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ARTICLES FROM BACK ISSUES OF UNDERWATER MAGAZINE 
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Underwater cameras, both still and video, play a crucial role in our ability to work under the surface. From researchers producing incredible images of wrecks like Titanic to the inland diving contractor documenting work for a client, underwater professionals are looking for quality and durability at a reasonable cost. Here's the latest the market has to offer.
Kongsberg Simrad The OE14-112/113 PAL NTSC Z-RAT Color camera has proven to be a useful tool for intervention applications. Oceaneering International has installed it on their new Millennium ROV to provide a birds-eye view of tooling and manipulator operations. It has also been mounted on the Engineering Business's Stingray tidal stream power generator, allowing versatile underwater monitoring and observation of this revolutionary system in action. An OE14-112 was even installed in a large aquarium, where it is controlled by the movement of a periscope simulator with an inbuilt screen displaying live video from the camera. The Z-RAT (Color) and TRZ (Low-Light Monochrome) camera units have been selected for a number of specialized military applications. For these special tasks, the serial control protocol is being upgraded to give far more versatility. These improvements will ultimately reach Kongsberg Simrad's standard commercial camera units.
The Low-Light Monochrome TRZ Camera is somewhat larger than the Color Z-RAT, but the much greater light sensitivity means the camera is well suited to military surveillance and evaluation tasks. Over the past 25 years, the Silicon Intensified Target (SIT) underwater camera has been the mainstay for visual navigation in the ROV industry. From the early birth of the underwater SIT camera in the late 1970s through to the current models, the SIT has evolved through continual design upgrades to be the ultimate underwater navigation camera. The latest Enhanced SIT camera has been improved using technology developed for military markets to the point where older models are left "in the dark" when used side-by-side in There are many pretenders to the SIT throne - cameras labeled "SIT-equivalent," "SIT alternative," or "near SIT" to name but a few. Most of these are based on CCD technology and do come close to the sensitivity performance of the SIT in air, as the CCD is more responsive to Infra Red light than the SIT. Put them side-by-side in seawater and the difference in performance is clear. Seawater absorbs IR light very quickly, which immediately puts the CCD-based technology at a disadvantage. SIT sensitivity peaks at a light wavelength of 450 nanometers, which exactly coincides with the peak spectral transmission of light in seawater. The sophisticated tube control and video processing circuitry in the latest camera ensures that every millilux of light falling on the sensor is utilized to the full. So confident is Kongsberg Simrad in the above claim that they have set aside a few OE1324 SIT cameras to prove the point. They are willing to loan a camera for two weeks to any genuinely interested party who wishes to carry out a side-by-side comparison with their existing pretender to the throne, even a Kongsberg model. Through-life costs, due to the vulnerability to damage of the SIT tube (as with any sensor using image intensification technology) through extreme or extended exposure to bright light sources, is a valid concern. The camera now has every possible protective mechanism to minimize this risk, which can be further mitigated by putting in place straightforward operating procedures. Most experienced operators are very aware of the risks involved but reminders posted in strategic positions (i.e., "tilt camera down before breaking the surface and cap the lens immediately when the ROV is landed on deck") are a good investment. Having said all this, Kongsberg Simrad does also offer a new solid state CCD-based camera, the OE15-102, which does match and maybe even betters the underwater sensitivity performance of the SIT. This is not a direct SIT replacement, however, as the technology used makes it more expensive to purchase. It was developed as a more specialized camera for use in extreme vibration or high magnetic environments (typically military and scientific applications). For some ROV operators, where through- life costs are more of a concern than initial purchase price, this new development is well worth considering. Exceptional light sensitivity is achieved without the use of an image intensifier, meaning much more robust handling of bright daylight conditions without the risk of reduced intensifier life. The OE14-108 digital stills camera is becoming more popular after an initial reluctance to invest in this new digital imaging technology. It is accepted that the diameter of this camera is a drawback to installation on smaller inspection class ROVs, so to compliment the range Kongsberg Simrad introduced the OE14-208 a 4.1M pixel digital camera which, at 100mm diameter, is much more suitable for this application. The OE14-208 will not have the upload "on the fly" facility of the OE14-108, but will have a USB link for downloading images on the surface. For more, visit www.kongsberg-simrad.com.
