Nauticam NA-5DMKIII underwater housing for Canon 5D Mark III camera

Nauticam announced a new underwater housing NA-5DMKIII for Canon 5D Mark III. With a depth rating of 100m, the NA-5DMKIII will be available on June 1st, for $3600.

Press release and additional images:

Nauticam NA-5DMKIII Innovation Underwater 

As the international leader in innovative underwater camera housing technology, Nauticam is pleased to announce support for the 22mp Canon 5D Mark III. The NA-5DMKIII housing builds on Nauticam’s solid reputation for ergonomic functions, extensive control options and ease of operation while upholding the robust quality standards that have become a hallmark of the Nauticam brand. Nauticam takes great pride in delivering excellence well beyond expectations.

Canon 5D Mark III

Canon 5D Mark III improves upon the ground breaking 5D Mark II in every way.  This camera shares the fast 61 point autofocus system from Canon’s flagship 1Dx, a 22 megapixel imager with class leading low light performance, 6 frames per second continuous shooting, and a more intuitive control layout.  Rather than an upgraded Canon 5D Mark II, this camera could be more appropriately viewed as a full frame Canon 7D with its enhancements to ergonomics, focus accuracy and speed, and continuous shooting ability.

Canon 5D Mark II was a remarkable advancement in video production, providing a cinematic look and feel with outstanding low light performance that has been used in feature films, low budget documentaries, and enthusiast videography.  5D Mark III improves this feature set substantially with new video features, including an ALL-I compression that requires less computing power to edit and more color correction latitude.

Nauticam NA-5DMKIII

The NA-5DMKIII underwater housing custom built for Canon 5D Mark III is a refinement of the acclaimed design used in NA-7D for Canon 7D.  Nauticam took Canon SLR housing ergonomics to another level with relocated command dials and piano keys found on NA-7D, and has built upon these advancements with NA-5DMKIII.

The industry leading engineering of the existing Nauticam housings is obvious with the easy and secure locking latch system, unrivalled port lock lever, piano keys that relocate key controls for easy handle access, and the exceptional interchangeable viewfinders.

Imaging Prowess at Your Fingertips

Designed by photographers for those who demand the best, the NA-5DMKIII puts the controls that matter where they can easily be used. Gripping the comfortable rubberized handles, it is obvious you are in command of a professional tool. While never releasing grip, the right forefinger activates Nauticam’s patented two stage shutter release.  The gearing in this control allows the photographer to precisely feel the half and full press positions of the shutter release for exact focus control.

Large diameter knurled wheels control the Main Dial and Quick Control Dials. These dials are simple to operate with a single finger, and their large size and tactile feel allows easier operation while wearing cold water gloves.  These key controls change f-stop and shutter speed, and are also an easy way to scroll through camera menus.

The right thumb can quickly activate a new double paddle lever assembly that operates both AF-On and Movie Record.  AF-On is an essential control, used to activate focus by default, but reassignable for focus and exposure lock.  The ergonomic placement of movie record is important, allowing clips to be started and stopped while minimizing camera movement.

The 5D Mark III Live View/Movie Switch is placed at the right thumb, allowing quick changes between shooting modes.  A lever accessing ISO is also located for fingertip control at the right thumb.  ISO is exceptionally important when shooting movie clips with a digital SLR as the primary exposure control, and easy access allows quick exposure changes.

Acclaimed piano key controls on the housing back route Set and Quick Control to the handles, providing convenient access for quick function changes via the Quick Control Menu.

Focus Point Selector is a gentle reach from the right handle, allowing easy movement between the 61 autofocus points (five of which are a new double cross type, and 41 of which are cross type sensors).

The camera’s multi-controller joystick is activated via a multi-controller pad that allows diagonal movement in addition to the more common up / down / left / right functions.

At the left handle, playback is easily reached by the left thumb.  A fingertip zoom / focus control allows easy operation of zoom lenses or manual focus with accessory lens gears.

Of course, all the requisite function buttons are appropriately positioned around the easily viewed LCD window and will function with exacting precision at any depth up to 100 meters.

