New D80 or used D200

Hi Folks!

I want to change my compact camera into a digital SLR to take pictures underwater. I am photographing with a Canon A620, ULCS tray and arms and one Inon Z-240 flash for quite some time and I think I am reaching the one or the other limitation right now.

Right now, I am thinking of the following three options:

1) New D80, possibly a new or used housing together with the Inon Z-240 I already have

2) Used D200 with a used housing, also with the Inon Z-240

3) Used D70 with used housing with the Inon Z-240

Option 3 is definately the cheapest, but the camera is quite an old model. Options 1 and 2 will be abount the same price, since the D80 new and the D200 used are in the same price range.

In my thinking I assume that I will have to buy lenses and ports new for all housings, since these are seldomly sold with a used housing. Well there are exceptions (e.g., in this forum a D200 with Hugyfot coming with complete ports), but these upper class brands do cost used as much as middle class new.

I was looking into housings, and I think that the middle-class like Sea&Sea or Nexus could be right for me (except I find a decent used brand like Hugyfot or maybe even Subal for a good price). I tend not to go for Ikelite because of the bigger size.

However, I am open for suggestions in any direction because I do not have my own experiences with any D-SLR system and how they handle.

If you could give me some tips regarding my mentioned options and about the housing brands, I would highly appreciate this. Also I want to know if you insure your gear against flooding, and how much this will cost me. Thinking of having a new D80 with lens flooded makes me not too comfortable.

Cheers from Norway, Wolfgang

Here a few pictures taken with my current setup:

Few points:

- Option 3, used D70, I won't go for it, as you wrote is an 'old' camera, I just upgraded from D70 to D200 and its a big difference between the models.

- In the same prize I'll go with the D200, more robust camera, better build and so on, there are a lot of cameras in the market with less then 10K clicks - almost new.

- Regarding the Ikelite, there are reasons not to go with it (there are even more why yes to goes with) but the size is the less important I think, I just compared my Ike's D200 to the Seacam, there is difference but its not so much and sure not the reason (to me) to chose between them, actually the Ike have more then one advantage over the most expensive one that are much more important.

D200, no doubt. Unless weight is a big concern, a D80 is slightly smaller & lighter but once housed will only make a difference with the expensive housings i would guess.

EX. a D80/Subal rig is noticeably lighter than my D200/Aquatica. I'm guessing a D80/Aquatica would not be significantly lighter though.

Just get the D200, its the best camera. Cheers,

chris

D200.... much more camera for the money..... used is fine. It's almost like asking if buying a previous model top of the range sports car is better or the latest family saloon.

Hej Wolfgang,

IMHO, option 1 or 2 are better choices; as previously, noted the D70 is very dated. I suspect that the D80 will be update/replaced this fall [rumor, NOT fact based assumption]. The D200 has a slightly larger viewfinder and is a better camera. I have a Nexus D80 rig. The housing is lighter than the S&S housing and ~ 1.5 pounds (0.7 Kg?) than the Nexus D200 which I think is lighter than the S&S D200 housing. The Nexus D80 is obviously smaller than the D200 housing.

I chose the Nexus D80 rig because of size, weight, and less expensive camera body. I were to do it today, I still might go with the D80 for size & weight. A D200 rig may be more bang for the EU.

Do consider an Inon view finder for your rig. The limited view is my only knock on the Nexus D80.

Regards,

Bob

if you're looking for a used D200 with it's Sea & Sea housing - everything in a perfect state - send me a message

u guys all make me feel dated... i use a d70

Consider what camera features you will actually use. If the camera is just for underwater photos the D80 is more than capable for the task. You will only use a few of the many features u/w. If the camera will also be used topside, then maybe the D200 can be justified.

u guys all make me feel dated... i use a d70

Don't feell bad, It's a nice camera for beginners , When you'll have more experience you'll probably move to the the 'real' cameras

Don't feell bad, It's a nice camera for beginners , When you'll have more experience you'll probably move to the the 'real' cameras

Gee Mike. I did not mean to offend, but after all, you are the "Senior" Moderator ;0) I am likely to have a senior moment any second now myself.

