Thought I'd start a discussion on the Nauticam D700 - as it hasn't been discussed yet!

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Similar design philosophy to other Nauticam housings, although without the piano keys of the Canon 7D. Ergonomics are very impressive.

Alex

The European housing manufacturers had better take notice if they want to stay in business, is my overall impression having played with Nauticam at DEMA.

looks like a large port opening, very good for some of those bigger lenses

Or port adaptor for various housings...

I have the rig for a review - which I'll post on Wetpixel once my impressions are formulated (post diving).

Alex

I was a little disappointed to not see any subal port adaptors on the nauticam website. And their website needs a little work. For instance, on the port adapter page, those tiny images are 3 megabytes a piece. It's nice that you can view them fullscreen if you know how, but just make them clickable then and only show 10MB in images if someone wants to.

Alex I have to say with the side by side, it sure looks like Japanese manga vs Austrian sleek. That Nauticam controls really stick out vs the Subal. Will be interesting to see the how you like the big controls. That porthole looks like it can fit those Zeiss Compact Primes

Cor, I think that's fair to say for most every manufacturer who have a tendency to have more design issues with their website than their housings.

The large portholes on the nauticam are a design decision afaik. They are intentionally large so they can fit port adapters for other manufacturers while remaining flush with the housing. So you dont actually add a 'port extension' and increase the port distance.

Cor;

There are Subal Port adapters for 3rd & 4th generation ports available. Yes they need more photos, but there's probably moe parts shown than alot of sites. Ikelite doesn't have very good photos of it's ports either...They're still unpacking parts....



Jack

Ah, I checked here: http://www.nauticam.com/product-list-b.asp?id=5

Seems like it would be useful to add Subal to the list.

Just to say, I am going to resist posting my impressions until I have dived the housing and tried it in a range of diving conditions and spent more time with it. I am also going to let my buddies here dive it, to get a range of opinions on the ergonomics. Then after this trip I'll write a details review for Wetpixel. I think that this is better than saying too much now and then maybe changing my mind later!

There is no doubt that it is an impressive housing in terms of build quality and ergonomic solutions. Some areas need refinement, other solutions move the game on, being the best solution I have seen on any housing. When you look up how much (or should I say little) it costs compared to other brands its a marvel.

Alex

Hi Cor,

Here is the housing with viewfinder, strobes etc - with the 60mm and 60mm port from Subal on. I have a Nauticam port too - but want to test the adaptors - as that is what many potential users will be considering.

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Alex

Alex,

looks like a great set up, and putting the computer around the bouyancy foam... great touch. is it just where you have put it for now so u dont forget it, or do u dive like that, kinda heads up display style. Do many photographers do this?

Never thought of that but will give it a go.

Sorry for going a little off topic...

Olly

I've been diving with the computer on the arm for a while - the foam is great for that, but this is the first time I have seen anyone else do it. It does work well.

Whoa, what a great idea! I dive with a console computer and one or two old hockey puck style ones in a pocket or clipped on the BC. I will mount one of the back-ups on a floatey arm next outing. Thanks.
Bob

Since I have had that computer I put it there. There are many pictures of me in circulation with it like that! For example in this article here!

It is not a Nauticam specific feature. Its a STiX feature!

Alex

We see lots of guests here with their dive computer mounted on a strobe arm. Japanese guests especially.

Mine lives on my strobe arm. I don't bother with floats, but it threads thru my ultra light arms no worries. Although this is more from lacking the effort to take it off and on every day than anythig else.

that reminds me, i need batteries for my computer thanks

To get back on topic. Two dives with the housing today. First with 60mm, second with 15mm FE and TC.

Did a TTL test of the optical TTL system on the morning dive. TTL produced consistent and accurate exposures across a wide range of apertures.

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D700 + 60mm. Nauticam housing. 2x Inon Z240 strobes. All 1/250th @ ISO 200. Aperture indicated in photos. Strobes on TTL through out.

Alex

The system as you have it, would be very close to my choice. So it's very positive to see such good ttl results. Can't wait to see your review.

pretty much bang on!

I love seeing the DOF difference as you go through the photos, that's also a great learning tool for folks.

Interesting to see they have the striated froggie so far south

Yes, they are really common here and lots of varieties too (black ones, yellow/orange ones, hairy ones). I remember reading seeing articles 15 years ago by some of the first photogs to dive Lembeh (mostly Amercians and Australians), suggesting that hairy frogfish were a new species and only found there. And the irony is that some of the easiest places to see hairy striated frogfish are in USA (Florida) and Australia (NSW).