DeepSea Power & Light DeepSea's latest developments include a new twist to their product line, which is designed to perform under pressure in a variety of harsh subsea environments. With value in mind, DeepSea's proven Multi SeaCam line continues to evolve. It was designed as a camera whose footprint and size would be ideal for ROV and diver applications, and could accommodate newer modules as they became available. Originally offered in color and black and white, a low-light black and white variant was introduced in 1999, followed by the addition of an LED version in the year 2000. A new low-cost color camera for the budget conscious individual is the latest addition to this product line. It is ideal for helmet-mounted applications, hazardous inspections where the camera must be disposed of, or as an inexpensive backup camera for unpredictable situations. The Multi SeaCam has earned a reputation as a leading, general purpose ROV and diver camera system with a history of durability. In addition to a scratch-resistant sapphire port and corrosion-resistant Delrin and titanium housings, the camera features a label behind the front port that indicates the model type, depth rating, video format, and pin-out. In essence, a "manual on a label" that simplifies daily operations in the field. Adding to its extensive line of imaging equipment, DeepSea has introduced the Micro SeaCam 2002. This camera is the successor to the popular Micro SeaCam 2000 ultra-small color camera, first offered in 1992. The rugged titanium housing is rated to 19,680 feet (6,000m) and measures just 1.24 inches in diameter by seven inches in length, which makes it ideal for limited access areas or applications where durability, weight, and size are crucial factors. Diver helmets, pipe inspections, bore holes, ROV manipulator wrists, and tether management systems are just a few of the applications that the Micro SeaCam 2002 can prove to be a real asset. Additional features include 470 lines of resolution, enhanced sensitivity, RS-232 functionality, optional Y/C output, and external sync capability. The camera employs the same five-pin connector options as the Micro SeaCam 2000, insuring compatibility with existing cables. DeepSea Power & Light also designs underwater lighting and controllers for diving and other applications. For more, visit www.deepsea.com, email sales@deepsea.com, or call 858-576-1261.
Real Video Products
Carrillo Underwater Systems
Ultralight Control Systems Imagine you are taking key shots on a diving inspection job, and must switch back and forth between horizontal and vertical views for the most accurate shots to present to the client. With a quick push of the button on the pivot, you now have the vertical format before your strobes have recycled. Your strobes never need adjustment because the pivot is located at the center of your lens axis. Ultralight Control Systems is keeping up with the digital market by producing pivots that work with a number of digital housings. Examples are the Light and Motion Tetra housing for the Olympus cameras, as well as the Tetra housing for the Nikon Coolpix. Ultralight trays, handles, and arms work for nearly all the new housings on the market. The clamp sets are designed for maximum clamping force, ease of use, and handling. The clamp sets are spring-loaded for easy adjustment during the dive. The Ultralight adjustable arms have been totally re-engineered to incorporate the maximum clamping action possible. The inclusion of an O-ring greatly increases the friction forces at the joint, keeping the arms where you put them. The lightweight pattern allows the arms to keep their rigidity while keeping weight to an absolute minimum. Ultralight Control Systems offers a full line of adapters for every underwater strobe and video light, along with a full line of adapters for use on housings and other manufacturer's trays. All adapters have the ball-joint with the o-ring so that they mount directly to the clamp sets. In addition, there is a full line of accessories, including spotting light adapters and light meter adapters. Ultralight Control Systems has been in business nearly a decade. Owners Terry Schuller and David Reid purchased the company seven years ago, and are avid divers and photographers with 40 years of diving experience between them.
