
Nauticam Viewfinder.
#1
Posted 16 April 2010 - 03:05 AM
a question for the Nauticam reps on this forum. Is Nauticam looking at producing a version of the Viewfinder without the adjustable diopter?
I have two reasons for asking, one it would make for a cheaper option and two I'm concerned that the diopter adjuster knob could easily be bumped
thus throwing off the view focus. Why does it have to be such a pronounced knob anyway as it's not as if you'd be regularly adjusting the diopter. A
more flush dial/disc with perhaps a coin slot for turning could be more appropriate and certainly more streamlined.
Cheers,
Jim.
Underwater Images My portfolio on Redbubble Topside Nature Images
In between housings. Nikon 60mm, 105mm, 10-24mm, 18-55mm, Tokina 10-17mm, Kenko 1.4 TC, SubSee +5 & +10 magnifiers & Inon Z240 strobes.
#2
Posted 16 April 2010 - 05:23 AM
As best I am aware it's not their intention.
If your coming up to the Byron Bay Shootout you can demo one on your housing.
Hope to see you up there.
Peter
#3
Posted 16 April 2010 - 03:38 PM
I've been shooting with one for the last few months. At first I was worried about the same thing, but it's not something that's troubled me at all in practise. Once I've set it for where I need it, it's good to go.
I did find one case when it was a bonus being able to change it on the go as well. I bumped the camera's dioptre so it was way out for my eye, which I didnt realise until I was in the water. The Nauticam viewinder meant I could then adjust it externally to get everything correct again!
And now you've got another good reason to come up to the Byron shootout!
Ryan.
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Canon EOS 7D. Aquatica A7D. Inon Z240's. Canon, Tokina and Sigma glass.
#4
Posted 17 April 2010 - 01:47 AM
in time. I'm not really into the whole competition, shoot-out thing but it would be great to catch up with the local divers and all of
those from around the country making the trip. Maybe next year for me and here's hoping that this years one is a great success
for all concerned

Cheers,
Jim.
Underwater Images My portfolio on Redbubble Topside Nature Images
In between housings. Nikon 60mm, 105mm, 10-24mm, 18-55mm, Tokina 10-17mm, Kenko 1.4 TC, SubSee +5 & +10 magnifiers & Inon Z240 strobes.
#5
Posted 26 May 2010 - 02:59 AM
Also, if you are diving with a friend and are allow them to look through your camera and allow them to take a few shots of their own, then the ability to change the diopter adjustment during the dive, depending on who is using the camera, is an excellent feature.
Fred
#6
Posted 26 May 2010 - 05:07 AM
What! Hand my camera over to someone else to use UW! Inconceivable!!!Also, if you are diving with a friend and are allow them to look through your camera and allow them to take a few shots of their own, then the ability to change the diopter adjustment during the dive, depending on who is using the camera, is an excellent feature.
Fred

Cheers,
Jim.
Underwater Images My portfolio on Redbubble Topside Nature Images
In between housings. Nikon 60mm, 105mm, 10-24mm, 18-55mm, Tokina 10-17mm, Kenko 1.4 TC, SubSee +5 & +10 magnifiers & Inon Z240 strobes.
#7
Posted 27 May 2010 - 04:07 PM
Fred
Edited by divegypsy, 27 May 2010 - 04:08 PM.
#8
Posted 27 May 2010 - 05:19 PM
I do it with some frequency. It allows someone else to see how a particular lens works or views a subject. And if you allow them to also take shots of their own, you are sharing the dive experience more fully. And that can meke almost any dive that much better - sharing it with someone else.
Fred
Jim has done it once, so I could take a picture of him wearing a barnacle encrusted cap.
This is the only documented case of it that I know of.
Speaking as someone with eyes that have different diopters who does switch which eye I use on occasion, I find it a godsend. An ability to somehow lock it against accidental turning would probably be good for most people though.
