Nauticam Raptor Underwater Housing
For the RED® V-RAPTOR® (8K VV)
The Nauticam Raptor housing puts RED's flagship 8K cinema camera into one of the smallest and easiest-to-use underwater cinema systems on the market. Engineered in the same compact, travel-friendly spirit as Nauticam's DSMC2 LT and Komodo housings, it shares the proven N120 cinema port system used across Nauticam's DSLR and cinema range, opening the door to premium water-contact optics. Tool-less setup and tear-down, in-housing battery swaps and Nauticam's standard vacuum check and leak detection make it as practical on the boat as it is capable in the water.
Consider the Raptor if you:
- Want professional 8K RAW cinema in the most compact, travel-friendly underwater package
- Already shoot an N120 system and want to share ports and optics
- Need quick, tool-less lens and battery changes in the field
- Plan to run an external monitor, recorder or surface control over SDI or Ethernet
At a Glance
| Dimensions | 269 × 175 × 294 mm (W × H × D) |
| Depth Rating | 80 m |
| Weight in air | 4.9 kg |
| Weight in water | Negative 1 kg (includes camera and bebob V200MICRO battery) |
| Port System | N120 |
| Compatible cameras | RED® V-RAPTOR®; also RED® KOMODO™ and KOMODO-X™ via optional tray (16250) |
| Warranty | 2 years |
The Camera: RED® V-RAPTOR®
New to the V-RAPTOR? Here's the context. Already know it well — skip to the housing below.
The V-RAPTOR 8K camera features a multi-format 8K VV sensor with the ability to record 8K Large Format or 6K Super 35. It offers 17+ stops of dynamic range and records R3D files (REDCODE RAW) directly to CFexpress cards, eliminating the need for expensive proprietary media. It uses Canon's RF mount with full support for the Canon EF to EOS R lens adaptor, giving access to a wide variety of focal lengths. V-RAPTOR 8K VV is RED's most powerful camera to date while remaining one of the smallest cinema cameras available — a feature set aimed squarely at filmmakers needing professional specs in a travel-friendly package.
Key camera specifications
- 8K VV 35.4 megapixel CMOS sensor (8192 × 4320)
- R3D files (REDCODE RAW)
- 17+ stops dynamic range
- Records to CFexpress cards
- Canon RF lens mount
- Integrated Micro V-Lock battery interface
- Dual 12G SDI out
- Integrated 2.4" LCD screen with touch camera control
- Wireless control from a smartphone
Recording formats (selected)
- REDCODE RAW — 8K 8192 × 4320 @ 120 fps; 6K 6144 × 3240 @ 160 fps; 4K 4096 × 2160 @ 240 fps; 2K 2048 × 1080 @ 480 fps
- REDCODE HQ — 8K up to 60 fps; 6K up to 96 fps; 4K up to 240 fps; 2K up to 480 fps
- REDCODE MQ / LQ — 8K up to 60 / 120 fps; 6K up to 160 fps; 4K up to 240 fps; 2K up to 480 fps
The Housing
Lens compatibility and the N120 port system
The Raptor housing uses the N120 cinema port system shared with Nauticam's other N120 platforms, so moving across from another N120 Nauticam system is straightforward and gives access to premium optics such as the WACP-1/2 and SMC-1/2 ranges. The V-RAPTOR uses a Canon RF mount, with Canon EF lenses supported via the Canon EF to EOS R adaptor (including the versions with Variable ND Filter or Control Ring). A command wheel on the left side of the housing gives smooth ND changes, and large cinema-style focus and zoom wheels sit within easy reach of the handles for precise manual control with the matching lens gear sets.
Worth noting: when changing between RF and EF lenses, the camera must be removed from the housing to fit or remove the RF-to-EF adaptor. With the 16410 N120 to N200 Port Adaptor, the system also supports select cinema lenses on the N200 port system, with tool-less switching in the field.
