New D80 or used D200

How did you flood it? I am kinda worried about the TTL converter....

How did you flood it? I am kinda worried about the TTL converter....

I wouldn't worry too much, I think its pretty solid... just insure it.

you know where the 2 single sync cables attach into the TTL converter? well, I kept mine attached all the time, even while traveling. eventually one of them must have worked its way unscrewed a little bit.

In retrospect I should have taken everything apart every so often and cleaned it. but it worked no problem at least for a couple hundred dives!

if you ever flood the TTL converter, surface, and disconnect it from the housing, otherwise water can work its way into the housing eventually through the small TTL sync cord.

make sure you always have an extra battery with you also. change the battery in the TTL converter when it turns from green to orange. don't leave it on out of the water. take out the battery when travelling.

hope this helps,

scott

Thanks Scott for the advice. Ever since a very mild leak on the battery compartment of my strobe, I became paranoid and obssesive about O-ring conditions and it's cleanliness. I do remove the sync cables when traveling. However, why do you remove the battery?

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

Hi Scott!

Your hint about DAN is great, thanks. I am a basic member for years now. So I will look into this insurance. In terms of the total cost ... I initially wanted to go for a D80, but since the camera body itself is really only a fraction of the total cost I decided to go for a D200. Just need to get a used housing. That is why I asked for the percentage of uw-gear ... I was thinking of the housing and ports, not so much about the camera body itself.

In terms of housings: I am looking into Sea&Sea, Nexus, Aquatica and also again into Ikelite (this one maybe new, since the price is quite good). Also the Hugyfot is on the list of "affortable" housings when used. Subal, Sealus, Seacam, ... well, quite outstanding, both in quality and price. Not the first choice for a beginner like me I think.

Cheers, Wolfgang

Wolfgang

If I were you, I would look into buying a complete D200 set-up second hand. Right now is the time, as some guys and girls are selling to get the D300. Next time supply of second hand D200-rigs will be as good as now, is when the D400 (or whatever it will be called) is released and that will be a couple of years down the road.

Good luck

I agree with Christian. Many shops may now have complete rigs to sell from those who have traded up. Check the forums as well for members who want to sell their gear.

If you rather buy separately, make sure you check the price of the new housings first and compare with the used prices....many new D200 housings are being discounted already too....