Subal CD3 for Canon 1Ds MkIII

Canon's new 1Ds MkIII is a full frame 21 megapixel camera body that delivers studio quality images. The 1Ds MkIII is ruggedly built to withstand professional day in, day out use. This includes seals against moisture, useful in the humid conditions associated with diving ocations. The Canon 1Ds MkIII offers key benefits for underwater photographers including fast accurate autofocus, expanded dynamic range and burst shooting at 5 frames per second. The full frame sensor and EF mount also provides access to Canon's excellent range of macro, wide angle and full frame fisheye lenses. The combination of the Canon 1Ds MkIII and the Subal CD3 housing backed by Ocean Optics service and support makes this an extremely attractive
system for the working professional and serious enthusiast.

Subal's CD3 housing perfectly matches the Canon 1Ds MkIII. The Subal CD3 s carved from a solid billet of aluminium. Subal build quality is egendary and you won't see any of the blemishes you'll sometimes find on cast housings. Aluminium is time proven. It ensures your housing will be as light as possible - from just 2.7kg for the CD3 body. It's also very tough, to protect your camera in harsh underwater shooting environments. Subal housings use a special anodizing process and multiple coats of paint to protect against corrosion and are renowned for keeping their original finish. As with all Subal housings, the CD3 hugs the camera keeping your camera housing as compact as possible, easing packing for transportation and reducing drag underwater to a minimum. The Subal CD3 is rated to 70 metres.

Subal's CD3 provides a very comprehensive level of control over your Canon 1Ds MkIII. Designer Arnold Stepanek is famed for creating housings that are fast and responsive to operate ensuring you won't be fumbling for controls when the action is fast and furious. The shutter release is Subal's paddle type - introduced more than a decade ago. The release pulls back, avoiding the tipping action plunger type releases can cause. It's also a very smooth

release, which minimises camera shake. Aperture and shutter speed are conveniently accessed via oversized dials that fall under your thumb and ring finger. Zoom or manual focus s controlled by your left hand. A series of push buttons and dials provide you with instant control of the on/off switch, AF on, curser, exposure mode, AF mode, motor drive, metering selector, white balance (check out Magic Filters), flash compensation, light, ISO, exposure compensation, menu, info, playback, delete, function, protect, set, exposure storage, FEL and AF area select. All controls can be operated while wearing gloves.

Two hand grips are supplied. Their positioning integrates with the key shooting controls to ensure these fall easily to hand. The right grip incorporates a strap that sits across the back of your hand and is adjustable. The benefit is you can relax your fingers without letting go of your valuable housing. This helps avoid cramping on dives where you are using the housing for extended periods, such as when waiting out shy animals.

The Canon !Ds MkIII mounts onto a slide in camera saddle. This makes loading your camera into your housing fast and positive with little possibility for misalignment. It's a professional touch to minimise any chance of a mistake that could cost you important images. Front and back sections of the hull are joined using Subals quicklock system. Just two catches are needed. The catches have a spring-loaded safety mechanism that prevents accidental opening.

Strobes are usually an essential part of your underwater photography armoury. Your Subal CD3 is equipped with two strobe connectors as standard. If TTL is essential, our recommendation is to use twin S6 connectors and to house a Canon Speedlight. In our view, this provides the greatest reliability for TTL strobe photography. In reality most D - SLR photographers use manual strobes underwater. We would then recommend using Nikonos V type connectors.This lets you choose from a wide choice of strobes including the
Inon Z- 240, which combines small size with high power, fantastic wide angle coverage, ultra fast recycling and runs off just four AA batteries, As with Subal housings, the Inon Z- 240 have a very impressive track record and a strong professional following. Two sockets are not only useful for firing two strobes, they also give you a back up in the field. Twin strobe arm mounting plates accept most popular arms including Inon. The CD3 also has a mount for adding a focusing light. Our dive shop, Mavericks, offers suitable torches.

Three viewfinder options can be specified for your CD3. The standard finder is an image reducer. You will be able to see your entire image, but it will be much smaller than when looking through the camera on land. You'll also need to use a low volume facemask and get your mask right up against the viewfinder. Image reducers are offered on most competing housings and it is important to clarify what kind of viewfinder you are choosing - it is often not made clear in the way a housing may be advertised.

The GS180 is a genuine magnifier The image from your 1Ds MkIII will be around 50% larger when viewed through the housing compared to using it normally. This increase in viewfinder size makes it easier to compose your image, read viewfinder information and focus manually. This is an eye level finder. Your eye does not need to be placed against the viewfinder, allowing a choice of larger masks including full-face models. You can also scan around your housing to see subjects before they enter into shot.

The SW45 is the most popular viewfinder choice among our clients. Like the GS180 it yields a

magnified image, making it easier to compose the picture, read displays and manually focus. This viewfinder is set at 45 degrees. This is a very comfortable swimming position and is commonly seen on medium format professional housings. Because you can look into the housing from above the finder, it is also very practical for low level photography with your housing placed on the seabed. This is making the SW45 the preferred choice for macro work. It can also make split level photography much easier as the eyepiece can remain above the waterline. The eyepiece swivels for switching between landscape and portrait formats.

Subal are deservedly lauded for their extensive port system and for the quality of their optics. Subal use only the highest quality glass for their optics - they do not use acrylic. Flat ports are multi coated. Ports are quickly and easily changed using a two claw bayonet. Two bayonet mounts are available - the version you choose will probably depend upon whether you are an existing Subal owner with ports already or starting from new. Lenses may be installed and removed through the housing front - it isn't necessary to open the main hull and take out your camera just to make a lens change.

Naturally, your Subal CD3 comes with a leak detector!

It's best to set aside a full day to collect your system in person, especially if it your first SLR housing or if you are upgrading from another brand. During your time with us Mark or Steve will work with you one on one. They'll make sure all the controls between your housing and camera have properly aligned (housings from all manufacturers are calibrated on the actual camera body the housing company owns - batch variations in the camera bodies can mean minor adjustments need to be made). They'll also show you how to load and unload your camera into the housing, how to fit lens gears and how to test your strobe circuits. An important part of the day will focus on the procedures that we recommend to prepare your housings seals for diving and other hard won anti flooding tips. Finally, we usually offer to take you into the studio movie tank for a wet hour to shoot some images with your new system. Mark or Steve normally provide a radiophone so that we can offer advice whilst underwater.

If you would like to discuss the CD3 system in detail, please get in touch.

 

 

Download Subal
PDF spec sheet here