Subal D200 vs Sea & Sea D200

I am sure there are other great houses out there but let´s start with these two. Can anyone give me pros or cons. Is there anything that can not be done in Sea & Sea house that can be done in Subal or conversely?

 

Great website I must say.

 

Gisli

 

D200

hmm...

 

I am going to try again, used Subal on Ebay 2800 us or new Sea & Sea 2500 us. This is for D200 Nikon. If there is not big difference between these housings, shouldn´t i go for Sea & Sea??

 

or what...anyone??

 

 

"I am sure there are other great houses out there but let´s start with these two. Can anyone give me pros or cons. Is there anything that can not be done in Sea & Sea house that can be done in Subal or conversely?"

 

Great website I must say.

 

Gisli

 

D200

No "big" difference, some people claim subal optics to be better. Actually I shooted this weekend with Subal and D2x, the main difference I found is that comand dials are a little bit easier to turn over the S&S, but there is no major difference.

 

About if there is anything that can not be done in Sea & Sea housings that can be done in Subal or conversely, the anser is no. Both housings provides great pictures, button access and ariety of accesories.

 

At least so far as I know.

hmm...

 

I am going to try again, used Subal on Ebay 2800 us or new Sea & Sea 2500 us. This is for D200 Nikon. If there is not big difference between these housings, shouldn´t i go for Sea & Sea??

 

or what...anyone??

"I am sure there are other great houses out there but let´s start with these two. Can anyone give me pros or cons. Is there anything that can not be done in Sea & Sea house that can be done in Subal or conversely?"

 

Great website I must say.

 

Gisli

 

D200

 

I can not comment on the S&S I have the Subal D-200 and the ergonomics are so good that the camera is easier to use underwater than on the surface.

I'll see if I can help. I currently own the Aquatica model for this camera, but my previous housings were Sea and Sea (D100) and Subal (N90). Generally, Subal is regarded as the harder-wearing housing, but I've had a good look at a friend's S&S for the D200, and it's streets ahead of its predecessor. It also has a well-designed port lock. Subal is said to have superior optics, but S&S ports are less costly to buy/replace. Don't forget... people get published/win competitions/ take excellent photographs with S&S all the time.

 

Take a good look at the Subal's latch system - it isn't to everyone's liking. Otherwise, I think they're both pretty good housings and there are probably some good deals about to emerge on the second-hand market. Perhaps the most important thing is to consider your local dealers. If you feel you will receive better service from a particular retailer, then it makes sense to go with that option.

 

Just a few observations. I hope they are of use to you.

 

Simon Rogerson

To me, it is like e300 mercedes vs. toyota camry. One is good europian product & the other is a good Japanese product. Both are good product.

 

I think Subal housing is heavier than S&S(is only con. I am aware of) & Subal has better optics than S&S has.

 

Sam

I am sure there are other great houses out there but let´s start with these two. Can anyone give me pros or cons. Is there anything that can not be done in Sea & Sea house that can be done in Subal or conversely?

Hi Gisli,

 

I'm a new Sea & Sea owner so I'm prejudiced. I looked at both systems before I bought my new system recently. I'm afraid that you will get varying opinions on the S&S stuff because they have really been improving their product and if someone hasn't seen the newest they are comparing to older products. The housing you ask about for the D200 is in the DX series, some of the DX housings had plastic backs (350D) and some were all aluminum (D200). The newest MDX series housings (D300) are all machined aluminum and are quite a bit different than the older models. I'd use the Infinity as the car analogy if that works for you.

 

Of course the major difference is price, with the Subal being about $1500 more for the housing.(D300 retail) The port cost is pretty close if you compare the glass domes available for both and say the 105mm macro. The subal ports would be about $300 or so more new. With focus gears etc. it's very close to a $2000 dollar difference overall. I'm not sure why Sam thinks the optics are better, I've not seen anything recently that would make that case. Not saying he's wrong, I just can't comment. My sense is the Subal is very well respected for their ergonomics but the Sea & Sea equipment is catching up fast. There is a perception of "coolness" factor underlying the decision with Subal the beneficiary of their years of fine service to a whole bunch of well respected pros.

 

My best advice is to go to one of the shops and handle both, see how they feel to you. I'd guess they will both do the job very well. If your not happy with either one there is always Nexus, Aquatica, Ikelite, Seatool, Hugyfot ........... Good Luck!

 

Steve

Hi,

When I say Subal has better optics, I was refering mainly quality of S&S dome port, both compact & full size. Sea&sea dome ports are made out of flexiglass (I believe) & real easy to get scratched. I had a brand new dome port & came out of first dive with 2-3 big scrathes that I could not remember where/how I got it. I used Subal in same place & surfaced with a lot less scratches. For that reason,some dealers are recommanding Athena glass dom port for S&S housing for for better image quality + durability. Subal claims that they are using 'optical grade glass'.

 

While I am saying that, I purchased another S&S d200 housing from one of member here today to use with S5pro(better dynamic range?). I like S&S housing & I like/tried Subal but, never owned one. I like grip handle on S&S housing & some people buy additional ULCS handle for Subal housing.

 

Sam

Thanks guys.

 

I think subal is out since it is to expensive and also harder to get. Sea & Sea vs Aquatica, I think same prices. what do you think. pros and cons:-)

 

I have no possibility to handle these houses so i totally trust you guys

 

I let you to do all the hard work for me

 

I am not so great in english and reading trough all the details about each house can be little wearing. Not understanding some of the small things which can matter later. And I really don´t want to buy wrong house since i am located far away in the north atlantic.

 

please continue.

 

Gassa

Hi,

When I say Subal has better optics, I was refering mainly quality of S&S dome port, both compact & full size. Sea & Sea dome ports are made out of flexiglass (I believe) & real easy to get scratched. Sam

Hi Sam, S&S sells the optical glass dome part in their catalog now, made by Athena. I have the big NX dome and it's easy to see how you could scratch it. Especially with the 10-17mm inside that will focus down to the dome.

 

Steve

I let you to do all the hard work for me

Sorry Gassa, this is where I bow out. If we work our way through every possible combination and comparison of housings this will be a very long thread. You might try taking a look at digideep.com. Besides, half the fun of finding the treasure is digging your way to it. Good Luck!

 

Steve

Sea & Sea vs Aquatica, I think same prices. what do you think. pros and cons:-)

 

I handled both housings for D200 and shutter release on Aquatica´s is nicer for my taste, I really like the new flat port, and there are 2 plus, more deep with an operating housing (if you ever need it) and bigger opening for fat lens.

 

Also I believe Aquatica is cheaper..

 

I second the digideep search my friend.