Aquatica 45° Viewfinder??

[acuevas 4]

Hi,

 

Does anybody know if Aquatica is thinking about producing a 45° Viewfinder?

 

I think that for some types of diving the 45° viewfinder is very useful, like cave diving and wreck diving where you must be in an horizontal position almost all the time.

I really would like to know if Aquatica has made a decision or not about it.

[AndyC 0]

I hope they do. I would order one immediately.

I used 45 degree prism finders professionally on Hasselblads and Bronica's for years and found them superior in many ways to horizontal finders. I use a Aquatica AD90 housing (which I love). In my UW photography, there are many times when I wish I could buy an Aqua view 45 degree finder.

 

Here's hoping,

 

Andy.

[Viz'art 24]

Guy's you read my mind, I was discussing this project with engineering and sort of poking them on when we can expect this get moving, the answer I got is, early in the new year as soon as the assembly line are rolling with the new housing and products released recently,

 

We have some additional engineering staff starting to work with us starting January, some thing about the existing staff not having enough sleeping time or being overworked or what not, by golly, we give them a full 3 hours off per day, installed army bunks, a cupboard full of canned goods and a Johny on the spot in the office, hell! we even found lovers to keep their girlfriend happy, what more they want from us!!!

Edited December 2, 2010 by Viz'art

[acuevas 4]

Guy's you read my mind, I was discussing this project with engineering and sort of poking them on when we can expect this get moving, the answer I got is, early in the new year as soon as the assembly line are rolling with the new housing and products released recently,

 

Good to know that we are synchronized.

 

We have some additional engineering staff starting to work with us starting January, some thing about the existing staff not having enough sleeping time or being overworked or what not, by golly, we give them a full 3 hours off per day, installed army bunks, a cupboard full of canned goods and a Johny on the spot in the office, hell! we even found lovers to keep their girlfriend happy, what more they want from us!!!

 

Come on people, back to work!!!

[yahsemtough 0]

Guy's you read my mind, I was discussing this project with engineering and sort of poking them on when we can expect this get moving, the answer I got is, early in the new year as soon as the assembly line are rolling with the new housing and products released recently,

 

We have some additional engineering staff starting to work with us starting January, some thing about the existing staff not having enough sleeping time or being overworked or what not, by golly, we give them a full 3 hours off per day, installed army bunks, a cupboard full of canned goods and a Johny on the spot in the office, hell! we even found lovers to keep their girlfriend happy, what more they want from us!!!

 

Try Poutine. LOL

[Viz'art 24]

Try Poutine. LOL

 

Now you lost the readers, doubtfull that but a handfull of member would know what poutine is, suffice to say that the Exxon Valdez was never as greasy as this french delicacy is. just looking at the menu will block an artery

[photovan 0]

Jean, I'll have one thanks. It's been promised for years.. since at least 2006!

[karant 0]

Guy's you read my mind, I was discussing this project with engineering and sort of poking them on when we can expect this get moving, the answer I got is, early in the new year as soon as the assembly line are rolling with the new housing and products released recently,

 

We have some additional engineering staff starting to work with us starting January, some thing about the existing staff not having enough sleeping time or being overworked or what not, by golly, we give them a full 3 hours off per day, installed army bunks, a cupboard full of canned goods and a Johny on the spot in the office, hell! we even found lovers to keep their girlfriend happy, what more they want from us!!!

 

I want one too, PLEASE!

 

Thanks,

Kathryn

[bvanant 189]

Jean, I'll have one thanks. It's been promised for years.. since at least 2006!

The finder or the poutine?

[Drew 0]

I've used the Inon 45° viewfinder with an adapter from Backscatter on the Aquatica A5D2 for the 5D2 review. I liked it so much I bought the viewfinder and a couple of the adapters from them.

 

Poutine, on the other hand, I didn't like at all.

[JimG 26]

I'll second Drew's comments - I did the same as him and bought the Inon 45 degree VF and adapter from the same source. Have used it a few months now on my Aquuatica and it really works a treat.

[photovan 0]

BUMP.

 

How's this project going Jean?

[aussie 0]

Maybe Jean's now spending less time on wetpixel as he's been moved to help out on the production line as well?

