Seacam D1X Housing
Manufacturer: Seacam Type: Housing (DSLR) Year introduced: 2001 (prototype), 2002 (production) For camera: Nikon D1, D1X, D1H Depth rating: 80 meters
Overview
The Seacam D1X housing was a landmark product in the history of underwater digital photography. It was one of the first professional-grade housings for a digital SLR camera, and Stephen Frink’s field journal documenting his experience with it in March 2002 was one of the earliest professional digital SLR underwater reviews published anywhere ([1], [2]).
A prototype was shown at DEMA 2001 in New Orleans ([3]). The first production unit arrived in the United States in January 2002 ([4]). The housing was machined from solid aluminum with an 80-meter depth rating and could accommodate the Nikon D1, D1X, and D1H camera bodies.
Frink’s field journal declared the Nikon D1X in the Seacam housing as “the point at which professional quality digital imaging is finally viable” for underwater photography ([5]). This was a pivotal endorsement from one of the most respected names in the field, and it signaled to the broader professional community that digital had arrived as a serious alternative to film underwater.
The housing was used in conjunction with the Seacam Systemflash, which housed a Nikon SB26 or SB28 speedlight — at the time the only way to achieve TTL flash exposure with the D1X underwater ([6]).
The Seacam D1X was also shown at DEMA 2002 as part of Seacam’s expanding digital housing lineup ([7]).
Reviews & Discussion
- [8] — First professional digital SLR UW field review
- [9] — Additional field journal details
- [10] — Show coverage
Timeline
- 2001-01: Seacam D1 prototype shown at DEMA 2001 in New Orleans ([11])
- 2002-01: First production unit arrives in the United States ([12])
- 2002-03: Stephen Frink publishes field journal — declares digital SLR “finally viable” for professional UW photography. Uses Seacam Systemflash (housing Nikon SB26/SB28) for TTL. ([13], [14])
- 2002-07: Shown at DEMA 2002 ([15])
References
Sources
- Wetpixel article, Mar 22, 2002: Seacam D1x Field Journal By Stephen Frink ↩
- Wetpixel article, Mar 22, 2002: Seacam D1x Housing Field Journal ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jan 14, 2001: Dema 2001 Gallery ↩
- Wetpixel article, Mar 22, 2002: Seacam D1x Field Journal By Stephen Frink ↩
- Wetpixel article, Mar 22, 2002: Seacam D1x Field Journal By Stephen Frink ↩
- Wetpixel article, Mar 22, 2002: Seacam D1x Field Journal By Stephen Frink ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jul 22, 2002: Dema 2002 Report ↩
- Seacam D1X Field Journal by Stephen Frink (article) ↩
- Seacam D1X Housing Field Journal (article) ↩
- DEMA 2002 Report (article) ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jan 14, 2001: Dema 2001 Gallery ↩
- Wetpixel article, Mar 22, 2002: Seacam D1x Field Journal By Stephen Frink ↩
- Wetpixel article, Mar 22, 2002: Seacam D1x Field Journal By Stephen Frink ↩
- Wetpixel article, Mar 22, 2002: Seacam D1x Housing Field Journal ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jul 22, 2002: Dema 2002 Report ↩
- DEMA 2001 Gallery (article) ↩
- Seacam D1X Field Journal by Stephen Frink (article) ↩
- Seacam D1X Housing Field Journal (article) ↩
- Dan Burton’s Digital Underwater Site Debuts (article) ↩
- DEMA 2002 Report (article) ↩