A Guide to the Top Aerial Cameras for Underwater Photographers

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The MV Oceania in Papua New Guinea. Original image shot by Steve Jones with a DJI Mavic Air 2 (DJI Mavic Mini pictured top right)

Aerial photography has become an essential part of the travelling photographer’s repertoire. Mark ‘Crowley’ Russell takes a look at some of the best drones for the photographer who wants to shoot both above and below the waves 

What better way to contextualise the scuba diving experience than by capturing the vast expanse of turquoise blue tropical waters over the reefs surrounding the island you’ve just dived? Soaring high above while your awestruck dive buddies look over your shoulder as you pilot your craft with expert skill and land it smoothly on the… over the… in the… Oh, bother!

There are many drones on the market today, from cheap toys for kids to professional aircraft used by film crews. If you’re looking to take some quality aerial shots on holiday, however, then you’ll need something lightweight and portable with, of course, a decent camera. You can buy small drones with HD video cameras for as little as £50 but, as DIVE correspondent, expert photographer and drone enthusiast Steve Jones explains, skimping on price may not be the most cost-effective solution.

‘The main thing divers should look for when buying a drone is ease of operation,’ says Steve. ‘Cheaper drones actually rely on a far higher degree of pilot skill to control, whereas higher-end drones have so many flying aids built in that they can almost fly themselves. Given that divers may find themselves taking off from and trying to land on a boat, we should therefore invest in one that is as easy to fly as possible.’

Seasoned photographers may want to base their purchase around the camera quality, rather than the aircraft element, but the tradeoff for a higher-standard camera is a less portable drone requiring its own flight case, which many divers will already have reserved for their underwater cameras. Fortunately, there are some fantastic camera drones available that are well-suited to travelling divers, without having to invest in an aircraft of your own to transport them around the world. Some are even waterproof!

Important: Different countries have different laws regarding the use of drones, where they can be flown, and whether or not you need training. Some have banned drones entirely, while others require advance registration with the relevant national civil aviation authority. Make sure you know what the current laws are before you travel, otherwise you may be parted from your drone by the nice people at customs. 

DJI Mavic Mini £369

drones dji mavic mini

DJI is widely regarded as the industry leader and its Mavic Mini is an ideal entry-level camera drone that will still appeal to more experienced photographers. Weighing in at just 249g and with folded dimensions of 140x82x57mm, the Mini is only marginally heavier than the average smartphone and not a great deal larger. As an added bonus, it comes in under the 250g registration threshold in the UK and US, meaning you can fly it straight out of the box. The 1/2.3-inch sensor of the 12MP camera only shoots in JPG and the maximum video resolution of 30fps at 2.7K falls short of more expensive models. A 30-minute flighttime ranks highly and a range of 4km is possible but, given its size, not recommended. The Mini has some excellent quick-shot shooting modes but is lacking in collision avoidance sensors and some of the better flight-tracking features. The Mavic Mini is a lot of drone for a modest price tag, and an extra £90 will get you a ‘Fly More’ bundle with extra batteries, spare parts, a prop guard and a carry case.

Pros: Ultra lightweight, great price
Cons: Limited flight features, no 4K video

www.dji.com
www.heliguy.com (UK & USA)

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Parrot ANAFI £629.99

drones parrot anafi

The ANAFI 4K drone weighs just 320g and unfolds in a matter of seconds, but still has a 25-minute flight time with a top speed of 33mph. The camera has a 1/2.4-inch sensor with f/2.4 aperture mounted on a gimbal with a 180-degree vertical tilt, allowing for different possibilities with shooting perspectives. Video resolution is up to 30fps in 4K and 60fps in FHD with ‘lossless’ digital zoom (no reduction in image quality) of up to 2.8x in HD and 1.4x in 4K. The ANAFI flight controller comes with a number of sophisticated pre-programmed aerial effects and an open-source SDK for developers to create their own – but it lacks collision avoidance sensors, meaning there’s a good chance it might fly into something if you’re not paying attention. A First-Person Viewer upgrade kit with cockpit goggles comes in at a bargain £100 over the price of the drone itself, and the drone is also available in ‘Work’ and ‘Extended’ packages with extra batteries and other accessories. A thermal imaging version of the ANAFI is available, priced at £2,040.

