Subal Housing for the D2X

Hi Folks,

There have been a couple of similar threads, but I haven't found quite what I'm after

I'm about to get a Subal housing for a D2X and would like to hear from people out there who have used the same kit.

What is the advantage of using the GS Viewfinder?

Does it make the camera viewfinder easier to see?

How much further from the camera does it place you? and would this be hard for someone with a short reach?

Does it affect the robustness of the housing and the way it packs for travel in luggage or on a boat?

Also any other tips on what are some of the things to look out for, to do or not to do.

Thanks

Lndr

Hi Linda,

I have been using this combination all year and think it is very good.

I do not use the GS viewfinder - which adds some bulk to the housing and cost and makes the rig an awkward shape in your suitcase (those are the negatives). The GS viewfinder gives you a much enlarged view of the image and also the ancillary info around it. The only downside is that you have to get your eye in exactly the right place to get this view. And most users find this a bit tricky for the first few dives - but once they "own" the housing for a while they like it.

But I am happy without it. If I had a D70 I would have a GS finder - but on the D2X I am happy with the standard viewfinder. I think viewfinder preferences are very personal - so I can't really say which is right for you.

The D2X is proving incredibly popular for UW photography. I have heard a couple of people referring to it as the new F90X (N90X) - that Nikon was THE uw SLR for the 1990s. I guess partly because I have it - I have heard of so many people who are now shooting with this camera.

Not really answered all your questions - but I hope that this gets the ball rolling.

Alex

This is a dilema I too have not resolved. I do not use an SLR but have started to look at a few systems.

I am struck by how much larger the viewfinder on a D2X appears than on a D70. A lot is witten about cropped sensor cameras having smaller viewfinders but it's interesting that on these two cameras with the same size sensor the D2X appears much better.

After looking at a D70 with and without the GS viewfinder in a Subal housing I initilly came to the conclusion that the viewfinder was a must have item on a D70. Without the viewfinder it felt like looking at a postage stamp through the end of a toilet roll. This was in the dry though and I am not sure about the feel of things underwater.

I also thought this viewfider option would be the only reason I would buy a Subal. I gather Seacam and Sealux housings also have viewfinder options.

The only doubt in my mind is that loads of other photographers out there are taking stunning pictures on cameras with small viewfinders and not complaining about it. I'm not sure what to make of that. It may be that I am sill in love with composing pictures on an LCD screen with the camera away from my face and will never get an SLR!

Alex's comments about living without it on the D2X make sense. Perhaps the GS viewfinder can be fitted afterwards on a D2X Subal if you still feel the viewfinder is too small and not to your liking.

Trevor

I  initilly came to the conclusion that the viewfinder was a must have item on a D70. Without the viewfinder it felt like looking at a postage stamp through the end of a toilet roll. This was in the dry though and I am not sure about the feel of things underwater.

Alex's comments about living without it on the D2X make sense. Perhaps the GS viewfinder can be fitted afterwards on a D2X Subal if you still feel the viewfinder is too small and not to your liking.

 

 

The only doubt in my mind is that loads of other photographers out there are taking stunning pictures on cameras with small viewfinders and not complaining about it. I'm not sure what to make of that. It may be that I am sill in love with composing pictures on an LCD screen and will never get an SLR.

 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I like the D70 viewfinder analogy! Very acurate. And yes the GS viewfinder can be retro-fitted to the Subal and Sealux. Although it is obviously more expensive this way as you have to first buy the standard viewfinder.

Viewfinders are very much a personal thing. For me I like to see the whole image - and would rather it be small than having to move my head around to check the corners of the frame. I was very happy shooting without the GS finder on the D70, but if it were my rig I'd probably get it. This picture was taken with the D70 (without viewfinder) and I certainly didn't feel it hampered my composition etc:

The one thing I like about the big finders is that I think that they can inspire you not to just take snapshots and to really make the most of that frame. And I guess for the same reason I completely understand your addiction to the LCD screen, Trevor. It certainly works for you and I would question whether you should go DSLR.

The one thing I don't like on compacts is the 4:3 dimensions of the frame. I think Compact verticals don't have the impact of taller DLSR verticals.

Alex

Alex,

Yes, - moving away from the ability to carefully compose an image off an LCD screen is something I'm struggling with. That is probably why I've given the Subal GS viewfinder a close look. Surely bigger is better?

