Olympus created the M. Zuiko 12-50mm lens a few years back, which has been super popular for underwater photography. This lens features a built in macro mode and two zoom mode options (manual and electronic). For underwater photographers it was a first, basically two lenses in one, which allows shooters to have a nice mid-range zoom lens and a great macro lens built into one! Paired with the high quality Olympus and Panasonic micro four-thirds cameras this gives users a much more flexible single lens system underwater.

The 12-50mm lens shoots macro at 43mm, so while its not as strong as the Olympus M.Zuiko 60mm Macro, it is still a great option. We recommend this lens for those folks wanting a single lens system with a focus on macro, for video shooters wanting the smooth electronic zoom option and overall for anyone wanting a quality mid range zoom lens.

Nauticam is the only manufacturer to create an intensive multifunction zoom gear for this lens. While other housing brands offer a zoom gear which will control the manual zoom, Nauticam’s gives you control over both zoom (electronic only) and the ability to move into the macro mode. Due to the unique style of the lens, this zoom gear is larger and much more complicated than any other. It involves full installation on the lens which takes between 10 and 20 minutes depending on how well you can decipher the instructions.

To help make this process easier, we’ve created the video below. Bluewater’s support expert, Tommy, walks you through the installation step by step so you can follow along. Make sure to have the Nauticam instructions with you for reference and we recommend laying out all pieces prior to beginning as several of the pieces ship put together and they need to be split out prior to installation.

If you still have trouble or any questions installing the gear after watching the video please feel free to contact us and we can help you out.

The post Installing the Nauticam 12-50mm Zoom Gear first appeared on In Focus Underwater Photography Blog.

Nauticam officially released the new housing for the Nikon D600 today and as usual it looks great! Check out some of the great features….

Nauticam NA-D600

Nikon designed the D600 to appeal to every enthusiast or pro who longed for a compact, friendly and affordable full frame camera. Nauticam has engineered the NA-D600 housing so that it is equally friendly and compact, but has every ounce of rugged reliability and features that pros demand. Holding the nicely proportioned NA-D600 by the comfortable rubberized grips; it seems impossible that a 24mp full frame camera resides inside that is capable of out-resolving every camera in it’s class save its bigger brother: the D800.

Well Designed, Easy to Use Controls

The NA-D600 incorporates dual paddle assemblies for right and left thumb. These paddles instantly access key features: Video Record and AE-L/AF-L on the right and Playback and ISO on the left. Most photographers will quickly activate them by feel while never releasing grip or looking away from the viewfinder. The housing is also clearly designed to embrace both the still and video shooter and switching back and forth is intuitive and near seamless with the live view (LV) button and live view selector. Nauticam has pioneered a new release (drive) mode control utilizing the D600’s ability to lock shooting modes. This control functions independent of the exposure mode dial that it sits beneath on the camera body. Being able to shift into the D600’s quiet mode (much quieter than the D800/D4) and lock it could be a real boon for pelagic shooters close to shy subjects. Front and rear command dials are larger and easier to engage than ever before – even with gloves.

Change Ports and Lenses with Ease

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.

Fiber Optics or Sync Cord, its up to you.

Lighting control is key to any successful underwater photography system. The NA-D600 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. 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.

Options for the Professional Videographer

If the video capabilities of the D600 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.

Conclusion

All in all it looks like another well designed housing from Nauticam. With more features than you can imagine, and endless ways to make the system work perfectly for you, the NA-D600 housing will be the perfect companion to your Nikon D600 camera. Housings are now available for pre-order, and should be shipping within the next 2 weeks.

Pre-Order Now

Specifications

• Depth Rating: 100m
• Dimensions (with handles mounted): L 350mm x H 189.5mm x D 132mm
• Weight: 2.7kg

Standard Features

• Patented Locking Port Release Lever
• Sensitive Two Stage Shutter Release Lever
• Optical Strobe Connectors
• Rubberized Ergonomic Grips
• 1 Customizable Accessory Ports (allowing use of optional Nikonos, S6, or Ikelite Strobe Connectors, Hydrophone, Video Out, or Remote Control Connectors)
• Embossed Control Function Labels
• Quick Release Camera Mounting Shoe
• Lens Release Button
• Four Strobe & Accessory Base Mounting Locations
• Complete Access to All Key Camera Controls
• Stainless Steel Support Brackets for Handles
• .66x Optical Pickup Finder (Enhanced 180 deg and 45 deg Viewfinders with External Diopter Adjustment optional)
• Audible and Visual Leak Alarm

The post Nauticam Announces D600 Housing first appeared on In Focus Underwater Photography Blog.

