Nauticam Housing for Blackmagic Cinema Camera

Blackmagic Cinema and Production 4k Underwater Housing Announced

By UWPG News, December 3, 2013

Nauticam has announced the release of their new housing for the Blackmagic Cinema and Production 4k cameras. Both cameras deliver stunning raw video capture for serious videographers at very affordable pricepoints. Now these cameras can be used underwater, supported by Nauticam's ergonomic housing design, port options and more.

Press Release:

NA-BMCC Housing for Blackmagic Cinema and Production 4K Cameras

Nauticam is proud to announce the release and immediate availability of NA-BMCC, the latest in its acclaimed line of precision crafted underwater camera housings.  NA-BMCC is the second release in the Nauticam Digital Cinema System, providing innovative ergonomic and reliable tools for video professionals worldwide.  The Blackmagic Cinema Camera 2.5K Raw video recorder is aggressively priced at $1995, and the upcoming Blackmagic Production 4K Camera is priced at $3995. Both deliver high resolution raw video capture at unprecedented price points.

Nauticam is the international leader in innovative housing technology, and the new housing for the Blackmagic Cinema and Production 4K Cameras capitalizes on that experience. Features include ergonomically placed touch screen controls, internal accessory power pack, a quick release camera mount that can be used with Wooden Camera (TM) and ARRI (TM) style dovetails for easy topside shot setup, and a new integrated electronic vacuum check system.

Supporting the 2.5K Blackmagic Cinema Camera and upcoming Blackmagic Production Camera 4K, NA-BMCC provides the underwater videographer with two excellent image capture options that pop into the same housing.  Blackmagic Cinema Camera is the tool of choice for high dynamic range and low light work, and Production Camera for high resolution.

The NA-BMCC provides the most affordable "better than HD" 2.5K raw video capture, and the most affordable 4K Ultra HD video available at this time.  The system is 1/4 the size of competing professional video rigs, and can provide extended run and record times required for documenting the ocean's unexplored frontiers.  NA-BMCC is the most innovative, best engineered, and most ergonomic camera housing available for the Blackmagic underwater cinematographer.

NA-BMCC Video on Vimeo

The NA-BMCC Housing

Nauticam pioneered numerous engineering breakthroughs in previous housings that now come standard on the NA-BMCC.   The ergonomic, soft touch, over molded rubber grips that Nauticam has become famous for, provide a firm base for steady shooting, and they are angled forward 15 degrees providing a more natural grip for video shooting.  Controls for record, iris open (skip forward), iris close (skip back), playback, and stop are brought out to the grips with easy to access levers.  Oversized control dials for mechanical zoom and focus are placed underneath the left handle for fingertip control.  The "focus" and "iris" commands are conveniently placed for thumb access at each handle. 

Touch screen controls provide menu access to key camera and exposure settings, and retract out of the way to avoid obscuring the camera's large 5" LCD.  All exposure related settings are available with this touch screen system, and the mechanical controls don't interfere with viewing the large 5" LCD monitor.

Nauticam's Digital Cinema Gear System provides access to manual zoom and focus with several popular Canon EF Mount zoom lenses. The complete line of Nauticam DSLR gears is also supported by this housing. A lever to disengage the gear drive is included to ease camera installation in the housing.

An optional accessory power pack mounts on top of the camera and accepts four protected 18650 lithium ion batteries.  The power pack provides up to 3 1/2 hours total run time.  Mounting to the camera, not the housing, allows this accessory to be used for extended topside shooting as well as underwater!  HDMI monitoring is supported via a bracket for the Atomos Connect HD-SDI to HDMI converter feeding either SmallHD DP4 or Atomos Ninja monitors in external Nauticam housings.  An accessory LCD Shade allows the camera's 5" LCD monitor to be used in bright light.

New! Integrated Electronic Vacuum Check and Leak Detection System

Peace of mind before, during, and after the dive.  Nauticam's new integrated electronic vacuum and leak detection monitoring system is included with NA-BMCC as standard equipment. When used with an accessory or third party vacuum valve, the operator can instantly see the vacuum/watertight status of the housing. A simple green led confirms that a vacuum is present, and the housing is water tight.  Leak detection is built into the same circuit, so if there is water intrusion, an audible and visual indication will occur.

Accessory Expansion

Two 16mm threaded accessory holes are available for customizing the system's capability for professional needs.  Applications include HD-SDI out for director monitoring, HDMI out to external operator monitors, audio in from communications gear or hydrophone, and external LANC controls.

The patented Locking Latch System is used to close and securely lock the housing. These recessed latches are equipped with safety locks, reduce bulk and require minimal physical effort to engage and release. Port changes have never been simpler than utilizing the Patented Nauticam Locking Port Release. No wrestling, no twisting, no misalignment - just seat and lock.  Lens changes are also easily accomplished without removing the camera from the housing using the lens release button logically accessed on the housing front.

