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Nauticam ships housing for Sony a9

by adamhanlon

Nauticam are shipping their NA-A9 housing for the Sony A9 mirrorless camera. It uses the same port systems as that of the NA-A7II and offers lens support for 13 Sony lenses, Canon EF lenses (via a port adaptor and lens converter) and Nauticam’s water contact lenses. The housing “inherits the core design elements from the Nauticam pro DSLR range, and bundles them in a more compact package.”

The NA-A9 housing is shipping now, priced at $3,200 in the U.S.A.

Press release

New housing for Sony Alpha 9!

NA-A9 for Sony Alpha 9

Blazing Fast Professional Mirrorless

Aimed squarely at professional image makers, the Sony Alpha 9 provides 20 frame per second continuous shooting with full autofocus and UHD 4K Video. The A9 features a new 24 megapixel full frame Stacked CMOS sensor with excellent image quality, even at high ISO, and ultra-fast readout that enables the blazing speed this camera is capable of.

Key Camera Specifications

The Nauticam NA-A9 Housing

A professional housing befitting of a flagship camera, the NA-A9 underwater housing provides fingertip access to all key camera controls in a rugged and reliable aluminum underwater housing. Ergonomic camera control access is one of the defining strengths of a Nauticam housing, and the NA-A9 continues this tradition. Essential camera parameter changes are made from the handles, without awkward reaches.

The NA-A9 housing inherits the core design elements from the Nauticam pro DSLR range, and bundles them in a more compact package. A patented port locking lever allows lens changes to be made in seconds. Opening the housing for quick battery and media changes is fast and easy with the locking housing latches. The system is a seamless extension of the camera.

Optics

Sharing the same lens port accessories as the Nauticam NA-A7II housing, a list of thirteen Sony FE mount lenses are currently supported. An adaptor allows the entire N120 DSLR lens lineup to be used as well, supporting the popular Canon EF lenses attached to the A9 with an EF to Sony E mount lens adapter. Also available is an adaptor to attach the water contact UW-Nikkor series lenses originally used on the Nikonos underwater range finder systems. From ultra wide fisheye lenses to long macros, the Nauticam A9 system has all focal lengths covered.

Preproduction Housing Test Image by Edward Lai Sony Alpha 9, FE 90mm f/2.8 Macro G OSS Lens

Modern Optics for In Water Use

Inspired by the water contact lens designs of decades before, Nauticam is continually developing new optical accessories that raise the bar of what is possible in underwater imaging. Designed with modern lens design software, and fully optimized for in water use, these lenses provide significantly better performance than an in air lens behind a dome or flat port alone.

Stunningly sharp, the Sony FE 28mm f/2 Lens combined with our WWL-1 (Wet Wide Lens) offers a 130 deg diagonal angle of view with the best overall image quality we’ve seen for Sony Full Frame E Mount Systems.

The SMC-1 (2.1:1 Reproduction Ratio) and SMC-2 (3.3:1 Reproduction Ratio) shown with the Sony 90mm Macro Lens. A double flip adaptor allows the perfect accessory lens to be dropped in for Super Macro and beyond!

Preproduction Housing Test Image by Edward Lai Sony Alpha 9, FE 90mm f/2.8 Macro G OSS Lens with SMC-1 (2.1:1 Magnification)

Preproduction Housing Test Image by Edward Lai Sony Alpha 9, FE 90mm f/2.8 Macro G OSS Lens with SMC-2 (3.3:1 Magnification)

Flash Triggering

An optional LED flash trigger (26302) provides rapid fire strobe triggering with optical slave strobes over fiber optic cables. A new universal fiber optic cable set (26216) provides reliable triggering with all popular optical slave strobes!

Flash systems that use electrical sync cables are connected to a Nikonos Bulkhead and Hotshoe (25056).

Build Quality

Nauticam build quality is simply unmatched, using cutting edge product design and modern, innovative manufacturing techniques that result in trouble free reliability. A bit like a fine Swiss time piece, the complexity under the hood results in a trouble free user experience that just works, and keeps working for years to come.

