Sea & Sea Housings discontinued?

OK, so the Sea & Sea website now lists all their DSLR housings but one as discontinued. Even the ones listed in the brand new 2008 catolog. I understand that the new MDX housing are supposed to be out in Jan. They sure have a fascinating new product roll out strategy. The Sea & Sea website doesn't even mention the new housings, yet they are for sale from our friends at Backscatter (with photo) and others. The new housing looks very nice and from what Eric and others have said it looks to be a fine piece of gear. Why aren't they out marketing it? Why would you discontinue your product line and not give consumers a viable option on your website? If these guys did a halfway decent job marketing their product maybe they could sell some volume, and they wouldn't cost us the price of a small car. Am I missing something?

Steve

Well I've found S&S USA's site painfully slow in updating and even providing press releases on new products that show up on their Japanese site...

On the Japanese, site they have press releases for the new MDX 40D, D300, and 1DIII/1DsIII housings (expected release Jan 2008). But it is interesting that the USA site has the D200 and 400D housings as discontinued.

Having contacted a few S&S dealers in the area, they are expecting to roll out the MDX housings this month (cross fingers...).

OK, so the Sea & Sea website now lists all their DSLR housings but one as discontinued. Even the ones listed in the brand new 2008 catolog. I understand that the new MDX housing are supposed to be out in Jan. They sure have a fascinating new product roll out strategy. The Sea & Sea website doesn't even mention the new housings, yet they are for sale from our friends at Backscatter (with photo) and others. The new housing looks very nice and from what Eric and others have said it looks to be a fine piece of gear. Why aren't they out marketing it? Why would you discontinue your product line and not give consumers a viable option on your website? If these guys did a halfway decent job marketing their product maybe they could sell some volume, and they wouldn't cost us the price of a small car. Am I missing something?

 

Steve

Hi Steve-

The 2008 catalog was printed and designed prior to the MDX series housings being art or camera ready, so unfortunately, they did not make the catalog. The product content of the english version website is maintained by Sea&Sea Japan and there is normally a delay getting that site updated with the information along with english press releases. We are printing and developing MDX series materials currently and will be distributing to our retailers in the next month or so. In the interim, the site will be updated with the information and yes, the other models are discontinued - production has ceased, but that does not mean out of stock at retailers or distributors.

Thanks for responding S&S to my frustrated post. Please believe me when I say I'm on your side. I really like what I've been able to glean so far about the new housings. I want you guys to be successful, if for no other reason than I want my future housing to be worth something someday when I decide to sell it and I want you to be around to support it.. Based on my research to decide which housing to purchase for the new 40D, I think Sea & Sea is perfectly positioned to make some impressive gains in market share. It just boggles the mind that I don't see the company telling anyone about it. If I understand your answer for about three or four months (starting last Nov.) if someone is looking at the TUSA or Sea & Sea Engilsh version website to decide to buy an underwater DSLR housing they will see "discontinued" and nothing to tell them a new housing is on the way. And your company is OK with that?

Steve

HI Steve-

The housings were announced in early November with prototypes @ DEMA only 60 or so days ago including holidays. Give us a few days!

Here are some initial specs on the MDX-40D:

#06133 MDX-40D Housing

CONSTRUCTION

Front case: Corrosion-resistant aluminum alloy, alumite treatment

Rear case: Corrosion-resistant aluminum alloy, alumite treatment

DEPTH RATING:

60m / 200ft

DIMENSIONS(WxHxD)

317x168x137mm / 12.5x6.6x5.4inch

WEIGHT

Approx 2,700g / 95.2oz (Housing only)

Having recently discovered that the D200 housing was discontinued annoyed me somewhat, as this has happened to me once before with S and S housings. Given the huge investment with the cost of the camera and housing I am not in the financial position where I can buy both at the same time. This situation first occured with the D70S, having purchased the camera by the time I was able to think about the housing it was discontinued and none were available. Now, I find I am probably in the same position with the D200. I have a D50 with housing which I use and find to be very good and own two ports and extensions. If this is the way Sea and Sea operate then I will have to change my loyalties and move to a different housing manufacturer who doesn't discontinue their products so quickly and therefore have a bit more support.

Having recently discovered that the D200 housing was discontinued annoyed me somewhat, as this has happened to me once before with S and S housings. Given the huge investment with the cost of the camera and housing I am not in the financial position where I can buy both at the same time. This situation first occured with the D70S, having purchased the camera by the time I was able to think about the housing it was discontinued and none were available. Now, I find I am probably in the same position with the D200. I have a D50 with housing which I use and find to be very good and own two ports and extensions. If this is the way Sea and Sea operate then I will have to change my loyalties and move to a different housing manufacturer who doesn't discontinue their products so quickly and therefore have a bit more support.

HI Montague-

We have plenty of stock of the DX-D200 housing, so have no worries. Please understand that if the housing is marked as discontinued - it is only a term relating to production due to minimum quantities. Stock at retailers and distributors should be fine for the next 3-4 months. Unfortunately, as you are aware, we are all dealing with very short product life-cycles on digital products and electronics and it is reactionary to what Nikon and Canon do.

S&S, thanks for all you updates here. Quick question on the MDX-40D strobe bulkheads.

Is the red one a 6pin for the TTL Converter III and the other is standard 5pin?

Edit: ah, nevermind... Just reread the Japanese press release - 1x N type connector and 1x 6 pin.

S&S, thanks for all you updates here. Quick question on the MDX-40D strobe bulkheads.

 

Is the red one a 6pin for the TTL Converter III and the other is standard 5pin?

 

Edit: ah, nevermind... Just reread the Japanese press release - 1x N type connector and 1x 6 pin.

Hi Pakman-

No problem, thank you. Yes, you are correct on the bulkheads.

Please understand that if the housing is marked as discontinued - it is only a term relating to production due to minimum quantities. Stock at retailers and distributors should be fine for the next 3-4 months.

Not so with your UK main agent:

D200 housing discontinued

R

Not so with your UK main agent:

D200 housing discontinued

R

HI Ralphy-

SEA&SEA posts here on wetpixel are from the US agent handling N.A., S.A., Mexico and the Carribbean.

Thanks.

any update on when the dealers will start receiving new MDX-D300,40D, etc housings?

I just heard that Backscatter received the first Sea & Sea 40D Housing today. Hooray! The teasure awaits. The boys at Marine Camera have a Subal in house too.

Steve