15 replies to this topic

[Viz'art]

As many of you know already, we decided a to support the Nikon D3 camera the moment it came out, we have just gotten our preproduction prototype and i'm tickle pink to show it to you guy's , aside from been affordable, the housing will handle the Nikkor 14-24 using our current off the shelf ports, the Aqua View Finder will not block the rear LCD screnn as you can see in the photo. remote control access is built in so no need for expensise bulkhead to be fitted, and a built in port lock mecanism as been added.

The housing is shown with the Nikon 12-24 f:2,8 lens mounted and the BK-7 coated Glass Megadome

photo 1 it the business side of the D3

photo 2 is the port locking button

photo 3 show the clear view of the LCD screen

photo 4 ready for business with the Nikon 14-24mm f 2,8

photo 5 is the 14-24 mounted ready to accept the Mega Dome

photo 6 shows the top controls and their location.

[Alex_Mustard]

Wow, really nice Jean.

It looks as if any D2X user would be immediately at home with that.

Is that button in image 2 a lens release? [EDIT - Thanks for adding the captions, Jean]

Alex

[Viz'art]

It is a port release, the lens release is the knob next to it.

[Alex_Mustard]

Ahh. Not used to these housings with port locks. I trust to luck...

Thanks

Alex

[james]

Wow, very nice! It looks like you use a Lumiquest diffuser on your flash Jean - I have one too :-)

I'm really glad Aquatica has added a port lock - that was a great idea.

Cheers
James

[Viz'art]

I forgot to mention delivery by early April and yes my fine observant friend indeed Lumiquest on all my SB-800, nice and compact little buggers they are.

We figured that adding a lock button was more elegant than duct tape , last time I trusted luck, it broke my shoulder blade and gave me 8 stiches.

Cheers

[Warren_L]

I forgot to mention delivery by early April and yes my fine observant friend indeed Lumiquest on all my SB-800, nice and compact little buggers they are.

We figured that adding a lock button was more elegant than duct tape , last time I trusted luck, it broke my shoulder blade and gave me 8 stiches.

Cheers

When I was in Truk I found the 8" dome rotated a bit, but the duct tape worked like a charm. Especially in black since it blended in with the port backing and the dome shade.

[brandoncole]

Jean-

Exciting news. Please keep us posted as you test this new setup. I am sure I am not the only one especially interested in performance of the 14-24 underwater.

Best Regards,

brandon cole

[lonedolphin]

Nikon D3, Aquatica housing, 14mm, high iso shooting, Gozo Caverns - I can feel the credit card twitching already.

Seriously though, congratulations on getting this housing to market so quickly. Roll on April.

[betti154]

Any chance we can expect the port lock in the 40D housing?

Edited by betti154, 26 February 2008 - 03:17 AM.

[Viz'art]

Any chance we can expect the port lock in the 40D housing?

Yes the 40D housing as well as the upcoming D300 housing have a port lock mecanism, its a different design but uses the same principle. BTW all future housing will have port lock mecanism integrated.

[scubamarli]

[quote]BTW all future housing will have port lock mecanism integrated[code=auto:0]
Any retrofitting for past hosuings in the works? I can't find duct tape that matches my wetsuit.
The new hosuing looks spectacular.
Cheers,
Marli

[Viz'art]

Yes Marli, the D200 as well a some other housings can accept the lock mech. just PM me if you need more info on your housing compatibillity.

[eskasi]

If I even mention or mumble this in my sleep.... my wife will make sure I never wake up.....I have already prepared a burial site for myself for when the wife finds out about my new DSLR and housing purchase for the D300.....

That D3 is certainly an amazing piece of technology.......miles better at low light shooting and with a price tag to prove it.

[UWphotoNewbie]

Fantastic news. The D3 housing looks fantastic.

I am most excited to see the 14-24mm inside the port. I'd love to see some underwater tests with this lens. There are some questions about corner sharpness given the limitation on using diopters and the close focus distance. Have you had it under yet? Can you post some test results when you do? This looks like an incredible WA machine!

[Viz'art]

I should be in a position to report on this lens performance in early April. I thing that inside a wide radius dome like the one shown, performance should be pretty good