Gates F55 Underwater Housing for Sony F55 Camera

Digital Cinema for the Underwater Professional Cameraman

The F55 Housing is a marquis member of the Gates family of housings for digital cinema and broadcast TV. Designed specifically for the Sony F5 and F55 CineAlta cameras, the F55 shares many functional features with its cinema brothers including full camera and lens control, support for a wide variety of DSLR and PL mount lenses, fully adjustable buoyancy / trim, and Gates Precision Ports for no compromises image quality.

The F55 housing is a Gates through and through: Precision machined aluminum shell, stainless steel hardware, reliable fingertip mechanical controls -- all backed by Gates legendary service and 2 year renewable warranty. Durable, reliable, dependable – the hallmark of Gates since 1969. From research to broadcast TV and cinema productions, they never take a chance...they take a Gates!

Compatible cameras: Sony F55 and F5 CineAlta

Key Features

Durable

"Bulletproof" machined aluminum, black type III 'hard' anodize finish and sealed with a nickel-acetate process.

User friendly field serviceable controls

User friendly field serviceable controls are 100% mechanical -- no complicated mechanisms or electronics to fail.

Simplicity = Reliability

External Monitor

The Gates EM50 and TVL55 are compatible with the F55 Housing. See Monitor Options tab for details.

Precision Ports™

Quality optics means clarity, sharpness and NO vignetting (cutoff dark corners) to spoil your images.

Control Access

Extensive control of camera functions including ND Filter, Soft Keys, Assign 1/2 and full menu access.

2-Year Warranty

Only Gates offers a professional 2-year, renewable warranty on all housings.

Extensive Lens Support

Over 45 PL and DSLR lenses are supported in the F55 Housing.

GATES Lens Compatibility Reference

Gates Recommended Lenses for Flat and Dome Ports

Adjustable Buoyancy and Trim

Add /remove trim weights for ideal buoyancy and balance -- a key to stable, fluid shots.

Adjustable Handles

Adjust the handles for perfect grip and convenient access to controls.

Integrated RAW recording

with the Sony AXSR5 RAW recorder (optional).

Field Serviceable

Gates products are nearly 100% serviceable in the field.

[infopopup:seal-check]

The Gates Seal Check II is included with every F55 and assures housing integrity before entering the water.

Learn more....

Accessories Suite

An extensive set of accessories is available for cinema, natural history, broadcast TV, research, military and many more applications.

Specifications

Controls (All Mechanical)

Manual 3 Axis Lens Control (Focus / Zoom / Iris)
Power
Record/Standby
ND Filter
Assign 1/2
File
Au/Tc
View
Menu
Menu Dial / Select
Menu Cancel
Soft Keys x6

Dimensions: Basic Shell

Transport size with 8" dome / PR126, No AXS-R5

18.4" L x 10.4" H x 11.3" W ”
47 cm x 26 cm x 29 cm

Fully Assembled with EM50 monitor, handles.

18.4" L x 16.9" H x 15.2" W ”
47 cm x 42.3 cm x 39 cm

Construction

Machined Aluminum, Type III Hard Anodized finish.
Stainless steel hardware.

Weight in Air

~40lbs / 18 kg. Dependent on configuration.

Weight in Water

Fully adjustable buoyancy / trim.

Depth Rating

450 feet / 137 meters.

Batteries

Accommodates BP-FL75 and other V-Lock batteries (contact Gates for compatibility).

Warranty

2 Years Renewable. Gates Warranty Details.

Included Items

External LCD Monitor shell only (LCD not included).
Gates [infopopup:seal-check] system.
Pelican Case.
Tool & O-Ring Kit.

Sony F5 or F55 Items Required

(Basic set. See Supported Equipment for more info)

Sony F5 or F55 Camera.
Battery (Sony BP-FL75 or other V-Lock type).
Media.
LENS of choice GATES Lens Compatibility Reference
Nikon lenses require MTF Adapter MTNIKGFZ and Gates Gear Ring Adapter.

Monitor Options

TVL55 External Monitor

The TVL55 External Monitor is a compact, feature-rich external monitor option for Gates broadcast and cinema caliber underwater imaging systems. Designed specifically for the TV Logic VFM-058W field monitor (not included), the TVL55 is a full 1920x1080 resolution on a 5.5" / 14cm diagonal display. A variety of focus and exposure tools are available like false color, zoom, peaking, vectorscope and waveform. Three assignable buttons give quick access to your favorite, most used functions. Of course the TVL55 is backed by Gates 2 year professional, renewable warranty and legendary customer service.

Key Features

Designed for TV Logic VFM-058W Field Monitor

with access to full menus and assignable controls.

Water Blocked Cable

has a tough polyurethane jacket. A Gates original design.

Full 1920x1080 Resolution

on a 5.5in / 140mm diagonal display.

Focus and Exposure Tools

Vectorscope, waveform, peaking, false color and zoom.

2.5 Hour Run Time

from two Canon LP-E6 low profile LiOn batteries.

2-Year Warranty

Only Gates offers a professional 2-year renewable warranty on all housings.

Specifications

Compatibility

TV Logic VFM-058W Field Monitor (not included)

Contols

Assignable x 3
Menu / Menu Roller
Power

Dimensions

7.5"W x 6.8"H x 4.3"D
19cm W x 17.2cm H x 11cm D

Connections

Gates HD-SDI Bulkhead Connector

Power

Two Canon LPO-E6 low profile batteries.
Run time 2.5 hours.
Other battery options available by custom order.