Alstom Schilling Robotics
Tritech International The ISS-Soft software package is used to record the image information and carry out measurements and image analysis. A number of image enhancement tools allow the operator to accurately define the positions of the lasers and enhance the information quality. Tritech's LEDlite was developed to complement their range of inspection cameras, and for use as a standard ROV lighting device where reliability is paramount. Incorporating 18 separate white LED lights, this compact unit emits a full 108 candela, enabling it to be used as a powerful accessory to a wide range of subsea applications. Rated to 10,000 feet (3,000m) and weighing a mere 400 grams, the LEDlite has no filament, thus adding the benefit of being shock resistant. In addition, the use of LEDs provides a lighting source that will last far longer than any underwater light utilizing a standard filament. Its applications include underwater surveillance, pipeline inspection, and an alternative to a Silicon Intensified Target (SIT) camera for inspection class vehicles. The Tornado+ camera from Tritech is the result of continued development on the already successful Tornado low-light monochrome camera. The main improvement is the total elimination of interference or "noise." The Tornado+ provides a clear picture and can now be truly considered as a cost-effective alternative to SIT cameras for inspection class vehicles. Tritech was recently awarded the prestigious Queen's Award for Innovation. The company began in 1990 as a two-man operation working from a converted house, and is now a leading provider of sensors and tools for the ROV and AUV markets.
Falmouth Scientific/Acoustikos Acoustikos' new Model UCI-100, rated to depths of 10,000 feet (3,000m), is an underwater camera interfaced with a high-speed acoustic modem to allow for wireless command, control, and acquisition of underwater images. The unit can be programmed to acquire images at a predetermined repetition rate, or can be commanded to collect images in real time from the ship-based acoustic modem/PC processor. Image compression firmware in the UCI-100 allows high-speed acquisition of successive images at a high repetition rate, which the ship-based receiver can then use to produce a video clip. Automatic strobe light operation allows image acquisition under low-light conditions. The standard unit includes battery power for six months of operation. Applications for the UCI-100 include operation from either ROVs or AUVs for inspection purposes, fixed installation at monitoring locations on underwater structures, and manned submersibles. The UCI-100 is currently being used by Unocal in Indonesia for remote monitoring of riser motion near the seabed. In this application, FSI/Acoustikos supplied an accelerometer and acoustic modem instrument (Model USS-110 Underwater Structural Stress Monitoring System) which wass installed on the riser, with data transmitted acoustically to the surface. Whenever the stress/motion data exceeds a programmable threshold, the processor automatically transmits an acoustic command to the UCI-100, initiating a sequence of camera images. These images are compressed and transmitted acoustically to the surface, where the image data is expanded and a video clip produced, allowing the operator to "see" the riser motion. The UCI-100 is deployed via ROV for Unocal.
SeaLife Cameras The DC200 comes complete with four SeaLife NiMH rechargeable batteries, battery charger, A/C converter and power supply cable, international plug adapters, MGI Photo Suite software, USB cable, video cable, full-color quick guide, instruction manual and soft case for inner camera. This model is available exclusively through dive stores at $549.95. SeaLife's new 24mm Wide-Angle Lens allows underwater contractors to get breathtakingly close to their subjects and take professional-looking documentation photos. By increasing the camera's field of vision by 50 percent, divers can get within 12 inches of a subject. Weighing in at nine ounces, with three lens elements in three groups and a 6160 aluminum housing, the lens is submersible to 200 feet (61m). Suggested retail is $119.95. Because viewing underwater images on a digital camera monitor can be difficult, SeaLife's Monitor Lens Shade for all ReefMaster digital cameras reduces glare on the LCD display. Suggested retail price is $29.95.
