Today Nauticam announced a new underwater housing NA-GH2 for the Panasonic GH2 camera with a depth rating of 100m. The retail price is $2100 and shipping will start on June 10, 2011.
Nauticam NA-GH2
Nauticam proudly announces the NA-GH2 for Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH2, the newest addition to the Nauticam family of innovative, ergonomic, high-quality camera housings. Come see the new NA-GH2 housing at the Scuba Show in Long Beach, CA, June 4-5, 2011.
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH2
The Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH2 is the new standard in the micro 4/3 camera world. GH2 finally delivers on the m4/3 promise, a full featured camera that delivers imaging performance that rivals APS-C based DSLRs. Digital Photography Review puts it this way: “The GH2 might not be a revolutionary development (in all essential points it is very closely related to its predecessor, the GH1) but we're confident in saying that it is the best mirrorless system camera that we've ever tested, bar none”. GH2 is loaded with features that make it appealling to the underwater photographer. It has the basics covered, with fast RAW capture, manual exposure mode, and TTL in most modes including manual exposure mode. Add to that a 16 megapixel effective (18 megapixel total) high quality multi-aspect ratio sensor, 1080i/p 60fps video, excellent high ISO performance, fast autofocus, and a huge number of customizable options, and you have a superb underwater imaging machine.
In addition to the large LCD screen, the GH2 features an electronic viewfinder (EVF) that optionally displays all of the camera menus and settings and is even active during video shooting. The EVF resolution is approximately 4 times more dense than the LCD. The EVF also has the advantage of not needing to be shaded in bright sunlight making it very useful for many underwater situations.
Autofocus on some m4/3 cameras is less than desirable, but not with GH2. Thanks to the high scan rate sensor, the contrast detection autofocus on GH2 is not only very fast and accurate, but allows for autofocus during video shooting. GH2 offers considerable control over how autofocus operates (AFS, AFC, and Manual, Focus Areas, Pre Focus, Focus Priority, provides an AE/AF Lock button, programmable back focus, and more).
Nauticam Takes GH2 to the Underwater World
Rated to a depth of 100m, the new NA-GH2 is a rugged aluminum housing that continues the Nauticam tradition of ergononomic controls and innovative thinking.
The NA-GH2 housing inherits numerous innovations from earlier Nauticam housings like the easy-to-use-yet-secure locking latch from the NA-NEX5 housing, and the patented Nauticam port locking system. As with all Nauticam housings, innovative ergonomic access to key camera controls comes standard.
The camera slides easily into the housing with no need to preset any controls, and the housing is securely closed with a locking rotary latch.
This housing puts all of the important controls on the camera within easy reach, and even makes some of the controls on the housing easier to manipulate than on the camera itself. Case in point, the GH2 command dial can be both turn and clicked. While this may be easy to do on land, underwater it could prove difficult, and housing manufacturer have previously struggled with this sort of control. The Nauticam engineers very cleverly separated the dial function into two separate controls on the housing, making use of both functions a breeze.
Complete Control
From the sculpted shutter release to the knurled zoom knob, this housing features all of the controls an underwater photographer needs to drive the GH2. A flash popup button is provided for fiber optic strobe control, along with a flash inhibitor that is useful when flash is not wanted, such as during silhouette shooting.
Access to the GH2 mode dial, on/off switch, drive mode, AFS/AFC and focus area controls are done with dials on the top of the housing. The 3 programmable function button are all made available on the housing, including Fn1 on the top of the camera via a rocker key. Fn1 will be a particularly useful key, allowing one easy access to things like flash exposure compensation.
Switching between LCD and EVF viewing is easy with the provided LCD/EVF button. A lens release button allowing lens changes while a zoom gear is attached without opening the housing back is standard equipment. An audible/visual moisture detector which places the visual indicator at the level of the eye is standard on the NA-GH2.
Adding to the Nauticam Port System
The port system for GH2 expands upon the existing port system for the NEX-5 housing, adding additional ports for the superb Panasonic Lumix m4/3 lenses. Olympus m4/3 lenses and Leica m4/3 lenses can be used with this camera as well, further expanding the lens choices. Lenses initially supported include the Lumix 14-42mm, the Lumix 14mm/2.5, the Lumix 8mm Fisheye, the superb Lumix 7-14mm, the Leica 45mm macro, Olympus 14-42mm, and Olympus 9-18mm. Zoom gears are available for the zoom lenses listed here.
Locking Rotary Latch
The housing back is sealed with an easy to operate safety clasp. A safety release button must be pressed in order to begin rotating the clasp, eliminating the chance of accidental opening.
Nauticam Build Quality
Only the finest materials and cutting edge manufacturing processes are used to make Nauticam housings. The housing body is machined from solid aircraft grade aluminum, then hard anodized making it impervious to salt water. The flat port is optically coated glass. The large acrylic LCD window is treated with an anti-reflective, scratch resistant coating.
Optional Rubberized Ergonomic Handles
Nauticam uses a sophisticated over-mold process to produce extremely comfortable rubberized ergonomic handgrips. The soft feel and ergonomic design make the housing easy to grip and minimize hand fatigue on long dives. Both single and double handle configurations are available for complete customization, and each handle can be adjusted laterally allowing the user to dial in perfect fit. A hand strap is also available for those wishing an even smaller profile.
Optical Flash Connectors for Inon S-TTL, and Sea & Sea DS-TTL
Reliable automatic flash exposure is available with Nauticam housings and a variety of optically fired flashes. Inon Z-240, D-2000, S-2000, Sea & Sea YS-110 Alpha, and YS-01 strobes provide automated lighting, precisely reproducing the camera’s onboard flash at a proportionally greater intensity. This system yields accurate TTL flash performance with no electrical sync cables to flood! With LX5, optical TTL is enhanced even more since LX5 can perform TTL in manual exposure mode.
The NA-GH2 features a removable optical mount, allowing the user to easily switch between shooting with a strobe or shooting with built-in flash. Flash control is made easy by the combination of a flash popup button, and another lever to close the flash to make silhouette shots a breeze.
Strobes can be attached to the housing via optional strobe mounting balls on the handles or a single strobe mounting ball point on the housing. The housing also features a cold-shoe mount for even more mounting options.
Proven Construction Materials
Nauticam Housings are machined from a solid block of seawater resistant aluminum alloy, then hard anodized making them impervious to corrosion. All hardware is marine grade stainless steel. Acrylic windows protected with a scratch resistant material.
Specifications
Model Number: 17702
USA Retail Price: $2100
Estimated Shipping Date: June 10, 2011
More information is available from Nauticam USA at http://www.nauticamusa.com.
About Nauticam USA:
Nauticam USA is the exclusive wholesale distributor of Nauticam products in the North American Market. Nauticam USA’s warehouse and service center is located in Fort Lauderdale, FL. Our staff of underwater photography experts strives to provide the best customer support and after sale service available. Dealer inquiries are welcome!