Pros: Compact, lightweight, 180-degree gimbal 
Cons: No collision avoidance

www.parrot.com

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DJI Mavic Air 2 £769

drones dji mavic air 2

Released in April 2020, the Mavic Air 2 sacrifices a little of DJI’s 2018 flagship Mavic 2 Pro’s photographic capability for a 40 per cent weight saving, smaller dimensions, and superb video. The camera’s 1/2-inch sensor is limited to a fixed f/2.8 aperture and is less suited to lower light levels than the Mavic 2 Pro, but with a maximum 48MP resolution and a range of HDR features, is nevertheless capable of very high-quality imaging. The Air 2 can shoot video at 4K/60fps and in slow motion up to 240fps in 1080HD, plus an 8K ‘Hyperlapse’ flight mode for dramatic high-resolution, slow-panning timelapse footage. A maximum flight time of 34 minutes – the longest of all the Mavic family of drones – provides plenty of opportunity to capture the action. Upgraded tracking features provide a smooth and reliable experience when following subjects and avoiding obstacles, and at 570g and a 180x97x84mm folded size, the Air 2 is coat-pocket-portable if you’ve run out of luggage space. £180 gets you the Fly More combo with extra batteries, flight controller, spare propeller blades and other accessories.

Pros: Portability, battery life, flight and imaging features
Cons: Controller’s a bit bulky

www.dji.com
www.heliguy.com (UK & USA)

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SwellPro Spry+ £934

drones swellpro spry

The SwellPro Spry+ is one of the only completely waterproof aerial camera drones available on the market, designed to survive a 1m-deep dunking before returning to the surface, thanks to its positive buoyancy. The 12MP JPG-only camera has a 1/2.3-inch sensor and shoots video from 720p/240fps to 4K/30fps, with several automated flight modes available for dramatic photography. The ‘return to me’ feature returns the drone to the position of its flight controller instead of a pre-programmed location, a useful feature on a moving boat. Flight time is 15-17 minutes, with a range of 800m which is not as much as other leading drones and it does not fold into a more compact shape for transport. Dimensions of 233.5x249x90mm mean it will take up a bit of extra space compared to others, but at 780g with the battery fitted, not so much in the way of weight, and a lightweight carry-case is included in the price. This is a drone that you don’t have to worry about drowning, and perfect for those who enjoy surfing, water-skiing, white-water rafting and haring around on jet skis, knowing their personal automated videographer won’t mind getting splashed.

Pros: It’s waterproof!
Cons: Reduced flight time, less compact 

www.swellpro-uk.co.uk

PowerVision PowerEgg X Wizard £1,099

drones powervision x wizard

A good combination of versatility, portability and water resistance, the PowerEgg X doubles as a hand-held AI camcorder to which propellers can be affixed to turn it into a drone. A water-resistant coating makes it capable of flying through heavy rain straight from the box, with the Wizard package adding seaplane-style floats for water landings and a waterproof housing to protect the camera from surface splashing – but the overall package is not watertight and will come out worse for wear if dunked. The 12MP camera has a 1/2.8-inch sensor with a wide f/1.8 aperture, making it okay for photography and it does shoot in both JPG and RAW. The PowerEgg shoots video up to 240fps in HD and 60fps at 4K and pretty much every possible frame rate in between, coupled with a host of automated cinematic tracking manoeuvres. The camera’s artificial intelligence can track the operator with facial recognition technology and can learn different gestures to control different functions. The Egg weighs in at 522g in camera mode and 862g in drone mode (without the waterproof floats and housing). A length of 165mm and diameter of 100mm means it is eminently portable.