Inuktun Services One of the more labor-intensive and expensive tasks on the US Navy's fleet of aircraft carriers, battleships, and destroyers is the inspection of enormous ballast tanks. In an effort to reduce operating expenses, three years ago the Naval Research Lab commissioned Inuktun to build a prototype of a Remotely Operated Paint Inspection (ROPI) system. The navy inspects 4,000 seawater-and-fuel filled containers a year, at a cost of about $15,000 per inspection. Draining these vast tanks of fuel and seawater, then inspecting the vast caverns, is time-consuming and inefficient. Due to the size of the tanks, many the length of a city block, workers can miss subtle signs of corrosion. Human error annually costs the US Navy about $250 million, the cost of replacing tanks that were improperly maintained. Square in design and small enough to fit through a small hatchway, the 35-pound ROPI is ideal for such work. Modeled upon Inuktun's famous and oft-imitated Seamor ROV, which has been used for underwater exploration around the globe for more than a decade, ROPI has a powerful thruster design, halogen lamps and a high-resolution camera for relaying images back to a computer through a tether, an umbilical cord of rubber enclosing arteries of electrical wires. Once inside the tanks, ROPI moves as swiftly and adroitly as a dolphin, thanks to the same ballast-and-trim system found on large submarines. ROPI can swim up and down, as well as circle and spin, allowing quick and efficient inspection of ships' tanks. The more advanced successor, ROPI II, will be able to swim in highly flammable fuel for inspection of the inside of jet tanks. Machines made with conventional metals, such as stainless steel or brass, have the potential to create a spark that could potentially ignite fuel. The new prototype is made of space-age materials like titanium and Ultem, a high-strength plastic, making ROPI intrinsically safe without compromising its maneuvering skills. Once ROPI II is certified by regulatory agencies, it can be sent into tanks to check for corrosion and faults. Such modest robots, which are expected to cost US$100,000, would likely save the US Navy - and therefore American citizens - millions of dollars a year. But the ROPI remote camera is not just for the military. It is ideal for any industry, such as the offshore oil and gas sector, looking to improve maintenance and inspection procedures.
Underwater Camera and Lighting His aim was to produce a "bulletproof" deepwater housing that was easy to use and maintain, insuring collection of the best possible images. West designed each component from scratch, avoiding using existing technology just because it was easily available. "I didn't want to compromise on any part of the housing. If I could make it better, I did," said West. The housing is fabricated from 316 stainless steel and acetal. West enlisted engineers from NQEA, a ship building company in Cairns, Far North Queensland, to machine the components. Special attention was paid to ergonomics, particularly in the positioning of the camera controls. The housing is fitted with a separate, external color viewfinder that can be positioned to suit the diver's shooting requirements.
Gates Underwater Products Gates underwater housings are tough, machined from 6061-T6 aluminum, finished with a type II 'hard' anodize, and then sealed with a nickel-acetate process. Controls are 100 percent mechanical and rotational, so important shots aren't lost to faulty electronics or sticky pushbuttons. The Gates product line includes a variety of digital video and digital still camera housings. The PC-series housings sport one of many Gates firsts: the camera LCD screen can be opened and used as the viewfinder. They are compact, light, and travel in small carry-on cases. Commercial divers appreciate the 450-foot (137m) depth rating on the new TRV950/PDX10 housings. The VX2000M/PD150M housings are popular with professional underwater videographers for their balance, ease of use, and dependability. For the emerging digital still subsea market, Gates has the F707/F717 housings, specifically for the 5-megapixel digital still camera from Sony. The amateur can point and shoot, or fully manual controls are available for the professional.
