In our ongoing series S.U.P.E.R. (Scubaverse’s Underwater Photography Equipment Reviews), Nick and Caroline Robertson Brown from Frogfish Photography review new underwater photography equipment, general diving equipment, and some older favourites too.
For the ninth instalment of S.U.P.E.R., Nick and Caroline take a look at the NA-EM10 Housing from Nauticam.
Nauticam have added the latest housing for the Olympus EM10 mkII to their extensive range of underwater camera housings.
The first thing we noticed when getting it out of its box was how light it was. Okay, we are used to heavier SLR housings, but this is very light (at just a touch over 1kg), and indeed compact in size too. The Olympus mirrorless cameras are probably the most popular – of this genre – with underwater photographers, due to the quality of the cameras and the range of lenses available for them. Nauticam has made a housing that ensures that you can access every function with ease, and has port and gear options to allow users to have a great choice on what to buy. The housing is tough and is made from solid aluminium with a depth rating of 100m, which makes it suitable for technical diving too.
It is always difficult to test a new housing, with an unfamiliar camera inside, with only one day to dash up to Capernwray Quarry, in freezing conditions, and get the best from the system. Cold hands combined with unfamiliarity with the camera itself can lead to frustration. However, Nauticam housings do help, with an intuitive design, a sturdy build and some great extras. One of the first things that really pleased us about this housing was the new Shutter Release Extension. This is a piece that can be fitted to the housing that makes the shutter release easy to press (even with 5mm gloves) without moving your hand away from holding the handle. This new housing also comes with metal brackets that anchor the handles from the tray system to the housing – giving better stability all around.
This new housing and ports are also designed to take the fantastic new wet lenses that Nauticam have brought out and so, with the Compact Macro Converter (CMC) attached to a holder on the arm, and the Wet Wide Lens (WWL-1) attached to the bayonet fitting on the port, we were ready for action. The WWL-1 is a heavy wet lens, as you would expect from a quality piece of glass, and so you can also get a handy float for the housing that keeps the system nicely balanced in the water.
With these optional Nauticam wet lenses, you can actually stick with the “kit” 14-42mm lens and the small Macro 29 port and take amazing images. However, there are also great lenses for the Olympus range for both macro and wide angle lovers to select from.
Whilst the Nauticam Vacuum Leak Detector is not a new feature specifically for this housing, as it has been around for a while now, it does come with the ability to have one fitted. This feature really does give you peace of mind, as it tests the integrity of housing seals before you get into the water. A green light and you are good to go.
It is hard not to be impressed with Nauticam housings and this is no exception. It looks good, feels good in the hand, and is obviously built to a high standard. With some fabulous accessories, a great choice of lenses, ports and gears to select from, the hardest thing for buyers will be what to leave out of the package! Whilst we only got a single, cold water dive to form our views, we are certain this is a product that will not disappoint. Actually we would quite like it back!
For more information regarding Nauticam products visit www.nauticam.co.uk.
To find out more about Nick and Caroline and Frogfish Photography, visit www.frogfishphotography.com.