Nauticam Optical Trigger – Check out this video about a much anticipated new product coming soon from Nauticam. This trigger will allow certain dSLR shooters (like all you 5DMKIII shooters) to shoot via fiber optic cable and others to shoot without using the internal flash, allowing high recycle rate on the strobes for quicker more accurate shooting.

Canon 1DX housing – a fantastic new housing for professional canon shooters. The best part about this housing aside from the weight and size, is that it works for both the Canon 1DX and 1Dc!

Nikon D600 housing – the slightly smaller, toned down brother to the D800 super camera has a beautiful housing from Nauticam coming out soon. A perfect pairing for the camera, all controls are placed for easy access, and everything functions smoothly within this housing.

180 degree viewfinder – Learn more about Nauticam’s great 180 degree external viewfinder, a perfect tool for wide angle photography, allowing 3x the magnification from the standard viewfinder. This addition will make composing, focusing and checking your shots much easier!

The post New Nauticam Product Videos first appeared on In Focus Underwater Photography Blog.

Yesterday kicked off one of the biggest events in the Scuba Industry… DEMA. This is the big show where all the industry folks gather to unveil new products, events, market travel and more. We at Bluewater Photo are in the middle of the chaos with a big booth showing off all our great new housings, while also scouring the show for the best new products that we can bring to you, our loyal customers this upcoming year! Stay tuned throughout the week for more exciting updates and news!

The first day was busy setting up and talking with all the people who wandered by our booth. We also had some time to walk around and see some of the new products that will be coming out soon! Here’s a few of these exciting new items!

Nauticam – for all you 5DMKIII shooters out there with the Nauticam housing just longing to be able to do away with your sync cord the time is coming. Nauticam showed us the prototype of their new Optical Trigger, which mounts on the hot-shoe of the housing and allows your strobes to fire fiber optically. No more flooded sync cords! One big plus is since this optical trigger mounts so the hot shoe you’re still getting the rapid recycle rate on the strobe for quick sequential shooting.

In addition we got our hands on several of the new housings that are coming out soon including the housings for the Panasonic LX7, Sony Nex-5R, and two awesome professional housings, one for the Canon 1DX / 1DC and another for the Red Epic and Scarlett cameras.

Light & Motion -One of the hot new crazes is shooting florescence underwater. So many marine flora and fauna have natural florescence which can be seen with the right type of light. Light & Motion unveiled their newNightsea light, a small compact fluorescent light. They also released the Nightsea X filter for the Sola 4000 light.

10Bar announced support for the new Canon EOS-M mirrorless camera.

Stay tuned for more updates and information as the week unfolds!

The post DEMA 2012: New Gear and More first appeared on In Focus Underwater Photography Blog.

Just in time for the holidays, Nauticam announced today support for the new Micro 4/3 Olympus 60mm macro lens.

Now available is a flat port that they specifically designed for the 60mm macro lens called the Macro Port 65.  You can even add the O60-F focus gear if you are seeking manual focus control.

Nauticam has also released two extension rings for existing macro ports to add support for the Olympus 60mm macro.  For Macro Port 45 you’ll want a Mini Extension Ring 20.  For the Macro Port 35, ask for the Mini Extension Ring 30.  Have a look at their breakdown in the image below:

The post Nauticam Adds Support for the Olympus 60mm Macro Lens first appeared on In Focus Underwater Photography Blog.

The new Sony RX100 camera has been performing really well, exceeding everyone’s expectations and beliefs about what can be achieved with a compact camera. This video sample below, by EunJae Im in the Philippines is a perfect example. The camera not only takes great quality, detailed images, but excels with stunning video capabilities as well. Enjoy the video. it was shot with the Nauticam RX100 housing and Light & Motion Sola lights. Subsee diopters were used for the macro shots.

Sony RX100 Underwater Video Sample from EunJae Im on Vimeo.

The post Stunning Nauticam RX100 Video first appeared on In Focus Underwater Photography Blog.