News
Inon Releases X-2 Housing For The Panasonic GF1 Micro-Four Thirds Camera
By Matt J. Weiss, August 12, 2010 @ 12:39 PM (EST)
The Panasonic GF1 is a popular micro-four thirds camera that has been slow to catch on with the underwater community. For those of you waiting for a housing , Inon has stepped up with their X-2 aluminum housing. The lightweight, compact housing boasts access to all major controls, four (yes, four!) fiber optic bulkheads, and compatibility with 5 different lenses via different ports. There is an optional grip base tray and leak detector available as well. The press release below has all the details.
Press release-
Press release-
Product Features
Lightweight and Compact Corrosion-resistant Aluminum Alloy Body
The housing body is made from corrosion-resistant aluminum alloy, providing comfortable controllability even in high water pressure in addition to the reliability and durability of a metal body.
The front body panel is manufactured by an ultra precise casting technique while the rear body panel is machined from an aluminum block. The total body is designed to take advantages of the manufacturing procedure's ability to balance size, underwater weigh」and strength.
Lightweight and Compact Corrosion-resistant Aluminum Alloy Body
The housing body is made from corrosion-resistant aluminum alloy, providing comfortable controllability even in high water pressure in addition to the reliability and durability of a metal body.
The front body panel is manufactured by an ultra precise casting technique while the rear body panel is machined from an aluminum block. The total body is designed to take advantages of the manufacturing procedure's ability to balance size, underwater weigh」and strength.
Ergonomically Friendly Exterior Design
The body shape and design allows each of the right hand fingers to come to the neutral position and take a firm grip while the thumb hooks on the back panel, assisting to hold the housing firmly without effort.
The X-2 for GF1 requires a different shooting style from conventional underwater SLR housings that are equipped with a viewfinder. To see a HD LCD monitor the location and angle of right thumb rest and shutter release lever is specifically designed to support comfortable operation.
The body shape and design allows each of the right hand fingers to come to the neutral position and take a firm grip while the thumb hooks on the back panel, assisting to hold the housing firmly without effort.
The X-2 for GF1 requires a different shooting style from conventional underwater SLR housings that are equipped with a viewfinder. To see a HD LCD monitor the location and angle of right thumb rest and shutter release lever is specifically designed to support comfortable operation.
Stress-free Control Layout
Almost every function of the LUMIX GF1 is operable from housing controls (**). You can access to Cursor buttons/Rear dial right away without changing right hand position. The built-in flash can be completely closed by a housing control lever.
The back panel has large「LCD monitor window」not only to see the LCD monitor itself, but also to provide visual contact with camera’s control buttons and enhance intuitive operation underwater. This large transparent panel also assists in noticing accidental floods at an early stage.
Almost every function of the LUMIX GF1 is operable from housing controls (**). You can access to Cursor buttons/Rear dial right away without changing right hand position. The built-in flash can be completely closed by a housing control lever.
The back panel has large「LCD monitor window」not only to see the LCD monitor itself, but also to provide visual contact with camera’s control buttons and enhance intuitive operation underwater. This large transparent panel also assists in noticing accidental floods at an early stage.
(**)
The Drive mode lever is not accessible. The Rear dial can be rotated from the housing's control but can not be pressed. However almost all settings by the Rear dial can be also managed by the Q.MENU button and Cursor buttons.
Ample Inner Space for Comfortable Camera Installation/Removal
The camera is precisely fixed in the housing at the tripod-screw and both shoulder strap eyelets.
Since neither the front nor side of the camera contacts with the housing, water-pressure never causes any unexpected operation issues with the camera. You can put the camera in the housing even with an optional leather panel kit attached.
The spacious inner construction allows you to put your fingers between the camera and the housing and pull out the camera easily with one hand, and further helps to gain positive buoyancy and be lighter underwater.
The Drive mode lever is not accessible. The Rear dial can be rotated from the housing's control but can not be pressed. However almost all settings by the Rear dial can be also managed by the Q.MENU button and Cursor buttons.
Ample Inner Space for Comfortable Camera Installation/Removal
The camera is precisely fixed in the housing at the tripod-screw and both shoulder strap eyelets.
Since neither the front nor side of the camera contacts with the housing, water-pressure never causes any unexpected operation issues with the camera. You can put the camera in the housing even with an optional leather panel kit attached.
The spacious inner construction allows you to put your fingers between the camera and the housing and pull out the camera easily with one hand, and further helps to gain positive buoyancy and be lighter underwater.
Fully Compatible with Time Proven “S-TTL” Auto Strobe System
Flood-free four Optical D Connectors are equipped as a standard feature to take advantage of the simple yet reliable “S-TTL” Auto mode with a maximum four external strobes. This allows for accurate exposure through simply pressing the shutter release button, even in high power, multi-lighting circumstances which will let you focus on your artistic intention and composition.
Flood-free four Optical D Connectors are equipped as a standard feature to take advantage of the simple yet reliable “S-TTL” Auto mode with a maximum four external strobes. This allows for accurate exposure through simply pressing the shutter release button, even in high power, multi-lighting circumstances which will let you focus on your artistic intention and composition.
Wide Variety of Lens Ports from Macro to Fisheye
Compatible lens ports support five different lenses; 45mm/F2.8 Macro , 20mm/F1.7 Pancake, 14-45mm/F3.5–F5.6 Zoom, 7–14mm/F4 Zoom and 8mm/F3.5 Fisheye. All lens ports use optical lenses with multi coating to take full advantage of optical performance of LUMIX/LEICA lenses.
Compatible lens ports support five different lenses; 45mm/F2.8 Macro , 20mm/F1.7 Pancake, 14-45mm/F3.5–F5.6 Zoom, 7–14mm/F4 Zoom and 8mm/F3.5 Fisheye. All lens ports use optical lenses with multi coating to take full advantage of optical performance of LUMIX/LEICA lenses.
RELATED ARTICLES
LATEST EQUIPMENT
 |  |  |  |  |
Be the first to add a comment to this article.
You must be logged in to comment.
Sponsor
Newsletter
Travel with us
Featured Photographer
Alexander Safonov
Photographer
My affair with underwater photography started with a basic curiosity about taking pictures underwater two and half years ago, and rapidly became my biggest hobby, which consumes enormous chunk of my free time now! My favorite...
Sponsors
