Optical Fiber and/or regular Nikonos and Ikelite bulkhead connectors to take full advantage of the newer underwater strobes on the market and accessing TTL on your Nikon D300s is now a breeze. The shell is machined from solid aluminum, treated and anodized to military specification, then painted with a robust weather and wear resistant finish, this addition to our already wide selection of housings will benefit from the same 300 ft. + depth rating that has set us apart from our competitors for so long.

The D300s housing features easy access to the vital video function controls while retaining its ease of operation for still imaging, it has the same mounting bayonet that will accept our existing accessories as well as ports, including our tack sharp Megadome, Aqua View finder and remote control cord, it is therefore in a position to address every aspect of this demanding activity that is underwater imaging.

Key features:

Optical Fiber Strobe Connectors: (NEW) This Aquatica housing introduces the optical fiber connection to our line up of housings. Options include Optical ports for both Sea & Sea tm or INON tm type connectors, as well, traditional methods of connecting strobes via the Nikonos tm or Ikelite tm standard connectors are retained, it in essence, make this housing the most flexible in the industry as far as connectivity to underwater strobes

Optical sync bulkheads

Bayonet Port: Positive four point bayonet mounting and a locking mechanism leaves no doubt that your ports are secure in place and water tight. The bayonet system dome, macro ports and extension rings, offers the fastest and most comprehensive access to the lenses for rapid changing without having to remove the camera from the housing. This housing allows use of lenses from a 10mm 180 degrees fisheye lens to a 180mm macro lens. Tele-converter port extensions are also available.
Menus: Buttons have been angled 20 degrees and extended when needed for better ergonomic, knob are now grooved and knurled for optimum operation when wearing thick gloves
Hydrophone: available as an accessory and easily mounted via one of the provided accessories bulkhead mounting holes
Controls: Fingertip access to all camera menus and video controls includes On-Off, Live View mode, Record On/Off, Exposure Mode, bracketing, Meter positioning and focus control, AF-ON activation and AE-AF lock access via a single easy access lever. Access to all menu features include review, enlarge and delete, histogram and internal SLR preferences.
Lens Release: A lever is provided for easy lens changing through the front port with camera installed.
Remote Control Grip: available as an accessory and easily mounted via one of the provided accessories bulkhead mounting holes
Viewing Eye Piece: The most critical aspect of underwater SLR photography is the viewing system. In this aspect our housing uses a viewfinder that show the biggest and the brightest image possible in full frame viewing to your eye. An accessory Aqua View Finder is also available giving the user unparallel viewing of the camera’s viewfinder for sharp focusing and exact composition.

Specifications:

Depth rating: 300 feet/90 meters (upgradeable on request to 425ft/130 meters)
Precision machined from a single aluminum block. This light weight housing is fully anodized to military specifications and coated with robust wear resistant coating. All function labels are pad printing so they will not peel off or fade.
Accurately balanced ergonomic design - all controls including the video activating controls are within easy reach.
Excellent underwater balance.
Replaceable sacrificial anodes protect the housing from electrolysis.
Weight: 3.29 Kg / 7.25 Lbs
Dimension: (with grip attached) W 35.6cm x H 20.25cm x D15.25cm / W 14” x H 8” x D 6”
Dimension (without grip) 24.1cm x H 20.25cm x D15.25cm / W 9.5” x H 8” x D 6”

More information:

http://www.aquatica.ca
info@aquatica.ca

Aquatica Nikon D300s underwater housing

View of rear of Aquatica Nikon D300s underwater housing

Aquatica Nikon D300s underwater housing

Access to both AF-AE Lock and AF-ON

You have the option of both as well, heck you could have one Ikelite, one Nikonos and one F/O connector on the same housing if you wanted to, and still be able to run a remote cord through the 4th accessory bulkhead hole on the side. :-) Jean
Posted by Viz'art on 2009-11-01 19:23:59 Jean; So it is choice between a hardwire bulkhead and F/O? Jack
Posted by JackConnick on 2009-11-01 13:29:15 Ahh but Jean I am Canon so the Nikon can be in black. LOL Cheers
Posted by yahsemtough on 2009-10-30 15:23:33 The 7D is coming soon, at one point we had started on the D300s already when the 7D showed up, it was tempting to stop and go for that 7D but then chasing too many rabbits at at time never paid off, so all you Canonites out there will have to wait a another couple of week, but this being said, expect the same level of hardware for this 7D as you see now on the D300s.
Posted by Viz'art on 2009-10-30 11:28:06 Ok, but what about the 7D Housing!
Posted by JFS on 2009-10-30 10:41:49 Thanks Todd, I actually forgot to put the price with the press release, it retails for 2799 USD for the dual Nikonos connector version and 2849 USD for the optical connector version (that includes the Inon and Sea & Sea type of fiber connection adapter). Before you ask, its available in black only :-)
Posted by Viz'art on 2009-10-30 10:37:27 Awesome looking housing, and with optical capabilities. Good job Blake, Jean and crew! Cheers Todd
Posted by yahsemtough on 2009-10-30 09:27:30