Pros: Water resistance and landings, superstar video capability 
Cons: Fairly ordinary still photography

www.powervision.me

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DJI Mavic 2 Pro £1,349

drones dji mavic 2 pro

DJI’s game-changing 2018 flagship Mavic 2 Pro carries a Hasselblad camera with a 1-inch sensor, adjustable f/2.8-f/11 aperture, ISO range of up to 12,800, access to a 10-bit Dlog-M colour profile and 10-bit HDR video. In short, it is a high-quality compact camera that flies, and significantly better for imaging in low-light conditions than any of its competitors. Its video capabilities fall a little short of the new Mavic Air 2, with HD possible up to 120fps and 4K at 30fps, but the lack of a 60fps option at 4K is offset somewhat by the suite of intelligent flight modes, including four hyperlapse (panning timelapse) modes, all enhanced by omnidirectional obstacle avoidance sensors. At 907g it’s heavier than the Air 2 but with a folded size of 214x91x84mm, still light enough and small enough not to take up too much room in your luggage. A maximum flight time of 31 minutes affords plenty of time to take advantage of its 18km range, with speeds of up to 72km/h (45mph) possible in sport mode. A wide range of accessories is available with the Fly More combo priced at £339. This is a drone for serious photographers, not people who just want to take nice pictures.

Pros: Still photograph capability
Cons: Lacks 4K/60fps

www.dji.com
www.heliguy.com  (UK & USA)

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From Autumn 2020

 

A Field Guide to Blackwater Diving in Hawai‘i by Jeff Milisen is available to pre-order now. It has images and descriptions of over 300 blackwater species accompanied by the author’s own observations. Jeff describes his goal as: “Each epipelagic creature is given five minutes in the spotlight to explore a little of what we know about them.”

It is available for pre-order now at www.mutualpublishing.com at special price $15.99 (retail $19.95) with an expected shipping date on 15 October.

News Release

A Field Guide to Blackwater Diving in Hawai‘i

Jeff Milisen

A Field Guide to Blackwater Diving in Hawai‘i will satisfy the curious ocean aficionado with a photographic overview of life in the open ocean at night with field guide information on each luminescent creature.

Available for pre-order at www.mutualpublishing.com at special price $15.99 (retail $19.95)

Honolulu—The world’s greatest migration of animal life occurs every evening when uncountable numbers of mostly small marine organisms rise up from the dark, chilly depths of the open ocean to its surface waters. The people who witness this nighttime migration are blackwater divers— brave divers who throw themselves off a boat in the dark of night in open ocean waters that are, for all practical purposes, bottomless. The animals that we encounter range in size from baby squids smaller than a pinky nail to forty-foot long jellyfish called siphonophores.

Some of these creatures are delicate enough to be destroyed by bubbles while others are muscular, fast, and sometimes even dangerous. Some spend their whole lives drifting near the surface, while others eventually settle on the bottom or venture freely between deep and shallow water. Schools of exotic squids and marvelous larval fishes are normal in the middle of the ocean. As strange as these animals seem to us, they help form the dominant community covering over seventy percent of the earth’s surface.

Kona, on the Island of Hawai‘i, is the birthplace and world headquarters for blackwater diving and is where I observed all the animals in this book. Its proximity to deep water and favorable ocean conditions make Hawai‘i the perfect place for blackwater diving, but divers can also visit places such as Florida, the Philippines, Indonesia, and even Papua New Guinea to see many similar animals.

Blackwater Diving in Hawai‘i is designed to satisfy the curious ocean aficionado by presenting beautiful photos and information on over 300 strange pelagic animals, most of which you won’t find in a standard field guide to reef animals. This book is intended to present an overview of life in the open ocean at night. Each epipelagic creature is given five minutes in the spotlight to explore a little of what we know about them. It is my hope that this will make plankton identification more available and palatable to the general public. In addition to my photos and some basic research on each organism, I have sprinkled my own observations throughout.

So come explore an amazing world that can seem as foreign as a distant galaxy, yet it exists just a few miles from our shoreline.

About the Author

Jeff is equal parts marine biologist, freelance writer, and underwater photographer. Jeff earned a Masters in Molecular Biosciences and Bioengineering from the University of Hawai‘i-Manoa while working with changes in the venom composition of cone snails. He went on to publish a peer-reviewed article on predictors affecting the species composition found on blackwater dives in Pacific Science. His underwater photography has been published in countless periodicals and placed in 13 international competitions. He now resides in Kona, Hawai‘i, and enjoys traveling internationally every chance he can get.
Connect with Jeff online: Twitter: @JeffMilisen Instagram: @JeffMilisen Website: iphotograph.fish

6 x 9 in. • softcover • full color • 288 pages • $19.95

On Wetpixel Live, Wetpixel Editor Adam Hanlon outlines the different types of image format that are common when capturing and editing pictures. He offers advice on when to use each and the pros and cons.

