15 replies to this topic

[merlinus3000]

Hi,

Which view finder would you recommend on a Nauticam housing (for D90)? Since it can support different models.

What are the pro and cons of each one?

Thanks.

[Alex_Tattersall]

From my experience, I'd go with an INON 45 degree for macro and a Nauticam 180 for pelagics!

[bvanant]

Hi,

Which view finder would you recommend on a Nauticam housing (for D90)? Since it can support different models.

What are the pro and cons of each one?

Thanks.

The nauticam 180 finder is magnificent. The Inon 45 is quite nice but I am not sure that it fits without some modifications?
Bill

[dkrm]

I used Seacam 45, Nauticam 180 and INON 45. I like Seacam and Nauticam. Purely my personal experience. Seacam built like tank and very assuring to use and rotate. Nauticam slightly too big but gave nice view.

[Otara]

Reef sells an adapter for the Inon 45 for Nauticam. So presumably you can install it yourself?

Otara

[JimSwims]

Hi Merlinus3000,
I have the D90 housed in Nexus and was weighing up for some time which viewfinder to get. I mainly shoot macro but was after
a VF that would suit both Macro and WA photography. For a long while I was set on getting the Inon 45 but then I got to see the Nauticam first
hand and I ended up with the Nauticam VF despite its heftier price tag. I have found it is fine for both types of imaging as due to its large'r size it
shifts your eye/mask and regulator both up and back from the housing. I've had no issues using it when flat on the sandy bottom lining up a subject.
It gives you a clear, full view of both the frame and camera data.

Cheers,
Jim.

[Aqua_soul]

My experience is only with the Inon 45, so can't compare it to the Nauticam and Seacam viewfinders.

I switched over from the standard Seatool viewfinder to the Inon and am very happy I did so.

Have done about 6 dives with it now and for me some macro shots took more getting use too than shooting wide angle. (I used the Seatool for about a year with the standard viewfinder and I dive a fair amount, so all in all the adjustment is very painless) Can’t see any reason why I would switch back to a straight viewfinder for either macro or wide angle moving subjects.
Only for over/under I think at this point in time will I still prefer a straight viewfinder.

Something I think is not stressed enough when 45 deg viewfinders are reviewed is the benefit of having you mask & regulator further away from the housing. Also because of how you head is aligned to the housing your bubbles does not interrupt your view nearly as much as when using a straight viewfinder.

I like the build quality of the Inon and it clicks nicely into position as you rotate it.
Installation could not have been simpler. (But as mentioned I have a Seatool housing)

[tdpriest]

Seacam built like tank and very assuring to use and rotate.

And costs as much as two tanks....

Tim

[Alex_Tattersall]

One benefit I find of the 45 degree is that the bubbles I am exhaling never block the viewfinder, unlike the 180 degree.


Does anyone know of a good regulator with a side exhaust for UW photography ?

[AndyBarker]

And costs as much as two tanks....

Tim

HI Tim,

Not quite as much as two tanks but one hell of a peice of kit

Andy

[AndyBarker]

One benefit I find of the 45 degree is that the bubbles I am exhaling never block the viewfinder, unlike the 180 degree.


Does anyone know of a good regulator with a side exhaust for UW photography ?

HI I use Atomic M1 which are great regs & have a wide exhaust ports, their must be others as well.

Andy

[Otara]

Ive never even noticed bubbles blocking my view to date, but I tend to have my mask right up against the viewfinder.

The big thing for me with the Nauticam is the focus being adjustable outside the rig, as my eyes focus differently and I find myself changing over sometimes. Most people probably dont have that issue though.

Otara

[aussie]

I'm a big fan of the Nauticam viewfinder. Wrote up a mini review of it here (scroll down to one of the first entries).

[Mike L]

@Alsky, if you want a great side exhaust, go with a Poseidon Extreme, they are excellent, easy breathers, and exhaust on left.

As for VF, personally, Im just not a fan of the 45s for my shooting likes, however many people love them. The Nauticam 180 is awesome! Easy to use, adaptable to many housings, and user adjustable diopter!

[tdpriest]

Does anyone know of a good regulator with a side exhaust for UW photography ?

Have you an aversion to the old Poseidon Cyklon, Alex?
I've used Cyklons down to 65m without trouble, and in freezy Guildenburgh at 3C.

The Extremes are finicky, and I've met a number of divers who had "de-tuned" regs play up when travelling. A Cyklon can be kept going with a screwdriver and a bit of common sense, but the Extremes are too modern to be so robust.

Tim

Edited by tdpriest, 25 June 2010 - 01:42 AM.

[Paul Kay]

I used Poseidon's for year and my wife still uses them. Excellent valves but I found them to be expensive to maintain and the cyclons kept going out of adjustment. I now use Apex which simply work, service cheaply and seem to last well. In all honesty I've never had a problem with side venting or any other valve causing bubble problems and vision!

FWIW, the Seacam S45, which I personally use as well as selling them, gives a very bright image due to its large diameter - much like larger binoculars do. The high cost is because it contains both large lens element and prism assemblies and has dioptric adjustment built in, and this makes it expensive. It has a large rear diameter where it fits into the housing which means the S45 viewfinders fitted to other housings may require some machining of the housing. I have no idea as to whether it will fit the Nauticam so can someone enlighten me?