The latest compact cameras are now getting larger 2.5 inch screens which is making it even more appealing for me to just get a newer compact. I still wonder if the whole idea of an SLR and squinting through a viewfinder is a relic from the past when things like parralex correction were major headaches.

The benefits of those larger DSLR sensors and specialist lenses are attractive though. Shame at the moment it has to be an dSLR. The latest Sony DSC R1-APS live view might be an indication of future cameras though.

As for the 4:3 aspect ratio the longer I work with it the more I prefer it. I actually find more underwater subjects fit the squarer shape more readily. It is only when it comes to printing that I realise 3:2 more readily fits common paper sizes. A shame the 4:3 Oly E300 and E500 also have mediocre viewfinders.

A bit off Linda's original post but interesting ?

Trevor

'

I actually find more underwater subjects fit the squarer shape more readily.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I found a similar thing when I was shooting the Hasselblad. I think a lot of marine life fits the square format. But scenic stuff less so.

I think that size of viewfinder is very personal. I don't prefer a bigger image for composing (although I do for review) - I like to be able to see all of it. That way I can judge the composition. I don't need to see the fine details. But if a big screen works for you then don't change your approach. I don't believe there is any right or wrong here.

If you shoot mainly wide angle and non-moving macro and super macro I don't think that there is any need for a DSLR (except for image quality at large repro-sizes, which is more than just megapixels). What is important for compacts is having good lighting. It is rare you see a compact shooter with two strobes etc - but when you do their pix are normally as good as any dSLRs. Just more limited subject-wise as there are few fast moving ones.

Alex

if I understand correctly, to see the whole frame through the viewfinder you need to move your head around? That would probably make me not get one. Oh how I wish they were user-removable..

Cor

if I understand correctly, to see the whole frame through the viewfinder you need to move your head around? That would probably make me not get one. Oh how I wish they were user-removable..

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Nope. The point of both the standard viewfinder and the GS viewfinder on the Subal are that you can see the whole frame without moving your eye/head at all.

The standard viewfinder does this by making the viewfinder appear a bit smaller. Whereas the GS viewfinder makes it appear bigger. The problem with the GS viewfinder is that your eye must be in exactly the right place to benefit from this improved view. And it can take a couple of dives before you are happy with this.

Hope that is clearer.

Alex

Thanx

I am leaning toward no GS mainly because I have concerns about having something protruding so far from the back of the housing. The pic someone had posted of it with the eye-cup fitted (I can't find it now) just didn't inspire me.

I have a GS on my current N70 which is real clear & bright ... from all accounts the D2X / ND2 will be at least as good as that??

cheers

Leander

Definately clearer, thanks. Would you say that if you dont really miss it on the D100, you wont miss it on the D2X? I use manual focus all the time on the D100 without any problem. I dont really need a magnified viewfinder, but everyone ive spoken to that has one seems to love it. So there must be something to it.

Cor

I have the GS viewfinder for my D2X. I think it works very well. I find I can frame a photo much better than I ever could with my D100 in a Subal housing. I have no trouble using it. I don't use the eye cup.

Of course I have "aging eyes". If your near or older than 40 don't let those young guys tell it won't help you. Believe me on this. I make my living off of it.

Thanx Dave - I know a few u/w photographers that big viewfinders (the Seacam one is v popular) let them see their shots again :>

Alex's comment on the "packability" were in line with my own thoughts.

I am still undecided - that in itself is probably enough to make me think I don't need it. Maybe better off spending the money a new digital macro strobe ...

BTW my Sony digicam has one of the nicest clearest LCDs (2.5" 235,000 pixel). Its great for composition ... even at arms length ... but I'd trade it for the SLR ability to know my focus has hit the sweet spot any day.

I have the subal GS viewfinder on the ND2 housing and I would not go without it anymore. the visibility is very clear and bright and big. However, the view angle must be straight into it otherwise the view gets a bit distorted. Also the packing is different since the finder is attached to the back of the housing shell and cannot be replaced. When travelling I usually have the 2 parts of the housing seperated and place the back housing part with the viewfinder inside-out into the front part of the housing seperated by some plastic cover for protection.

