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Underwater Bubble Blowers User Group Thread NEW

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Michael,

I have posted a new topic on Epic underwater housings, please reply when you get a chance! Sorry for disturbing the flow of this thread!

MC
 
Costelloe Michael said:
Michael,

I have posted a new topic on Epic underwater housings, please reply when you get a chance! Sorry for disturbing the flow of this thread!

MC
Click to expand...
This is a cross post but I think it he info is relevant to all:

Hey, Michael

I just sent you an email,
Lost track of yours for a few days among the 5000 junk Christmas email flood. We have both PVC and al units on hand that just need final lens controls (we do that at the time of order so we can accommodate the various lenses) the alum needs a couple days for anodizing after controls are put in. We also have a couple slightly used demo units on hand, if you need something immediate. One of them just came back from McGillivray-Freeman's Cocos IMAX shoot and had only been used two or three times before that for our own testing.

Also, AquaVideo substantially downsized a few years ago so sometimes it is easier just to give a phone call - the back and forth to go over options is sometimes easier by phone.
 
Michael Hastings said:
as Far as I know the adapter is made to cover super 16 or 2k you will be expanding it over four times to get 4k and 6 times for 5k
Click to expand...

I think there are two versions of it but the version Im interested in does increase the image circle.

http://www.abelcine.com/store/HDx35-B4/PL-Optical-Adapter/

http://www.zgc.com/webstore.nsf/productsseo/abakus_726.html

There is a 2.5 stop loss in light. However if anything the HJ40 looks as good as it does on 2/3 slightly better than the Abekus but theres very little in it, Im hoping the same is true for the wide lenses too. It would offer an extended zoom range using 2/3 lenses which may be useful for our needs. How detremental the loss of light would be Im unsure as Epic is reasonable sensitive.
 
Dave,
i'm trying to see the point of adapting a Nikon adapter to your cannon mount? Seems like it would be much easier less attach points and wiggle area to just go with a straight Nikon mount on the Epic....The OptiTek works great and full control of G lenses with it.
 
John J Ellerbrock said:
Hi Ron,

You'll need the PE286 for the 11-16. I've not had the Nikkor 17-35 here yet, nor the 16-24, but am expecting the latter soon to make gear rings.

J-
Click to expand...

Hey John, I can send you my 17-35, and my Optitek ProLock mount if you need them for set-up / gearing. On another note, I just ordered a Red Brick / Quickplate setup, however, the Dual battery moduie may be a better option. Will the housing accommodate the dual battery module?

Also, what is going to happen with the power up issue? Any news from RED on this?
 
Michael Hastings said:
Dave:

I deleted my post since I was unaware of the S35 version, I thought there was just the 2K version. But I think Hugh's points are pretty valid. Would like to see some actual test results, but it is hard for me to believe that it will be as good as a lens designed for covering a large sensor like the Nikon 14-24 which is about $1900 and works very well with the $995 optitek nikon mount.

I can see that this makes a lot of sense for topside shooting when extreme telephoto and zoom range is needed, but I question the usefulness for use in the housing. The physical length is a significant issue.
Click to expand...

Hi Michael and Hugh,

I agree there are limitations concerns and size/length. Im not advocating it as a solution or discarding it either. Im just highlighting its availability and wanting to know if its be tried in action and any real world test results. Its main beneifit seems is zoom range.

I have underwater test charts here so hopefully will be able to get some tests shot when we have time.
 
Johnny Friday said:
Dave,
i'm trying to see the point of adapting a Nikon adapter to your cannon mount? Seems like it would be much easier less attach points and wiggle area to just go with a straight Nikon mount on the Epic....The OptiTek works great and full control of G lenses with it.
Click to expand...

The adaptor is B4 to PL and increases the image circle to S35 but unknown if it can cover 5K. Agreed the Optitek mount is very good excepting the small lock screw than seems to fall out. We also use A mount for Nikon manual Iris lenses. which works great.
 
Ron Lagerlof said:
Hey John, I can send you my 17-35, and my Optitek ProLock mount if you need them for set-up / gearing. On another note, I just ordered a Red Brick / Quickplate setup, however, the Dual battery moduie may be a better option. Will the housing accommodate the dual battery module?

Also, what is going to happen with the power up issue? Any news from RED on this?
Click to expand...

Hi Ron,

OK, great, please send it to our address in Poway.

Dual Battery: if you're referring to the REDVOLT module, yes the housing will accomodate. At this juncture the dual and quad module have no power taps on them, so I'm not sure yet how we'll get power for DEEP EPIC. Apparently the PRO I/O will serve this function, but no details are availble on that, either.

But....here's a different option: DEEP EPIC will allow the use of 2x REDBRICKs with the Switronix dual V-Lock adapter (see link below). You will need a 2.5" shell extension to do that also, and easily installed either at the factory or by you. This particular shell extension will be availble in the March timeframe.

http://www.switronix.com/products/b...page=flypage.tpl&product_id=70&category_id=42

As for remote power up, this is only a problem with our 3D system. DEEP EPIC has a power control to access the power / record button on the side of the camera.

Happy New Year!

Ji-
 
By the way,

and without any sarcasm, whatever happened to Pawel Achtel's new revolutionary housing, has it seen the light of day yet?
 
A prototype of the Gates Deep Epic is now in Singapore and we fitted it out for my Epic M with Canon 17-40 last night. After a quick pool test (with and without equipment) I was pleased to see that I still had a working camera :-) We will still need to balance it when we get to open water.

My son and I are heading to Chuuk lagoon tomorrow for a week's filming aboard the Thorfinn. Hopefully we'll be able to send over some field reports and sample images, although the internet connection ain't great over there. Back in Asia on 17th Jan.
 