Otara
#9
Posted 28 May 2010 - 01:03 AM
Fred
#10
Posted 23 June 2010 - 07:33 AM
My recollections of the last time I saw and handled the Seacam 180 viewfinder (on land) is that the Seacam viewfinder is physically significantly longer and heavier than the Nauticam. This would change the balance of the housing more and force you to hold it farther from your mask than would the Nauticam. The Seacam viewfinder does not have the in-the-water diopter adjustment.
I agree with others that the Nauticam diopter adjustment knob turns a little too easily. It also turns about 5 full revolutions over its whole diopter adjustment range. So even with painted alingnment marks, you would still have to count revolutions to set a desired adjustment without looking through the viewfinder, which is not too hard. There is a small gap between the diopter adjustment knob and the body of the viewfinder, but an o-ring could slip too far under this knob as it is now. I will file a beveled edge on the knob and look for a suitable thicker o-ring. I will also paint a couple alignment marks for my "preferred" diopter adjustment on the Nauticam viewfinder.
Fred
#11
Posted 02 July 2010 - 04:00 PM
Cheers
Chriso
#12
Posted 02 July 2010 - 06:52 PM
By the way, the Nauticam to Seacam adapter I made worked quite well during the dives I used it during a recent trip to Bali.
Fred
#13
Posted 07 July 2010 - 02:47 AM
Using gaffer tape to "lock" a diopter setting would make it difficult or impossible to share the camera with anyone who needs a different diopter setting.
Fred
Fred "Share the camera"?
Are you serious, Mate if anyone even attempted to touch my rig they would lose a testical.
Edited by Chriso, 07 July 2010 - 02:48 AM.
#14
Posted 07 July 2010 - 03:22 PM
What can I say. Obviously Chriso and JimSwims are selfish MF's who miss out on one of the real pleasures of diving, really sharing the experience with another person. And have such an inferiority complex about the quality of their own images that they don't dare risk that someone else might get a better shot with their camera than they do.
Fred
#15
Posted 07 July 2010 - 06:42 PM
What can I say. Obviously Chriso and JimSwims are selfish MF's who miss out on one of the real pleasures of diving, really sharing the experience with another person. And have such an inferiority complex about the quality of their own images that they don't dare risk that someone else might get a better shot with their camera than they do.
Fred
I really hope you're kidding because it isnt entirely obvious that you are. Otherwise, just um, wow.
Anyhow the real reason Jim doesnt offer his rig often is he just didnt want to insult me with his satanic Nikon setup. It kind of burns just touching it.
Otara
#16
Posted 07 July 2010 - 11:50 PM
Paul Kay,Canon EOS5DII SEACAM c/w S45, 8-15, 24L,35L, 60/2.8 (+Ext12II) & 100/2.8 Macros - Sony A7II SEACAM 28/2 & 50/2.8 Macro - UK/Ireland Seacam Sales -see marinewildlife
#17
Posted 08 July 2010 - 12:23 AM
What's wrong with you? Someone piss in your coffee?What can I say. Obviously Chriso and JimSwims are selfish MF's who miss out on one of the real pleasures of diving, really sharing the experience with another person. And have such an inferiority complex about the quality of their own images that they don't dare risk that someone else might get a better shot with their camera than they do.
A lot of photographers (myself included) choose to dive alone, so they can concentrate on their photography, rather than on what their buddy is doing.
I also dive from time to time with my girlfriend, who is starting to act as my spotter, but has no interest in actually taking UW photos, she prefers the end result.
Likes macro
#18
Posted 09 July 2010 - 01:06 AM
During the five years I was with my last serious girlfriend, I let her use one of my F5 housings whenever she wanted it, which was virtually every dive. And made a piece marine styrofoam floatation for that housing so it was virtually neutral in the water so she could handle it easier. And when we tried our first digital camera, a Fuji S2 in an Ikelite housing, I didn't like it and gave it to her.
What can I say. Obviously Chriso and JimSwims are selfish MF's who miss out on one of the real pleasures of diving, really sharing the experience with another person. And have such an inferiority complex about the quality of their own images that they don't dare risk that someone else might get a better shot with their camera than they do.
