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Nauticam Announces Housing for Sony NEX 6
By Joseph Tepper, February 6, 2013 @ 06:21 AM (EST)

Nauticam is kicking off 2013 in mirrorless fashion. Today, the company announced their latest housing for a mirrorless camera, Sony’s NEX-6.

The NA-NEX6 continues the Nauticam trend of branching mirrorless and compact cameras, bringing SLR housing technology to a smaller package. The NA-NEX6 is constructed from high-quality aluminum and is depth rated to 330 ft. With a range of photographers in mind, Nauticam gives access to both the LCD viewfinder and optical viewfinder.

While dedicated photographers may prefer the optical viewfinder, video shooters can take full advantage of the full HD capabilities looking at the OLED screen.

Ergonomically, the NEX-6’s new mode dial is available to the user’s thumb on the top of the housing along with Sony’s control wheel. Other controls include access to the function button, progressive shutter release, and easily identified red record and playback buttons. 

The housing features compatibility with a variety of ports to fit a long list of lenses like the Sony 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6, 30mm f/3.5 macro, 16mm f/2.8 pancake, 16mm f/2.8 pancake + FE adapter, and the 16mm f/2.8 pancake with WA adapter. 

The housing is expected to be available by February 15 and will retail for $1650. For more details, check out the press release below or visit the Nauticam USA website


 

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Nauticam NA-NEX6 

Nauticam is very excited to announce their first new mirrorless housing of 2013: The NA-NEX6 housing for the Sony Alpha NEX-6 Camera. As the acknowledged leader in mirrorless interchangeable lens camera housings, Nauticam continues to bring professional quality engineering and exceptional design to demanding compact camera enthusiasts the world over. With the NA-NEX6, Nauticam offers even more choices to underwater photographers who are jumping in to the rapidly evolving interchangeable lens camera field.

Sony Alpha NEX-6

The NEX series of cameras have been one of the most successful and well reviewed mirrorless camera lines in the world. Sensor size, resolution and image quality are all solidly competitive with DSLRs and the video specs have always been superb. The NEX-6 provides a very interesting combination of excellent features borrowed from the best of the new NEX-5R and some highlights of the top-of-the-line-NEX-7. 

The big news on the NEX-6 is the inclusion of the NEX-7’s excellent OLED electronic viewfinder (EVF) – a welcome tool for those used to DSLR shooting. The new NEX also carries much of the NEX-7’s form factor and a bright 3.0” LCD display. Particularly notable is the new exposure mode dial – a first for this line of cameras. The camera also provides a control dial, control wheel and a programmable function button that allows plenty of direct access functionality. The control dials allow instant control of aperture, shutter speed or other functions depending on the camera’s exposure mode - greatly aiding settings adjustment. The function button allows the shooter to select between autofocus modes, white balance, AF/MF, picture effects and can be programmed with numerous other possibilities. Likewise the AEL button can be programmed for many of the same options including MF assist, giving the photographer maximum customizable choices.

Following up on many of the cutting edge features that debuted on the NEX-5R, the NEX-6 serves up a new Fast Hybrid AF: a sophisticated combination of phase detection and contrast detection that promises superior performance when used with compatible lenses. The built in WI-FI and the ability to utilize Sony’s PlayMemories Camera Apps is a tool that is only just starting to be exploited. The growing list of apps includes useful options like “Bracket Pro”, “Time Lapse”. A particularly intriguing app is “Smart Remote Control” that allows a smart phone to function as remote viewfinder and shutter release. 

The new NEX-6 may be the Sony’s most appealing blend of features and technology for many photo and video enthusiasts. 

 

Nauticam NA-NEX6

Nauticam manufactures the most highly regarded aluminum housings for the NEX series in the world. Their engineering and refinement are second to none. Not satisfied with simply being the best, Nauticam continues to evolve the NEX housing design with numerous recent improvements present on the new NA-NEX6. Nauticam designed the new NA-NEX6 to appeal to a broad range of photographers with many different demands. The new housing will offer an intuitive upgrade to those moving beyond an LCD-only compact system with comfortable and logical interface. The video professional or DSLR shooter looking for a smaller rig will find just as much to appreciate in the rugged build quality and superb ergonomics. The new NA-NEX6 is ready to take your imaging capabilities beyond your previous expectations.

