Nauticam announced a new underwater housing NA-EPL2 for Olympus E-PL2 camera. The housing has a depth rating of 100m, the price is $1750 and it will be available in July, 2011.
Olympus E-PL2
Olympus E-PL2 is the latest entrant into the Olympus micro 4/3 PEN series of mirror-less interchangeable lens cameras. With a 12 megapixel four-thirds size Live MOS sensor, in-camera image stabilization, 3” LCD, TruePic V processor, and 720p 30fps video, the E-PL2 is a small, lightweight camera capable of shooting high quality stills and HD video.
E-PL2 improves on the popular E-PL1 camera with faster 11-area contrast detection autofocus, larger LCD, built-in flash, and a new 14-42mm zoom lens with silent focusing for continuous autofocus video without lens noise. The camera takes advantage of a range of Olympus M.Zuiko Digital lenses, plus the excellent Panasonic Lumix G and Leica DG lenses.
E-PL2 supports manual, program, aperture, shutter speed, auto, scene and art exposure modes. Metering is accomplished via a TTL capable Digital ESP 324 zone multi-pattern system. Several white balance modes are available including custom white balance.
Nauticam NA-EPL2 Housing
E-PL2 shooters now have the option of stepping up to the durability and functionality of a rugged aluminum housing for their camera. The NA-EPL2 housing from Nauticam delivers the advanced functionality of the E-PL2 in style and with the ergonomics that people have come to expect from Nauticam.
This is a very compact and lightweight housing, with all of the E-PL2 camera controls available from the ergonomic grip sculpted into the side of the housing. A choice of hand strap and left/right handle means the shooter can customize the housing to meet their specific needs.
The same Nauticam patented locking port release system used in the popular Sony NEX-5 and Panasonic GH2 housings has been incorporated, allowing easy and secure port changes. Ports are available for the major lenses that are useful underwater, including the Olympus M.Zuiko 14?42mm F3.5?5.6 II kit lens and the Olympus M.Zuiko ED 9-18mm f/4.0-5.6 wide angle zoom.
The camera is quickly mounted in the housing via a snap in camera tray, and the housing is securely closed with a locking rotary latch. The compact form factor and outstanding low light performance make this a perfect system for technical divers exploring extended range environments.
The sculpted housing fits the E-PL2 camera perfectly. No controls need to be preset when installing the camera in the housing - simply drop it in. The housing is securely closed with a locking rotary latch.
Ergonomics is one of the areas that all Nauticam housings excel and the Nauticam NA-EPL2 housing is no exception. This housing puts all of the important controls on the camera within easy reach. Shutter Release, Zoom, Movie Record, and the control dials are placed for easy access. The Fn (function) button is placed for easy access with the right thumb allowing shooters to move the autofocus functionality from the shutter release to this button.
Adding to the Nauticam Port System
The port system for NA-EPL2 expands upon the existing port system for the NEX-5 housing, adding additional ports for the Olympus m4/3 lenses. Panasonic Lumix 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. The macro port includes a standard 67mm threaded mounting point for adding accessory wet lenses.
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 EPL2, optical TTL is enhanced even more since EPL2 can perform TTL in manual exposure mode.
Olympus UFL-1 and UFL-2 strobes can be utilized as well. The UFL-2 can be operated via RC control over fiber optic, reducing the power used by the internal flash and thus decreasing recycle time.
The NA-EPL2 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
- Depth Rating: 100m
- Dimensions: 181mm x 91mm x129mm
- Weight: 0.9kg (2 lbs.)
- Model Number: 17802
- USA Retail Price: $1750
- Estimated Shipping Date: July 10, 2011
