Calypso

The self-contained amphibious underwater Calypso 35mm film camera was conceived by the marine explorer Jacques Cousteau (1910–1997), designed by Jean de Wouters and manufactured by Atoms in France. It was distributed by La Spirotechnique in Paris from 1960. The camera is rated to operate down to below sea level. The Calypso was sometimes advertised as the "CALYPSO-PHOT". Nikon took over production and sold it from 1963 as the Nikonos, which subsequently became a well-known series of underwater cameras. History de Wouters was a member of Cousteau's crew during the maiden voyage of the ; after discussing ideas for a camera capable of underwater use, de Wouters designed and built a prototype in 1957, which he called the Spiro. In order to reach a larger market the design was sold to Nikon in Japan, and in 1963 released as the Nikonos, subsequently becoming a long-lived series of underwater cameras, culminating with the introduction of the short-lived 35mm SLR Nikonos RS in 1992. Description The Calypso is equally suitable for water and air environment photography. The body is covered in a grey imitation sealskin. Two carrying strap attachments, one on each side, are also used as opening levers.