Key Features

Integrated Vacuum Monitoring and Leak Detection

Circuitry included as standard equipment provides constant monitoring of water tight integrity when combined with an optional Nauticam M14 Vacuum Valve II (25624). Green means safe to dive!

Vacuum System Reset Button

A blue button integrated in the camera mounting tray, accessible from the port mount, allows vacuum monitoring electronics to be reset when changing lenses from the front of the housing.

Port Locking Lever

The iconic Nauticam port locking lever allows effortless port changes. No twisting required, just press and lock.

This is a patented Nauticam feature, found on no other housing, providing unmatched ease of use!

Locking Housing Latches

Securely and safely locked when closed, but effortless to open when needed, Nauticam Locking Housing Latches eliminate the finger pinching stainless steel buckles used in other housings.

Ergonomic Rubberized Handles with Stainless Steel Support Brackets

Rubberized handles and oversized controls are easy to operate even when wearing thick cold water gloves.

Handle support brackets are included with the housing, providing a solid “wobble free” attachment base to shoot from, even with heavy lighting systems. Multiple lanyard attachment points are included in the brackets.

Extensive Accessory Lineup

The range of Nauticam accessories is unmatched, from viewfinders to electronic bulkheads, multiple accessories are available to customize the system to individual needs. A variety of lens ports support all popular lenses. Accessory lenses, like the revolutionary Super Macro Converters, SMC-1 and SMC-2 enhance the system with super macro capabilities.

Tripod Mounting Balls

Mounting points for three industry standard 1” mounting balls are machined directly into the bottom of to the housing, eliminating the need for accessory brackets to attach tripod legs.

Viewfinder Options

The NA-A9 standard optical glass viewfinder is very good and travel friendly, but many photographers prefer the ease of a magnified viewfinder with dioptric adjustment. An accessory enlarging viewfinder allows the large 3.7M-dot OLED viewfinder (1280 x 960 pixels) with up to 120 fps refresh to be seen in its full glory!

Nauticam produces a “straight” 180º enhanced viewfinder and a 45º angled enhanced viewfinder to enhance the ease of close quarters work often associated with macro shooting. Both viewfinders have high quality optics, and allow bright viewing of the entire image. A patented external dioptric adjustment allows personal adjustment to a sharp-as-a-tack standard underwater and viewfinder changes can be executed in just a few seconds without using tools. As an added bonus, the viewfinders have extra clearance that provides more room for regulator second stages.

45º (32203) and 180º (32201) Magnifying Viewfinders provide a large, clear, corner-corner view of the Sony A9 3.7 M-dot OLED Electronic Viewfinder.

Integrated Vacuum Check and Leak Detection System

The Nauticam vacuum check and leak detection system is shipped with NA-A9 as standard equipment. Combined with an accessory vacuum valve (PN 25624), this monitoring system provides constant updates on the water tight and safe-to-dive status of the housing. A simple color coded LED lighting system lets the user know that the vacuum is solid, or that the housing is losing vacuum. Leak detection is built into the same circuit, so if there is water intrusion, an audible and visual indication will occur.

The Nauticam system is temperature compensated, eliminating false alarms caused by a change in outside temperature, or from a camera heating up on an action packed dive.

Recommended Accessories

Details and Specifications

Depth Rating: 100m
Weight: 2.52 kg
Dimensions: 348mm x 200mm x 118mm W x H x D
Battery for Vacuum system: CR2032
Model Number: 17419
USA Retail Price: $3200

Available Now!

More information is available from Nauticam

About Nauticam:

Nauticam is the world’s leading manufacturer of innovative, ergonomic imaging solutions. Founded in 2009 by Edward Lai, an underwater photographer with two decades of experience making precision injection molds, Nauticam has continued to raise the bar with every new model release. Nauticam’s goal is to provide the absolute best user experience possible. Dealer inquiries are welcome!

Please email for inquiries

Dealer and Distributor Listing: Dealer and Distributor Link.

N100 Port System for Sony A7 II, A9: PDF Link.

Copyright © 2017 Nauticam USA, All rights reserved.

Our mailing address is:
Nauticam USA
2303 N. Andrews Ave.
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33311