News
New from Sealux: HDFS5 for Sony PXW-FS5
The SEALUX HDFS5 is a safe, tailor-made housing for the professional PXW-FS5 4K 4:2:2 10 bit camcorder made by Sony. It is one of the smallest and lightest aluminium underwater housings on the market for the PXW-FS5 with a focus on operational versatility.
Two additional sockets (optional) allow connection of external devices, for example, an external monitor/recorder and a vacuum-system. The basic model features screw plugs instead. In addition, the housing has enough space for common adaptors such as the Metabones Speedbooster and is therefore ready to work with a great number of lenses. Using the full range of Sealux ports, the housing is perfectly equipped to work with most combinations of lenses and adapters. Like the FS7 housing, the Sealux FS5 housing features 3 M6 bolt-on points on the underside, situated right and left at a 30º angle, respectively, for runners or a buoyancy system, for example.
The back part of the housing has been designed to provide enough space for a 5 inch internal display (optional). In the basic version, the SONY FS5 display is used instead. All camera functions are operated mechanically. The dimensions of the housing are optimized so that it fits inside a piece of standard hand luggage with the grips detached. All function elements are sealed twofold and up to fourfold in order to provide the highest degree of safety.
Housing
Made from seawater-resistant aluminium, CNC milled from a monobloc, hard anodized for maximum ruggedness
Locks
The four quick-action locks incorporate safety-devices. Back plate Sealed with a large precision o-ring.
Port Changing System
Thanks to the Sealux photo bayonet system there is sufficient space for large lenses, too. Furthermore, the range of Sealux ports allows a broad spectrum of applications.
Grips
The grips are ergonomically adjustable and detachable for transport in the carry case.
Viewfinder
- Provides comfortable viewing at an angle of 30° relative to the swimming position thanks to the use of the FS5 display accommodated on the base plate. Alternatively you can use an internal 5 inch display (optional).
- A lens-hood protects the display against annoying sunrays.
Tripod base
The camcorder is mounted on the tripod base and secured at the front, thereby allowing easy replacement of the rechargeable battery and memory card.
Functions
The reliable control system allows activation of functions on the FS5 handgrip at the press of a button
Manual functions on the right
- Zoom lensring
- Lens lock release
Manual functions on the left
- Second lens ring (for example focus) depends on lens used
- POWER switch
- REC Start/Stop
- ND filter
- Iris wheel
- ND-IRIS switch
- PRESET switch
- GAIN switch
- WB switch
- WB-Set lever
- Set/Sel wheel
Keys
- FULL AUTO
- STATUS
- IRIS
- IRIS PUSH AUTO
- WB
- ISO/GAIN
- SHUTTER
- S&Q
- PICTURE PROFILE
- FOCUS PUSH AUTO
- DISPLAY
- MENU
- THUMBNAIL
- SET/SEL
Underwater microphone
Underwater sounds are recorded via a high-quality electret microphone.
Moisture alarm (optional)
To monitor the well-being of your camcorder you can either make use of a moisture alarm or a vacuum-system.
Dimensions, weights
- Dimensions: W x H x D: 176 mm x 162 mm x 289 mm
- Weights: Housing (standard): about 5 kg
- Buoyancy: depending on lens and port used
- Maximum depth: 90 m (tested)
Find out more information at www.sealux.de/en
Gear News
Scubapro Free Octopus Promotion 2024
Free Octopus with every purchase of a SCUBAPRO regulator system
Just in time for the spring season, divers can save money with the FREE OCTOPUS SPRING PROMOTION! Until July 31st SCUBAPRO offers an Octopus for free
with every purchase of a regulator system!
Get a free S270 OCTOPUS with purchase of these combinations:
MK25 EVO or MK19 EVO with A700
MK25 EVO or MK19 EVO with S620Ti
MK25 EVO or MK19 EVO with D420
MK25 EVO Din mit S620Ti-X
Get a free R105 OCTOPUS with purchase of the following combinations:
MK25 EVO or MK19 EVO with G260
MK25 EVO or MK17 EVO with S600
SCUBAPRO offers a 30-year first owner warranty on all regulators, with a revision period of two years or 100 dives. All SCUBAPRO regulators are of course certified according to the new European test standard EN250-2014.