Construction

Machined Aluminum, Type III 'Hard' Anodized finish
Stainless steel hardware
Marine grade cable with polyurethane jacket and water block

Weight

Dry: 4.1 lbs / 1.7 kg
In Water: 1 oz / 28g negative.

Depth Rating

450 feet / 137 meters

Warranty

2-Years Renewable

TVL55 Video Tour -- Features and Operation

TVL55 Feature Sheet

TVL55 Setup, Use and Care Guide

Port Options

The best camera in the world can't make up for poor optics. Poor optical design and materials introduce ‘image killers’ – distortions, aberrations, degraded resolution, or vignetting. Gates family of Precision Ports are sharp and clear: the finest optics for the finest underwater images. No image killers. Professional to amateur, super wide to macro, Gates Precision Ports suit a wide range of needs, conditions and experience. Of course all ports are backed by our legendary customer support and the same standard of excellence expected of all Gates products.

Gates Lens Compatibility Reference

Gates Recommended Lenses for Flat and Dome Ports

FP80 Flat Port

Due to its larger front element, the FP80 supports a variety of medium to macro lenses – including external zooms. A simple, versatile port option. Both Acrylic (Perspex) and Glass versions available. Optical Note: like a SCUBA mask, flat ports yield ~20% loss of field of view (FOV) underwater.

Key Features

Versatile

The FP80 supports a wide range of lenses for medium to macro imaging.

AR Coated Glass

BK7 glass element with Anti Reflective (AR) coating is optional.

Shade

Shade choices include W075 (standard) and Macro (optional)

Field Replaceable

The FP80 element is user-changeable in the field.

Specifications

Material

Optical grade Acrylic / Perspex (standard)
Anti-reflective (AR) coated BK7 glass (optional)

Element Diameter / Clear Aperture:

7.4in / 189mm

Shades

W075 (standard)
Macro (optional)

Depth Rating

450ft / 137m

SP80 Standard (Dome) Port

The SP80 preserves field of view (FOV) underwater, and is ideally suited for wide to fisheye imaging. Medium to macro, too, when paired with a macro zoom lens. Anti-Reflective (AR) coated glass or optical grade Acrylic (Perspex) versions, the latter field serviceable / replaceable.

Key Features

Versatile

For medium to wide and fisheye imaging, the SP80 supports a wide variety of lenses

AR Coated Glass

The SP80 is available with either Acrylic / Perspex dome or BK7 Anti-Reflective (AR) coated glass domes.

Field Serviceable

Field Serviceable and replaceable dome (acrylic / Perspex only)

Specifications

Material Options

Acrylic / Perspex
Anti-Reflective (AR) coated BK7 glass

Element Diameter / Clear Aperture

7.5in / 190mm

Dome Spherical Diameter

8in / 203mm

Depth Rating

450ft / 137m

SP80-10 Dome Port

The SP80-10 is a 10in / 254mm spherical dome port that, like it's smaller SP80-8 sibling preserves field of view (FOV) underwater for wide to fisheye imaging. The SP80-10 however, exhibits superior compatibility with rectilinear lenses, mitigating the soft corners classically found with dome ports in general. This particularly beneficial with certain cinema PL mount glass like Arri Master Primes and Ultra Primes.

The SP80-10 is available in Anti-Reflective (AR) coated glass only.

Key Features

Superior Rectilinear Compatibility

For medium to wide and fisheye imaging, the SP80-10 excels at rectilniear imaging, particularly with PL mount cinema lenses.

AR Coated Glass

The SP80-10 is made of optically pure BK7 Anti-Reflective (AR) coated glass domes.

Versatile

The SP80-10 is compatible with hundreds of lenses. Click link above for Gates Lens Compatibility Reference

Specifications

Material Options

Anti-Reflective (AR) coated BK7 glass

Element Diameter / Clear Aperture

7.5in / 190mm

Dome Spherical Diameter

10in / 254mm

Depth Rating

450ft / 137m

Custom Port

Gates Precision Ports extend to custom designs for specific applications like underwater UV imaging or Corrective Optics (CO) that adapt a specific lens for underwater imaging, and eliminating distortions / aberrations. Contact Gates to discuss your particular application.

Included Accessories

Seal Check II

The Gates Seal Check II is included with every DEEP DRAGON and assures housing integrity before entering the water.

Learn more....

Spare Kits

O-rings, tools, hardware

External Monitor

The TVL55 External Monitor Housing (for TV Logic VFM-058W, not included) will tilt / swivel in any direction for optimal viewing.

Travel Case

Travel Case(s) have rollers and retractable handles

Carry Handle

Easy grip, transport and handling.

Optional Accessories

Port Rings

Support for over 45 PL and DSLR lenses.

HD-SDI / UHD-SDI Surface Feed

Need topside DP monitoring? High speed digital SDI video feed is available. 50 to over 300 feed, the link includes gold contact connectors and certified coaxial cable.

Diver Comm Port

Diver communications captured on-camera.

Submersible Microphone

Capture strident sounds of the underwater world – Shrimp clatter, excited divers or your buddy’s bubbles – with this submersible microphone. Note: The Submersible Microphone is not suitable for more subtle audio like whale song or dolphin echo location.

Tripod Legs

Retract tight to the housing on standby, and extend 18in / 46cm for secure, stable shots.

Tripod Adapter

Use your own underwater tripod with this adapter.

Hydrophone

For more subtle underwater audio like whale song and dolphin chatter, the extremely sensitive hydrophone is ideal.

Water Alarm

An extra measure beyond [infopopup:seal-check], the Gates Water Alarm provides both visible and audible warnings. The siren is coupled directly to the housing shell and resonates directly to the water, rendering it unmistakable to a diver.