Product Description

Aquatica introduced on this housing 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. 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.

Additional bulkheads pass through access holes have been added (bringing the total to three) to allow uses of potential accessories such a external monitor, triggering device and/or sound recording accessories. Given the immense impact its predecessor, the Aquatica 5D Mk II, had on the underwater video industry, it was deemed absolutely important that this new housing be optimized even more for this task, all video controls where redesigned for easier reach and smoother operation, without sacrificing nothing to the still image side of the housing operation.

The AF-ON & star button access is now provided with a rotating collar that prevents ambient pressure from pushing it back toward the housing. Menus buttons have been angled to provide better access from your left hand. A new gear system with a smaller housing pinion gear and larger lens gear results in smoother action while zooming in a video sequence.

The A5D Mk III housing was made as small as a it could be, nevertheless its lightness in weight should not be taken for a weakness. This housing still has the same standard 90 meters depth rating and can still be upgraded to 130 meters. Its knurled knobs and oversized controls mean easy operation no matter what the situation is. Being built in Canada means that every Aquatica housing is 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!

Handling is via molded grips, they have been the reference in comfort for the last 25 years. These lightweight yet sturdy grip handles are made of one piece and cannot come unglued, fall apart or corrode. Both grips are provided with mounting holes ready to accept the most current strobes and their supporting arms. The housing has an extra mounting point for a focus/video light or other accessories on top and 3 additional mounting points are provided under for various brackets, support or tripods.

Bulkhead strobe connectors have also evolved, with six active pins bulkhead giving access to TTL flash exposure via currently available third party TTL converters. They are now user serviceable and replacing them is done quickly without requiring the need for any special tool, in a matter of minutes. Again, these improvements were implemented with the working professional in mind, reliability and user’s friendly field maintenance being the key word here.

On the right is a view of the office end on the new Aquatica A5D Mk III, 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 button has been relocated closer to your thumb and not only has it been oversized but is now clearly identified with a bright red coating. The Live View toggle remains within easy reach and the SET button has also been oversized. The multi controller pad found on the Canon 5D Mk III is now made accessible. 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.

The Aquatica A5D Mk III is supplied with Aquatica’s 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 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 provided by the Aqua View Finder is second to none in clarity, It provides the photographer with tack sharp corner to corner viewing of the camera view finder for composing and critical focusing

For ultimate image quality you choose the Aquatica A5D Mk III with the 9.25” Megadome, state-of-the-art BK-7 coated glass dome, it is attached to the unique Aquatica extension ring with manual focus capability. This extension is available for both the Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L USM Type II and the EF 17-40mm f/4L USM, two serious candidates for the video shooter and for which manual focus access is vital, manual focusing with prime lens focusing can be done using the controls knob on the upper left side of the housing.

The A5D Mk III is supported by one of the most established and comprehensive port and accessories system of the industry. The Canon 5D Mk III is destined, much like its predecessor, the 5D Mk II, for a life of multi tasking role. This previous A5D Mk II is still being used by many of the major television underwater documentary production; it has been embraced by scores of top image makers in the world whose work can be seen weekly on network television, advertising work and movie productions.

This philosophy that made the Canon 5D Mk II and its Aquatica housing so popular has not been lost on this newer version! Every effort was made to give you an underwater imaging system that can be tailored to your needs.

Dimensions (with grip attached): width 35cm x height 19.5cm x depth 14.5cm
Dimensions (without grip): width 23cm x height 19.5cm x depth 14.5cm

At this price, it is the most economical and best designed of its category.

Strobe Connections and Housing Configurations
Aquatica has the most comprehensive selection  of easily interchangeable strobe connectors in the industry. The A5D Mk III may be purchased factory fitted with one of the following strobe connection configurations. Even afterwards, it is possible to change the configuration by purchasing required connection items. Bulkheads are replaceable in the field (or by Cerella Oy) without the need for specialized  tools. All configurations support manual flash. TTL functionality requires TTL compatible strobes and might require an external TTL converter.

The 20071-NK configuration of the A5D Mk III housing has  two of the classic 5 pins Nikonos connectors. It is possible to connect one or two popular strobes having Nikonos type sync cords and/or a third-party TTL converter with Nikonos type cord on camera end. By default, all Aquatica housings are delivered in this configuration unless otherwise specified.

The 20071-KT configuration of the A5D Mk III housing is supplied with one  time-proven 5 pins TTL type Ikelite connector. This connector can only be used with the Ikelite #4301 TTL converter. Up to two Ikelite strobes can be connected using an appropriate dual sync cord. TTL functionality is available by using the Ikelite #4301 TTL converter and a dual sync cord.

Comprehensive selection of Dome Ports and Macro Ports
The Aquatica Lens Chart for Canon 5D Mark III summarizes the most common combinations of various ports, lenses, extension rings and focus/zoom gear.

MAINTENANCE

The recommended servicing procedures of the products are outlined in the manuals supplied with the product. The outside of the housings and the accessories should be rinsed in fresh water after every dive. The handles should be removed after use otherwise if they remain attached to the housing for any length of time they may bind to the housing and be extremely difficult to remove. We suggest that the main O rings be lubricated regularly and all of the O rings be checked annually.

Additional Information