Nauticam 7D (Initial Opinions)

[bkkchriss4 0]

So just got my new Nauticam 7D housing in my hands (replaces the Nauticam D90). These are just my quick initial opinions.

 

I will add to this post after I have had a chance to get a few dives on it this weekend.

 

First impression is of the size. It feels much more compact than the D90 Nauticam, probably due to the flash on Canon not needing to be all the way open, but for a camera that is noticeably larger than the D90, the housing feels amazingly compact - actually specs might not agree, but thats how it feels.

 

Typical solid Nauticam fit and finish. The quality on these housings is immediately noticeable with all the buttons/knobs/levers being very smooth with just enough give/play to them.

 

All the buttons are very well positions, on equal with the D90, but with the added features of the very cool "piano" keys and the multi-selector, video on/off, etc. The housing DOES have larger control knobs now for the two command wheels on the camera and they seem perfectly usable with no gloves and look like they are large enough and textured enough for use with thick gloves as well.

 

I do miss the top window that was present on the D90 housing, but I imagine this will have little if any practical impact on how I shoot or control the camera.

 

The inside guts look of equal quality with all levers and gears looking to be of high quality and excellent finish and alignment.

 

My housing does still have the optical connectors right at the front of the housing, so it seems there will be minor complications with fitting optical cables when using at 8+ inch dome. I can comment more on this once I have it set-up later.

 

Overall I am impressed. More after a few dives.

[ssra30 0]

A friend of mine also recently got his 7D housing recently and on his first dive trip with it, said he likes it very much but complain that the handles are not stiff enough. He said that the housing tends to oscillate a bit in his hands due to the handles. Is that your experience?

Finish on it is top notch and with my next housing for whatever camera, I am seriously switching to it from my current Subal setup.

[vkire 0]

A friend of mine also recently got his 7D housing recently and on his first dive trip with it, said he likes it very much but complain that the handles are not stiff enough. He said that the housing tends to oscillate a bit in his hands due to the handles. Is that your experience?

Finish on it is top notch and with my next housing for whatever camera, I am seriously switching to it from my current Subal setup.

 

There is a bit of a wobble when carrying it on land and making sudden/strong motion, but I haven't noticed any "oscillations" underwater. They still feel very solid, though.

[bkkchriss4 0]

Hmm. The handles seem very solid. They do not move around at all. There is a slight bit of flex if you are only holding them from the very top, but not in the normal hand position. I did not experience any movement or "oscillations" with the Nauticam D90 either.

[Steve Williams 0]

said he likes it very much but complain that the handles are not stiff enough. He said that the housing tends to oscillate a bit in his hands due to the handles. Is that your experience?

 

Glad your friend likes his new rig. We may be having a language problem. The handles will flex a little if you crank them but I don't understand his oscillation comment. My 7D is really solid in the water. They do feel different than the plastic or Al handles I was used to. They are made with a little softer type material on the grip and feel more comfortable to me. Tell your friend to loan you his for a while and try it out.

 

Cheers,

Steve

Edited April 23, 2010 by Steve Williams

[saudio 6]

Glad your friend likes his new rig. We may be having a language problem. The handles will flex a little if you crank them but I don't understand his oscillation comment. My 7D is really solid in the water. They do feel different than the plastic or Al handles I was used to. They are made with a little softer type material on the grip and feel more comfortable to me. Tell your friend to loan you his for a while and try it out.

 

Cheers,

Steve

Perhaps he is referring to the flexing of the handles when strobe arms are attached and extended. There is some noticeable shaking and flexing, but nothing that I see as a problem, and if you attach the arms directly to the housing instead of the arms, problem solved.

[bvanant 190]

Glad your friend likes his new rig. We may be having a language problem. The handles will flex a little if you crank them but I don't understand his oscillation comment. My 7D is really solid in the water. They do feel different than the plastic or Al handles I was used to. They are made with a little softer type material on the grip and feel more comfortable to me. Tell your friend to loan you his for a while and try it out.

 

Cheers,

Steve

Steve: Can you check the back of the housing, on mine the only button that has a little black rubber piece on it is the menu button which coincidentally is the only one that works. My guess is that my housing skipped the QC line somehow. I did get it in a rush so that may have been the problem.

thanks

Bill

[Steve Williams 0]

Steve: Can you check the back of the housing, on mine the only button that has a little black rubber piece on it is the menu button which coincidentally is the only one that works.

 

All six of the left side buttons should have the black tips on them. The other obvious one I see is on the AF-On actuator rod.

 

Steve

[bvanant 190]

All six of the left side buttons should have the black tips on them. The other obvious one I see is on the AF-On actuator rod.

 

Steve

Ah, being a pioneer. I guess I will wait for the little pieces to arrive.

 

Bill

[Steve Williams 0]

Ah, being a pioneer. I guess I will wait for the little pieces to arrive.

 

Bill

 

The poineers are the ones that get all the arrows, but they are also the ones who get to see the treasure that's over the horizon first.

 

Steve

[indoreef 0]

Ah, being a pioneer. I guess I will wait for the little pieces to arrive.

 

Bill

 

 

Yeah, me too. I used a cap from a Sea& Sea control rod and cut it down to fit my Nauticam. The Sea&Sea ones may be easier to find, to hold you until the Nauticam ones come in, if you're in a pinch.

 

Vijay

[MIKE POWELL 1]

Just spent a week underwater with the Nauticam 7D....I wish they made a housing for the 5D MKII. Loved it!

 

Aluminum handles would be a plus.

 

Mike

[ssra30 0]

I plan another quick dive trip in a week, I think my friend may come along. I can't remember if he mounted his strobe arm on the housing or the handles. I will see if I can get some feel for his housing underwater as if Nikon vaporware becomes a reality, Nauticam would be a housing that I am very interested in.