Going back to the Subal for dives today, although hoping to night dive with Nauticam.

Alex

Finished my time with the D700 and Nauticam. Working on the review which I hope to have up on Wetpixel within a week. Internet access in Tasmania allowing.

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Review done. Will post when internet access allows. Alex

Does anyone know if they will make adapters for old style aquatica ports? The threaded ones.

Review is up!

If your dimwitted like me and just spent 15 minutes looking at Alex's website. It's right here http://wetpixel.com/i.php/full/nauticam-d700-field-review/

Steve

Hmmm.... that first photo looks familiar. However the last fellow I saw doing that had more hair (but not much)!

Cheers
James

Hair jokes from you, James? Sorta like the kettle and pot eh? You're not that far behind.

Great review, Alex. I must say that the need for a diopter is almost essential for people over 40 aka old fart's eyes! I agree there should be a cheaper model for those who wear corrective lenses but let's be nice to the presbyopics.

Also Subtronic makes sync cable splits for S6 (I think) and N5 (I know) and of course you have the S&S single o-ringed N5- S&S 5 which the Inons and S&S strobes use.

Super review! Nothing like a real shooter kicking the tires (tyres). I am way over 40 years old and have the old eye problem. I think an Rx mask is a better solution; easier to see your gauges.
Bob

Sorry Steve - or just http://www.wetpixel.com



I forgot that, James. Ha ha. The guys I was with were joking about an Aussie photographer who strokes his housing in his profile picture. So they encouraged me to go one better! Then this image seemed to fit the "anticipation and salivation" quote so well, I used it.



Fair point on the diopter. I don't wear glasses - so don't always appreciate it. That said the knob is too easily knocked - needs a lock or at least marks on it so you can remember where to set it.

Alex

glad to see Drew is finally admitting he is 40+ and needs glasses...

Nice review Alex, shame about the seahorse giving birth though!

Norb Wu frequently licks his gear in photos. He might even lick your gear, if you coax him into it.

Hi Alex,

Thank you for the nice review on the nauticam D700 housing. I have already decided to continue with Seacam since I have a considerable number of ports, extension rings and custom made lens gears. However I was particularly interested to see your picture of the Nauticam 180 degree viewfinder. I bought Seqacam 45 degree viewfinders for my D700 (2) housings. However the Seacam 180 degree finder is physically huge and the size of Nauticam's 180 degree finder looks more attractive. So I'll be looking into whether that viewfinder can be adapted to fit my Seacam D700 housing.

One BIG advantage I can think of to Nauticam having an externel diopter adjustment on their viewfinder is situations where several people share a housing (s) on a dive. With an adjustable diopter correction, each person can readjust the viewfinder to their own wywsight. It would seem to me that if you painted an "index" marker on the part that rotates and a few "spots" adjacent on the viewfinder, each person could "learn" their own setting and readjust it very quickly and easily. And perhaps putting an o-ring that fit tightly around the rotating knob would add enough friction so that i couldn't be knocked "off" so easily.

I'm hoping to finish making custom zoom and manual focus gears for the 16-35mm lens this weekend. And if that goes well, there may be some chance to shoot with it the following week if the weather co-operates. Unfortunately, no chance to do comparisons vs the 14-24 as I have only one Superdome with me on this trip in southern Australia. I don't think of the 16-35 as a replacement for the 14-24 as the extra 2mm make the 14-24 better for over/under shots. But the 16-35 may be a replacement for the 17-35, which I also have along with me.

Fred

Hi Fred,

From what I know it is pretty easy to adapt the Nauticam viewfinder onto several housings, so I don't think Seacam will be a problem.




Good points. I don't wear glasses, so I guess I was a bit harsh on a feature that will be invaluable for some. From what I hear (I am not in contact with them direct, but hear through dealers) Nauticam are working on some minor improvements for the adjustable viewfinder along these lines.



I will be interested to hear your thoughts/findings on the 16-35mm. I have only played with it on land and was very impressed. But I do not shoot wide rectilinear enough to justify the purchase cost (I still use the 17-35mm having resisted the 14-24mm), so I look forward to you sharing your findings.

Alex

Hi,
This is my solution to the rear dial control: Nauticam control
It works wondefuly using just the thumb

Hi Carlos,

Did you make that yourself? Nauticam have since refined the button using deeper and thicker grooves, but your solution looks very good.

Alex

Yes, I've made that myself using the cup of a hotel shampoo bottle and some epoxy.
Good to hear Nauticam has refined the control, that's going to save me lot's of time messing my nails with epoxy and stealing hotel shampoo for my friends ;-)