If you enjoy this episode, please subscribe to the Wetpixel Live YouTube Channel. This will then notify you when additional episodes are posted in future. Wetpixel Live is crammed full of hard-edged technical information and practical advice aimed at helping people create memorable images.

You’ve heard of Guam, Yap, Palau, and Truk. But if you’re planning a trip to the Federated States of Micronesia, the scuba diving in Kosrae is not to be missed. In fact, many visitors say Kosrae reminds them of Kauai in the 1960s — but the diving in these mid-Pacific, crystal-clear waters is way better.
Where is Kosrae?

Kosrae sits in the middle of some of the world’s best diving.

This map shows you that it’s nearly 3,000 miles (4,828 km) southwest of Honolulu, Hawaii; over 2,756 miles (4,435 km) northeast of Cairns, Australia; 2,542 miles (4,707 km) east of Manila, Philippines; and 373 miles (600 km) north of the Equator. In other words, it’s in the middle of some of the world’s most phenomenal diving.

It’s well worth the time and effort to reach this 43 square mile (110 sq. km) island, where you can expect waters hovering around 84 F (27 C) year-round and visibility of 100 to 200 feet (33 to 66 m) on most dives. Reefs teem with fish, and feature over 200 types of coral and huge, indigenous blue clams.

Here are the five of the most popular moored sites among approximately 50 sites surrounding this tropical island’s coral atoll.

Hiroshi Point

scuba diving in Kosrae barracuda
Schooling barracuda are common at Hiroshi Point.

Where is it? Hiroshi Point sits on the southern end of Kosrae

What makes it special: Drift along on a mild current above an incredibly picturesque wall, gently kicking your way along to gaze at barracuda, hawksbill turtles and jellyfish. There are more kinds of soft and hard coral than you can count, and sergeant majors, surgeonfish, parrotfish and clownfish peeping out of anemones are common as well.

Details: The island’s three dive operators tie up at this buoy. Like other Kosrae sites, this is a shallow dive of about 40 feet (13 m) and is suitable for divers of any level, as well as snorkelers.

When to go: Anytime. You’ll find less wind and lighter currents from June through October, while November through May are typically windier, which limits diving on the south and west sides of the island.

Trochus Sanctuary

scuba diving in Kosrae
Clownfish peep from anemones at lots of sites on Kosrae

Where is it? North of the mid-point of Kosrae; southwest of the airport



What makes it special: If you love feeling like you’re diving in an aquarium, this is the dive for you. Dive into this crevasse that runs perpendicular to shore and spot clownfish, green and yellow wrasse, a variety of parrotfish and surgeonfish, blue tang, butterflyfish, angelfish, and many others. Polyclad flatworms and nudibranchs also frequent this site.

Details: This is another fairly shallow dive site at 38 feet (13 m) maximum. Hard and soft coral also abound.

When to go: See above

Shark Island

scuba diving in Kosrae
Moorish idols paint a regal picture on a dive.

Where is it? North of the mid-point of Kosrae, near Trochus Sanctuary



What makes it special: This is another drift dive that runs along a pretty vertical wall packed with colorful soft corals on each successive rocky outcropping. As with other reefs in the area, this site is absolutely teeming with small tropical fish such as wrasses, different varieties of parrotfish, Moorish idols, clownfish, spotted trunkfish, and huge blue clams, which are indigenous to the area.


Details: This is yet another shallow dive site at 30 feet (10 m) maximum.

When to go: See above


Walung Drop-Off

Where is it? Off the southwest side of Kosrae

What makes it special: With a more sheltered location, this site provides an easy drop down the mooring line into a hard-coral garden. You can see overlapping hard corals of different colors, popcorn shrimp, and again, and dozens of species of tropical fish everywhere you look.


