I need housing advice for D200

I just got my new D200, for UW use I plan mostly to use the 10.5mm and the new 105mm VR lens. I also ordered the 18-200mm for topside use. And I got two SB-800’s I plan to put in fantasea housings. http://www.fantasea.com/product_details.asp?id=182

I just love this camera the features are so well organized and easy to use. I bought the Blue Crane DVD to supplement the owner’s manual. If anyone is having trouble learning this camera I recommend that they buy this DVD.

Many companies make housings for the D200 a lot of them have their good points.

- Sea and Sea housing has a shutter-activated focus light I like the idea and I like the look of the sea and sea housing.

- Subal’s port system dose not properly accommodate the 105mmVR lens. Unless they have new gear out which properly accommodates the diameter of this lens I have to pass on the Subal.

- The Ikelite is more weight and size than I care to lug around the world for the next five years.

- The Seacam is just more than I want to spend

- The Aquatica is reasonably priced and seems popular.

Questions:

1) Is Sea and Sea’s shutter-activated focus light feature really useful and practical in real life? Can anyone explain how the housing knows when the shutter is partly pressed. What is better this system or having a fisheye focus light?

2) Any known quality or service problems with the Sea and Sea?

3) Any known quality or service problems with the Aquatica?

4) Which of the housings have a zinc anode to prevent corrosion?

6) Any known quality or service problems with the Nexus?

7) Will the macro port and splice in rings of the Sea and Sea properly fit the new 105mm VR lens?

8) Will the macro port and splice in rings of the Aquatica properly fit the new 105mm VR lens?

9) Which of the housings macro port and splice in rings will properly fit the new 105mm VR lens?

If you have any reason to consider or stay away from any particular brand please tell me. I have read all the info I can find on the forum but if you think their is something I should consider in a previous topic please provide a link. I am sure their is important info I have failed to find so far.

Thanks. All your help will be appreciated.

The Aquatica accomodates the 105VR. If you look at the website, www.aquatica.ca

go to digital housings, and look at the lens chart for the D200 housing, it lists the new 105 VR lens specs for port extensions. The Aquatica has a very wide front opening, which allows for the new lens. There is a different manual focus gear.

than the regular 105mm.

Cheers,

Marli

Thanks Marli, Thats a quick check in the Aquatica box. I visited your website, great pics, I assume you use the Aquatica? How do you like the ergonomics compared to other housings?

If the housing you choose does not have a zinc, it can be added easily to the bottom of the housing. I have done this to our Subal & Nexus housings several years ago and it has worked very well.

We are also currently evaluating D 200 housings. Contact me off line and I'll send you the comparision matrix I've developed. Divers@sbcglobal.net

The Aquatica has multiple zinc anodes, distributed on the base of the housing.

Blatant commecial plug

Hey Don,

If you happen to be near Cairns we have a Aquatica D200 demo unit that you can take for a dive - no problems.

PM me for details.

pmooney-Thanks, I am in Buffalo New York, your offer is very generous. Now if only you were in Sabang beach Philippines I could take you up on your offer this October.

Viz'art-Thanks good to know about the anodes.

okuma-I am looking forward to sharing your matrix.

Have you looked at the Light and Motion housing? That is what I am waiting for and I believe it should be out this month!

Maybe you want to check my review of the Hugyfot D200 in:

http://www.digideep.com/english/info/html/...y-david-barrio/

I just got my new D200, for UW use I plan mostly to use the 10.5mm and the new 105mm VR lens. I also ordered the 18-200mm for topside use. And I got two SB-800’s I plan to put in fantasea housing

 

D200 Aquatica housings are available for immideate world wide shipping now. They are the best choice due to the fact that they are available now and have a viewfinder expander is pending.

 

PM me for deatails and your housings are only a few days from being delivered any where

 

Peter

I'll be in Sabang in late Sept...

Want to play with my Aquatica D70 housing?

littlemermaid- Thanks for the idea I found a derth of info on the L&M website so I emailed them It seems they will not introduce until Dec.

Is the view finder removable for transport? No it is not. When will shipments start? Shipments will start in December for orders already placed (we do have a large backorder) How soon can I have this housing? Pending upon when you place an order and the above schedule. What is the weight of the housing? Weight is about 7 lbs.Thanks

I am not sure if I can wait that long.

Mike- Thanks for the offer. Have you been to Sabang before? If you need any info on the place I have been there five times. Most of the pics I have here were taken in Sabang. http://www.flickr.com/photos/diverdon

davichin- That’s a great review of the Hugyfot D200. It looks like a great housing. Have you had any more trouble focusing after you replaced the stripped gears?

And I got two SB-800’s I plan to put in fantasea housings. http://www.fantasea.com/product_details.asp?id=182

To my knowledge these can not both be connected electrically, and IR only travels about 18" underwater.

- Sea and Sea housing has a shutter-activated focus light I like the idea and I like the look of the sea and sea housing.

Not this one, unfortunately, and the port in not included on the front of the housing so it could be wired in later.

Some love the light, but I'd rather have a constant on focus light that I dive by at night.

- Subal’s port system dose not properly accommodate the 105mmVR lens. Unless they have new gear out which properly accommodates the diameter of this lens I have to pass on the Subal.

We have extension rings in stock that accept the 105 VR in either FP-90 or FP-FC60 from Subal.

Questions:

 

1) Is Sea and Sea’s shutter-activated focus light feature really useful and practical in real life? Can anyone explain how the housing knows when the shutter is partly pressed. What is better this system or having a fisheye focus light?

For the way I shoot, the Fisheye light is a better alternative because of its greater intensity and wider beam.

2) Any known quality or service problems with the Sea and Sea?

We have sold dozens of these w/ absolutely no qc problems. The rubber pad has fallen off the metering selector on 2 housings, which can be fixed with superglue.

6) Any known quality or service problems with the Nexus?

None that I've see. The only problem I have w/ this housing is that it doesn't access AF lock from the handle, which is essential for the way I shoot.

7) Will the macro port and splice in rings of the Sea and Sea properly fit the new 105mm VR lens?

Yes

The rubber pad has fallen off the metering selector on 2 housings, which can be fixed with superglue.

 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Make that three... fixed with superglue

Hi folks,

Good advice so far in this thread gang - but pleae keep in mind, Wetpixel is for sharing information, not trying to sell retail equipment. A few of these posts have solicited the original poster to get in touch with a retailer, or are outright offers to sell. Those are considered commercial posts and are not allowed on Wetpixel.

If you have made a post that is considered commercial, I'd encourage you to go back and make a few edits - sharing information is great, comparing housings and features is excellent, but offering to sell something on Wetpixel is not allowed (unless it's in the classifieds section :-)

Cheers

James