I also have the GS Viewfinder for my ND2 housing. It did take a few dives to get used to it. During the first dive, I even thought that may be it was $900 down the drain but after getting used to getting good alignment with my eyesight then it is well worth it for me. The protruding bit did not really bother me one way or another. My eyesight is still pretty good (knocked on wood) and I could see the whole frame even on my old D70 with Sea and Sea housing.

All in all, for D2X, it is not essential to get GS Viewfinder but if you can swing it, I don't think you will be disappointed. Some dealers can retrofit the GS Viewfinder if you want to do it later but some like mine can't and would have to send it back to Subal so basically it will cost more time and money later.

The eyecup is especially useful when you first try to align your eyesight with the viewfinder and is very useful for night dive as I sometimes would get some glare from my focus light otherwise.

btw, by my rough count, there must be at least 7-8 people if not more on this board with D2X/Subal setup. Now I feel my u/w equipment is absolutely generic! I thought D2X would be a little bit more exclusive

btw, by my rough count, there must be at least 7-8 people if not more on this board with D2X/Subal setup. Now I feel my u/w equipment is absolutely generic! I thought D2X would be a little bit more exclusive 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Yea, that hacks me off too...LOL!

I dove without the viewfinder when the housing came to me just days before a dive trip and I didn't have time to get the eyepiece swapped off the D70 housing.

What I found really frustrating without it was my inability to see the whole frame in the normal viewfinder. I was pushing my eye up so tight to the housing that I was purging my reg. which is definitely counter productive to a nice framing. Think looking thru a peephole, the closer you get, the larger the field of view. The GSviewfinder, which protrudes several inches from the back of the housing, allows me to look at the full frame without banging into my reg. FWIW

Rand

HI ALL,

Can I just add a note to this topic, I use a D70 but i have it housed

inside a seacam housing with a s45 view finder & yes they are

expensive, but the view through the veiw finder is exellent & I feel

more confident in the shots I am getting. Also it takes seconds to

fit & or remove. I know you are talking about a subal housing but

their are manufacturers who make removable view finders they may

be worth a look hope this helps

Andy .

I have to second this one. If you're looking at a Subal D2x and GD finder, I'd also look at a Seacam housing and S180 viewfinder. I think you'll find that they are "comparably" priced.

And the Seacam viewfinder is fabulous - you really don't have to have your eye anywhere NEAR it to get a FF view, and the image is the size of a 35mm slide...

Cheers

James

I have to second this one.  If you're looking at a Subal D2x and GD finder, I'd also look at a Seacam housing and S180 viewfinder.  I think you'll find that they are "comparably" priced.

 

And the Seacam viewfinder is fabulous - you really don't have to have your eye anywhere NEAR it to get a FF view, and the image is the size of a 35mm slide...

 

Cheers

James

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I agree that Seacam housing is not that much more expensive. The viewfinder is a bit more expensive but also if I am not mistaken, the ports are quite a bit more expensive especially the domeport. I was very tempted to get Seacam initially but my local dealer basically said that he could get Seacam for me but could not provide any local service unlike Subal. Otherwise I would also be very tempted.

I have only handled the Subal briefly at DEMA, but having shot Seacam for over a year now, I consider the magnified viewfinders absolutely essential! Sure, you can take amazing pics without them, but once you've gotten used to being able to see the plane of focus in critical detail, it is tough to go back to a regular finder. The view of my D2x finder is better behind the Seacam viewfinder than in my hands on land. IMO, the viewfinders are money well spent - especially if you enjoy macro work!

I have to fully agree - the viewfinder is the photographer's interface with the image he/she is trying to capture/create. It is well worth trying to look through as many viewfinder options as possible. If you have fantastic vision and can operate perfectly well with a reducing finder then great. If you are like the rest of us, then a decent viewfinder is an absolute boon.

It also depends on your style/type of photography. I like low level close-up shots and adore my own S45 as it allows you to dhove the housing into the seabed (did I just say that?) for really low shots. The converse is true too. I often shoot from the water surface at boats and so on. An angled viewfinder lik the S45 is not the best choice for this sort of work and needs learning for fast moving subjects. Since its fitted I have to use it, but if you are shooting large faster moving subjects then other viewfinders may be a better option. If you are investing in a camera like the D2X you are probably pretty serious about your underwater photography and viewfinder choice is important.