“Distinguished by an exquisite design and premium quality materials in order to echo the ethos of the Leica brand.”
- Leica Fotografie International Magazine.
SUB13 is the brainchild of artist Matt Draper and engineer Matt Hipsley. A personal project seven years in the making, born from Draper's desire and commitment to integrate Leica’s manual focus rangefinder into his fine art printmaking, forcing the design of his own fully functional underwater housing solution. As Draper's vision gained momentum, it evolved into a partnership with Hipsley, now extending its reach to artists and collectors alike.
The name SUB13 is derived from 'subversive,' reflecting our creative approach, and 'submarine,' honouring DOER Marine, founded by Dr Sylvia Earle as Deep Ocean Exploration and Research, whose early prototyping contributions were pivotal to our innovation. The number 13 symbolises the letter M, representing our founders, and naturally, the Leica M.
With an unwavering pursuit of perfection, Draper and Hipsley spare no expense, zealously devoting their time and expertise to SUB13. Our small in-house team, comprising Matt, Matt, Toby, and Kate, manages all design, engineering, and assembly. What truly sets us apart is our dedication to crafting underwater housings that we ourselves use for camera systems we own. This genuine investment ensures the highest standards and places every SUB13 owner at the heart of our story.
SUB13 is gaining notable recognition while expanding our audience, partnering with distinguished artists such as Leica Oskar Barnack Award winner Narelle Autio. Production runs are limited. We maintain a strict first-come, first-served policy for all enquiries and orders.
LATEST
SUB13 proudly announces the development of our Leica M6 underwater housings, celebrating 70 years of the Leica M System.
After a year of dedicated design, SUB13 will produce a single production run of 13 Leica M6 housings and 13 Leica M6 TTL housings. Each unit will feature a solid titanium external film advance lever and a dedicated film advance viewing window sculpted from sapphire glass.
Details coming soon.
RESULTS achieved
- NARELLE AUTIO -
Narelle Autio’s vibrant images of Australian ocean, coast and outback life have won her widespread acclaim and continue to capture the hearts and imaginations of viewers. Her sophisticated use of colour, light and composition create photographs that evoke the complex beauty of Australia’s landscape. Her photographs in the ocean investigating the lure of the sea and the ideas of transformation through mythology and folklore, is the foundation of her latest work.
