News
SUBAL announce professional housing for the Nikon D810
Austrian-based professional underwater housing manufacturer SUBAL have announced the ND810 housing for the Nikon D810 camera.
Subal’s ND810 housing is designed for the world’s most demanding photographers and multimedia professionals, especially those in the fields of underwater sports and nature photography as well as advanced amateur photographers.
A formidable evolution of the new D810 provides important upgrades in performance. The D810 is designed to replace both the very popular D800 and the D800E.
The D810 features a new 36.3-megapixel, full-frame FX-format sensor without OLPF, designed to achieve exceptional resolution. The D810 gets the EXPEED 4 engine from the D4s, promising improved image quality and metering, faster burst shooting and wider ISO range.
The ND810 housing is available now at an MSRP of USD 4,300 (port not included).
As with every SUBAL housing, all the camera’s functions can be operated from the ND810: Power On-Off/Display Illumination, Shutter Release, Zoom (Manual Focus), Front and Rear Main Dial controls, Lens Release, Port lock system, Focus Mode Selector (M-S-C), Metering Mode Control, Movie Record Button, Mode Selector, AF- Lock, AF-On, Port Lock. The ND810 includes buttons for the following: Mode, Exposure Compensation, Bracketing, Flash Sync Mode, Lock, Metering Mode Control, Rec. Start/Stop, Playback, Delete, Menu, Thumbnail, Protect, OK, ISO, Quality, White Balance, Microphone, Multi Selector, Info, Live View, and AF Mode.
The SUBAL ND810 provides photographers with access to all photo and video functions while holding the camera.
The SUBAL ND810 housing is crafted from a solid block of high-grade seawater-resistant aluminum, which is anodized and put through a chemical hardening process. SUBAL is the only underwater housing manufacturer to use this patented, hard-coat anodizing method. A triple-layer powder coating is added, giving the housing an elegant finish and further protecting it from the environment. All shafts and screws are made of high-alloy chrome-nickel steel to extend operational lifetime. Like all SUBAL housing, the ND810 is equipped with the SUBAL Quick Lock closure system for maximum safety.
Controls
- Designed for professional underwater use
- Access to all camera and video functions
- Two fiber-optic connectors and two bulkheads with optional Nikonos 5N, Ikelite and S6 connectors
Optional accessories for the ND810
- Extensive line of high-quality SUBAL dome and flat ports
- Gears for all major underwater lenses
- Easy attachment of viewfinders: GS180°, WS45° and PS30° Prism Viewfinder
- Full line of mounting accessories available: arms systems, strobes, adapters, mount balls
SUBAL Professional Standard Features
The SUBAL Quick Lock System is a precise and robust locking system that eliminates accidental opening.
The new Port Lock System secures dome ports (DPs) and extension rings (EXRs) to the bayonet housing and provides the means to secure all components with ease.
The lens Release Latch allows for easy lens exchange without removing the camera from the housing.
A visual and audible warning Leak Alarm comes as standard on every SUBAL housing.
The SUBAL Special Saddle System for quick and precise positioning of the camera body inside the housing makes misalignment impossible.
Viewfinder Options
In addition to the standard viewfinder, SUBAL has developed various options to meet the demands of underwater photographers. The viewfinder is one of the most important elements for improving creativity in underwater imaging. All SUBAL viewfinders are manufactured from sea-grade aluminum with an anodized casing. High-quality, multi-coated optical glass ensures the highest resolution and optimum light transmission. A simple interchangeable system makes it possible for the user to fit, remove or change any of the SUBAL’s viewfinders whenever needed. The SUBAL GS180 straight viewfinder provides 150% magnification of the camera image. The eyepiece of the new WS45 viewfinder is at a comfortable 45° angle to the camera’s viewfinder. With a magnification factor of 150%, the visible image is 2.5 times larger than the standard viewfinder. The WS45 also rotates 360° with click stops every 90°to suit different viewing angles and image orientation. This is especially helpful for macro shooting or for subjects on the seabed as well as those tricky under/over, half-and-half shots. SUBAL’s latest innovation is the new PS30 prism viewfinder. The viewfinder is specially designed for video recording and facilitates shooting on the seabed and under/over, half-and-half shots.
Strobe Options
SUBAL provides two fiber-optic ports for accurate TTL control of strobes such as the Inon Z-240, Sea & Sea YS-D1 and Sea & Sea YS-01. Optional bulkheads are available on request for Nikonos V, Ikelite and S6 as well as a video connector for an external monitor.
Technical Information
| Housing Construction | Machined from a single block of specially treated, high grade corrosion-resistant aluminum alloy. Hardness treatment and three-layer powder paint coating applied |
| Design | Ergonomic placement of all the important controls provides convenient and comfortable handling of all camera functions |
| TTL/Strobes Options/Flash Monitor | Dual Sea & Sea fiber-optic ports and up to 3 optional flash connectors for Nikonos 5N, Ikelite or S6 sockets. Video output available on request for external monitor or external trigger |
| Port Mount Type | Bayonet 4 and 3 size available. All SUBAL dome and flat port options can be mounted except for size two ports. Port Lock Option |
| Dome Ports Options | DP 100/4 (4”), SWB (6”) , DP FE (8”) and DP 230 |
| Viewfinder Options | Standard viewfinder. Optional GS180, WS45 Viewfinder and 30° Prism |
| Leak Alarm | Standard built in housing |
| Display | Yes |
| Dimensions | (W x H x D) 270 X 215 X 150 mm (w/o port and handles) |
| Buoyancy | Housings near to neutral depending on ports and accessories |
| Depth Range | 80 meters (standard version) and 120 meters (TEC version on request) |
| Color Options | SUBAL Standard Color |
| Weight | 3.1 kg incl. handles (no ports or accessories included) |
| Controls | Power On-Off, Display Illumination, Shutter Release, Zoom (Manual Focus), Front and Rear Main Dial, Lens Release, Focus Mode Selector (M-S-C), Metering Mode Control, Movie Record Button, Play Back, Mode Selector, AF-Lock, AF-On, Port Lock Option, Flash open/close. Push Buttons for: Mode, Exp. Compensation, Bracketing, Flash Sync Mode, Lock, Metering Mode Control, Record, Start/Stop, Playback, Delete, Menu, Thumbnail, Protect, OK, ISO, Quality, White Balance, Microphone, Multi Selector, Info, Live View, and AF Mode, Port Lock |
Lens Options
SUBAL constantly evaluates new lenses as they arrive on the market and suggests the best options for underwater use. A SUBAL lens port chart for Nikon is available and will guide you through the optimal combination of ports and extension rings for each lens model. Contact your nearest SUBAL dealer for further assistance.
Please contact your local dealer for more detail information.
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.
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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