D300+Ikelite versus D200+Subal

Dear Forum

I am facing a very interesting decision. For many years I have been taking pictures using the Nikonos V and I expect to keep doing that... at least for a while.

On the other handside I am looking forward to the blessings of the digital wonders. Since money is an issue and I have to buy all lenses as well I have to make a choise.

1. Buy a 2nd hand Nikon D200 / Subal housing or

2. Buy a new D300 / Ikelite housing

The first choise will still be apx. 2000$ more expensive than the second, so I tend to go for the 2nd solution especially after reading the reviews of the D300 and the review by Norbet Wu of Ikelite housing (for D200)

I am going to use the equipment in arctic areas with minus degree water temperatures and drygloves so usability is of great importance.

Does somebody in this forum have experiences, that can support my decision or change it?

Thanks a lot for your comment.

Morten

Dear Forum

 

I am facing a very interesting decision. For many years I have been taking pictures using the Nikonos V and I expect to keep doing that... at least for a while.

 

On the other handside I am looking forward to the blessings of the digital wonders. Since money is an issue and I have to buy all lenses as well I have to make a choise.

 

1. Buy a 2nd hand Nikon D200 / Subal housing or

2. Buy a new D300 / Ikelite housing

 

The first choise will still be apx. 2000$ more expensive than the second, so I tend to go for the 2nd solution especially after reading the reviews of the D300 and the review by Norbet Wu of Ikelite housing (for D200)

 

I am going to use the equipment in arctic areas with minus degree water temperatures and drygloves so usability is of great importance.

 

Does somebody in this forum have experiences, that can support my decision or change it?

 

Thanks a lot for your comment.

 

Morten

Hi Morten,

Regarding Ikelite, they are great strobe manufacturers.

Best regards,

Tigershark

make sure you price out all the ports, housing caps, dome port covers, focus rings, zoom gears, and extensions you need, it can all add up!

that will most likely increase the price difference even further, but I'm not sure.

also, keep in mind you get TTL with the ike housing.

scott

ps - can't wait to see more photos from the arctic!

Hi Morten,

I just returned from Antarctica 2 weeks ago. There were a couple of people who were using Ikelite housings and no one had any issues. However, I have seen plenty of issues with Ikelite housing on other trips. Most of them I account to poor treatment on behalf of the owner, so I'm sure if your very attentive with your housings needs, it should be fine.

Personally, I dive with a Subal Housing and have for many years. They are bomb proof and very well designed ergonomically. But they are pricey and it doesn't end with the housing purchase. $1400 for a dome port, $500 for a focus control flat port, $1100 for a GS180 viewfinder..... you get the idea.

I take care of my equipment, buy I also use it hard. The consequence of flooding my housing with $3500 of water intolerant equipment inside it more than justify the increased cost of a subal or seacam housing. The People that had Ikelite housings in Antarctica on my latest trips had D70's or point and shoots. The pain of a flood isn't the same pain you're going to feel if you flood your D300 with a 17-35mm F2.8 zoom on board.

IMHO, you should be considering the increased capability of the camera in conjunction with the cost of it's loss. You also need to keep in mind how it will be treated and how extreme the environment is.

I just bought a D300 and have ordered a swanky new Subal for it. If I were given your choice, I would be purchasing the D200 with a Subal. The D300 is a better camera, but a great photo is more about subject matter and composition than it is about IQ.

However, if cost is an issue, then maybe Sea&Sea, Aquatica or Nexus should also be considered.

Cheer,

Mike

Then again, there is a appropriate thread started by Alex that shows that any housing, even a subal, can be flooded under the right stimulation.

Cheers,

Mike

D300, SealTool housing and Inon strobe. Isn't that nice ? Very compact !

Thank you very much for your answers!!

...and don't think I haven't read them until now

Subal is the way I would choose and did.

Check out the difference in viewfinders and ports to start. How many lenses are supported by both, which offer better quality, and who do you want to stick with longer?

Most people can think of a housing as simply a box that houses another electronic box, so why pay so much for a box. But those who shoot a lot appreciate the ease of using a box that provides a more natural feel to make your life easier when taking pictures. I have well over 500 dives with dry gloves on and having been ice diving for more than 10 years now, I can tell you it makes a difference. Spending time lining up knobs and controls to meet the controls of the camera, only to find out something is not lined up the way you wish it to be when the time comes is not what I would prefer. For the subal, the controls line up with the camera's from the start and they are smooth and easy to use. Sorry, but my the zoom gearing on the Ikelite is a joke. Ikelite has excellent customer service and they back their products when they have failures. But for most, Ikelite is purchased for pure economics and I can't blame them. But then I've never known anyone who's gone from Subal to an Ikelite.

The D200 is not dead as what fashion-chasers would have one believe and the D300 is not a night and day difference over the D200. Yes, you get a gorgeous screen, one, maybe two stops difference, but the rest is just being overly critical to my 'little' mind. Most of those who I know still have yet to master all the ability that the D200 can provide them and one should not overlook some of the benefits the D200 has over the D300. TTL is not that critical, plenty of fantastic shots are done by those who understand manual shooting and its not that hard to do.

Ikelite is wonderful on its own right, and I'll agree, its the perfect choice for point and shoot digicams.