ridgebackpilot

If underwater photography is your only vice (albeit an expensive one), you're a fortunate man!

My benchmark for eBay purchases is 50 percent of retail. But sometimes it's not possible to achieve that for rare items or those in great demand.

Housing is sold!

@Alex_Mustard If I get to Misool before you arrive, maybe I can shave my head, impersonate you, and walk off with the prototype to use while I'm there! 😇🤣

Heads up, Z8 shooters! Apparently Nikon has just released firmware 2.0 for the camera, and it's a major upgrade packed with a number of brand-new features that go well beyond those of the Z9. Among the major new features is dedicated "Bird Detect", which presumably will work with fish? As you know, @MatthewSullivan and @Alex_Mustard have featured Z8 content on their new Underwater Photography Show. Perhaps they'll make a new video exploring the new features contained in firmware 2.0 and which of them are especially relevant to underwater photographers. In the meantime, here are a couple of videos exploring the hot-off-the-presses features in the new firmware update:

@Alex_Mustard I hope to find you at the Misool resort in late March. We'll be aboard the Emperor Harmoni and expect to call at the resort sometime during the last three days of the month. Can't wait!

Hehehe! That's certainly my diabolical hope, unless of course I win the lottery and can suddenly afford the FCP!

Dave: Thanks for sharing these photos. They look great! I'm impressed with the sharpness of the WWL-C lens. Your experience so far is further proof that my decision to switch from DSLR (Nikon D800E in my case) to the Z8 with WWL-C was the right one. Can't wait to get in the water with the new rig in Raja Ampat next month!

The WACP-C may be my next purchase, unless I can find a way to spring for the new, versatile FCP...

@Dave_Hicks Thanks so much for sending your 3D printed zoom gear for the Nikkor 24-50mm lens. It's terrific and I will put it to good use on my trip to Raja Ampat next month!

I'd seriously consider Isotta, Sunbal, Aquatica, and Marelux housings if I didn't already own so much Nauticam gear! Nauticam wisely made their new NA-Z8 housing compatible with older ports and other accessories, which makes it impractical to switch at this stage...

Strobes are sold.

I have one of the older models, too, and I plan to use it with my Nikon Z8. Evidently you can adjust the EVF to make it slightly smaller so that you can see the entire frame through the viewfinder. Hadn't heard about any chromatic aberration; are you certain that's the fault of the Nauticam viewfinder? Could the camera's EVF itself be responsible for what you're seeing?

Check this out: https://reefphoto.com/collections/consignment/products/copy-of-discontinued-nauticam-45-viewfinder

I just acquired a WWL-C lens, so I'm putting the system together backwards from the front! 😂

Good advice, Dave, thanks. I do have the older 45 degree viewfinder, and I'd heard that I can adjust the EVF to match. Do you recall where on the complex Z8 menus that adjustment is to be found?

Yes, that's what I thought. Wouldn't it be nice if there was a single standard for ports, so we could choose our housings without fear that our existing ports wouldn't work with the new one? Just dreaming here...!

Friends: I need to acquire a housing for my new Nikon Z8 prior to going back to Raja Ampat in late March. That means I have less than two months to find one! And I need your advice. Should I bite the bullet and buy a new Nauticam NA-Z8 housing for $4,832 (ouch!)? This housing is so new there aren't yet any on the used market. But I'd be able to use all my existing Nauticam ports and other hardware. Should I take advantage of this opportunity to switch to a less expensive housing, such as those from Aquatica ($3,349) or Marelux ($3,998)? But then I'd have to buy all new ports, too, wouldn't I? I have to admit I haven't been able to find a good deal on a new Nauticam housing. If you were buying a housing today, what would you do? Thanks!

Friends: I thought you might enjoy my recent blog about a trip to Raja Ampat last year that includes some of my underwater images. We stayed at the fabulous Papua Explorers Eco-Resort because it was during the off-season and all the boats were tied up. Protecting the Remarkable Coral Reefs of Raja Ampat, Indonesia My son and I are going back in late March 2024, this time aboard a liveaboard dive boat. So we'll see more of the area; can't wait!

Nauticam NA-D800 underwater housing for Nikon D800 or D800E DSLR cameras. This housing retailed for over $3,000 new; asking $1,000 or best offer. I'm switching to mirrorless, so my DSLR equipment needs to go. I used this housing last year on a trip to Raja Ampat, Indonesia and it worked perfectly! The housing comes with the following accessories: Nauticam Macro Port 87 for Nikkor AF-S 105mm macro lens (retails for $571) Nauticam built-in electronic leak detection system Backscatter vacuum valve Nauticam Handles for housing Please check my other listings for related equipment that works with this housing, including: Nikon D800 and D800E camera bodies AF-S Micro Nikkor 105mm macro lens Two Ikelite Substrobe DS51 Ikelite Substrobe DS160 Ikelite Substrobe DS161 Movie Ikelite DL1 DS Link TTL Connector Ikelite strobe synch cords Any questions? Please send me a message!

@Dave_Hicks Let us know how the Nikkor Z 24-50mm lens works with your WWL-C. That's the same system I'm hoping to put together!

Ikelite Sync Cord: Two Sea & Sea or INON Strobes to Ikelite Bulkhead (Non-TTL) SKU: 45282 I'm selling because I no longer have underwater strobes that work with this sync cord. Coiled Y-shaped dual sync cord with an Ikelite-style plug on the housing end and Nikonos SB-style plugs on the strobe ends. Direct replacement for the prior version #4118.2. The Ikelite plug features hard anodized aluminum fittings. Overall the cord is significantly lighter while maintaining the same durability as the original nickel-plated brass product. Retails for $190 new; get it here for less! Asking $160 plus shipping.

Ikelite DL1 DS Link TTL Converter for Nikon Cameras; pairs with a Nikon TTL hotshoe. Ikelite was the first company to introduce TTL for underwater strobes with Nikon DSLR cameras, and continues to set the standard for accuracy of Nikon TTL flash protocol. According to Ikelite: Link is independently waterproof sealed. Faster, more accurate, and more reliable than fiber optic TTL triggers. Switch between TTL and manual flash operation with the press of a single button. Improves strobe battery life and recycle times. Supports rear curtain synch and flash exposure (EV) compensation set in the camera. Supports a wide selection of camera models. Simply use an Ikelite dual synch cord to fire two strobes in TTL from a single link converter. Retails for $350 new; get it here for less! Asking $300 plus shipping.

Thanks, Dave. I realize I can use my existing gear with the Z8. Indeed it's all perfectly serviceable. But I've got my eyes on new, lighter flashguns, and I've got to finance that purchase by selling some of my existing gear. I'm actually keeping several of my F-series lenses, including my Nikkor 8-15mm fisheye zoom. I've got the Nikon adapter that allows me to use any of my older lenses with the Z8. If you haven't seen it already, check out this new video by @Alex_Mustard on recommended lenses for the Nikon Z8. Among other things, he says (at 15:26 in the video) that the new Nikkor Z 105mm is superior to the AF-S Nikkor 105mm that I have. The video, and his previous one on the Nikon Z8, are full of good information on how to shoot the Z8 underwater and with what lenses.