I'm halfway through a week in Cozumel and thanks to Blake and Mauricio from Aquatica I'm getting an opportunity to get my Nikon D2H wet for the first time. I'm using an Aquatica D2X housing with the D2H and trying to evaluate whether the "film-like" quality that I experience topside with this camera translates to underwater. I'm happy to report that, at least in my very limited experience, it does.
Unfortunately conditions in Cozumel this week are not very conducive to quality image making. Although visibility has been stunning the currents have been running stronger than usual and being that I've been the only photog the sites have been chosen for thrilling reef flying and not for good photo ops. Great fun but just about impossible to stop for photos. Yesterday we covered three dive-sites on a single dive.
Here are a couple of images. I hope to do a complete report when I get home.
Here's a wide-angle to show how the blue water translates. I hope to try some sun-ball shots alter in the week if I can stop long enough although I'm not expecting great things.
Hi
Great shots considering the circumstances you are diving under.
Did you have to modify the housing in any way to get the D2H to fit?
Also, what are you using for strobes and can/did you shoot TTL with the D2H?
I could consider using a D2H as a back up camera for my D2x if it was a quick and easy changeover from camera to camera.
I would love to see more shots when you get a chance.
No modification is required. The D2X and D2H share the same body. The Aquatica D2X housing fits my camera like a glove. I'm using a a pair of SB105's. Unfortunately, no TTL.
Hi Larry,
Thanks for posting - these are the first underwater photos I've seen from the D2x and they look great at screen resolution.
Cheers
James
That's the D2H James. But you're right, there hasn't been much - if anything - done with this camera underwater. The D2H is a largely misunderstood product. Most people write it off because it's only 4MP and I understand that but I've loved the preformance I've gotten from mine since I purchased it a year and a half ago. Don't ask me why 4MP from the D2H is better and has more resolution than 4MP from brand-X camera - I just see the results and know it's so.
Don't get me wrong, if I was buying a camera today I'd go D200. But, if you already own a D2H or as a backup for the D2X I think it's a viable option.
Here's a couple more. I've completely give up on attempting macro.
Looks great on my monitor Larry....got to love that Cozumel structure and color and water clarity
Karl
Wow, KD, you really nailed the blues in that WA sponge cluster! Looks like you were deep enought to avoid the sand showers.
Whoops, I meant the D2h Larry, it's been a long day.
Cheers
James
Larry,
Nice pics. I'm heading to Coz in 3 weeks. Do you have any suggestions?
Dang, that's nice!!
Do you remember what dive you were on when you took the one above the shark? That's a really nice shot with a wide variety of sponges.
Good job.
Larry,
Nice pics. I'm heading to Coz in 3 weeks. Do you have any suggestions?
I've had a fun week but Cozumel would not be my first choice as a photo friendly destination. Beyond the difficulties presented by strong currents and enforced group diving there's been a lot of damage to the reefs from hurricane Wilma so many of the sponges, fans and soft-corals that we would look for for wide-angle foregrounds are gone. My best advice would be to look under ledges and overhangs - there's a lot of colorful encrusting sponges that you can use as a foregroung element. Who knows, you might get lucky and have a white marlin or a pod of dolphins buzz you like some other divers at our shop did this week.
Dang, that's nice!!
Do you remember what dive you were on when you took the one above the shark? That's a really nice shot with a wide variety of sponges.
Larry, did you end up with Deep Blue and Casa Mexicana or somewhere else?
Karl
I did take your reommendation and it was a good one. We also went over to PDC for a day and dove with Yucatek Diver. The reef diving over there is pretty good.
