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DEMA 2008: Patima
Last Update: 31 October 2008 11:25 AM
2 comment(s)
Author: Eric Cheng ( echeng )
This Article's URL: http://wetpixel.com/i.php/full/dema-2008-patima/
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PATIMA #2849
October 23, 2008 - 10:37 AM
Jae Lee was at the Patima booth (along with Reef Photo & Video) showing underwater housings for video and still cameras. I looked at housings for the Canon G9, Sanyo Xacti HD1010 video camera, and Canon 450D (Rebel XSi).
Patima’s underwater housing for the Canon G9 is really impressive. It is as fully-featured as any DSLR housing, but managed to keep a small size and price (retails for $995). I picked up the housing, and it felt great in my right hand—all of the controls were easily accessible. The G9 housing also features both optical and electrical ports, and has interchangeable ports. Two ports are currently available: a standard port, and a wide-angle port. The G9 housing has a 100m depth rating.
The Patima Canon 450D housing retails for $1500 and is a basic housing that supports the Canon EF-S 60mm macro lens and 18-35 lens. There is no zoom/focus knob on the housing itself, but the port features a zoom gear. Two Nik5 bulkheads and two optical fiber bulkheads come standard, but users can also choose a 6-pin Sea & Sea type bulkhead. Ergonomics are weak on the Patima; similar to Ikelite housings and older Aquatica housings, housing knobs are not accessible from shooting position. Still, it is a nicely made housing, and the price is right.
The Sanyo Xacti HD1010 housing is interesting; Patima actually captures the Sanyo’s remote control and uses it to control the camera inside the housing.
Patima’s “Photo Big Bear PL50” light is a diffused, 50-watt LED video light that uses AA batteries.
Patima also plans to release housings for the Nikon D90 and the RED ONE.
 Sam Chae, Kenji Ohmura, Ryan Canon at the Reef Photo Video / Fisheye / Patima booth |
 Patima underwater housing for Sanyo Xacti HD1010 |
 Patima underwater housing for Sanyo Xacti HD1010 |
 Patima underwater housing for Sanyo Xacti HD1010 with Epoque Macro Lens attached |
 Patima underwater housing for Sanyo Xacti HD1010, with remote control mount removed for display |
 Patima underwater housing for Canon G9 |
 Patima underwater housing for Canon G9 |
 Patima underwater housing for Canon G9 |
 Patima underwater housing for Canon G9 |
The Patima G9 housing is very cool. For me it was definitely one of the want one items at the show. For the G9 user who dives a lot it is well worth considering for its extra durability.
The Patima DSLR housing is covered on the Seatool/Fisheye page:
http://wetpixel.com/i.php/full/dema-2008-fisheye-and-seatool-with-interview/Posted by Dr. Alex Mustard on 10/28 at 09:18 AMAlex - There were two 450D housings displayed right at the Patima booth, but I didn’t photograph them for some reason. However, you can see their 400D housing at last year’s coverage.
The Seatool housing is the one covered on the other page.
I just got a Canon G10 and would love a housing for it. Can’t wait for Patima to build one!
Posted by Eric Cheng on 10/30 at 11:53 PM