Ultra Low Light Underwater Imaging
Exploring frontiers in the underwater realm, the new Gates ME20 Housing pairs Canon ultra low light technology with Gates legendary reliability.
The new Gates ME20 Housing system is designed to push the boundaries of underwater motion imaging, revealing natural bioluminescence, moonlit reefs, dark caves and other light challenged scenes without the aid of additional, artificial lighting. Such breakthrough imaging is enabled by the Canon ME20F-SH camera, capable of incredible low light performance up to 4 million ISO.
The seasoned professional will recognize many signature features in the Gates ME20 Housing: precision mechanical FIZ control of any PL or Canon EF lens; durable machined aluminum and stainless construction; clean, uncomplicated, user friendly design; Gates precision ports for clear, sharp images; extensive line of accessories and custom configurations; and Seal Check II for housing integrity verification. Experts know that failure is not an option, so they never take a chance…. they take a Gates!
Compatible cameras:
Canon ME20F-SH / ME200S-SH
ME20 KEY FEATURES
External Monitor included
Top mounted, low profile with tilt / swivel mount, several External Monitor options are available with the ME20.
Clean, uncomplicated design
User friendly controls are 100% mechanical — no complicated mechanisms or electronics to fail.
Simplicity = Reliability
Adjustable Grips
Adjust the handles for perfect grip and convenient access to controls.
Precision Ports™
Quality optics means clarity, sharpness and NO vignetting (cutoff dark corners) to spoil your images.
Integrated Recorder
Adjustable Controls
Set the Focus / Iris / Zoom control just the way you like: close, mid or stacked knobs make fine lens adjustments easy.
Extensive Lens Support
The ME20 accommodates a wide variety of Canon lenses.
Adjustable Buoyancy and Trim
Add /remove trim weights for ideal buoyancy and balance — a key to stable, fluid shots.
Customization
Have a unique application? Shooting style? Special setup needs? Gates routinely custom modifies housing to your requirements — just the way you want it.
Seal Check II
The Gates Seal Check II is included with the Flex 4K and assures housing integrity before entering the water.
2-Year Warranty.
Legendary factory direct support.
Gates is synonymous with reliability and support, and only Gates offers a 2-year, renewable warranty on all housings.
Accessories
An extensive suite of accessories is available for cinema, Natural History, broadcast TV, research, and military applications.
SPECIFICATIONS
Controls (All Mechanical)
- Power On/Off
- Record / Standby(on Gemini Recorder)
- Assignable x 2
- Direct lens coupled (manual) Focus
- Direct lens coupled (manual) Iris
- Direct lens coupled (manual) Zoom
Dimensions: Basic Shell
Transport size with 8″ dome, PR126
- 18″ L x 11″ H x 11.6″ W (15.5” w/Handles)
- 46 cm x 30 cm x 30 cm (39 cm)
Construction
- Machined Aluminum, Type III Hard Anodized finish.
- Stainless steel hardware.
Depth Rating
- 250 feet / 76 meters.
Warranty
- 2 Years Renewable. Gates Warranty Details.
Weight in Air
- 17 lbs / 7.8 kg (Housing only, transport)
Weight in Water
- Fully adjustable buoyancy / trim
Batteries
- Gates 8 cells Lithium Ion battery. Over 2 hours run time.
Included Items
- ST5 or NVS External Monitor shell (Transvideo or Atomos LCD not included)
- Gates [infopopup:seal-check] system
- Pelican Case
- Tool Kit / Spare Kit / O-Ring Kit
Equipment Required
MONITOR OPTIONS
EM7 CINE Underwater Monitor Housing
Gates EM7 CINE Underwater Monitor Housing is a bespoke, glove-fit for the SmallHD CINE 7 LCD, offering a vivid 1800 nit 1900×1200 resolution display, visible even the bright daylight of shallow tropical waters…
EM5 ULTRA Underwater Monitor Housing
Gates EM5 ULTRA Underwater Monitor Housing is a tailored, glove-fit for the SmallHD ULTRA 5 LCD, with a powerful 3000 nit HD display, visible even in the harshest daylight…
EM503 Underwater Monitor Housing
Tailored to the SmallHD 503 Ultrabright LCD, the Gates EM503 Underwater Monitor Housing is a brilliant 2200 nits, visible even in harsh daylight…
NVS Underwater Monitor Housing
1000 nits bright LCD. 4K/60P recording in ProRes RAW. Extensive focus / exposure tools. All in a compact, neutrally buoyant package. That’s the Gates NVS External Monitor Housing.
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.
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.
SP80-8 Dome Port
The SP80-8 is an 8in / 203mm spherical dome port that preserves field of view (FOV) underwater, and is ideally suited for wide to fisheye imaging. Medium to macro, too, when paired with compatible macro zoom lenses. Anti-Reflective (AR) coated glass or optical grade Acrylic (Perspex) versions, the latter field serviceable / replaceable.
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.
SP110-12 Dome Port
At a remarkable 12.6 in / 320 mm diameter, the SP110-12 stands alone, a new standard in underwater optics. Optical glass with anti-reflective coating, SP110-12 is designed for rectilinear cinema lenses, yet equally at home in natural history applications where split shots and close focus are key parameters. ARRI Master Primes, Fujinon Cinema Zoom’s and Anamorphic Lenses all benefit from this superior, ‘no compromises’ Dome Port.
The SP110-12 is available in Anti-Reflective (AR) coated glass only.
CUSTOM PORTS
Corrective Optics and Specialty Ports
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.
External Monitor
Low profile, tilt / swivel External Monitor options are available.
Learn more on the “MONITOR OPTIONS” tab.
Spare Kits
O-rings, tools, hardware
Travel Case
Travel Case(s) have rollers and retractable handles
Carry Handle
Easy grip, transport and handling.
OPTIONAL ACCESSORIES
Port Rings
Support a variety of PL and DSLR lenses.
HD-SDI / UHD-SDI Surface Feed
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.
Knob Extensions
Finer control of focus and iris, even with gloves.
Water Alarm
An extra measure beyond 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.
Tripod Adapter
Use your own underwater tripod with this adapter.
Body Cap
Need added protection for travel or harsh setup environments? This body cap bayonets into place just like SPR’s and Ports.
Customization
Special modifications are routine. You really can have it ‘just the way you like’.
Underwater Titan Tube (UT2)
Surface and / or Underwater Command / Control of Astera Titan Tubes, the “the ultimate LED tube for filmmakers, TV studios and any creative person.”
Learn more….
SUPPORT
- ME20 Housing Feature Sheet
- ME20 Housing Setup, Use & Care Guide (To Be Released)
- Gates Lens Compatibility Reference
- Gates Recommended Lenses for Flat and Dome Ports
- Gates Underwater Housing General Care and Maintenance Guide
- Housing Hire / Rentals
- Find a dealer
- Contact Gates
ME20 Housing Supported Equipment
CAMERA
- Canon ME20F-SH or ME200S-SH
Recorder
- Atomos Ninja V LCD / Recorder