[Viz'art 24]

Maybe Jean's now spending less time on wetpixel as he's been moved to help out on the production line as well?

 

Well, yeah, it's kinda busy these days around here (BTW in case AussieByron / Mark is listening, we are way, way past serial number #008 on the AD7000 )

 

I swung by the engineering office this morning and noticed a big pile of glass elements and prism on their desk, and knowing Aquatica does not have any plans of going into the binoculars business , I would say it's safe to tell you that this is definitely an active project.

Edited May 2, 2011 by Viz'art

[manatee19 5]

Well, yeah, it's kinda busy these days around here (BTW in case AussieByron / Mark is listening, we are way, way past serial number #008 on the AD7000 )

 

I swung by the engineering office this morning and noticed a big pile of glass elements and prism on their desk, and knowing Aquatica does not have any plans of going into the binoculars business , I would say it's safe to tell you that this is definitely an active project.

 

 

Only problem is that the Government screwed their work schedule with an election today. So, available date is D+1....

 

Michel

 

PS: I also suspect Jean was in the UK last week... there was a wedding he had to attend I think ...

[betti154 5]

I'd certainly like to get my hands on one of these 45 degree viewfinders. I've been thinking one of these would be very nice for a while now, though haven't actually used one

 

Jean, I'll happily help with user testing if you want?

[divegypsy 20]

What I think would be very nice is if the upcoming Aquatica 45 degree finder had a diopter adjustment feature that you could adjust underwater. Adjusting the diopter on land, in air doesn't really make good sense if you are going to use the finder underwater. Underwater adjustment, which the Nauticam 180 degree finder has allows you to adjust the view based on just how your eyes are seeing things that day, that dive. And allows you to share your camera with another person. And although certain Wetpixel members prefer not to allow anyone else to touch their gear, others of us are more sharing.

 

An underwater diopter adjustment would also be something that would make the viewfinder much more user friendly for gear rental companies and for those teaching underwater photo courses. I bought Nauticam 180 degree viewfinders and adapted them to my Seacam housings primarily because they had this adjustment possibility. And I will switch to Aquatica 45 degree finders, or another brand, if they have such an adjustment and can be adapted, too.

 

Fred

[acuevas 4]

Well, yeah, it's kinda busy these days around here (BTW in case AussieByron / Mark is listening, we are way, way past serial number #008 on the AD7000 )

 

I swung by the engineering office this morning and noticed a big pile of glass elements and prism on their desk, and knowing Aquatica does not have any plans of going into the binoculars business , I would say it's safe to tell you that this is definitely an active project.

 

Do you have news about the 45° viewfinder Jean?

[onewolf 2]

What I think would be very nice is if the upcoming Aquatica 45 degree finder had a diopter adjustment feature that you could adjust underwater. Adjusting the diopter on land, in air doesn't really make good sense if you are going to use the finder underwater. Underwater adjustment, which the Nauticam 180 degree finder has allows you to adjust the view based on just how your eyes are seeing things that day, that dive. And allows you to share your camera with another person. And although certain Wetpixel members prefer not to allow anyone else to touch their gear, others of us are more sharing.

 

An underwater diopter adjustment would also be something that would make the viewfinder much more user friendly for gear rental companies and for those teaching underwater photo courses. I bought Nauticam 180 degree viewfinders and adapted them to my Seacam housings primarily because they had this adjustment possibility. And I will switch to Aquatica 45 degree finders, or another brand, if they have such an adjustment and can be adapted, too.

 

Fred

 

See this message thread: http://wetpixel.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=42097

[Viz'art 24]

Do you have news about the 45° viewfinder Jean?

 

Si aye, we are working on it still, progress is definitely made and it looks good, it shouldn't be long before I have something to show you guy's. I, for one, am looking forward to add one to my macro setup .

[photovan 0]

has the 45degree Nauticam kicked you guys into action?

[Alex_Mustard 0]

has... Nauticam kicked you guys into action?

 

A point I made in my first Nauticam review for Wetpixel.

 

Whether you are a Nauticam customer or not, all underwater photographers stand to benefit from the increased quality and value for money products - as competition is fiercer these days. The last 18 months have seem some fantastic innovations and improvements from many brands of UW photo gear.

