Nexus for D200 - feedback wanted

I'm looking to move from my film based underwater setup to my first DSLR rig in the nest few months and have just about decided on a Nexus housed D200 with Inon Z240 strobes. I'll be looking to shoot with the following lenses:- 10.5, 16, 20, 60 & 105 plus 105 & converter.

Can anybody shooting with any of this equipment please give me any advice, feedback or pointers. I'd like not to get too many surprises after I purchase & assemble the kit, or find that there are items I haven't considered. I'm particularly concerned how well the strobes will cope with the 10.5 lens & how well the 'TTL' will work using the fiber optic port.

Thanks in advance for any responses.

Andy

I don't think Inon strobes support Nikon's iTTL without a converter (something like Matthias or Sea&Sea converters). Also, the 20mm lens was great on film, but it won't give you a very interesting field of view in digital (30mm). All the other lenses are in my bag (plus the 17-55).

HI Rocha,

you are correct with the fact that Inon do not work with nikon TTL

no problem you can use manual with great results, it also helps you

understand lighting underwater.

Andy

HI Rocha,

you are correct with the fact that Inon do not work with nikon TTL

 

no problem you can use manual with great results, it also helps you

 

understand lighting underwater.

 

Andy

The Inon Z240 will do Inon STTL when used with the fiber optic cable & the Nexus D2000 housing.

Hi Andy-

We shoot iTTL with a d70 and inon strobes but use the Matthias converter.

I would substitue the Sigma 15mm FE instead of 16 and 20mm. The 17-55 is also a very nice addition.

If you are looking to save some $$ and do not need the robustness of the d200 the D80 (which we also have and shoot U/W) is a very nice camera and from what I see u/w picture quality will be the same.

All nexus housings and ports.

M.

Thanks guys. I was initially drawn to the D80 (I shoot a D70 above water) but reading reviews am not convinced with regards to the blown out highlights issues when using Matrix metering (though admittedly I normally use Center Weighted underwater on my F90 and would likely continue to do so with a digital). I know that this is relatively easily overcome but I want to reduce my workflow for each image as much as possible. I've also read a number of people who traded their D80's to 200's for this & other reasons. No disrespect to any existing D80 owners intended - for my situation, at least the price has dropped recently making the difference in total kit spend negligible. I'm also speculating that the difference in housing prices may also be insignificant.

Fair comments around the 20mm lens - it's just that as I have the lens I guessed there may be a use for it. The only lens I do need to get is the 10.5mm and it has been a difficult decision to make to either get that or the 12-24 but as I like using the 16mm underwater so much I'm sure the 10.5 will be the same.

Starbuck, a couple of follow up q's - what port do you use for the 15mm (or 16mm in my case)? Do the Inon strobes offer enough power and coverage for wideangle and especially the 10.5 lens?

I'm admitted I'm totally confused with the external TTL converters but definitely concerned around the amount of reliability/compatibility issues I'm reading on these forums. I'd much rather have cabled TTL but if that's not possible (without housing above water strobes) am assuming that STTL with the Inon maybe the best option - comments? Otherwise how well (and reliable) does the Mattias converter work and can you still dial back exposure on the strobes themselves?

Andy

Hi Andy -

I'm using the FP 170 for the 10.5, 15 and the 17-55. The 17-55 needs an extension ring and diopter. The smaller, FP 120 compact dome, can be used for the 10.5 but I prefer carrying just the one dome for all my lenses.

Most of my photos with the 10.5 have been natural light or CFWA..so, lighting with our Inons in these situations has not been a problem.

Our Matthias converter was hardwired into our housing and we used for macro work only. My wife used this setup on our trip to Bali and it worked well. I believe there is a way to dial back exposure on our z220's but it was not easy. Certainly not as easy as Ike's setup on his housings. Expsosures were very consistent.. go to our website and check the Bali photos..all the D70 shots labeled are iTTL with Heinrichs controller.

I've never tried sTTL or seen any pictures from anyone that has used this setup with Nikon and Nexus equipment.

M.

Starbuck,

have the results with the 10.5 & FP170 been sharp or compromised at all? If I can avoid getting the FP-120 I will for the same reason you describe.

Hi Andy -

 

I'm using the FP 170 for the 10.5, 15 and the 17-55. The 17-55 needs an extension ring and diopter. The smaller, FP 120 compact dome, can be used for the 10.5 but I prefer carrying just the one dome for all my lenses.

M.

Hey Andy-

I love the results with the 10.5 and 170.. I think there are many other users out there with same setup. The sigma 15 and 10.5 are my favorite WA prime lenses to use with the 170. I'm pretty sure D. Doubilet also uses this Nexus setup. ) I'm thinkin' if he's happy with his results I should be..

There are a few 10.5 pictures from BVI (the rhone) and 15mm pictures from Bali (Sea Fan and Keri) on our website.

M.

I'm looking to move from my film based underwater setup to my first DSLR rig in the nest few months and have just about decided on a Nexus housed D200 with Inon Z240 strobes. I'll be looking to shoot with the following lenses:- 10.5, 16, 20, 60 & 105 plus 105 & converter.

 

Can anybody shooting with any of this equipment please give me any advice, feedback or pointers. I'd like not to get too many surprises after I purchase & assemble the kit, or find that there are items I haven't considered. I'm particularly concerned how well the strobes will cope with the 10.5 lens & how well the 'TTL' will work using the fiber optic port.

 

Thanks in advance for any responses.

 

Andy

I was asking the same question before I got my fist digital rig, only three months ago. I got the advice that the Inon Z240 was a good choice and that many pro's use them with the 10.5. After using them with the D200/10.5, I can only say that they perform great. Powerful, recycle very, very fast and they have a nice circular beam. The only critisism would be the instruction manual, which to be honest, I didn't get at all.

I have a Heinrich-converter installed in my housing, so they are supposed to able to work with TTL, but I haven't gone there yet. On my first attemtpts, I've mostly shot manual. But I have also tried what Inon reffers to as 'Auto' mode, which seems to work pretty good.

cheers

Christian

Just to give you an idea, this giant manta had app. a 4 metre wingspan. Lens: 10.5, distance ca 50 centimetres, depth 25 metres, ISO 100, 1/125,5.6, lit with 2xInonZ240 in EXTERNAL AUTO-mode dialed to 5.6.

cheers

Christian

Christian,

did you install the Heinrich converter yourself?

I'm interested in going the same route but wonder about how straightforward the wiring is and how well it fits? Are the instructions easy to follow & is it easy to switch to manual from TTL if required?

Sorry for all of the questions.

Regards,

Andy