Nauticam has announced its housing for the fourth iteration of Sony’s “entry-level” a7-series camera—the a7 IV. Built around a new 33MP BSI-CMOS sensor and the latest Bionz XR processing engine, the Mark IV accomplishes continuous shooting up to 10fps with AF/AE tracking and captures UHD 4K/30p 10-bit 4:2:2 from the full sensor width. It also boasts a fully articulating touchscreen and a 3.69M-dot viewfinder.
Built around the N100 port system (like Nauticam’s other Alpha-series housings), the NA-A7IV comes with the features you’d expect from a Nauticam housing: aluminum build with integrated handles, ergonomic control placement (including a right-hand dual thumb lever for REC and AF-ON, and a left-hand single lever for PLAYBACK), and a built-in vacuum check and leak detection system.
As you’d expect, the housing offers a large-bore M24 bulkhead supporting HDMI 2.0, which allows you to connect an Atomos Ninja V and record 4K/60p 10-bit 4:2:2. Strobe triggering via fiber-optic cables requires the addition of the optional Mini Flash Trigger, while electrical strobe triggering is also possible with an optional Nikonos bulkhead.
The NA-A7IV is shipping now from retailers such as Backscatter and costs $4,127.
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THE SONY Α7 IV FULL-FRAME MIRRORLESS CAMERA
The Sony α7 line of full-frame mirrorless cameras has long been at the forefront of offering a variety of models with similar form factor that are geared towards different shooting styles. With the α7 RIII and RIV, the focus was on low-light video-centric and ultra high resolution respectively while the α7IV marries the two to create a true hybrid shooting platform. The Exmor R backside-illuminated 33MP full-frame sensor delivers high resolution still photos while leveraging the large sensor size to provide ultra-sharp and color-rich video downsampled from the full 7K sensor width.
The α7IV's improved autofocus system borrows heavily from Sony's other α series releases of late using their Fast Hybrid AF system which combines phase-detection and contrast-detection to provide fast and accurate focus. The AF area is expanded to cover almost 94% of the frame with 759 AF-points. Sony's latest Real Time Tracking and Eye AF modes promise to provide both accurate focus tracking for stills and video. A new Focus Map feature allows for easier visualization of depth of field when filming. to help insure the critical parts of your subject are sharp.
4K 60p video captured with 10-bit 4:2:2 quality at up yo 600Mbps without crop sets the α7IV squarely with its peers in video capabilities. Adding in the option to capture 30p downsampled from the full 7K sensor width gives the user the option to choose the right mode for their shooting style. Capturing video in the S-Log3 gamma profile gives access to the camera's full 15+ stops of dynamic range for increased latitude in post processing.
In addition to upgrading the autofocus, video and still capture capabilities of the camera, the α7IV also now has the option to maintain discrete settings for video and still modes. The dedicated dial atop the camera makes switching between modes hassle free. The menu system has also been upgraded to make navigation easier and more similar to other recent models.
THE NAUTICAM NA-A7IV UNDERWATER HOUSING
The NA-A7IV is designed as an optimized solution for both underwater still and moving image capture. Outfitted with Nauticam's extensive lineup of accessories, the NA-A7IV can be customized to excel in either role. The latest in a long lineup of Sony mirrorless system housings, the NA-A7IV features the same intuitively placed controls, easy setup, and rugged reliability user's have come to expect.
Never miss a shot looking for a button or dial. Regardless of where the control may be found on the camera, Nauticam engineers have placed that control on the housing where it is needed most. Essential dials and buttons are within easy reach of the reinforced ergonomic handles. Atop the housing, a new dedicated lever allows quick switching between Still, Movie and S&Q (VFR Video) modes. A dual thumb lever near the right handle actuates the REC and AF-ON buttons and a single lever near the left handle is for PLAYBACK.
A large bore M24 bulkhead is located at the front of the housing for use with HDMI 2.0 or HDMI 1.4 (with a step-down adapter to M16) external monitors and recorders. An additional M10 threaded mounting position near the front center of the housing also makes using an external monitor even easier. The A7IV can output 4:2:2 10-bit 4K at up to 60fps to external recorders allowing for recording in edit-friendly codecs such as ProRes. See the resources sidebar for additional details and recommended setups.
Built around the N100 Port System for Sony E-Mount, the NA-A7IV can support a wide variety of native lenses with a selection of Optical Glass and Acrylic ports. When used with an E-Mount to EF-mount lens adapter and an N100 to N120 adapter (see Resources sidebar for supported adapters), the NA-A7IV can be used with the Canon N120 EF-Mount port system, expanding the capabilities of the system even further. Going beyond conventional optics the NA-A7IV can leverage the unparalleled optical quality of Nauticam's Water Contact optics such as the WACP-1 which offers up to 130º field-of-view, full zoom through, an almost 0" minimum focus distance with supported lenses. For macro, the SMC-1 and SMC-2 deliver tack-sharp super-macro magnification levels up to 4x with the Sony 90mm macro lens.
Vaccum Check and Leak Detection
The housing comes with electronics pre-installed for Nauticam's Vacuum Check and Leak Detection system, requiring only the optional M14 Vacuum Valve (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.
Triggering of external strobes is accomplished via the integrated fiber-optic bulkheads when using the optional Mini Flash Trigger for Sony (26302). Electronic triggering is also via an optional Nikonos Bulkhead. Note that when using this with the Vacuum Valve will require the optional M14 Offset Connector with Vacuum Valve II (25026).
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 it locks securely in place with this lever. Nauticam also offers locking port extensions, meaning a dome will never twist, even when used with a long extension ring.
Nauticam engineers pride themselves on giving the underwater image-maker unparalleled access to the essential exposure controls from within easy reach of their housing's handles, making the ergonomic handles of the housing their Mission Control.
The industry's easiest to use housing closure system, requiring very little hand strength to operate, secures the housing back in place. The latches are safely locked to prevent accidental opening, but are easy to open when needed for a quick battery or memory card change.
The NA-A7IV features an M24 bulkhead that supports both HDMI 2.0 and 1.4 output to an external monitor or recorder such as the Atomos Ninja V, Shinobi or SmallHD 503.
What's In The Box
Required accessories for HDMI 2.0 Cable System
Required accessories for HDMI 1.4 Cable System
*25033 included in 502B-H/Shinobi-H/503-H monitor housing
Dimensions: 340mm(W)x 170mm(H) x 125mm(D) Weight in air: 2.7kg Weight in water: 0.3kg incl. camera and battery Depth Rating: 100m Compatible Cameras: Sony α7IV
Model Number: 17432 USA Retail Price: $4,127
More information is available from Nauticam at: www.nauticam.com