Yes, I'm testing MTF and CA with Imatest using slanted edge rectangle. Intersting results....

Firstly, the Epic OPLF is significantly stronger than on sensors used in still picture cameras.
When shooting Master Primes in air, I'm getting maximum of corner sharpness of about 0.125 Cy/pixel for MTF20. That's above water. The same lens gives unrecognisable pattern when shooting through a flat port underwater: more than 20 pixels of CA, which results in is less than standard definition and can not be even measured with Imatest, that's how bad it is. My underwater optics gives approximately the same corner sharpness (frequency response Limit) for MTF20 as that of a Master Prime in the air. Only about 1-2 pixel CA. Truly amazing!!! I have never before experienced this sort of quality of underwater pictures before in any format...not even IMAX.

The MTF 50 frequency limit is somewhat lower than that of Master Prime in air due to loss of contrast in water. That's expected.

I'm still processing the results...so stand by.

There is small delay in making the announcement: my patent attorney is still in the process of filing.... Due to holidays I expect 3-4 more weeks for a formal announcement. Please be patient. I'm very excited to share it with everyone and the wait is killing me :)
The manufacturing, however, is full steam ahead....

In the meantime, I encourage every manufacturer and u/w shooter to supply a shot of a simple black rectangle (low contrast ratio 10:1), slanted at about 9 degrees positioned in the corner of the view. See SFR charts and instructions on Imatest. Preferably at 5k at REDCODE 3:1 compression ratio. That way we can objectively compare apples with apples using Imatest...fully automated, no pixel peeping required :)

Attached corner 1:1 crop of Master Prime through flat port (such as in Gates Deep Atom underwater housing), second picture is 1:1 corner crop taken with MP14 mm in air, third picture is corner crop shot with my u/w housing underwater. All shot at f/5.6.

Edit: See similar loss of contrast at MTF50 for flat port as my optics. This is due to water medium. But, the difference in sharpness is more than an order of a magnitude.
 

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Jon Shaw said:
Cool,

John at launch will the Deep Epic fit a single switronix battery with the APU battery plate

http://www.viewfactor.net/index.php/products/epic-acc/fmj-top-x-1.html

Is that extension the one you mentioned to me which may allow a 3rd party capture device also?

Happy New Year BTW,
Click to expand...

Jon -- DEEP EPIC uses the RDCC V-Lock battery mount. If you have a particular battery instead of the REDBRICK (like the Switronix) I'll investigate fit.

Yes, the mentioned extension is also for other stuff like capture devices or remote lens control (e.g. for crane / jib work).

J-

Pardon the poor iPhone photo.


IMG_0197.jpg
 
Paul Russell said:
A prototype of the Gates Deep Epic is now in Singapore and we fitted it out for my Epic M with Canon 17-40 last night. After a quick pool test (with and without equipment) I was pleased to see that I still had a working camera :-) .
Click to expand...

John J Ellerbrock said:
As if there was any doubt? ;)
Click to expand...

Well, I guess no one has seen any pictures, so there was an element of uncertainty there..:ihih:

John, Does anybody do any picture quality tests with those housings or water leak tests is as far as you would push it? LOL
 
John J Ellerbrock said:
As if there was any doubt? ;)
Click to expand...

Nonetheless, there was a certain amount of pucker factor when I put my brand new Epic M into the pool :-) And I've also taken the precaution of insuring everything for All Risks just in case.

We're on our way now. We should be in the water within the next 30 hours. Very much looking forward to this. Thanks for working so hard to make it possible.
 
Pawel Achtel said:
Yes, I'm testing MTF and CA with Imatest using slanted edge rectangle. Intersting results....

Firstly, the Epic OPLF is significantly stronger than on sensors used in still picture cameras.
When shooting Master Primes in air, I'm getting maximum of corner sharpness of about 0.125 Cy/pixel for MTF20. That's above water. The same lens gives unrecognisable pattern when shooting through a flat port underwater: more than 20 pixels of CA, which results in is less than standard definition and can not be even measured with Imatest, that's how bad it is. My underwater optics gives approximately the same corner sharpness (frequency response Limit) for MTF20 as that of a Master Prime in the air. Only about 1-2 pixel CA. Truly amazing!!! I have never before experienced this sort of quality of underwater pictures before in any format...not even IMAX.

The MTF 50 frequency limit is somewhat lower than that of Master Prime in air due to loss of contrast in water. That's expected.

I'm still processing the results...so stand by.

There is small delay in making the announcement: my patent attorney is still in the process of filing.... Due to holidays I expect 3-4 more weeks for a formal announcement. Please be patient. I'm very excited to share it with everyone and the wait is killing me :)
The manufacturing, however, is full steam ahead....

In the meantime, I encourage every manufacturer and u/w shooter to supply a shot of a simple black rectangle (low contrast ratio 10:1), slanted at about 9 degrees positioned in the corner of the view. See SFR charts and instructions on Imatest. Preferably at 5k at REDCODE 3:1 compression ratio. That way we can objectively compare apples with apples using Imatest...fully automated, no pixel peeping required :)

Attached corner 1:1 crop of Master Prime through flat port (such as in Gates Deep Atom underwater housing), second picture is 1:1 corner crop taken with MP14 mm in air, third picture is corner crop shot with my u/w housing underwater. All shot at f/5.6.

Edit: See similar loss of contrast at MTF50 for flat port as my optics. This is due to water medium. But, the difference in sharpness is more than an order of a magnitude.
Click to expand...

Pawel, why no comparison shots with normal 6 and 8" dome port?

Is that a usa patent too, or just an aussie? ;-)
 
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