Multiple accessory mounting positions.  Two handle mounts, two threaded mounts on the top corners of the housings, an accessory cold shoe, and an integrated top cheese plate provide multiple mounting locations for accessories.

Key NA-BMCC Features:

• Rugged housing body milled from solid aluminum
  • 100m depth rating and built to last

• Patented port locking lever
  • Easy and safe port mounting, solidly locks port in place

• Knobby command dials
  • Can be operated even with thick gloves on

• Patented housing locking latches
  • Secure but easy to use

• Rubberized handle grips
  • Comfortable and placed for optimum access to controls

• Lens release button
  • Easy changeout of lenses without removing camera from housing

• Drop in camera tray
  • No need to preset controls, just drop in and it is ready to go

• 2 accessory ports
  • For optional HDMI, HD SDI, and remote control

• Laser cut stainless steel handle brackets
  • For extra stability when using heavy lighting. Now even lighter weight!

• Light mounting balls
  • 2 handle mounted balls standard, mounting balls for housing optional

• Tripod mounting points
  • Important for macro video shooters

• Control labeling
  • Easy to find and understand control functions

• Integrated Electronic Vacuum/Leak Detection System
  • Status of the watertight security of the housing at a glance

Lens Support

The quality of an image is only as good as the glass it was captured with, and Nauticam firmly believes that every lens that makes sense to be used underwater should be supported.  Lenses like the Tokina 10-17mm and the Canon EF-S 60mm are true workhorses in the Canon mount underwater domain. Nauticam's lineup of ports, together with Zen Underwater dome ports is the most complete and extensive in the industry. Nauticam provides the industry’s only locking extension rings in every size potentially required, thus preventing port slippage when using extension rings. Nauticam additionally offers a full range of port adapters allowing existing housing owners to use their current ports, reducing the cost of switching to a Nauticam housing. Port Adapters are available for Aquatica, Ikelite, Inon, Nexus M5 & M6, Sea & Sea NX, Seacam, Subal Version 3 & 4, and Zillion lens ports.

High end video production requires precise focus control, even with zoom lenses.  The Digital Cinema Gear Series provides control of both focus and zoom with a select series of lenses that are useful to the underwater cinematographer, and accessed conveniently at the left handle.

Examples of Lenses with Focus/Zoom Support:

• Canon EF 8-15mm /4L
• Canon EF-S 10-22mm /3.5-4.5
• Canon EF 16-35mm /2.8LII
• Canon EF 24-105mm /4L
• Sigma 8-16mm f/4.5-5.6 DC HSM
• Tokina AF 10-17mm f/3.5-4.5 AT-X 107 DX
• Tokina 11-16mm f/2.8 AT-X  Pro DX II
• Examples of Lenses with Focus Support:
• Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro USM
• Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM
• Canon EF 24mm f/1.4L II USM
• Canon EF 15mm f/2.8 Fisheye
• Sigma 15mm f/2.8 EX DG Diagonal Fisheye
• and more....

Accessories

Nauticam’s NA-DP4 housing for the Small HD DP4 Monitor can take video performance to another level by rendering the video image in a position more amenable to the shooter. The monitor housing easily mounts to the top of the NA-BMCC and utilizes the optional HDMI Bulkhead for true HDMI connectivity. Utilizing DP4 features like Focus Peaking, Focus Assist, False Color, 1:1 Mapping and more, this larger monitor vastly improves composition, focus capability and exposure.

Optional accessories available for the NA-BMCC:

• Accessory Power Pack
• HD-SDI to HDMI Converter Bracket
• Monitor Shade
• Complete line of ports for all major lenses
• Locking port extension rings from 10mm to 70mm
• Monitor Housing for SmallHD DP4 Monitor and Atomos Ninja-2 Recorder/Monitor
• Multiple styles of lanyards
• Macro Lens holders, including flip-up
• Focus and Zoom gears for many Canon, Tokina, and Sigma lenses
• Port Adapters for Aquatica, 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
• Vacuum Check Valves
• The Bottom Line
• NA-BMCC, combined with a Blackmagic Cinema or Production Camera, delivers high resolution, high dynamic range, raw video capture at a price point that every film maker can afford.

Compatibility

Blackmagic Cinema Camera EF
Blackmagic Cinema Camera MFT (camera support for MFT lenses is limited)
Blackmagic Production Camera 4K

Specifications

Depth Rating:  100m
Weight: 4.15kg
Dimensions (with handles mounted): 390mm x 190mm x180mm
 

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Visit Bluewater Photo for pricing and other info on the Nauticam Blackmagic Housing

Further Reading

• Introducing the Nauticam Super Macro Converter

• Nauticam Vacuum Check & Leak Detection System

• The Secrets of Shooting Amazing Patterns

Where to Buy

Please support the Underwater Photography Guide by purchasing your underwater photography gear through our sister site, Bluewater Photo & Video. Click, or call them at (310) 633-5052 for expert advice!