 

Alex

[Viz'art 24]

has the 45degree Nauticam kicked you guys into action?

 

Darren, we are going at our own pace and will have it in due time. As it is we can hardly keep up with production of our normal products line due to the increased demand for them in the last two to three years. The last Digital shootout was the proof in the pudding that we are doing a good job. Without being smug about it, I would say if Nauticam comes out with their 45 degree finder first, then good for them.

 

We improve constantly on every generation of housing, whether we have competition in this specific area or not, we always did, will always do, before Nauticam, there was Subal, Sea & Sea, Seacam, Nexus and a score of others going all the way back to Tussey and Ocean Eye, we have been around since about 30 years, so you could safely say that competition as been around for a while in our case. I would say, one of our biggest incentive for us (apart from input of our users) is the advent of better and more flexible CNC machinery, it has allowed us to move away, first from the casting process, and then from the boxy looking housing of the 3 axis machinery, our latest crop of housing benefit from our will to embrace the new technology, to the dedication of our engineers to use this technology and from trying to be upfront and honest with the users (and you might add, our unwillingness to under size or trash our competitors products).

 

 

As Alex rightly say, underwater photographer do benefit from competition between manufacturers and rightly so, but one must be careful in the distribution of credits, Yes Nauticam has a fine innovative line of products, but the whole of the industry was evolving before their arrival and will continue to do so with them around or not, its the nature of the beast, you evolve, our your users will drop you and go somewhere else. Anyone who as been making housings long enough will (should) realize that the best competition is oneself and not the other guy's.

 

Cheers

Edited July 3, 2011 by Viz'art

[Steve Williams 0]

Anyone who as been making housings long enough will (should) realize that the best competition is oneself and not the other guy's.

 

[photovan 0]

Darren, we are going at our own pace and will have it in due time. As it is we can hardly keep up with production of our normal products line due to the increased demand for them in the last two to three years. The last Digital shootout was the proof in the pudding that we are doing a good job. Without being smug about it, I would say if Nauticam comes out with their 45 degree finder first, then good for them.

 

We improve constantly on every generation of housing, whether we have competition in this specific area or not, we always did, will always do, before Nauticam, there was Subal, Sea & Sea, Seacam, Nexus and a score of others going all the way back to Tussey and Ocean Eye, we have been around since about 30 years, so you could safely say that competition as been around for a while in our case. I would say, one of our biggest incentive for us (apart from input of our users) is the advent of better and more flexible CNC machinery, it has allowed us to move away, first from the casting process, and then from the boxy looking housing of the 3 axis machinery, our latest crop of housing benefit from our will to embrace the new technology, to the dedication of our engineers to use this technology and from trying to be upfront and honest with the users (and you might add, our unwillingness to under size or trash our competitors products).

 

 

As Alex rightly say, underwater photographer do benefit from competition between manufacturers and rightly so, but one must be careful in the distribution of credits, Yes Nauticam has a fine innovative line of products, but the whole of the industry was evolving before their arrival and will continue to do so with them around or not, its the nature of the beast, you evolve, our your users will drop you and go somewhere else. Anyone who as been making housings long enough will (should) realize that the best competition is oneself and not the other guy's.

 

Cheers

 

Hey Jean,

 

I guess if you are going to continue suggesting that an Aquatica 45 is a probability, you need to back it up with something concrete, not just lead us on with "we're working on it".

 

In 2006 I remember speaking to you on the telephone and was assured a 45 was imminent. As it wasn't a reality I decided to go Seacam as they had one.

In 2009 time came to house my 5DmkII and I jumped ship from Seacam to Aquatica, partly swayed by the "soon to be released" 45.

Mid-2011 and I am still hearing there are parts on the factory floor... it's on its way... in due course... at your own pace.... sometime.

 

I know there are many drivers to competition. And we all really appreciate the amazing kit we now have thanks to changes in manufacturing processes... and demand.

 

While yes, you've always had competition in many forms, previously that was competition between systems. Now with manufacturers making accessories compatible across various systems, as housing owners we aren't locked in to buying one brand for all our needs.... even if we want to.

 

cheers

darren