Off topic, but vaguey related - In the past I have purchased used film cameras with good results. I had a trusted repair man in the north Dallas area check out the cameras. I am now in the N/W suburbs of Chicago. Can anyone recomend a good digitial camera repair in my area?

D80 in ittl Ikelite housing with Ikelite DS125 will sync to 1/200 and not any faster. D200 can sync beyond 1/200 if I have not mistaken. That might be a factor for consideration.

Correct me if I said this wrong. I have not able to set speed faster then 1/200.

D80 in ittl Ikelite housing with Ikelite DS125 will sync to 1/200 and not any faster. D200 can sync beyond 1/200 if I have not mistaken. That might be a factor for consideration.

 

Correct me if I said this wrong. I have not able to set speed faster then 1/200.

Yes, you are correct. For twice the bucks, you do get more than a heavier camera

D80 D200

Sync: 1/200 1/250

burst: 3 fps 5 fps

mirrow lock: no yes

mas ....

Hi All!

Thanks for your advice. I think I will go for a D200, although that mean that I need to save some money first and have to skip the purchase to next year.

Just out of interest ... I was looking for a mid range housing (not to top like Seacam, Subal, ... but not the lowest range either). I was thinking of Nexus or Sea&Sea, with a preference to Sea&Sea at the moment. Has anyone an idea how much a used housing will be in Europe?

Cheers Wolfgang

Hi All!

 

Thanks for your advice. I think I will go for a D200, although that mean that I need to save some money first and have to skip the purchase to next year.

 

Just out of interest ... I was looking for a mid range housing (not to top like Seacam, Subal, ... but not the lowest range either). I was thinking of Nexus or Sea&Sea, with a preference to Sea&Sea at the moment. Has anyone an idea how much a used housing will be in Europe?

 

Cheers Wolfgang

Nexus is very pouplar in Asia and is a very very good housing. I know more people use Nexus then any of the other mentioned combine ! I wish I have one.

Since you are in EU, have you check out Hugyfot, I think they are quite popular there and is pretty compact in size too. Not sure how expensive though.

I know more people use Nexus then any of the other mentioned combine ! I wish I have one.

Steve

Has anyone an idea how much a used housing will be in Europe?

I just bought barely used S&S DX-D200 on ebay (from Germany) for 1275€.

There is a used Hugyfot for PLN 5000 (about 1450€) here: www.pstryk.pl

I would not just look at the cost of the camera, as that will only be about 40% of the cost of your system.

Look at the system cost for the housing, ports, and camera and make a decision based on that. You can get complete used setups for all of the cameras in your list so that is great.

Don't forget about Aquatica - they are a great mid-range cost housing that comes out of Canada.

Cheers

James

That's interesting, I'd love to know what data we have to back that up. I would have thought Sea & Sea would have been right in there. Just curious.

 

Steve

No data, just people I happen to know over these years from Singapore, Hong Kong and Taiwan. Very limited set of sampling of course. I only know 1 person use Sea & Sea housing but several use theis strobes.

like James said, ports, extension rings, zoom gear, etc. can really add up - make sure you calc. the total cost

for what its worth, when I think about people I know well with dSLR's, I count 7 S&S housings, 5 Ikelite housings, and 1 light and motion, off the top of my head. I'm not saying that means a whole lot though.

I'm pretty happy with my S&S housing, but then again, I find most people are happy with their housings.

My dive buddies and myself insure their housing, camera, and lenses against flooding and damage through DAN. I think the cost is around 3-4% a year of the total value you insure, but don't quote me on that. I just filed a claim from a flooded TTL converter, sync strobes, and housing bulkhead, and the claim got taken care of right away.

Scott