Aquatica AD7100 Housing Announced

Complete Specs for the Aquatica AD7100 Housing for the Nikon D7100

By Brent Durand

Aquatica has a long history of making "bombproof" housings for serious underwater photographers, and the AD7100 lives up to this reputation. There are quite a few improvements on this housing, with one of the most important being direct access to the Fn button on the D7100. Nikon shooters have many custom functions available through the Fn button, and Aquatica kept this in mind while planning the housing ergonomics.

Highlights

• Direct access to Fn button
• Aquatica's notorious flexibility in strobe and accessory connectors
• Newly designed camera tray
• Easy access to video controls
• Price:  $3,199 USD

The Nikon D7100 camera also sets a new standard for underwater photography. Check out our D7100 camera review here.

PRESS RELEASE:

Upcoming Aquatica AD7100 housing for the Nikon D7100 camera

The Aquatica Team is proud to introduce to you the Aquatica AD7100 housing for the new bench mark in digital photography, the Nikon D7100.

Aquatica has designed the ultimate housing for the new Nikon D7100 camera. Along with the comfortable ergonomics usually associated with our housings, the AD7100 also incorporates a multitude of refinements. Among them, it offers access direct to the Fn button. This is done via an easy to reach and unique design push button that is conveniently located on the rear of the housing. The many Custom Functions roles that can be attributed to this Fn button sure made it worthy of attention of our design team.

Here is a quick round up of the featured roles of the Fn button:

Image area (FX to DX and vice versa), Convert to depth of field Preview, FV Lock (lock the flash value), AE/AF Lock, AE Lock only, AE Lock (Reset on release), AE Lock (Hold), AF Lock only, AF-ON, Flash Off, Bracketing burst, Active Lighting, Metering pattern, Framing Grid, Personalized Menu, Playback, 1 Step Speed/aperture shift

The housing features an internal flash up/flash down capability, a quick access ISO lever that is thumb actuated and a total of three access holes are provided to accept various accessories such as our remote trigger (# 19306), Hydrophone and/or external monitors.

Aquatica has the most comprehensive selection of easily interchangeable strobe connectors in the industry. The 20073-NK has two of the classic 5 pins Nikonos connectors and the 20073-KT is supplied with a time proven 5 pins Ikelite connector. Both version are ready to accept currently available TTL converter, S-TTL is also available with the 20073-OPT through optical connectivity with either of the supplied Sea & Sea and Inon type adapters. Lastly the 20073-HYB offers both a classic Nikonos and an optical connector giving the housing the ultimate choice in strobes selection. Bulkheads are now replaceable in the field without the need for specialized tools.

This precision housing is the product of a time proven lineage of underwater camera housing. Over 30 years of expertise in this field has made sure that every aspect of the housing’s ergonomics was studied and access to its controls carefully implemented. This housing is a statement to the constant evolution of our knowledge and of the influence of the many professional’s image makers from around the world who work and consult with us.

The Aquatica AD7100, like all of our housings, benefits from the finest material available in the metallurgic industry. It is carefully crafted from a selected alloy of aircraft grade aluminum and graced with the finest grade of stainless steel for its multiple controls. Every Aquatica housing is machined on the latest 5 axis computer assisted machines. It then undergoes a protective anodizing process to the stringent North American Military Specifications. For further protection, a baked on powder coating paint is applied, this coating is as tough as nail tough. Furthermore, corrosion inhibiting, zinc anodes are supplied as standard equipment. This extra level of protection does make a huge difference as can be seen on some Aquatica housings that even with over 1,500 dives on them, still look as fresh as the day they came out of the box. This housing is made for the hard working professional in mind, one who truly understands reliability in the field.

The AD7100 housing features a newly designed camera tray; it smoothly and precisely positions the camera in the housing and is easily disengaged by a simple push on a tab, it incorporates a linkage for transmitting mechanical input of the Fn button from the rear to the front. The zoom actuating pinion gear and the lens release lever pull out to allow the user to remove the camera from the back while keeping a lens and zoom gear attached.

All video controls are designed for easy reach and smooth operation. Whether it is for video or for still images the serious side of this housing operation is apparent from the get go.

The AF-L/AE-L button access is provided with a lever right under the users thumb. Menus buttons are angled to provide better access for your left hand. The AD7100 also uses the new 4xxxx generation lens gears system with a smaller housing pinion gear and a larger lens gear, the results is a smoother action while zooming in a video sequence.

The AD7100 retains the same standard 90m/300ft depth rating as all our other housings and can still be upgraded to 130m/425ft depth rating. Its knurled knobs and oversized controls mean easy operation no matter what the situation is. Anyone familiar with our climate knows that being built in Canada also means that all housings from Aquatica are born and bred in one of the world most rugged diving environment. Bottom line, if it works in our local conditions, it will work everywhere else!

The AD7100 retain our popular molded grips; these have been the reference in comfort for the last 25 years. They are lightweight, sturdy, are made of one piece and cannot come unglued, fall apart or corrode. Both grips have mounting holes ready to accept popular mounting bracket of our TLC system and for the most current strobes and lighting arms out on the market. An extra mounting point for a focus/video light or other accessories is on top of the housing and three additional mounting points are provided under the housing for various brackets, support or tripods.

Seen on the right is a view of the business side of the new Aquatica AD7100, clearly showing the serious nature of this housing. On the left hand, the buttons and mode selector control are angled and positioned for quicker access to the various functions. On the right hand the record lever has been relocated closer to your index. The Live View toggle remains within easy reach. The multi controller pad found on the Nikon D7100 is made accessible with a simple and proven design and its SET button has been oversized. All push buttons are of high quality Type 304 stainless steel, the same used in the aerospace industry; these will not break or rust. Their smooth operation and position gives the photographer a very intuitive and normal feel to the housing.

Aquatica housings are supplied with our own exceptional Galileo type eye piece. This high quality and coated optical finder gives a bright and full view of the view finder. For those seeking the ultimate in viewing for still image, the optional Aqua View Finder, available in straight 180 and 45 degrees version, are among the best of the industry. They can easily be installed in a matter of a few minutes by the user. The enlarged and enhanced image of the Aqua View Finders are second to none in clarity; they provides the photographer with tack sharp corner to corner viewing of the camera view finder for composing and critical focusing

The D7100 is supported by one of the most established and comprehensive port and accessories system of the industry. This port system has been a stable platform for over 20 years and remains one of the most reliable and used designs on the market.

For more info, visit Bluewater Photo.

Further Reading

• Nikon D7100 Review

• Nauticam Announces D7100 Housing

• Hot NEW Products at the Long Beach Scuba Show

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!