Fred
Wow! I sure hope that this is a misguided attempt at humour, the problem with internet is sarcasm usually comes out the wrong way.

Unlike yourself Fred I don't dive to bond with my girlfriend. I dive 99% of the time with other photographers who are carrying their own
rigs. For me I share the experiences that we are privileged to witness and record and then continue to share them in cyberspace. The desire
to share with others that may not dive is one of the main reasons that I started doing UWP.
Back to the original subject matter-
I have found the Nauticam viewfinder to be a great addition to my Nexus rig. Composing tight images was a real headache without it and I've loved
having the camera data right there to check too. Although it is quite bulky it has actually balanced up my rig nicely, especially with the 60mm lens
on the front. The adjustment dial certainly has not caused any issues for me.
Cheers,
Jim.
Edited by JimSwims, 09 July 2010 - 01:34 AM.
Underwater Images My portfolio on Redbubble Topside Nature Images
In between housings. Nikon 60mm, 105mm, 10-24mm, 18-55mm, Tokina 10-17mm, Kenko 1.4 TC, SubSee +5 & +10 magnifiers & Inon Z240 strobes.
#19
Posted 12 July 2010 - 07:25 AM
No humor was intended. I didn't dive with my girlfriend for the purpose of bonding. Simply for the pleasure of sharing the discoveries, the things we found, and the experience. And on an occasional dive, either she or I would dive without a camera. And hunt for critters for the other or play model for the other. If I am not traveling and diving with someone, I often dive alone, as I did on my most recent trip to Bali. Probably half of my approximately 5000 dives have been solo. In Bali last month, I hunted for and found my own subjects. But diving with a good buddy adds a second pair of eyes to the hunt and the possibility to shoot the subject from two points of view, not just one. Or with a good buddy who has their own rig, you can as Paul Kay said, each dive with a different lens. And then have the possibility to swap rigs back an forth. And each shoot a subject in at least two totally different ways.
Chriso went so far as to say,"Fred "Share the camera"? Are you serious, Mate if anyone even attempted to touch my rig they would lose a testical." Is that supposed to be an attempt at macho male humor? - that someone would lose a testical if they attempted to touch his rig? I find no humor in threats of physical violence and think such statements say a whole lot about the person who makes them.
Jim also said,"Back to the original subject matter-I have found the Nauticam viewfinder to be a great addition to my Nexus rig. Composing tight images was a real headache without it and I've loved
having the camera data right there to check too. Although it is quite bulky it has actually balanced up my rig nicely, especially with the 60mm lens
on the front. The adjustment dial certainly has not caused any issues for me.
My original posts concerning the Nauticam viewfinder were on the viewfinder itself. I related that I made my own adapter for my Seacam housing since Nauticam does not make one. And during the Bali trip, found the viewfinder quite satisfactory. I also suggested that there were differences between the Nauticam viewfinder other than the external diopter adjustment. I mentioned size and weight of Nauticam viewfinder vs what I remembered about the Seacam 180 viewfinder which I hoped might be of use to other WetPixelites
I did the same thing, included facts and pictures after my first dives with Seacam's fisheye macro port and the Sigma 15mm fisheye.
Fred
#20
Posted 12 July 2010 - 08:20 AM
Chriso went so far as to say,"Fred "Share the camera"? Are you serious, Mate if anyone even attempted to touch my rig they would lose a testical." Is that supposed to be an attempt at macho male humor? - that someone would lose a testical if they attempted to touch his rig? I find no humor in threats of physical violence and think such statements say a whole lot about the person who makes them.

Jean Bruneau
www.vizart.ca
Aquatica Pro Digital housings for D-800, Sigma 8mm & 15mm Fisheye, Nikon AF 14MM, AF 17-35mm, AF 20MM, AF 60MM, AF 105MM, 4x Ikelite Ds 160, and TLC arms exclusively