Nauticam Panasonic GH4 Underwater Housing

Part #: Nau-17709

Product Overview:

The Panasonic LUMIX DMC-GH4 achieves what few would have thought possible: stunning 4K video utilizing a wide variety of excellent lenses, in a palm sized camera that retails for well under $2000. Nauticam is pleased to announce support for the GH4 in two ways: First, for existing NA-GH3 customers, a simple upgrade kit costing $20 allows for full functionality of the camera in the existing housing. Second, Nauticam today announced the imminent arrival of the NA-GH4, a refined housing specifically for the LUMIX DMC-GH4. Both options allow diving photographers and videographers to achieve incredible 4k video and 16MP stills at an affordable price.

The new GH4 shoots 4K video, at up to 30fps, recording it to fast SD cards. The GH4 is a micro four thirds (m4/3) mirrorless camera, with a 16 megapixel CMOS sensor, capable of a still photography burst mode of 12 fps. The contrast detection autofocus is fast and accurate with 49 focus points, and an easy to use focus mode lever/button that makes changing from autofocus to manual quick and easy. The combination allows for "thumb focus" with the AF-ON button whether the camera is in one of the autofocus modes or in manual focus mode. Image quality is excellent, and is a step up from the already very good GH3

For video, the GH4 supports no less than 23 different resolution/frame rate combinations, spanning NTSC, PAL and Cinema frequencies, up to 60 fps, plus a special "Variable Frame Rate" (VFR) mode that enables the shooter to record at a different frame rate than is specified for playback. This makes in-camera slow motion (up to 400% speed reduction) and in-camera time lapse (up to 1500% speed increase) possible

Nauticam GH4 Recommended Underwater Lenses:

• Panasonic 8mm F3.5 fisheye for stunning ultra wide-angle shots; For a high-end option - get the Olympus F1.8 pro 8mm fisheye lens;
• Panasonic 7-14mm F4 lens for wide-angle video, or shark photos; this is also a great topside landscape lens; For a high-end option, get the Olympus 7-14mm F2.8 pro lens
• Panasonic 12-35mm F2.8 lens for a great mid-range lens for underwater video
• Panasonic 14-42mm as a good mid-range lens
• Olympus 12-50mm lens for good mid-range photos and good macro
• Olympus 60mm macro lens for great macro & supermacro

Nauticam GH4 Housing Dome Ports:

We recommend the Zen 170mm glass dome port for exception optical quality or over-under shots with the 12-35mm, 7-14mm or any prime wide-angle lens.

To manually focus the 7-14mm or 12-35mm lenses underwater, you will need the Nauticam 6-inch WA port with focus knob.

Recommended Accessories:

• Nauticam Vacuum System
• Compact Macro Converter (best diopter for use with Olympus 60mm Macro)
• Nauticam Flip Diopter Holder
• Nauticam Wet Wide Lens WWL-1 130°
• Nauticam Flip Diopter Holder for M67 Macro Port
• Nauticam Double Flip Diopter Holder for M67 Macro Port
• Nauticam Housing O-Ring
• N85 Port O-Ring

Nauticam GH4 Product Video & Review

Nauticam GH4 underwater footage with the 7-14mm & 12-50mm lenses

The Nauticam GH4 Housing:

The Nauticam GH4 Housing is compatible with both Panasonic GH4 and GH3 with no modifications.

Relentless innovation demands that a new housing be designed for the GH4 and is able to incorporate new features that have debuted on more recent Nauticam housings, not to mention a couple of new features that are first seen in the new NA-GH4. One first is the unique placement of the ISO control. ISO is key for video exposure (think "gain" if you come from the video or cinema worlds), and this new control makes changing ISO very quick and easy, essentially re-routing this control back to the right thumb. The button is just in the right place, ideal for quick access but not easily bumped accidentally.

Another key concern for video - white balance - is achieved with another control that is re-routed for maximum ease of use. A push lever, accessible by the right thumb with no reach, engages the white balance button. From there, any of the white balance settings can be accessed, including any of the four custom white balance banks. To perform a custom white balance, the shooter would press the up arrow, point the camera to the white balance target, and press the OK button, all easily accomplished with an absolute minimum of reach.

Controls and Grips:

Nauticam has always featured the only over-molded rubberized handles in the industry... the NA-GH4 now not only includes the handles, but they are angled forward at just the right angle for shooting steady video. The handle placements are adjustable horizontally, and include a stabilizing bracket that steadies the rig with heavy lighting attached.

The two command dials (Aperture and Shutter Speed) are at the fingertips, and can be reversed to put aperture on the forward dial if that is the shooters preference. The GH4 features 5 programmable custom functions, and they are all placed for easy reach. The combination lever and button of the GH4's AFS/AFC/Manual + AF/AE Lock is separated to two separate controls, making the AF On function available for "Thumb Focus." The GH4 allows autofocus via this button even with the lever set to Manual Focus, meaning switching between thumb focus and half press focus style can be done instantly. The Video Record button is engaged via a button placed at the right thumb, and easily is distinguished from other pushbutton functions.

One of the programmable functions (typically Fn5) is used to switch between the EVF and OLED panels. For shooters who decide they do not need to switch, Fn5 could be re-programmed for other functions, such as Photo Style, Video Recording Quality, VFR, Peaking, or any of dozens of other functions.

The two command dials (Aperture and Shutter Speed) are at the fingertips, and can be reversed to put aperture on the forward dial if that is the shooters preference. The GH4 features 5 programmable custom functions, and they are all placed for easy reach. The combination lever and button of the GH4's AFS/AFC/Manual + AF/AE Lock is separated to two separate controls, making the AF On function available for "Thumb Focus." The GH4 allows autofocus via this button even with the lever set to Manual Focus, meaning switching between thumb focus and half press focus style can be done instantly. The Video Record button is engaged via a button placed at the right thumb, and easily is distinguished from other pushbutton functions.

One of the programmable functions (typically Fn5) is used to switch between the EVF and OLED panels. For shooters who decide they do not need to switch, Fn5 could be re-programmed for other functions, such as Photo Style, Video Recording Quality, VFR, Peaking, or any of dozens of other functions.

Milled from solid aluminum, the housing is rated to 100m/330ft depth, and is rugged and ready for use!

Sample Video:

Shot by Nauticam's Chris Parsons

GH4 samples for Nauticam NA-GH4 Press Release from Christopher Parsons on Vimeo.

Specifications:

• Depth Rating:  100m
• Two Bulkheads - M14 for Vacuum and M16 for other accessories
• Ruberized Molded Grips
• Ergonomically placed controls
• Vacuum Electronics installed
• Accepts external viewfinders with replacement LCD window
• Weight: 2.0kg with handles, 1.6kg handles removed
• Dimensions:
  • 330mm x 175mm x 115mm with handles
  • 220mm x 160mm x 115mm handles removed

Any questions?  Feel free to email us at sales@bluewaterphotostore.com or call us at 310-633-5052