Nauticam NA-D850 Underwater DSLR Housing for Nikon D850

The Nauticam NA-D850 Underwater Housing

Innovation, ergonomics, and reliability are the hallmarks of the Nauticam brand. Every new housing design is carefully crafted based on feedback from Nauticam users around the globe. Feedback gained from the knowledge and experience of Nauticam owners results in every new housing design being better than the last.

Key camera controls are placed within an easy reach from the ergonomic, rubberized handles.  An incredible amount of design resources go into crafting this layout, but that effort pays off with unmatched ease of use. Controls on the housing are placed exactly where they should be for easiest access in water, regardless of the camera layout.

External Flash Triggering

The NA-D850 uses the same integrated LED flash triggering system found in NA-D5 and NA-D500.  This low profile housing mounted circuit board is convenient, easy to use, and reliable.

This optical flash trigger can fire at the full 7 fps of the camera, making it the ideal solution for the rapid fire fast action shooting that the D850 is so well suited for. Optical systems, with fiber optic cables linking the external flashes to the housing, are far more reliable than any electrical sync cable system.  There are no connections to flood, or fragile wires to break, and nearly every popular underwater strobe supports optical triggering.

The LED trigger circuitboard is mounted directly to the front of 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, we expect 3-5 years of service, 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

Unmatched Ergonomics

The right grip is mission control for the D850 camera, accessing many of the frequently used camera functions.  Oversized levers are identifiable by feel, allowing tactile operation while framing with the optical viewfinder. The most frequently accessed fingertip controls (Shutter Release, Main Command Dial, and Sub Command Dial, Video Record, and AF-ON) are located here. ISO, the primary exposure control used by DSLR video shooters, is accessed by a convenient thumb lever under the right grip. INFO, useful for calling up the camera settings on the 3.2" rear color LCD, is placed at the right thumb.

The new AF-Mode Lever is a significant improvement, and one based on feedback from Nauticam customers in the field.  Nikon AF Area modes have become so powerful that shooters are regularly switching between 3D Tracking, Auto Area AF, and Single Area modes.  The AF-Mode lever is now easily located by feel from the left handle.  A separate AF-M lever is positioned above this lever, and identifiable by feel.

A double thumb lever accesses playback and the assignable Fn2 Button.

Extensive Customization for a Tailored Ergonomic Experience

The Nikon D850 camera in a Nauticam NA-D850 housing offers four assignable pushbuttons (AF-ON, Fn1, Fn2, and Pv) that can all be accessed from the housing handles.

These custom functions can be overwhelming at first, but the creative options they unlock can be incredibly valuable in the field.  In short, these assignable buttons mean less time digging through camera menus to change camera functions, and more time capturing the scene as it unfolds.  There isn't a right way configure these systems.  Every photographer and shooting scenario has unique demands.  Some ideas are listed below:

• 1 Step Spd / Aperture, allows changing exposure settings in full f-stop increments.  Think about changing from a wide angle scenic mode with relatively open aperture and slow shutter speed to a close focus wide angle shot that requires a closed aperture to shrink a sun-ball.
• My Menu, a customized panel with frequently accessed menus settings
• Access Top Item in MY MENU, actually jumps into a frequently accessed sub menu structure for the top level My Menu selection, saving at least two button presses.  (ie min shutter speed in auto iso mode, or quickly define a preset white balance)
• Quickly access another metering mode, toggling between the selected metering pattern and an alternate that more appropriately evaluates the current scene.
• Flash disable / enable, this is a big one!  Toggles external flashes on and off, allowing a switch between artificial light shooting (continuous shooting speed limited by flash recycle, and shutter speed limited by the strobe max sync speed at 1/250) to silhouette mode using only ambient light (full 7 fps continuous shooting speed, unrestricted flash sync speed).
• AF-area mode + AF-ON – very cool functionality, for a quick way of accessing a focus mode other than the mode currently assigned and activating it while held down.  Placed at the right ring finger via the re-positioned PV lever, the current focus mode be overridden with something like auto area focus for quick grab shots where there isn't time to move the selected autofocus point, or change focus area patterns.

Patented Port Locking System

Unveiled on the very first Nauticam DSLR housing in 2009, this locking lever has become a signature of the Nauticam brand.  No twisting or threading action is required to mount a port, and even the largest dome locks securely in place with this lever.  Nauticam also offers locking port extension rings, meaning a dome will never twist.

Housing Locking Latches

The industry's easiest to use housing closure system, requiring very little hand strength to close, secures the housing back in place. The latches are safely locked, but easy to open for a quick battery or memory card change.

Multi Controller Pad

Located within easy reach of the right thumb, virtually recreates the Nikon D850 multi selector allowing full multidirectional use of this powerful too. No other manufacturer has it, and with 55 user selectable focus points to choose from, photographers need it.

