Nauticam has released pictures and a press release of their new housing for the Sony NEX-5N. The new housing will feature the same port locking system as the current housing and ports are offered for Sony 18-55mm, 16m pancake, 16mm pancake + FE adapter, 16mm pancake + WA adapter and the Sony 30mm macro lens when it becomes available. The NA-NEX5N offers fiber optic flash control which is enhanced as the NEX-5N can perform TTL in manual exposure mode.

Nauticam will also offer an upgrade path for existing NA-NEX5 housing owners via an upgrade kit. These will be available from 10 October. The new housing will ship on 15 October at a retail price of $1650.

Nauticam NA-NEX5N Housing for Sony NEX-5N.

Nauticam proudly announces the NA-NEX5N Housing for Sony NEX-5N, and upgrade kit for existing NA-NEX5 housings. This housing brings the image quality of an advanced DSLR size sensor into the underwater world - in a system so compact that it easily fits into a daypack.

Sony NEX-5N.

The Sony NEX-5N is the Sony’s latest entrant in its APS-C series of mirror-less interchangeable lens cameras and presents itself as a formidable upgrade from the NEX-5 that it replaces.

NEX-5N sports a new 16-megapixel CMOS sensor along with several upgrades over the NEX-5. It features a first curtain electronic shutter designed to substantially reduce shutter lag which also helps to raise the still shooting rate to 10 frames per second in speed-priority-continuous mode. For video shooters, the NEX-5N shoots 1080p at 60fps. Additional new features include expanded ISO range, in camera lens correction, and touch screen menus and camera control.

Nauticam NA-NEX5N Housing.

Underwater photographers have long had to choose between the excellent image quality of a DSLR versus the compact size of point and shoot cameras. With the NA-NEX5N housing from Nauticam, that paradigm has now changed. The 16-megapixel APS-C sized sensor in NEX-5N means no image quality compromise, and this housing is incredibly small and light.

NA-NEX5N delivers the advanced functionality of the NEX-5N in style and with the ergonomics that people have come to expect from Nauticam. Based on the highly successful NA-NEX5 housing, the new housing accommodates the changes in camera body and control positions for the NEX-5N. All of the NEX-5N camera controls available from the ergonomic grip sculpted into the side of the housing. A choice of hand strap and left/right handle means the shooter can customize the housing to meet their specific needs.

The same Nauticam patented locking port release system used in the NEX-5 housings has been incorporated, allowing easy and secure port changes. Ports are available for the major lenses that are useful underwater, including the Sony 18-55mm, 16m pancake, 16mm pancake + FE adapter, and the 16mm pancake + WA adapter. Nauticam will also immediately support the new Sony 30mm macro lens when it becomes available.

The camera is quickly mounted in the housing via a snap in camera tray, and the housing is securely closed with a locking rotary latch. The compact form factor and outstanding low light performance make this a perfect system for technical divers exploring extended range environments. The housing is securely closed with a locking rotary latch.

Ergonomics is one of the areas that all Nauticam housings excel and the Nauticam NA-NEX5N housing is no exception. This housing puts all of the important controls on the camera within easy reach. Shutter Release, Zoom, Movie Record, Playback, 4-way buttons, Function C and Menu and the Control Dial are all placed for easy access. A flash control lever makes it easy to close the flash so silhouette shots are a breeze.

NA-NEX5 Upgrade Path.

Existing NA-NEX5N customers wanting to upgrade will not lose their investment. Ports and other accessories from NA-NEX5 can be used with no modification. Nauticam is producing an upgrade kit that will allow an existing NA-NEX5 housing to be retrofitted to work with the NEX-5N camera. The kits (p/n 17451) will begin shipping on 10 Oct 2011.

Locking Rotary Latch.

The housing back is sealed with an easy to operate safety clasp. A safety release button must be pressed in order to begin rotating the clasp, eliminating the chance of accidental opening.

Nauticam Build Quality.

Only the finest materials and cutting edge manufacturing processes are used to make Nauticam housings. The housing body is machined from solid aircraft grade aluminum, then hard anodized making it impervious to salt water. The large acrylic LCD window is treated with an anti-reflective, scratch resistant coating.

Optional Rubberized Ergonomic Handles.

Nauticam uses a sophisticated over-mold process to produce extremely comfortable rubberized ergonomic handgrips. The soft feel and ergonomic design make the housing easy to grip and minimize hand fatigue on long dives. Both single and double handle configurations are available for complete customization, and each handle can be adjusted laterally allowing the user to dial in perfect fit. A hand strap is also available for those wishing an even smaller profile.

Optical Flash Connectors for Inon S-TTL, and Sea & Sea DS-TTL.

Reliable automatic flash exposure is available with Nauticam housings and a variety of optically fired flashes. Inon Z-240, D-2000, S-2000, Sea & Sea YS-110 Alpha, and YS-01 strobes provide automated lighting, precisely reproducing the camera’s onboard flash at a proportionally greater intensity. This system yields accurate TTL flash performance with no electrical sync cables to flood! With NEX-5N, optical TTL is enhanced even more since NEX-5N can perform TTL in manual exposure mode.

Strobes can be attached to the housing via optional strobe mounting balls on the handles or a single strobe mounting ball point on the housing. The housing also features a cold-shoe mount for even more mounting options.

Proven Construction Materials.

Nauticam Housings are machined from a solid block of seawater resistant aluminum alloy, then hard anodized making them impervious to corrosion. All hardware is marine grade stainless steel. Acrylic windows protected with a scratch resistant material.

Specifications:

• Depth Rating: 100m.
• Dimensions: 164mm x 83mm 118mm.
• Weight: .77kg (1.7 lbs.)
• Model Number: 17402.

USA Retail Price: $1650 Estimated Shipping Date: October 15, 2011

Enquiries within North and South America: Nauticam USA
International dealer listing: Nauticam