Eumig Nautica

Eumig Nautica

Year: 1979-81

Weight: 960 g

Lens: Panorama-Viennon 1,9 / 9 - 30 mm (optional: Eumig Nautica Zoom Set)

Fixed Focusing

Auto / Manual Zoom

Frame rates: 18 + single frame

Shutter degree: 190

Auto Exposure (Not TTL)

Backlight Control

Remote control socket

No sound

2 X AA batteries

Made in Austria

Original price in England (in the year of introduction): £199

Waterproof down to 40 m. PMA wide angle lens attachment. Other features: as Mini 3.

Prices on eBay:

• eBay USA:
  • US$187 in 08/1999
  • US$427 in 10/1999
  • US$264,00 (+ US$35,00 shipping) in 12/2005
  • US$212.50 (+ US$20.00 shipping) in 10/2009
• eBay Germany:
  • EUR 42,50 (+ EUR 8,00 shipping) in 02/2006
  • EUR 36,50 (+ EUR 5,00 shipping) in 02/2006
  • EUR 76,00 (+ EUR 6,00 shipping) in 06/2007
• eBay Austria:
  • EUR 100,00 (+ EUR 6,00 shipping) in 11/2006

Instruction manual online: http://www.super8aid.net/cameras.html

Comments

Bolex of Switzerland provided factory service for these cameras and will also convert them to run at 24fps if you wish. On August 23, 2005 they quoted a price of US$290 for 24fps conversion including a check up of the camera, adjustment of all functions, a lubrication and including shipment back to the USA.
Update 10.25.2009: Quoted US$350 for CLA service plus shipping (US$80). 24fps upgrade can still be performed for an additional US$50.
Update 2021: There have been rumors that Bolex closed its doors forever. However, their website is still up, stating they will return to „normal operation“ in September 2021, maybe except for some restrictions caused by COVID-19.

There's a special accessory for this set that should be rather unique for Super8-cameras: the Eumig Surf Set.

Reviews

To my knowledge this is the only Super 8 camera and motion picture film camera ever made to work underwater by itself, without any additional housing. It's a well-built camera, I've used one 4 or 5 times over a period of 2 years and it hasn't needed maintenance, despite its age. It's strange that it comes with a single-frame setting, I don't know why you'd ever use this camera for that. It would have been so much better if it had a 24 fps setting instead. FYI there is no manual exposure, just a +1 stop compensation to the auto exposure.

The normal lens is alright, but nothing special. Though like in most cases, a good scan will yield good results. I have had focus issues with some of the footage, I'm not sure if it's because of some water between the lens and the super-wide attachment (this shouldn't happen unless you are constantly changing lenses like me) or just that I forgot to switch the zoom lever to the correct position when the SWA lens was attached. Generally your footage will not be out of focus.

It shines as an underwater camera. I've brought this on trips as an emergency "bad weather" camera and for snorkeling and kayaking. However, since buying this (due to my dreams of shooting my own version of Creature from the Black Lagoon), I've really wanted to fall in love with this camera and I just can't. There are so many better cameras with more features that you can get underwater housings or bags for. It's really debatable whether this camera is worth using at all for a more professional setting, especially with the exorbitant prices it can command. The Eumig has the advantage of being small, lightweight, simple and easy to use but that's really about it.