Mission Control: every control within reach
Adjustable handles place the cinema-style zoom and focus knobs at your fingertips, and a 1/4"-20 cheese plate on top of the housing provides multiple accessory mounting points. In addition to full mechanical control, the Raptor adds a series of backlit electronic controls: Iris+/-, Shut+/-, ISO+/-, WB on the left side, and Pre-Record, FPS+/-, Playback, Play/Pause, Magnify and Tools on top. Batteries can be swapped without removing the camera from the housing.
Supported batteries (Micro V-Lock)
- REDVOLT Micro-V 98Wh
- Anton Bauer Titon Micro V-Mount 45/98/140Wh
- bebob V-MICRO 45/98/150/200Wh
- Core SWX NANO Micro 98/147Wh (V-Mount)
- Fxlion NANO ONE/TWO Ultra Compact 50/98Wh
- Hawk-Woods Mini V-Lok 98/150Wh
- IDX Imicro-150 97/145Wh (V-Mount)
- SWIT PB-M98S 98Wh
Internal monitor support
Beyond the large window for viewing the V-RAPTOR's 2.4" LCD, Nauticam offers an optional rear housing back for the Portkeys BM5WR monitor (16610), letting the operator view the monitor from a natural filming position with control buttons for the BM5WR's tools.
External monitoring — SDI
The SmallHD 503 Ultrabright or the Atomos Ninja V can be mounted in an external monitor housing and connected via SDI bulkheads and cables for flexible positioning.
Required for the SDI cable system
Recommended monitor housings
- 17925S Nauticam NA-503-S Housing for SmallHD 503 Ultrabright (SDI cables and bulkhead included)
- 17922S Nauticam Atomos Ninja V-S Housing (SDI cables and bulkhead sold separately)
Surface control — Ethernet
The Raptor housing supports a surface Ethernet feed in 5 m (pole cam) and 45 m (studio) lengths, with room inside for a USB-C to Ethernet adaptor for full surface control of the camera via the RED Control App.
- 16261 Ethernet Surface Cable Set, 45 m (incl. housing Lemo bulkhead and cables)
- 16262 Replacement housing Lemo bulkhead with integrated Ethernet cable
- 16263 Ethernet Surface Cable Set, 5 m
Vacuum check and leak detection — standard
The Raptor housing includes Nauticam's field-tested Vacuum Check and Leak Detection System. Drawing a slight vacuum with the compact hand pump confirms the housing is sealed before entering the water and throughout the dive, with a colour-coded LED at the rear showing vacuum status. Leak detection shares the same circuit, triggering an audible and visual alarm on any water intrusion. The system is temperature-compensated to eliminate false alarms.
What's in the Box
- RED® V-RAPTOR® Housing
- 25625 M16 Vacuum Valve II
- 90121 Housing O-ring, lubricant and O-ring remover
- 2× Handles with mounting balls
- CR2032 battery (moisture alarm and vacuum system)
- Allen wrench set
- Housing skids
- Wheeled case with custom-fit foam insert
- 2× 0.25 kg and 2× 0.5 kg trim weights
Optional Accessories
Handling and mounting
- 16610 Nauticam PBM5III WR Rear Housing for 16120
- 16250 Komodo Camera Tray (for KOMODO/KOMODO-X with 16120)
- 17959 Housing Mounting Ball with 1/4" screws
- 16701 Top Handle for E2/F/C70/BMPCC/KOMODO/RAPTOR
- 16226 Mounting Bracket for Monitor Housing
- 25221 M10 Strobe Mounting Ball for Housing
- 16232 0.25 kg Trim Weights (4 pcs)
- 16233 0.5 kg Trim Weights (4 pcs)
- 16410 N120 to N200 Port Adaptor for Epic/Weapon LT Housings
Vacuum valves
Resources
- Raptor PDF Manual — to be published by Nauticam (not yet available at time of writing).
- Nauticam N120 port charts
