My first housing purchase was a Light&Motion D100 Titan. I've purchased both the wide angle and macro ports as well as variety of focus rings. I've since upgraded to a Light&Motion D200. I'm shooting a D300 topside and have started to day dream about a new housing. Light&Motion is apparently abandoning DSLR housings so my ports will soon be expensive paper weights.
Subal is an obvious choice for a new system but I'm also interested in the travel friendly SeaTools housings. However, I think the most important factor in my decision is the fact that I don't want to invest in a manufacturer that simply won't be making housings 5 years from now. I don't want to get screwed again. Given the recent economic downturn I imagine many manufacturers are suffering. Obviously no one can't predict the future but would you have concerns investing in either a new Subal or SeaTools system at this point in time?
David
Sea & Sea has been around forever. Most of their old ports still fit the newer housings. Excellent quality and good support.
Jack
Good point. I've primarily heard nothing but good things about Sea&Sea housings. My only concern is that from an ergonomic point of view they look awfully large. Maybe that's a misconception.
People that can afford Subal or Seatool are probably not affected by the economy.
I suspect both manufacturers will be around for a long time.
I don't consider the D300 Sea&Sea housing large, I think the ergonomics on it are great.
My only concern is that from an ergonomic point of view they look awfully large. Maybe that's a misconception.
You are correct David. that is a misperception. You should give them a look. Highly recommend you make a run down to Backscatter in Monterrey and lay your hands on some options. Your so close it would definitely be worth your time. Good luck!
Steve
Thanks for the feedback guys! I'll definitley visit Backscatter at some point. That's where I've purchased my previous housings. In fact my D200 housing is there right now for repairs. Ugh! I just wanted to get some fresh opinions first.
I'm still a bit surprised I don't hear more about the SeaTools D200 or D300 housings. I love the idea of such a compact design. Is there a major downside that I'm just not aware of? On one visit to Backscatter I mentioned my interest in SeaTools and I got the sense they thought I'd probably be happier with Subal.
I've had my Seatool for my 450D for several months and really like it. I wanted it in my hands long before our Sept trip to Bonaire so I could work with it. I asked a lot of questions and sent e-mails to numerous stores (sponsors) and received great advice and additional things to consider before my purchase. I know a few people who have Seatools and have read several threads from others and they all seem happy with their housing. At the price point of these housings it is probably all about the ergonomics.
I use a SeaTool housing for my Olympus E-3 and one of the great parts about the housing is that they now make port adapters for Nexus, Subal, Sea & Sea, Olympus and SeaTool. I can mount over twenty different ports from Olympus, SeaTool, Inon, Athena and at least six different extension rings for both macro and wide lenses. By adding port adapters for the other brands I could use ports from any of the other manufactures extending my range to over fifty port choices. I don't think you will go wrong with port this many ports to chose from. Perhaps a custom port mount for your L&M ports could be made.
While not entirely related to this post but does anyone know why Sea&Sea discontinued the MDX-PRO D700? The local dealer told me that it is not discontinued but sold out and Sea&Sea is not making anymore.
That seems very strange! This is exactly the sort of thing that worries me when searching for a new system. Why would you discontinue a housing for a camera that is still relatively new to market?
Thanks for the feedback guys! I'll definitley visit Backscatter at some point. That's where I've purchased my previous housings. In fact my D200 housing is there right now for repairs. Ugh! I just wanted to get some fresh opinions first.
I'm still a bit surprised I don't hear more about the SeaTools D200 or D300 housings. I love the idea of such a compact design. Is there a major downside that I'm just not aware of? On one visit to Backscatter I mentioned my interest in SeaTools and I got the sense they thought I'd probably be happier with Subal.
On the Wetpixel Indonesia trip, Craig Jones had the Seatool D300 housing and it was very cool indeed. Especially since he was able to use it with Optical sync. You might ask him about it, but my impression was that it was very nice.
Bill
Sorry to rain on your parade, but SeaTool have major delivery problems: orders have been taking in excess of 6 months to arrive. I was warned off by the UK distributor a couple of weeks ago - a major problem as no-one in the UK now sells Anthis/ Nexus. Does anyone in the USA sell mail-order who could help me with a D300 (or later, if/when the next cropped sensor comes out?) Anthis/Nexus?
If I was starting now, I'd probably go with Subal. I'm a bit concerned at the way Sea & Sea keep changing their manufacturing techniques, and the small production runs of top-end housings.
You should give them a look. Highly recommend you make a run down to Backscatter in Monterrey and lay your hands on some options. Your so close it would definitely be worth your time. Good luck!