Integrated Vacuum Monitoring and Leak Detection

Circuitry included as standard equipment provides constant monitoring of water tight integrity when combined with an optional Nauticam M16 Vacuum Valve II (PN 25625).

Vacuum Reset Button in Port Mount

A simple vacuum reset pushbutton placed in the port mount allows the vacuum system to be calibrated and initialized from the housing front.  Ideal for quick lens swaps!

Stainless Steel Handle Brackets

Stiffening handle brackets are included with the housing.  These brackets eliminate any flex or wobble when using big strobes, and provide multiple attachment points for lanyards, a hand strap, and other accessories.

Ergonomic Rubberized Grips

Another legendary Nauticam feature, these rubberized grips have been used every Nauticam DSLR housing release.  Their ergonomic shape and soft rubberized coating prevents hand fatigue, even on long dives.

Clear Control Labeling

All camera controls are clearly labeled, allowing easy identification.

Integrated Vacuum Check and Leak Detection System

The Nauticam vacuum check and leak detection system is shipped with NA-D850 as standard equipment.  Combined with an accessory vacuum valve (PN 25625), 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.

Ease of Use

No system is easier to assemble or break down.  The camera drops into the housing with a quick release camera tray.  The camera tray has an extending bracket that allows the AF-M selector to be easily positioned to match the camera.  No controls need to be preset, as housing functions for dials and switches align automatically (on/off, af-m, still photo/video).   The large 120mm housing port opening allows even the largest popular pro Nikon wide angle lens (14-24 /2.8G) to be used, and the camera can even be mounted in the housing with this large lens attached.

Viewfinders

The standard optical glass viewfinder is very good and travel friendly, but many photographers prefer the ease of a magnified viewfinder with adjustable diopter. Nauticam produces a “straight” 180º enlarging viewfinder and a 45º angled enlarging 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 less than 30 seconds without using tools. Exceptional composition and focus accuracy have never been more accessible.

Premium Professional Optics

Experienced shooters know a camera is only as good as the lens in front of it, and the same is true when choosing optics for an underwater camera system.  Four optically coated glass dome ports (250mm, 230mm, 180mm, and 140mm diameters) and a series of acrylic ports support popular lenses from Nikon, Sigma, and Tokina. Port configurations are extensively tested at Nauticam to determine the ideal extension ring length for best performance.

For macro and super macro shooting, the Nauticam Super Macro Converter is a revolutionary accessory. This is an entirely in house design, optimized for use in water.  The water contact correction offers the highest overall sharpness, free from chromatic aberration and purple fringing, with reproduction ratios exceeding 2:1 when used with a Nikon AF-S 105mm /2.8 VR Lens.

Build Quality

Nauticam build quality is simply unmatched, using cutting edge product design and modern, innovative manufacturing techniques that result in service-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.

Recommended Accessories

Magnifying Viewfinders

• 180º Enhancing Viewfinder (32201)
• 45º Enhancing Viewfinder (32203)

Optical and Electrical TTL Converter

• TTL Converter for NA-D5, D850 and D500 (26308)
• M14 Nikonos 5-pin Bulkhead II with Red Micro-Match Connector (26074)
• M14 Ikelite Style Bulkhead II with Red Micro-Match Connector (26075)

Other Accessories

• Patent Pending Super Macro Converter (81201), providing 2.3:1 reproduction ration with the popular AF-S 105mm /2.8G VR Macro Lens
• SMC-2 for Extreme Super Macro (81202), greater than 4:1 reproduction with AF-S 105mm /2.8G VR Macro Lens
• M16 Vacuum Valve (25625)
• Complete line of flat and dome ports for all major lenses, available in acrylic and glass
• Locking port extension rings from 10mm to 90mm
• Monitor/Recorder Housings for Atomos Ninja2 (17902), Shogun (17904), and Inferno (17909)
• Monitor Housing for SmallHD 502 Monitor (17906)
• Large Diameter Multi Core Fiber Optic Cable (26216)
• Full line of mounting accessories for lighting, including mount balls, strobe adapters, arms, clamps, and specialty items
• Multiple styles of lanyards
• Lens holders, including flip-up
• Focus and Zoom gears for many Nikon, Tokina, and Sigma lenses
• Port Adapters for Aquatica, Hugyfot, Ikelite, Inon, Nexus M5 & M6, Sea & Sea NX, Seacam, Subal Version 3 & 4, and Zillion
• Handle accessories including smaller handles, handle extensions for cold water diving
• HDMI (D-C) cable in 240mm length (for connection from HDMI bulkhead to camera) (25042)
• Spare Housing O-Ring (90121)

Details and Specifications

• Depth Rating:  100m
• Weight: 3.07 kg
• Dimensions: 360mm x 195mm x 135mm (W x H x D)