Details: This is a shallow dive site at 30 feet (10 m) maximum.

When to go: See above

Blue Hole

scuba diving in Kosrae
Bright blue clams such as this one are indigenous to the area.

Where is it? Off the northeast shore

What makes it special: This large, natural hole lined with coral is 60 feet deep (20 m), was specifically aimed at attracting snorkelers, but is now also popular with divers. As a gap in the reef, it attracts lots of tropical fish, pufferfish, stingrays, and juvenile fish that float over at high tide and drop in. Visibility varies depending on the tides.

Details: This site is a 600 foot (200 m) walk away from or an easy swim across the reef flat in front of one of the island’s four hotels. Carved out of the reef, this is a very well protected site that is immune to high currents from stormy weather.

When to go: See above

Other popular dive sites on Kosrae include Yela Wall, Malem Reef, Bully Hays Rack, Plane Wreck, and Walung Coral Garden.

Author Gil Zeimer took a scuba resort course on Grand Cayman in 1981. He’s been hooked ever since and has explored the underwater world from Australia to Micronesia to Aruba, almost exclusively in warm waters. As a travel writer, journalist, and advertising writer, Gil is passionate about helping diving industry clients promote their sites, resorts, and causes. He lives in Tiburon, California, which is Spanish for “shark.” Find out more about him here or follow him on Facebook.

Alex Mustard and Adam Hanlon chat about some of the creative options that using vintage lenses can provide for underwater photographers in this episode of Wetpixel Live. Alex kindly shares some of his imagery that illustrate some ideas about how you can use them to create different, noticeable pictures.

Wetpixel Live is a series of video episodes, providing answers to common problems experienced by underwater photographers and discussion about topics and equipment that are relevant to the underwater imaging community. Please subscribe to the channel to receive notifications when new episodes are added.

Designed, 3D printed and had prescription lenses fitted to a scuba mask insert so I can see underwater. submitted by /u/yowhywouldyoudothat
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Nauticam is now shipping its housing for the RED Komodo 6K digital cinema camera. It offers support for the RED EF to EOS R lens adaptor via the N120 port system and with an adaptor, can be used with cinema lenses. It also allows operators to view the camera’s built in monitor or a Atomos Shinobi monitor via an optional back. Supported batteries include Canon BP series and both SDI output and ethernet control/output are possible.

The Nauticam Komodo housing is shipping now, priced at $8,188.

From Nauticam

NAUTICAM KOMODO

Nauticam Komodo Housing for RED Komodo 6K

SKU # 16116
$8,188.00 (Depending on housing back)

Komodo is RED’s smallest and most affordable camera to date. With 6K resolution, 16 stops of dynamic range, and global shutter Komodo packs an incredible amount of power in the palm of your hand. When paired with the Nauticam housing, an easy to use and travel friendly cinema system is created.

Dimensions

(16116 Standard Housing)
* 254mm (W) x 158mm(H) x 246mm(D)
(16118 Housing with Shinobi Back)
* 254mm (W) x 158mm (H) x 324mm(D)
Weight in Air
(16116 Standard Housing)
* 4.0 kg
(16118 Housing with Shinobi Back)
* 4.9kg
Weight in Water (incl. camera and battery)
* TBD
Depth Rating
* 80m
Port Opening
N120 Cinema

INTRODUCING NAUTICAM KOMODO

THE RED KOMODO

The Komodo camera features a 6K Super 35 sensor with up to 16 stops of dynamic range. R3D files (REDCODE RAW) can be recorded directly to CFast 2.0 cards, eliminating the need for expensive proprietary media. It also features Canon’s new RF mount with full support of the Canon EF to EOS R lens adaptor allowing a wide variety of focal lengths to be used. Komodo is RED’s smallest form-factor and most economically priced camera to-date. The feature set is clearly aimed at those requiring professional level specs in a travel-friendly package, which accurately describes the majority of underwater filmmakers.

