Aquatica vs Nauticam for NEX 5N

[kenns]

I've just purchased my Sony NEX 5N and I'm loving it for topside. As I look around at different brands of housing, each company has features that are appealing. For example, 10Bar has focus and zoom controls on their port for the 18-55 but as a cold water diver I'm concerned with the tiny button controls, which has basically ruled out this housing. Nauticam's buttons are further spaced apart and has a lever style shutter that seems nice. Aquatica has the joy stick that mimics the camera itself. These are observations based only on pictures so far. I wish I could get my hands on these, physically, before I buy....but that seems near impossible.

Right now I'm using a older Canon Powershot A610 in a canon housing. I'm getting decent pics but the shutter is stiff and my pics aren't as crisp as they could be....so I'm a bit sensitive to the shutter issue. I enjoy taking macro pics but hope to take super macro eventually. A suggestion of lens combinations would be much appreciated as well....and I suspect will affect my housing choice.

Is there anywhere, a side-by-side review posted on the 'net that I can compare these housings? Maybe there is a discussion here on SB that I've missed? Or better yet, personal comments and experiences would be awesome.

Kerry

 

[surf4life]

Hi Kerry, I've seen some really good reviews for the camera housings at site below. Looks like a nice system for underwater. Good luck with the decision.

 

[kenns]

Hi Kerry, I've seen some really good reviews for the camera housings at SERVARDA BAKIM VAR. Looks like a nice system for underwater. Good luck with the decision.

The link you sent doesn't work and the writing is in another language....I'm going to assume that it is saying 'the server is down'.

 

[surf4life]

Not sure why that link showed up? Hope this one works.Deepshots | Search Results | sony nex5n

 

[PHIL RUDIN]

My review of the Nauticam NA-NEX5 housing can be found in the back issues of Underwater Photography Magazine at UWPMAG.com. Issue # UWP57.

The article includes the use of the housing with the Nikonos lens adapter.

The NA-NEX5/5n housings are excellent and at this time Nauticam has eleven housings for mirrorless cameras and growing. They also have ten or more ports which are interchangable amoung these housing and will be going forward with new product releases like the Olympus E-M5 housing which was just released.

I have no opinion on the Aquatica housing which I have never used other than to say they have always had great product support from owners. Also it does not appear on the web site that they are supporting many of the lenses for the NEX line and did not followup with an NEX-7 housing.

Phil Rudin

 

[kwsjimmy]

just got my aquatica today, will dive it this weekend, and let u all know

 

[alien]

The Nauticam housing has a large knob on the side to do manual zoom. It is very easy to turn with thick gloves. Quality of housing is superb.

 

[Anthony A.]

If using the 18-55 kit lens and corresponding port, will that zoom button work up to 55mm? Seems doubtful from the pics as that would require the port to be 2 inches longer than the lens. Also, is there a manual focus button on the nauticam? Hopefully someone with the unit in hand can confirm.

 

[alien]

Yes it works

 

[Anthony A.]

sorry for being dense, can you confirm that the lens when in the 18mm position is about 1" back from the standard 18-55 nauticam FLAT port? and other than the zoom ring, which i believe is not included with the 18-55 port, thats all thats needed for zoom control no curve port?