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You’d have to be pretty brave to immerse your $ 50K RED cinema camera beneath the waves—or very sure of the quality of your underwater housing. Fortunately, underwater specialist Gates has been making housings for cinema cameras since 1969, and they just released their newest (not their first…) housing for RED cameras last week.
The new Pro Explore from Gates Underwater Products is designed for Red’s DSMC2 series of bodies, and thus will look after and allow access to the controls of the Weapon, Epic-W, Scarlet-W and Red Raven cameras.
The company hasn’t released any detailed spec yet, but claims the new housing is lightweight and easy to transport and that small PL lenses and DSLR lenses can fit within its domed ports. There’s a rear door for quick access to memory and the battery, and 14 assignable buttons to control the camera’s features.
Gates says the Pro Explore will come with a housing for an external monitor as well as tool kits, spare parts and cables.
The Gates Pro Explore will go on sale in the next month or so, but the price has yet to be announced. I can’t imagine it will be cheap. The Pro Action housing, which can go to 200ft, costs around $ 15,000.
For more information, visit the Gates website.
Press Release
NEW PRO EXPLORE UNDERWATER HOUSING
GATES UNDERWATER PRODUCTS ANNOUNCES PRO EXPLORE UNDERWATER HOUSING
Cinema to commercial, Natural History to enthusiast, Pro Explore delivers comprehensive features for the traveling underwater professional.
Gates Underwater Products – manufacturer of the world’s most reliable underwater housings – today announces the Pro Explore Underwater Housing. A dedicated, purpose built motion imaging acquisition tool for the RED DSMC2 platform, Pro Explore breaks barriers in underwater high resolution 8K imaging in a compact, travel-friendly rig.
Pro Explore Key Features include:
- Expedition ready, Pro Explore packs tight and travels light.
- Latched rear shell for fast media / battery change;
- Full Camera and Lens management via housing controls and REDMOTE Controller
- Tailored design for the RED DSMC2 for the finest user experience, including 14 assignable buttons to access *anything* on the camera;
- Compact PL and all DSLR lenses readily supported;
- Diverse V-Lock battery support including REDBRICK, Blueshape, and the popular travel friendly SWIT 8192-S 192 WHr split battery;
- 60 and 80 series port compatibility;
- Stackable Port Rings (SPR’s) cover a wide range of lenses with one base set;
- Surface SDI and Gig-E options for topside DP viewing or AC camera control;
- Surface, close-range wireless connectivity with foolcontrol;
“While Pro Action is perfect for high intensity, fast action situations, I needed a dedicated rig for my type of shooting on Helium 8K. Pro Explore is it. Control, flexibility, size. And a Gates…of course.”
Like all Gates professional systems, you get the works. Pro Explore housing price includes numerous items like RT47 External Monitor housing (with shade extension), Seal Check Lite, woven carry lanyard, tether points, spare kit, tool kit, interface cables, and more. Port and SPR’s are ordered a la carte to fit your lens(es) of choice and application.
Pro Explore is well considered for accessories, like:
- GT14 underwater lights. 14,000 lumens, 90 CRI and 5000K color temperature;
- Light bar offering a variety of light mounting options using the Ultralight Control System;
- Support for Gates RT7 and RP5 External monitor housings;
- Cheeseplates for mounting to poles, booms or your own rigging;
“Gates is part of my production team. I count on Gates to be there when needed. Tech support, parts, whatever – response is fast and experienced.”
Pro Explore is a Gates through and through. Durable, reliable, ‘bulletproof’. And backed by Gates legendary factory direct service and 2 year renewable warranty. Only Gates offers this level of commitment to your success.
Price: To be announced
Availability: Q4 2017
Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)