Pentax USA Despite their compact size, the Optio 430RS and Optio 330RS offer 4.0 and 3.2 megapixels respectively for high-quality images and simple operation thanks to a new image processing circuit. The Optio cameras are always ready to point and shoot, so divers can accurately document their work without worrying about their equipment. Manual selection of shooting modes is simplified with a single dial that offers Standard, Night Scene, Metered Manual, Movie, 3D image and Digital Filter selection modes. The cameras feature standalone buttons for frequently used shooting and playback functions, and offer quick delete and quick enlargement for convenience. With a perimeter not much bigger than a credit card (3.6" wide, 2.3" high and 1.3/1.4" thick), it weighs a mere 7.1 oz. Crafted from stainless steel, the camera is comfortable in hand and offers a sleek, elegant appearance. Acrylic surrounds the base of the lens to enhance the look of each model from a range of different angles. The compact size is achieved with an ultra-compact 3X zoom lens that provides high resolution and low distortion levels. The 11MB of built-in memory allows extra image storage without the need for additional recording media. The Optio 430RS and Optio 330RS also employ the newly developed Multi Chip Module, which integrates the CPU, ASIC, and the memory chip for a more compact design.
Minolta Like the Dimage X and Xi cameras, the new all-weather housing exemplifies the synthesis of function and design. The smoothly contoured, compact shell easily slides into the pocket of a dive belt or buoyancy control jacket. The chrome-plated metal control buttons make using the cameras simple, even when wearing gloves. The curved polycarbonate surfaces give the Marine Case its strength while eliminating unnecessary bulk and weight. Suggested price is $249. The 2-megapixel Minolta Dimage X and new 3.2 megapixel Dimage Xi cameras are less than an inch thick and feature the same revolutionary folded 3x optical zoom lens design. Making cameras this thin would be impossible with conventional zoom lens technology. However, the unique design of the 3x optical zoom lens allows it to move, or "zoom," vertically within the camera body.
Hytec The heart of the system is a built-in PC board, the smallest on the market, with its Linux OS. This allows an adaptation to all Ethernet format protocol types, and provides storage for thousands of photos on an optional hard disk. The VSPN 6001 is installed on Ifremer's Nautile manned submarine, with a second unit going on Ifremer's Victor 6000 ROV. Hytec's DTR 100Z is an underwater panoramic dome color video camera depth rated to 1,000 feet (300m). It incorporates a 10x zoom and swivelling head. Image quality is remarkable, with 460 lines resolution. It can be controlled in either analogue or RS 232 mode. Billed by the French company as an "underwater periscope," it is ideal for surveillance, inspection, or installation on ROVs or other vehicles.
Ocean Scientific International The OceanCam 6000S (stills version) uses low-power microprocessor technology to provide electronic reliability for up to 12-month deployments while offering a high quality optical system. There are a wide range of settings for the time-lapse interval and each frame is time-stamped for reference. The robust design is rated to 19,680 feet (6,000m). The video version, OceanCam 6000V, was designed by the Southampton Oceanography Centre around the Sony range of digital video cameras. It operates to depths of 19,680 feet (6,000m). The modular hardware enables a wide range of camera types to be installed in the pressure housing. The hard anodized alloy housing contains the video camera, custom timing control and Lance communications for control.
Sea & Sea Underwater Photography Sea & Sea's new DX-100 was engineered to bring the benefits of the D100 to divers. The DX-100 housing is constructed of lightweight and rugged ABS resin and polycarbonate. Its ergonomically configured controls provide smooth access to all the camera's vital functions. White balance control can be adjusted to compensate for changing water conditions. Color Balance control can be used creatively or to correct for water color effects. The DX-100 enables divers to take full advantage of the camera's fast focusing capabilities and the digital advantages of instant review, ISO control, and virtually limitless frames per dive The annoying shutter lag common on many compact digital cameras has been eliminated. The new D100 SLR takes photos instantly when you push the shutter release. The D100 shoots, looks, and feels like a Nikon. Sea & Sea also has a new generation of housings designed for Canon D30 and D60 digital cameras. The DX-30/60 housing was created jointly by Sea & Sea and Canon to provide fast and comfortable operation of the Canon D30 and Canon D60's essential functions.
UWG Group
Fuji Photo Film's Waterproof Camera
It is published by Doyle Publishing Company for the commercial diving, ROV, and underwater industries. Entire contents ©1993 - 2003 Doyle Publishing Company. Reproduction in whole or in part without express written permission is prohibited. |