Available at participating SCUBAPRO dealers. Promotion may not be available in all regions. Find an authorized SCUBAPRO Dealer at scubapro.com.
More information available on www.scubapro.com.
Blogs
Northern Red Sea Reefs and Wrecks Trip Report, Part 3: The Mighty Thistlegorm
Jake Davies boards Ghazala Explorer for an unforgettable Red Sea diving experience…
Overnight, the wind picked up, making the planned morning dive a bit bumpy on the Zodiacs to the drop point on Thomas Reef. There, we would dive along the reef before descending through the canyon and then passing under the arch before ascending the wall with a gentle drift. The site provided great encounters with more pelagic species, including shoals of large barracuda, tuna, and bigeye trevally.
Once back on the boat, it was time to get everything tied down again as we would head back south. This time, with the wind behind us, heading to Ras Mohammed to dive Jackfish Alley for another great gentle drift wall dive before then heading up the coast towards the Gulf of Suez to moor up at the wreck of the Thistlegorm. This being the highlight wreck dive of the trip and for many onboard, including myself, it was the first time diving this iconic wreck. I had heard so much about the wreck from friends, and globally, this is a must on any diver’s list. Fortunately for us, there was only one other boat at the site, which was a rarity. A great briefing was delivered by Ahmed, who provided a detailed background about the wreck’s history along with all the required safety information as the currents and visibility at the site can be variable.
Kitting up, there was a lot of excitement on deck before entering the water and heading down the shoreline. Descending to the wreck, there was a light northerly current which reduced the visibility, making it feel more like the conditions that can be found off the Welsh coast. At 10m from the bottom, the outline of the wreck appeared as we reached the area of the wreck which had been bombed, as our mooring line was attached to part of the propeller shaft. Arriving on deck, instantly everywhere you looked there were many of the supplies which the ship was carrying, including Bren Carrier tanks and projectiles that instantly stood out.
We headed around the exterior, taking a look at the large propeller and guns mounted on deck before entering the wreck on the port side to take a look in the holds. It was incredible to see all the trucks, Norton 16H, and BSA motorcycles still perfectly stacked within, providing a real snapshot in time.
Overall, we had four dives on the Thistlegorm, where for all of the dives we were the only group in the water, and at times, there were just three of us on the whole wreck, which made it even more special, especially knowing that most days the wreck has hundreds of divers. Along with the history of the wreck, there was plenty of marine life on the wreck and around, from big green turtles to batfish, along with shoals of mackerel being hunted by trevally. Some unforgettable dives.
The final leg of the trip saw us cross back over the Suez Canal to the Gobal Islands where we planned to stay the night and do three dives at the Dolphin House for the potential of sharing the dive with dolphins. The site, which included a channel that was teeming with reef fish, especially large numbers of goatfish that swam in large shoals along the edge of the reef. These were nice relaxing dives to end the week. Unfortunately, the dolphins didn’t show up, which was okay as like all marine life they are difficult to predict and you can’t guarantee what’s going to be seen. With the last dive complete, we headed back to port for the final night where it was time to clean all the kit and pack before the departure flight the next day.
The whole week from start to finish on Ghazala Explorer was amazing; the boat had all the facilities you need for a comfortable week aboard. The crew were always there to help throughout the day and the chefs providing top quality food which was required after every dive. The itinerary providing some of the best diving with a nice mixture of wreck and reef dives. I would recommend the trip to anyone, whether it’s your first Red Sea liveaboard in the Red Sea or you’re revisiting. Hopefully, it’s not too long before I head back to explore more of the Red Sea onboard Ghazala Explorer.
To find out more about the Northern Red Sea reef and wrecks itineraries aboard Ghazala Explorer, or to book, contact Scuba Travel now:
Email: dive@scubatravel.com
Tel: +44 (0)1483 411590
Photos: Jake Davies / Avalon.Red
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