Questions about GH2 and Nauticam housing

[Patrick_J]

HI everyone!

I’m about to upgrade from my s90 setup (it has been serving me well!), and I’m considering the m43 system where the GH2 is a very interesting candidate. I really like the fact that Nauticam has a UW housing for it, and I would love to hear any user reports or opinions regarding this setup. Unfortunately I have found no one selling these locally so I have no option of seeing and trying one out for myself.

I also have a few newbie questions which I hope someone can help me with:

1. Is it possible to have full manual control with the Nauticam housing?
2. Is there a button (or other way) to pop up the GH2 flash?
1. Is there any size benefit of using the GH2 compared to a DSLR, or is it basically the same size? The lenses are generally smaller, but I’m not sure that actually automatically transfers into smaller ports?

I also have some thoughts regarding lenses. From what I read the 8mm fisheye seems like a great choice for WA, and it’s listed as a supported lens on the Nauticams webpage using the Nauticam 4.33’ dome port. Is it possible to use some other dome port instead of the Nauticam? I’d love to have something bigger to be able to do over/under shots and I keep hearing great things about the Zen mini domes. How does it work – do the ports need to be specially engineered to support a specific lens or can you use the dome of your choice?

Many thanks!
Patrick

 

[Kevster]

I will try to do a Na-GH2 report in the next few days.
I recently upgraded from a S90 to the GH2 & nauticam housing.
To answer your questions.
1.Yes you have full manual control.
2. Yes there is a lever to pop up the flash
3. The housing is a bit smaller than a DSLR. The lens are very small. The ports are also very small.This makes the set up a lot smaller compared to a DSLR.
I use the 8mm & 45 mm lens.
4. At the moment only Nauticam ports are available. Zen ports do not have correct fitting for Nauticam 4/3 housing yet. Over under shots are possible with Nauticam fisheye dome but water drops are a problem as its not a glass port.

 

[Akimbo]

There is a review of the Nauticam NA-GH2 for the Panasonic DMC-GH2 in Issue 62 of the Underwater Photography Online Magazine.

You probably noticed Kevster’s review on this forum, which is also very therough: http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/panasonic-planet/395857-review-gh2-nauticam-housing.html

 

[Patrick_J]

Guys - I completely missed your answers, very much appreciated! I've read Kevster's review in the other thread, and will continue there instead (http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/panasonic-planet/395857-review-gh2-nauticam-housing.html).

Thanks!