Key Camera Specifications:

  • 6K Super 35 Sensor (6144 x 3240)
  • R3D Files (REDCODE RAW)
  • Records to CFast 2.0 cards
  • Canon RF Lens Mount
  • Dual Battery Mount (Canon BP-955/975)
  • 12G SDI Out
  • Integrated LCD Screen with Touch Camera Control
  • Wireless Control From a Smart Phone
  • Global Shutter Mode
  • Anamorphic Options

Recording Formats:

  • REDCODE RAW
    • 6144 x 3240 at 40 fps
    • 5120 x 2700 at 50 fps
    • 4096 x 2160 at 60 fps
    • 2048 x 1080 at 120 fps
  • ProRes 422/ProRes 422HQ
    • 4096 x 2160 up to 60 fps
  • ProRes 422
    • 2048 x 1080 up to 120 fps

THE NAUTICAM KOMODO HOUSING

The Nauticam Komodo housing is officially RED APPROVED. The housing is engineered in a similar fashion to previous Epic LT and DSMC2 LT housings, providing the most compact and travel friendly system possible. Komodo offers seamless integration with DSLR lenses and the same N120 port system used in Nauticam DSLR and Cinema systems. Enjoy unmatched user friendly setup and intuitive operation including tool-less setup and tear down in minutes. Batteries can be swapped without ever removing the camera from the housing, and lens changes can be accomplished in seconds.

The Nauticam Komodo housing uses the N120 Cinema port system, shared with Nauticam’s other N120 platform cameras which allows for easy transition to the Nauticam Komodo from other N120 Nauticam systems. The N120 system also provides access to Nauticam’s line of professional premium optics such as the WACP-1/2 and SMC-1/2.

The housing also features adjustable handles with easy access to the cinema style zoom and focus knobs. On top of the housing is a 1/4”-20 cheese plate which allows for a wide variety of accessory mounting points.

The Nauticam Komodo is also backed by Nauticam’s 2 year warranty.

LENS SUPPORT

The Komodo features a Canon RF lens mount, but currently RED is only offering support of Canon EF lenses. The Nauticam Komodo housing offers full support of the Canon EF to EOS R Adaptor along with the Canon EF to EOS R Adaptor with Variable ND Filter. The left side of the housing features an easily accessible command wheel for smooth ND changes. Once RED releases RF lens support, the Nauticam Komodo housing will be ready and fully compatible. Regardless of EF or RF lens selection, changing lenses is quick, easy and doesn’t require any tools. Note that when changing between RF and EF lenses, the camera must be removed from the housing to remove or install the RF to EF adapter. Nauticam is constantly testing new lenses to provide optimized port and extension combinations. Large cinema-styled control wheels on the housing, located within easy reach of the handles, provide precise manual focus and zoom control with supported lenses when used with the corresponding lens gear set.

Not being limited to using DSLR lenses is crucial for cinema systems and the Nauticam Komodo housing, when used with the 16410 N120 to N200 Port Adapter can support the use of Cinema Lenses and the associated N200 Port System. Installation is quick, easy and requires no tools allowing seamless lens switching in the field – even when changing between DSLR and Cinema lenses.

INTERNAL MONITOR SUPPORT

The Komodo has a built-in monitor on top of the camera. The Nauticam Komodo does feature a large window for using the Komodo’s built in monitor to be used for an extremely streamlined solution.

If an additional monitoring options in requires, the Atomos Shinobi SDI monitor is an ideal lightweight monitoring solution for the RED Komodo. The Shinobi Monitor Back option Komodo Housing supports the use of the Atomos Shinobi SDI monitor inside rear of the housing allowing the monitor to be viewed by the camera operator from a natural filming position. The monitor back features control buttons for the on-screen buttons of the Shinobi.

EXTERNAL MONITOR SUPPORT

The Atomos Shinobi SDI monitor can also be mounted in the external Nauticam NA-Shinobi-S housing and connected via SDI bulkheads and cables allowing greater flexibility when positioning the monitor on the Nauticam Komodo housing.

