I am homeless

Hey guys and gals,

My name is Matt B and I live in Orlando, Florida. I just moved here for school at UCF from a little town on the East coast of Florida called Indialantic where I've grown up fishing, surfing, and diving.

Since October I have been writing a weekly column in the Florida Today, a newspaper that is circulated throughout central Florida. I write mostly about fishing, be it about tournaments or big catches. My dad bought me a Nikon D40 for Christmas this year, and I have always wanted to take my photography to another level.

My question to all of you is, what kind of housing should I look into for the D40, and what should I expect to spend? Also, does the D40 have the capability to take decent photos underwater?

I have done a little research and have found the Fantasea and Ikelite models that work for the D40, and both are priced between $1100 and $1600, some with lights some without. I'm a budgeted college student, but have been saving up for a housing. I wouldn't mind buying something used at a lower price if I could find a reliable product. I figure I'll have to put a couple hundred bucks more into it for "ports" and lights and whatnot.

Any information anyone could give me on my camera and its capabilities underwater would be GREATLY appreciated.

Thanks to all, and I look forward to becoming an informed and useful member of this forum.

Matt Badolato

My question to all of you is, what kind of housing should I look into for the D40, and what should I expect to spend? Also, does the D40 have the capability to take decent photos underwater?

 

I have done a little research and have found the Fantasea and Ikelite models that work for the D40, and both are priced between $1100 and $1600, some with lights some without. I'm a budgeted college student, but have been saving up for a housing. I wouldn't mind buying something used at a lower price if I could find a reliable product. I figure I'll have to put a couple hundred bucks more into it for "ports" and lights and whatnot.

I shot the D40 for a bit and returned mine, I think it may have not been working properly unfortunately and never used it underwater so I cannot speak to that.

As to the housing issue there is one other in the general price range made by Aquatica, about $1350 (at one point, now I have seen it for $1500) not including ports. Aquatica link is over -->

You can check some of the dealers also over ---> because they will have some used or demo equipment from time to time. Also people around here will sell equipment. Have not seen any used D40 rigs though.

Hey Matt,

I'm just around the corner from you. I bought my daughter a D40 and I steal it every chance I get. I think it's a great camera. I think Drew must have had a lemon.

I don't see any reason why it will not be workable underwater in a nice compact housing. Contact Ryan at Reef Photo on this site advertising bar, he can give you a lot of advice, pros and cons et.

The Fantasea FD40x housing includes a standard port, so nothing more to buy to get started. But it's a slippery slope from there!

Most customers are pretty satisfied with it.

Let me know if you have specific questions,

Jack

I'm just around the corner from you. I bought my daughter a D40 and I steal it every chance I get. I think it's a great camera. I think Drew must have had a lemon.

Yeah that is why I mentioned that I thought I had a bad one, I know Nikon makes good cameras. I shot other Nikons (some friends and family have them and I liked them), so figured it was a lemon (the autofocus was slower than my old point and shoots) but returned it while still within the return period. Then there was a killer deal on a Canon 30D (just too good to ignore), so the plans for a Nikon D40, D40x or an xTI went out the window.

BTW did you really buy the camera for your daughter or did you do that just to justify another toy? I do that also. Got my wife hooked on the underwater photo and video thing so I have built in upgrades.

BTW did you really buy the camera for your daughter or did you do that just to justify another toy?

This was one of the few times when my motives were pure.

I never realized how much I'd enjoy it - but when I want to just get out shooting around town or down at the beach, it's hard to beat the D40 with the 18-200 on it.

This was one of the few times when my motives were pure.

LOL. Of course she now cleans up her room when you ask?

I never realized how much I'd enjoy it - but when I want to just get out shooting around town or down at the beach, it's hard to beat the D40 with the 18-200 on it.

I loved the body size for just that reason and was also looking at the D40X. But since I got the Canon I may have to stick with it since I have a couple of lenses now and I also went and bought a back-up 30D body.

I guess when the successor to the xTI comes out, figure it has to be soon, my wife may be in line for a nice gift.

Figure I can pass off one of my lenses and ports since I cannot use both at the same time