New EOS 5D - Can I use my DS-125s?

I just got a EOS 5D, what a sweet camera. I already had 2 Ikelite DS-125 strobes for another camera and ULCS arms. Can I and should I use the DS-125s with this new camera? Which housing will allow me to do this. Money is not the issue, I would like to get the most capable housing that I can. I plan on eventually taking this camera deeper than 200 feet so I think that Ikelite housings are out.

At beneath the sea I looked at Subal and Aquatica housings and they both seemed robust and solid. What makes the Subal housing so much more expensive than the Aquatica?

Thanks

Steve Haines

Hi Steve,

You can use your DS-125s with any housing, you will just need to buy the correct sync cords. About your second question, Subal's controls are usually better positioned and more precise (one click = one f-stop, etc), but this difference is decreasing with the newer, better engineered Aquaticas.

Now, if you want to go beyond 200ft, I think the only one that can do it is the Aquatica.

Luiz

Thanks Luiz,

Is there any reason for the huge price difference other than brand loyality?

Steve

Light weight (the Subal for the D2x weighs 2.7kg or 6 pounds, the Aquatica weighs 3.6kg or 8 pounds, that's 2 pounds more in the carry-on luggage in my case), glass dome (as opposed to acrylic, but some prefer acrylic domes), optional magnified viewfinder, more precise controls (but I haven't tested the last generation Aquatica housings).

Having said that, the greatest advantage of the Aquatica is the depth limit. Aquatica goes a lot deeper, and I will buy one for me because I will start doing deep trimix dives. I just haven't decided if it will be for the D2x or D200.

Luiz

Hi Steve,

I've used the Aquatica 5D housing and it works fine with Ikelite strobes. You won't be able to use your strobes in TTL without getting a Heinrich's TTL adapter installed in your housing. If you get the Ikelite housing, it comes with their TTL adapter built in.

The Aquatica housing performed well and I enjoyed using it. Luiz has already explained the difference between the Aquatica and the Subal.

Cheers

James

In addition to what Luiz wrote, Subal offers access to both command wheels from the right right handle (without removing your hand).

The subal housing is slightly larger, and lighter, meaning it will trap more air and should be closer to neutrally buoyant.

The housing is built with very light spring tension on the pushbuttons, making them easier to operate than Aquatica's stiffer controls, but this elminates the possibility of diving below 200 feet.

Heinrichs circuitry can be installed in either housings (I do it, as does underwater photo tech) allowing TTL & Rear Curtain Sync with the 5d.

Ryan,

I seldom bracket using aperture so to me not having the comand wheel together is no issue. This hold true for most professionals shooting.

Have you used the Aquatica 5D housing?If not how do you know if it is not Neutrally buoyant? The push buttons on the Aquatica are not stiff at all, I spoke with Blake and he gave me these numbers,the push buttons springs on the Aquatica have a diameter of .023 of an inch and the Subal is .015.It takes 3.3 pounds of pressure per square inch to push in an Aquatica push buttons(not sure what all of that means),I just know that they are not stiff.Sometimes it is good to deal with technical facts versus words like STIFF.

This whole debate boils down to brand loyalty and the size of your wallet. No more, no less. Both housings do the job and well.

There is not reason in my mind why I would spend $1500 (whithout accessories I may add) more for a subal over an aquatica, but again I am a working professional.

I am still waiting for that info on the diameter of the Nexus dome.

Mauricio Handler

Hi Mauricio,

The Aquatica 20D and 5D housings have the controls in the same position as the Ikelite housing, ie, sticking up on top, and out the back. The major difference between the Subal and Seacam housings and the Aquatica is that the other two put the important controls right at your fingertips. For some people this isn't a big deal and not worth paying extra, but for some it is.

Personally, I think it's very important and that's why I'm glad Aquatica has put one fingertip control into their D200 housing.

Cheers

James

Hi,

I've bought a 5D a month ago, and since then I've been studying the housing that differents brands are proposing for that camera, and I'm still not decided for one housing.

First I have to say that I think that most of the main brands produce excelent products, I mean they have a good building and finish. Some are stronger in some points and others are stronger in other aspects. Ikelite, Subal, Seacam, Hugyfot, Nexus, Aquatica, etc (in my analog days I has an Aquatica F5 housings and it was excelent and very strong), all have good housings.

When I look for a housing one of the first things I check is the ergonomics, that means that I want to reach the main controls easily and with one hand (my right hand) because some times you are not able to use both hands (when it's current) and some times It' better to keep your eye on the viewfinder instead of looking where is the button.

My hand is medium-small, and after checking some of the housings for the 5D, I've seen that, with most of them, I can't reach the 2 main dial comands (front and rear) If I keep my hand on the handle. The only one that allows me to turn main dials and keep shooting with one hand is the Seacam one. I've also concluded that most housing builders do a better job, in terms of ergonomics, when they are producing housings for Nikon cameras.

The only problem with Seacam is the high price.

That's only my point of view.

Jordi