Underwater Bubble Blowers User Group Thread NEW

[Tom Hamilton]

Does this sale include free accommodation and diving in Bali? :cheers2:

 

[Mark_Thorpe]

I wish it did mate. Sadly we're not in Mola Mola season here and the fishermen are systematically emptying the Manta populations for the gill raker craze from the Chinese buyers. Sad to see these and sharks, of all sizes, species and sexes lined up on the fish market beaches each day. It's not illegal here but still doesn't make it easy on the eyes or heart strings.

Cheers,
Mark.

 

[Pawel Achtel]

Some interesting results measuring performance of flat port.

Today we have done some measurements of perfectly aligned and precisely focused 14mm Master Prime lens placed behind a flat port with some interesting results.

It was no surprise that it performed very poorly at the edges, resolving less than 16% of the theoretical resolving limit of the sensor at the far edge (point 4 - the last two pictures).

But, what was interesting was that the system perfomed very poorly at much lower angles. In fact the resolution more than halved at less than half that angle of view. This means that even with a land lens covering 40 degrees diagonally, there is absolutely no useful signal left at the half resolving power of the sensor. Or, in other words, there is no hope for sharp 2k downsample shot with 40 degree (about 40mm focal length) or wider land lens behind a flat port.

So, what worked (60 degree land lens) behind a flat port in standard definition, seems to be much more limited when shooting for a 4k output.

It seems that the limit of a lens placed behind a flat port when shooting for 4k output would be about 20 degrees diagonally (about 80mm focal length). I didn't expect that.

The results are attached. Happy to explain the graphs and numbers or post the native resolution frame. I also shot "humanly readable" old-school ARRI zone charts for the visual folk.

Note: the angles of view above are before the 25% magnification effect caused by flat port.
Note 2: The correction of geometric distortions would further degrade the MTF figures.

 

[Tom Hamilton]

I wish it did mate. Sadly we're not in Mola Mola season here and the fishermen are systematically emptying the Manta populations for the gill raker craze from the Chinese buyers. Sad to see these and sharks, of all sizes, species and sexes lined up on the fish market beaches each day. It's not illegal here but still doesn't make it easy on the eyes or heart strings.

Cheers,
Mark.

I was kidding Mark, the last thing you need are visitors and a newborn, recipe for total domestic confusion. Take care of yer little one, most precious thing that ever happened to me, new life bursting forth, wide-eyed, beautiful innocence, the meaning of the universe, in it's truest and most profound sense.

Spent the better part of twelve years living in the Far East, mostly Japan, but also did a four-year stint in Taiwan. If I didn't know Osaka so well, I'd swear Ridley Scott shot most of Blade Runner in the slums of Taipei.

Stinking snake markets, Napoleon Wrasse lips, Whale Shark entrails, Hammerhead fins and eyes, the list is a long and gruesome one. Doesn't seem to matter, add soy sauce, sugar and chili paste to pencil erasers, it will all taste the same. As long as it's 'lucky', 'fortunate', or 'propitious', our Chinese friends will eat it. And with several billion of them, and growing, I don't have high hopes for the oceans.

I fervently hope to be proven wrong at some point.

 

[Joe Bendahan]

At this moment we do not have the full detailed specifications available, but the housing fully loaded with camera and battery will weigh in less than the Gates. As for the battery it will accepts all RED compatible V-Mount batteries (RED Brick, Switronix XP-L95RED etc)

Regards

Joe Bendahan
Sales & Markeitng GUY
Amphibico.

 

[Rudi Herbert]

I don't see why Gates should be "on notice", in fact, for many years the one aspect on which Gates banked heavily on was exactly that, manual controls that would never fail, loose power or become glitchy. As a previous owner of Light & Motion and two (yes, two) Amphibicam housings for the Sony F-900, I can tell you that those failures DO occur, rendering your hundreds of thousands of $$$ gear worthless in the middle of a dive. I am certain fully electronic controls have come a long way and those mishaps would be rare, but just as there is an undeniable allure for a system that can access every camera function at the flick of a button on your fingertips, there is also a a peace of mind that comes from the simplicity of push buttons, rods and actuators. This is the only system I would EVER use, which is not to say that the Amphibico sure looks interesting, that many a rental house will probably prefer it over other systems, and that is good to have Amphibico back in the game.

 

[Tom Hamilton]

Rudi, just a friendly poke in the ribs to John E. Gates' products are the benchmark, that's common knowledge.

We'll see how Amphibico measures up when the housing is out in the wild being put through its paces, I am very encouraged they are owned by Aquatica now.

 

[Mauricio Handler]

Just a quick announcement on the pricing of the New Amphibico ROUGUE- Red Epic and Scarlet housing-
Housing price without ports and without your Battery V Plate (specific to your V batteries) is $12,999

Best- Mauricio

 

[Mauricio Handler]

Rouge Dimensions:

LENGTH: 14.75" (37.5cm)
HEIGHT: 9.75" (24.8cm)
WIDTH: 14" (35.5cm)

More details to follow...

 

[Rudi Herbert]

Just a quick announcement on the pricing of the New Amphibico ROUGUE- Red Epic and Scarlet housing-
Housing price without ports and without your Battery V Plate (specific to your V batteries) is $12,999

Best- Mauricio

That is VERY aggressive.

 

[Tom Hamilton]

LENGTH: 14.75" (37.5cm)
HEIGHT: 9.75" (24.8cm)
WIDTH: 14" (35.5cm)

It's also an extremely compact housing.

