With a price tag of $6500US, we figured Sony's flagship 50 megapixel full frame mirrorless had better come out with guns blazing underwater. And quite frankly, it does, and we are impressed... we just forgot to share the photos with you.
Nirupam Nigam, President of Bluewater Photo and Editor of Underwater Photography Guide, took the a1 out in the cold waters of his backyard in the Pacific Northwest to track down some colorful marine life. He didn't disappoint and neither did the camera. As expected, the a1 delivers with outstanding detail and wide dynamic range in low light situations. The auto focus tracking is exceptional though it does not recongize fish as "animal eyes."
We think that Ikelite's accurate TTL and the A1's fast electronic shutter make ultimate pairing - a faster and more accurate photo system than any on the market. -Nirupam Nigam, Underwater Photography Guide
Macro photos were taken using the Sony E 90mm Macro while the wide angle were taken with the Canon EF 8-15mm Fisheye and Metabones adapter. Nirupam shot the housing with dual DS160 strobes combined with dome diffusers and DL2 DS Link Sony TTL Converter. The max sync speed of 1/400 second opens up additional creativity underwater compared to other full frame cameras.
The housing starts at $1795US just a fraction of the camera body price. The housing body includes a flash bulkhead with manual hotshoe, low-profile vacuum valve, and tray with left handle. It can be fitted for any purpose with a wide range of accessory lighting mounts, TTL converters and flash triggering options, and an optional M24 accessory port for the attachment of an HDMI 2.0 external monitor.
You can use the cost savings over a comparable aluminum housing to pick up the a7S III camera body which is also compatible in the same system.
1/200 • f/22 • ISO 320 © 2021 Nirupam Nigam
1/400 • f/16 • ISO 100 © 2021 Nirupam Nigam
1/200 • f/22 • ISO 320 © 2021 Nirupam Nigam
1/200 • f/22 • ISO 320 © 2021 Nirupam Nigam
1/200 • f/22 • ISO 200 © 2021 Nirupam Nigam
1/100 • f/13 • ISO 640 © 2021 Nirupam Nigam
1/80 • f/13 • ISO 640 © 2021 Nirupam Nigam
1/400 • f/16 • ISO 100 © 2021 Nirupam Nigam
1/200 • f/22 • ISO 320 © 2021 Nirupam Nigam
1/60 • f/13 • ISO 400 © 2021 Nirupam Nigam
1/125 • f/13 • ISO 320 © 2021 Nirupam Nigam
1/200 • f/16 • ISO 320 © 2021 Nirupam Nigam
1/100 • f/13 • ISO 400 © 2021 Nirupam Nigam
© 2021 Nirupam Nigam
© 2021 Nirupam Nigam
Nirupam Nigam is a dedicated underwater photographer and fisheries scientist. While growing up in Los Angeles he fell in love with the ocean and pursued underwater photography in the local Channel Islands. He received degrees in Aquatic and Fisheries Science and General Biology, as well as a minor in Arctic Studies, at the University of Washington. Nirupam is the editor-in-chief of the Underwater Photography Guide and Bluewater Photo. He also works as a fisheries observer on boats in the Bering Sea and North Pacific. When he is not at sea, he is traveling with his fiancee and taking photos. Check out more of his photography at www.photosfromthesea.com!
Additional Reading
Sony A7S III Underwater Photos
Canon R5 A-Z | Everything You Need To Know To Take It Underwater [VIDEO]
Sony a7S III Underwater Video Sneak Peek [VIDEO]
My Must Have Underwater Housing Accessory // Cable Top Handle Grip [VIDEO]