All Nauticam housings are designed to get photographers and their cameras underwater as quickly, easily and safely as possible. The industry leading features of previous housings are present such as the effortless (but secure) single locking rotary housing latch, rugged machined aluminum case, 100 meter depth rating and the patented port locking system. A new rear mounted housing o-ring makes maintenance easier than ever, while the simple port lock and lens release button supports lens changes without camera removal. A re-engineered camera tray with a unique self locking mechanism gives an audible and visual confirmation of proper camera installation. Of course dual fiber optic ports are standard and take advantage of the built in Sony flash. The Sony NEX-6 also sports a true ISO hot shoe allowing for an optional electric sync bulkhead if desired. This same port is designed to accept an optional HDMI bulkhead that will support Nauticam’s superb NA-DP4 housing for the Small HD Monitor.

 

Like every Nauticam, the NA-NEX6 is engineered for optimal ergonomics utilizing state-of-the-art technologies. Every control is designed for easy access while maintaining hand position. The Sony control wheel and control dial are easily accessed by thumb for DSLR-like control of aperture and shutter settings in manual mode. The new mode dial is readily available on the top of the housing to the thumb as well. The function (Fn) button is immediately adjacent to the patented progressive shutter release to keep it accessible for rapid activation of settings like focus modes and white balance function. The NEX-6 EVF is easily activated by a lever similar to the NA-NEX7 housing and Nauticam will offer an optional LCD window that supports the use of Nauticam’s industry leading enhanced viewfinders. The redesigned playback and record buttons are easy and intuitive. The Sony accessory flash can still be activated and deactivated during a dive with a simple lever, allowing for rapid changes from strobe lit to ambient light photography. Video shooters will appreciate the dedicated ISO button located close to the right thumb. Even subtle details, such as the contouring the surface of key operation buttons for tactile recognition are employed to ensure every command of the photographer rendered as intuitively as possible. Of course, Nauticam provides all this robust functionality in a housing built to the most stringent professional standards. 

The NA-NEX6: Why be good enough when you can be exceptional?

 

Ports for every Need

Nauticam has the most extensive line of ports for mirrorless interchangeable lens cameras in the business. Port changes are easy and reliable with the Nauticam patented locking port release system used in all their mirrorless camera housings. Ports are available for the major Sony lenses that are useful underwater, including the Sony 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6, 30mm f/3.5 macro, 16mm f/2.8 pancake, 16mm f/2.8 pancake + FE adapter, and the 16mm f/2.8 pancake + WA adapter. 

Nauticam is also pleased to announce support for the new Sony 10-18mm f/4 WA zoom with a special 7” dome (part 36128) and zoom gear (part 36173). Another industry first is a new Macro/Zoom Control Port 45 (part 36127) with a focus/zoom knob to support the new Sony 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 retractable zoom. The port will take full advantage of the smooth power zoom operation of the new 16-50mm lens when employing the new 16-50mm power zoom gear (36172). Additionally, this port also supports manual focus for the Sony 30mm macro lens when combined with the new 30mm focus gear (36171). 

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 and providing an impressive 100 meter depth rating. The large acrylic LCD window is treated with an anti-reflective, scratch resistant coating. 

 

Optional Rubberized Ergonomic Handles

The optional Nauticam Flexitray provides a lightweight, compact mounting solution for strobe arms and the NA-NEX6 housing. Nauticam uses a sophisticated over-mold process to produce extremely comfortable rubberized ergonomic handgrips.  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.

Optional Enhanced Viewfinders

By utilizing Nauticam’s optional LCD window (part 17453) with integrated viewfinder mount for the NA-NEX6, photographers can enjoy the benefits of Nauticam’s exceptional enhanced viewfinders. These viewfinders provide the ultimate focusing accessory with in-water diopter adjustment. The LCD window can easily be user-installed or removed as needed with no tools!

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, YS-01 and YS-D1 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!  

Strobes can be attached to the housing via optional strobe mounting balls on the handles or a single strobe mounting ball point on the housing. The housing also features a cold-shoe mount for even more mounting options.

 

 

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