 

[Joe Bendahan]

Hi Rudi,

The ROUGE housing will have a redundant mechanical backup for power, record 2 assignable keys, and gearing for either zoom, focus or iris.

Joe Bendahan
Sales & Marketing GUY
Amphibico

 

[Pawel Achtel]

LENGTH: 14.75" (37.5cm)
HEIGHT: 9.75" (24.8cm)
WIDTH: 14" (35.5cm)

It's also an extremely compact housing.

How is it "extremely compact"?

................Rouge......................DeepX
LENGTH: 14.75" (37.5cm)........36.0cm
HEIGHT: 9.75" (24.8cm)..........17.6cm
WIDTH: 14" (35.5cm)..............18.2cm

It is similar size as our 3Deep housing that accomodates two Epics, two batteries and either two monitors or one 3D monitor.

I'm more interested in the optical performance.

Joe, can you tall us if Rouge can resolve at least standard definition quality across the entire Epic sensor and, if so, at what angles and apertures?

 

[Tom Hamilton]

How is it "extremely compact"?

Pawel,

I don't have the dimensions of your Deep X housing handy, can you provide a quick comparison?

Thanks

 

[Dave Blackham]

Tom- you got ahead of me!

Here is the official press release from Amphibico.
There will be many questions regarding this new housing. One thing is for sure, it will definitely
expand the the current lineup and allow us to use many more features at our finger tips.
The RedMote will no be used to control features in the housing so this opens up the read window for monitor, etc.

For the past 6 months I have been giving my input to the design team over at Amphibico to help design a very user friendly system
with new innovations not seen in other housings...

I want to clarify that I am a Technical Field Advisor to Aquatica the parent company of Amphibico - I am also a long time dealer for both
Aquatica and Amphibico.

I welcome any and all questions and comments regarding this new kid on the block and of course will be happy to take orders in due course.

I am eagerly anticipating the first unit for testing.

Below is the written portion of press release below:

PRESS RELEASE JULY 13, 2012
This ground breaking project has been the most ambitious project that Amphibico has undertaken in the past 10
years. We are proud to announce and present the new Rouge underwater housing for the RED Scarlet X and Epic cinema
cameras.
Amphibico’s development team has excelled to a new level, by using dual electronic Amphibi-grips® and menu
control panel. This will allow the user access to all the important key controls of the camera keeping in mind total ergonomics
and underwater balance. Most of those who are familiar with Amphibico’s products will know that the housing construction
quality and reliability is still the highest you could find in the industry. That is why Amphibico once again, is leading the way of
technology and performance with underwater imaging.

Housing Key Features:

 Designed for professional underwater use

 Practically no tools required to mount camera in housing makes for a quick topside ready camera in minutes.

 Full electronic control of the camera, with a state of the art control system, 14 Electronic push button controls on dual
Amphibi-grips® and a menu panel provides; -Direct access to operational camera functions such as Record, White
Balance, Shutter Speed, ISO & Aperture at finger tip access.

 Easy access to camera navigation functions such as Menu, Up, Down, Right, Left & Select to change camera's
parameters.

 Access to various user define functions, to execute a number of the camera's user keys & function keys.

 "REDMOTE NOT REQUIRED" All controls are on the grips

 Servo driven proportional Manual Focus wheel

 Servo driven proportional Manual Zoom wheel

 Servo driven Manual Iris wheel

 Power On/Off

 Rear view & top view window to use with the RED TOUCH 5.0" LCD display

 Sensitive Hydrophone

 Water sensor alarm

 Stream lined positioned Tally light provided to inform your talent diver when camera is recording

 Bayonet Mounted Port System

 4 auxiliary ports, supporting bulkhead connectors such as HDMI & HD-SDI outputs

 Optional External monitor ready

 Accessory mounting holes of various standard sizes underneath housing.

 Housing will accept the most popular lenses from Nikon, Canon as well as cinema PL mount lenses

 Perfectly balanced

 Most compact available in the industry

Price TBA but expect a very competitive pricing scheme.

Its a welcome addition to the housings on offer for Epic but it looks as though it needs a monitor option where the cameraman can place it properly in his line of vision.

 

[Pawel Achtel]

Pawel,

I don't have the dimensions of your Deep X housing handy, can you provide a quick comparison?

Thanks

I have. You just need to read my post to the end

 

[Tom Hamilton]

I have. You just need to read my post to the end

I meant your 2D housing Pawel, the one you shot with Bob Cranston last month at Catalina.

Its a welcome addition to the housings on offer for Epic but it looks as though it needs a monitor option where the cameraman can place it properly in his line of vision.

Dave, I spoke to Joe earlier with the very same concern, he assured me the external monitor solution is being offered as an option.

 

[Pawel Achtel]

I meant your 2D housing Pawel, the one you shot with Bob Cranston last month at Catalina..

Yes, DeepX. Maybe put your glasses on and read my post CAREFULLY. As in, all of it.
DeepX is much smaller than the Rouge and I have given the size comparison.

 

[Tom Hamilton]

Shit!

Sorry Pawel, I think I do need glasses now, this getting-old thing is really starting to piss me off. I may have to apply for DNA (National Dyslexia Association) membership soon.

All good, thanks.

 

[Pawel Achtel]

Pawel I am looking at a second focus monitor for Deep Atom soon when will your Marshall housing be ready?

http://www.reduser.net/forum/showth...ing-for-Epic&p=1039036&viewfull=1#post1039036

Pricing still to be decided