All of these ergonomic refinements are in pursuit of one goal:  The most ergonomic underwater imaging system possible.  Nauticam NA-5DMKIII allows the camera operator to access all key camera controls with their hands on the handles, and their eye on the viewfinder or external video monitor.

In addition to carefully considering control placement for the ultimate in ease of operation in water, Nauticam has also put considerable effort into features that allow easier camera loading.  No controls require pre-setting before installing a camera into the housing, eliminating the possibility of wasted dives to do incorrect camera installation.

Standard Features That Are Anything But Standard

Nauticam pioneered numerous engineering breakthroughs in previous housings that are integrated into NA-5DMKIII.

The housing Locking Latch System has received acclaim worldwide for its ease and functionality. These recessed latches are equipped with safety locks to eliminate accidental opening, yet require minimal hands strength to operate.  These locking latches will not pinch fingers like stainless steel buckles can.

Port changes have never been simpler than utilizing the Patented Nauticam Locking Port Release. No wrestling, no twisting, no misalignment - just seat and lock. Lens changes are also easily accomplished without removing the camera from the housing via the lens release button logically accessed on the housing front.

The lightweight, rugged Nauticam handles are generously contoured with a durable over-mold process of comfortable non-slip soft touch rubber. Virtually any hand size can be accommodated with spacers available for cold-water glove use.

All Nauticam housings are machined from a solid block of seawater resistant aluminum alloy and then hard anodized making them impervious to corrosion. Hardware is marine grade stainless steel. Clear acrylic windows are protected with a scratch resistant coating.

Clearly Superior Vision

A high performance camera like the Canon 5D Mark III demands perfect focus for optimal results. Fortunately, Nauticam has developed the most user-friendly interchangeable precision viewfinders in the world. The standard optical glass viewfinder is very good and travel friendly on large bright viewfinder, but many photographers prefer the ease of a magnified viewfinder with dioptric adjustment. Nauticam produces a “straight” 180° enlarging viewfinder and a 45° angled enlarging viewfinder to enhance the ease of close quarters work often associated with macro shooting. Both viewfinders have high quality optics allow viewing of the entire image. A patented external dioptric adjustment allows personal adjustment to a sharp-as-a-tack standard underwater and viewfinder changes can be executed in less than 30 seconds without using tools. Exceptional composition and focus accuracy have never been more accessible.

Illumination by Design

Lighting control is key to any successful underwater photography system. The NA-5DMKIII delivers professional diversity to meet every challenge.  A single Nikonos sync port is included with each housing as standard equipment. S-6 or Ikelite style sync port bulkheads are available optionally, and can easily be installed or removed in the field. For more flexibility, a future hot shoe to fiber optic trigger capability will be available and will utilize the two pre-installed secure threaded optical sync connectors. The Nauticam system fiber optic cables are compatible with Inon  and Sea & Sea strobes and provide reliable triggering with no electrical connections to maintain or flood.

Accessories to Achieve Imaging Excellence

Nauticam has the most extensive line of high quality optical ports available anywhere and all existing Nauticam DSLR ports will fit the NA-5DMKIII. This port line-up includes the award winning Nauticam White Balance Dome Port with a patented built-in white balance iris that makes in-water white balancing a breeze. Nauticam also provides the industry’s only locking extension rings in every size potentially required, thus preventing port slippage of any kind when using extension rings. Nauticam additionally offers a full range of port adapters allowing existing housing owners to use their current ports, reducing the cost of switching to a Nauticam housing. Port Adapters are available for Aquatica, Ikelite, Inon, Nexus M5 & M6, Sea & Sea NX, Seacam, Subal Version 3 & 4, and Zillion lens ports.

Professional Video Options

If the video capabilities of the 5D Mark III are of primary importance, Nauticam’s NA-DP4 housing for the SmallHD Monitor can take video performance to another level. The monitor housing easily mounts to the top of the NA-D4 and utilizes the optional HDMI Bulkhead for true HDMI connectivity. Utilizing DP4 features like Focus Peaking, Focus Assist, False Color, 1:1 Mapping and DSLR Scale, this larger monitor vastly improves composition, focus capability and exposure visibility.

Specifications

Standard Features

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