Nauticam announced a new underwater housing for Panasonic Lumix GX1 camera with a depth rating of 100m. The US price is $1200 and will start shipping at the end of March, 2012.
Press release:
Nauticam NA-GX1 Housing for Panasonic Lumix GX1
Nauticam proudly announces the NA-GX1 Housing for Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX1. This housing is introduced at a new, aggressive price point for Nauticam housings, meaning that people who otherwise might have been forced to settle for a lesser camera or housing now have the option to shoot the best imaging m4/3 camera available in a rugged, machined aluminum housing with unmatched ergonomics.
Panasonic Lumix GX1
The Panasonic GX1 represents a new model line for Panasonic, but the camera has a fine heritage to build on, taking the best from the popular GF1 and merging it with the advanced features and functionality of the G3. The result is a small but powerful imager with the controls needed for effective manual shooting.
GX1 boasts the highest resolution m4/3 sensor available today, a 16 megapixel “Live MOS Sensor”, combined with advanced processing to boost ISO as high as 12800. The camera also features a 460,000 dot 3” TFT LCD, 4.2fps still shooting (up to 20fs at lower resolution) and 1080i 60fps AVCHD video. GX1 supports manual, program, aperture priority, shutter speed priority, auto, and a multitude of other exposure modes. Metering is accomplished via a TTL capable 144 zone multi-pattern system with 18EV range. Several white balance modes are available including 2 custom white balance settings, and white balance performance has been enhanced in GX1 over previous m4/3 cameras.
Nauticam NA-GX1 Housing
Nauticam housings have become renowned for their innovative ergonomics, style and functionality. The NA-GX1 housing from Nauticam is no exception, delivering all of the advanced functionality of the GX1 in an ergonomic system at a new and lower price point. This is a very compact and lightweight housing, with all of the key GX1 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 patented mini locking port release system used in other Nauticam mid-range housings has been incorporated into NA-GX1, allowing easy and secure port changes. Ports are available for the major lenses that are useful underwater, including the Lumix 14-42mm kit lens, the Lumix G Fisheye 8mm, Lumix 7-14mm, and the Panasonic Leica 45mm macro lens. A port (Macro Port 35 – p/n 36139) and zoom mechanism (p/n 36146) for the new Panasonic Lumix G X Vario PZ 14-42mm are introduced at this time as well.
The sculpted housing fits the GX1 camera perfectly - 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.
Nauticam housings are designed with ergonomics in mind, and this housing puts all of the important controls on the camera within easy reach. The shutter release is sculpted into the housing itself, landing the right index perfectly on the button. A four-way controller with set button is easily reached from the right. The record button is easily accessed on top of the housing, and zoom is conveniently accessed from the left side of the housing. NA-GX1 also features an audible and visual leak detector, mounting hole on housing, and cold shoe accessory mount.
Adding to the Nauticam Port System
The port system for NA-GX1 expands upon the existing port system for the NEX-5 housing, adding additional ports for the 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 PZ 14-42mm, Lumix 14mm/2.5, Lumix 8mm Fisheye, Lumix 7-14mm, Leica 45mm macro, Olympus 14-42mm, and Olympus 9-18mm. Zoom gears are available for the zoom lenses listed. The macro ports include 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 ports are optically coated glass. The large acrylic LCD window is treated with an anti-reflective, scratch resistant coating.
Light and Accessory Mounting, Trays and Handles
Mounting lights, strobes and other accessories is a breeze with Nauticam housings. Nauticam now offers a full range of mounting hardware, including camera trays, arms, clamps, strobe adapters, and other specialized mounting hardware. Mounting options on the NA-GX1 include mounting balls or t-plates on the tray handles, mounting balls or t-plates on the housing, and an accessory cold shoe on the housing. There are myriad ways to mount just about any light or other accessory.
Nauticam uses a sophisticated over-mold process to produce extremely comfortable rubberized ergonomic handgrips on handles. 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, and lanyards are available to keep the housing attached when needed.
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 the GX1, optical TTL is enhanced even more since the GX1 can perform TTL in manual exposure mode.
Specifications
- Depth Rating: 100m
- 178mm x 129mm x 85mm
- Weight: 0.95kg (2.1 lbs.)
- Model Number: 17704
- USA Retail Price: $1200
- Estimated Shipping Date: March 31, 2012