SDI OUTPUT

Required accessories for SDI Cable System

  • 25058 M16 SDI Bulkhead
  • 25060 SDI Cable in 0.3m Length

Recommended monitor housings:

  • 17921 NA-502B-S Housing for SmallHD 502 Bright Monitor
  • 17924 NA-Shinobi-S Housing for Atomos Shinobi 5.2” 4K HDMI Monitor with SDI input

BATTERY COMPATIBILITY

The system supports Canon BP- batteries and the housing will fit up to two Canon BP-975 batteries with the standard housing back. When using the Shinobi Monitor Back, dual BP-955 can be used. Swapping batteries in as simple as opening the housing as the camera does not need to be removed to access the batteries.

ETHERNET REMOTE CONTROL

While the Nauticam Komodo housing is engineered to allow for full control by the operator, it also supports an ethernet surface feed in 5m (pole cam) and 45m (studio) lengths. Within the housing, there is space to install a small ethernet router which would allow for full control of the camera at the surface through the RedControl App.

Recommended Ethernet Cables:

  • 16261 Ethernet Surface Cable Set in 45m length (Incl. housing lemo bulkhead with integrated internal cable and external Duracell cables)
  • 16262 Replacement of Housing Lemo Bulkhead with Integrated Ethernet Cable
  • 16263 Ethernet Surface Cable Set in 5 meter length (Incl. housing lemo bulkhead with integrated internal cable and external Duracell cables)

VACUUM CHECK AND LEAK DETECTION SYSTEM

The Nauticam Komodo housing features Nauticam’s field-tested Vacuum Check and Leak Detection System that provides constant updates on the water tight and safe-to-dive status of the housing. By drawing a slight vacuum inside the housing using a reliable and compact manual hand-pump, the system is able to insure water-tightness before entering the water as well as throughout the dive. A simple color-coded LED lighting system, easily visible at the rear of the housing lets the user know that the vacuum is solid, or that the housing is losing vacuum. Leak detection is built into the same circuit, so if there is water intrusion, an audible and visual indication will occur. The Nauticam system is temperature compensated, eliminating false alarms caused by a change in outside temperature, or from a camera heating up on an action packed dive.

PATENTED PORT LOCKING LEVER

The Komodo housing features Nauticam’s signature port locking system. Ports can be easily installed and securely locked in place. The housing will support both RF and EF mount lenses through the N120 Port System.

ZOOM AND FOCUS CONTROL KNOBS

The Nauticam Komodo housing features oversized mechanical zoom and focus knobs with erasable surfaces for focus/zoom position marks. The internal gearing is moved away quickly via a small external lever to allow removal of the camera or lens without disruption of focus/zoom gear alignment.

TRIPOD AND SKID MOUNTING POINTS

Quickly switch between optional tripod legs or skids with four integrated attachment points for either 1” ball mounts for tripod legs or skids. 1” ball mounts can also be attached to the skids for ultimate flexibility.

CINEMA ACCESSORIES

The trim weights (sold separately) can be moved independently along the length of the skids and additional mounting points are featured on the housing itself to trim the housing to the shooter’s exact needs.

EASY BATTERY CHANGES

The Komodo housing supports dual Canon BP style batteries and the camera does not need to be removed for access when changing batteries.

MONITOR BACK OPTION

The Komodo housing is also available in a Monitor Back configuration that supports the mounting of an Atomos Shinobi SDI Monitor in the rear of the housing without reducing the streamlined profile of the system.

RESOURCES

What’s In The Box:

  • Komodo Housing
  • 25625 M16 Vacuum Valve II
  • 90120 Housing O-ring, lubricant, O-ring remover
  • 2x Handles with mounting balls
  • Monitor Shade (only included with Shinobi monitor back)
  • CR2032 Battery (for moisture alarm and vacuum system)
  • Padded Travel Case
  • Allen Wrench Set
  • Housing Skids
  • Wheeled Case with Custom fit foam insert

PDF Manual Download for Nauticam Komodo Coming Soon

Dimensional Drawing (PDF)

Recommended Accessories:

  • 17959 Housing Mounting Ball with 1/4” Screws
  • 25221 M10 Strobe Mounting Ball for Housing
  • 16232 0.25kg Trim Weights for 16227
  • 16233 0.5kg Trim Weights for 16227
  • 25060 Spare/Replacement SDI Cable in 0.3m Length (for connection from camera to Shinobi SDI monitor