Available April 15, 2016

Nikon pro series bodies are the cameras that can go anywhere, withstanding unbelievable punishment in the field, and bring back images bordering on the fringes of what is possible from current imaging technology.  Nauticam has announced the NA-D5 underwater housing, an ergonomic, rugged, and reliable underwater housing ready to take the camera underwater to the ends of the earth in search of these photographic fringes that make rarest and the most memorable images.

The Nikon D5

Pro body performance is difficult to quantify on paper, but immediately evident when holding the camera in hand. The 12 fps continuous shooting speed (with AF) and a 200 shot RAW buffer keeps up with the fastest action. A large, bright viewfinder offers a clear view of the shooting scene, and Multi-CAM 20K tracks focus with incredible accuracy. The D5 is capable of 3,780 shots per charge (according to the CIPA rating). The D4 was a Professional Performance Powerhouse, and the D5 is even better.

Nikon has upped the resolution count in the D5 from 16 to 20.8 megapixels, but that is far from the most exciting news for most users. More interesting is the launch of the Multi-CAM 20K. This new autofocus system features 153 focus points (up from 51), of which 99 are cross-type sensors (up from 15). The D5 has more cross-type focus points than the D4s had total focus points, and they are spread wider across the frame. The autofocus system in the D4s was already one of the best available, and the improvements offered by D5 will elevate performance even further. The D5 introduces a new 180k pixel RGB metering sensor. This metering sensor drives the advanced Nikon exposure system, and is also used to provide scene data for 3D focus tracking, improving accuracy.

In total, this is an extremely significant upgrade from Nikon. The D4 was already one of the best pro bodies in overall low light performance. The D5 increases the high ISO range to ISO 102,480, capable of being pushed to 3,280,000. The D5 camera has a better 3.2″ LCD review screen with touch capability, and the most advanced auto focus system ever released. It is also the first Nikon DSLR body capable of 4K video capture. High frame rate capability allows more captures, and Multi-CAM 20K Focus ensures more in focus captures.

Nikon D5 Key Features:

• 8 Megapixel Resolution FX Format CMOS Sensor
• 4K UHD Video Capture at 24/25/30P
• Multi-CAM 20K Autofocus with 153 focus points
• 180,000 RGB Metering Sensor
• 12 fps Continuous Shooting with Autofocus
• ISO 100-102,400 (expandable to 3,280,000)
• 2″ 2.36 m-dot XGA LCD Screen with Touch Functionality
• 3,780 Shots per Battery Charge (CIPA Rating)
• Dual XQD or CF Memory Slots

The Nauticam NA-D5 Underwater Housing

Nauticam housings are evolutionary marvels, with advancements from previous systems providing the foundation that new models are built on. The new Nauticam NA-D5 housing incorporates advances from the NA-D4 that came before it, but features enhanced ergonomics, a more sophisticated flash triggering system, and reduced size / weight thanks to cutting edge manufacturing processes.

NA-D4 is a significant elevation of the Nauticam DSLR housing game. Key controls, such as ISO, Video Record, Playback, and Info were dramatically routed out to the housing grips. Nauticam recognizes that advanced DSLR cameras, and advanced DSLR users, rely on these functions more than ever to realize the full potential of advanced imaging systems.

Advanced high iso and video functionality in modern DSLR cameras has redefined what “essential controls” are really essential. Buttons that seem like an afterthought in the D5 camera control layout, such as Info (which displays shooting data on the 3.2″ color lcd screen), are critical for use in the housing. This button is routed to the left handle for convenient access. AF-ON, Movie Record, Playback, ISO, Pv, Fn1, Fn2 and Live View are all handled similarly.  Considerable design and manufacturing resources go into this ergonomic reshuffling, but the benefit to the user experience makes is worth the effort.

External Flash Triggering

The entire external flash triggering system has been reworked from the ground up with the NA-D5, increasing ease of use, setup convenience, and reliability. A new LED flash triggering system is standard in every housing.

The Nikonos style bulkheads included in NA-D4/NA-D4s have been replaced by an integrated LED flash trigger.  This optical flash trigger can fire at the full 14fps of the camera (mirror locked up). Optical systems, with fiber optic cables linking the external flashes to the housing, are far more reliable than any electrical sync cable system.

The LED trigger circuitboard is mounted inside the housing, and connected to the camera with a hotshoe cable. This new system is more powerful than the hotshoe mounted LED triggers used in the past, and is compatible with all currently available optically triggered flashes! Powered by two CR2032 batteries, battery life is measured in the tens of thousands of flashes, driven by incredibly efficient electronics. With good batteries, you can expect 3-5 years of service or up to 50,000 exposures.

Users of legacy flashes without optical triggering are able to add accessory Nikonos (26074) or Ikelite (26075) style bulkheads for electrical flash sync. These bulkheads plug into the LED trigger board for clean cable routing and reliable connection.

Accessory TTL Converter

The NA-D5 will also be the first Nikon DSLR release from Nauticam compatible with their accessory TTL Converter.  This optional upgrade provides accurate automatic TTL flash exposure with a number of popular flashes, and offers both optical and electrical strobe triggering. Optical triggering works well with modern flashes like Inon Z-240, while electrical triggering supports Ikelite DS- and Sea & Sea YS-250 strobes.

• TTL Converter for NA-D5, Sea & Sea YS-D and Inon Series Strobes (26307)
• TTL Converter for NA-D5, Ikelite Strobes (26308)
• TTL Converter for NA-D5, Sea & Sea YS-250 Strobes (26309)

For more information about Nauticam products, visit www.nauticam.com (or www.nauticam.co.uk if you are in the UK).