A Critique of the Nauticam D850 Underwater Photography Equipment
Nauticam Unveils Upgraded Underwater Housing for Nikon D850 and Z5 II
In an exciting development for underwater photographers, Nauticam has announced significant updates to their underwater housing for the Nikon D850 and the recently released Z5 II. While the latest search results do not explicitly detail the changes in the D850 housing, the innovations seen in the Z5 II housing are likely to apply to the D850 model as well.
The new Nauticam housing for the Nikon Z5 II boasts a machined aluminum housing with a corrosion-resistant finish, enhancing its durability and pressure resistance (100m depth rating). This robust build ensures ruggedness during deeper dives.
The housing features a compact design with ergonomic, glove-friendly controls, providing full access to camera buttons, dials, shutter, video recording, and AF-on. This design makes underwater operation more intuitive and efficient.
Nauticam's new housing also offers universal lens support with new zoom and focus knob gears, allowing the use of both Nikon Z-mount lenses and legacy F-mount lenses via FTZ adapters. This expansion of lens options underwater is a significant advantage.
Integration with Nauticam’s N120 port system and accessory corrective optics ensures optimal lens performance and flexibility underwater. The housing also comes with pre-installed leak detection and vacuum system with audible moisture alarms, reducing the risk of water intrusion.
Multiple mounting options for adding lights, monitors, and other accessories, plus bottom tripod mount compatibility for stable shooting rigs, further enhance the versatility of the new housing. An optional LCD window is available for full-frame viewfinder compatibility, improving viewing clarity for Nikon full-frame cameras underwater.
The Nauticam housing for the Nikon D850, while not explicitly detailed in the latest search results, can be inferred to have been significantly updated in its latest version for newer Nikon cameras like the Z5 II. These innovations likely reflect Nauticam’s commitment to improving the usability, modularity, enhanced sealing safety, and lens compatibility of their housings.
In addition to the Z5 II housing, Nauticam offers a range of port options for various Nikon lenses. For instance, the Nauticam 8" Acrylic Dome Port is a cheaper and lighter alternative for the Nikon 16mm 2.8 Fisheye lens. The Nauticam 230mm Glass Dome Port is the most popular big dome for Nauticam Systems for the Nikon 16-35mm f4.0 VR.
The Nauticam Flip Diopter Holder allows the use of wet macro lenses on the front of the macro port. The Nikon 16-35mm f4.0 VR requires a big dome port for acceptable image quality. The housing is compatible with the Nikon 105mm f2.8G VR Macro, Nikon 60mm f2.8G Macro, Nikon 8-15mm 3.5-4.5G Fisheye, and Sigma 15mm 2.8 Fisheye lenses.
In summary, the new features in the latest Nauticam housings, which likely represent an evolution from the D850 model housing, include advanced vacuum leak detection, more ergonomic control layouts, dual Z/F-mount lens support with new gearing, improved port and accessory systems, and durable corrosion-resistant machining for extended underwater reliability. These innovations promise to enhance the underwater photography experience for users of these Nikon models.
[1] Nauticam Website: Nikon Z5 II Housing [2] Nauticam Website: Underwater Housing for Nikon D850 [4] DivePhotoGuide Website: Nauticam Nikon Z5 II Housing Review
- The color of the Nauticam housing for the Nikon Z5 II is a corrosion-resistant finish, enhancing its durability and pressure resistance.
- The new underwater housing for the Nikon D850, similar to the Z5 II model, offers a compact design for efficient operation during diving.
- Underwater photography enthusiasts can now utilize various gadgets and technology, such as lights, monitors, and other accessories, with the Nauticam housing's multiple mounting options.
- Traveling with a DSLR or mirrorless camera like the Nikon D850 or Z5 II, users can capture colorful critters and stunning bluewater landscapes thanks to the advancements in underwater photography technology.
- For focusing on small subjects underwater, the Nauticam Flip Diopter Holder enables the use of wet macro lenses on the front of the macro port.
- The Nauticam housing for the Nikon D850 (in its latest version) showcases improvements in usability, modularity, enhanced sealing safety, and lens compatibility, as observed in the newer Z5 II housing.
- Photographers will especially appreciate the ergonomic, glove-friendly controls in the Nauticam housing, improving efficiency during underwater travel with their DSLR or mirrorless camera.
- In the realm of underwater photography, the diopter, macro, and various lens options available with Nauticam housing systems make it worth investing in the best gear for an ideal destination.
