Q1：Could you share with us the original intention behind creating the Doris brand? What motivated you to enter the underwater photography equipment field? What’s the special meaning behind the name ‘Doris’?

A: Over my 20 years in underwater photography, I’ve gone through 7 different underwater housings. I believe that not just myself, but the vast majority of underwater photographers have been hoping for a housing that could be compatible with different camera brands. This was our primary motivation for establishing the brand and entering the underwater photography equipment industry. ‘Doris’ is the goddess of the sea in Greek mythology, who presides over the ocean. The name connotes ‘gift of the sea,’ which aligns perfectly with our vision—this product exists because of the ocean. It’s a gift bestowed upon us by the sea, and we want to share this gift with everyone.

Q2：The Doris smart underwater housing uses digital communication instead of traditional physical controls, which can be considered a revolutionary innovation in the industry. How did you come up with this idea? What inspired this design?

A: Rather than calling it an idea or inspiration, I’d say it was a natural progression. The Doris team has been involved in digital camera control system development since 2001. As early as 2010, we had already developed a system capable of controlling cameras from multiple brands including Canon, Olympus, and Nikon. However, the hardware capabilities at that time weren’t sufficient to create an underwater housing that could truly meet photographers’ needs. We restarted the project in 2016 and completed the entire control system’s software and hardware development by the end of 2019.

Q3：This product supports mirrorless cameras from multiple brands including Canon, Nikon, and Sony, with plug-andplay functionality. It also allows photographers to preset parameters based on their shooting habits and styles. How did you overcome the technical differences between different camera brands to achieve this compatibility?

A: When the system boots up, it automatically identifies the connected camera model and then loads the corresponding control programme. When photographers create custom quick modes for a specific camera model, the system uses the same principle to store settings within that model’s control，programme. In other words, under this main system platform, there are three sub-platforms for different camera brands, and under these sub-platforms, there are even more specialised programmes for controlling different camera models.

Q6：Through the Doris brand, what changes do you hope to bring to underwater photography enthusiasts? What does this brand and product mean to you in your personal photography journey?

A: Rather than bringing changes, we hope to provide convenience. It’s not just about the simple concept of ‘no need to buy a new housing when you get a new camera.’ Users can use different brand cameras for different shooting situations while carrying just one housing; when there’s an issue with their camera, they can temporarily use another one; even if they stop doing underwater photography in the future, the housing won’t significantly depreciate due to extended use or incompatibility with newer camera models. Cameras have been part of my life for 40 years, and photography has become an integral part of who I am. Although I’ve designed many products in the past, I never imagined that designing a photography-related product would become my career’s final work. While the entire process has been incredibly challenging, I believe that when hobby and career become one, beautiful results are bound to emerge. I’d like to take this opportunity to thank every member of the Doris team for their dedication, as well as all the photographers and partner manufacturers who provided valuable feedback during our research and development process.

Q4：What kinds of testing did the Doris housing undergo during development? How have photographers responded to it? Are there any memorable testing or usage experiences you can share with us?

A: After completing the system’s software and hardware at the end of 2019, we had to pause product design due to the pandemic. However, these 3 years gave us the opportunity to further optimise the product, with over 10,000 hours of system ageing tests improving its stability. From initiating product design in the second half of 2022 to final specification, we went through 11 iterations of structural and aesthetic design. From the first underwater test of the housing prototype in September 2023 to the final test in October this year, we spent a full year in testing. The photographers who tested it were amazed, and they provided many constructive suggestions, for which we are deeply grateful. The most interesting aspect during testing was that many observing photographers were initially very sceptical. However, once they saw the demonstration of different cameras working normally in the housing, they would immediately ask when they could purchase the product.

Q5：You’ve mentioned that the Doris team will continue to keep pace with mirrorless camera technology developments. What new plans or technological breakthroughs can we expect from the Doris brand in the underwater photography field in the future?

A: First, a stable technical team is key to maintaining a product’s vitality. Major manufacturers release new digital camera models every year, and integrating new cameras into the system requires substantial work from professional technicians, making the stability and sustainability of the technical team crucial. For example, we completed the full system integration for the Canon R5 Mark II in just one working day. Additionally, we’re developing various underwater photography peripherals, such as the all-angle EVF (Electronic Viewfinder) which is currently in its final stages of production testing. We also hope to leverage our existing system platform to integrate more underwater photography products, enabling direct control through the housing.