Which bulkhead to choose

I've finally made a decission, and bought myself a Nikon D90. I want to house it in Aquatica, but I'm not too sure what type of bulkhead to choose.

I have an Ikelite strobe, so the obvious is to go with the Ikelite type bulkhead.

Looking at Ikelite´s webpage it seems like the iTTL adapter connects with both Ikelite and Nikonos type bulkhead. If that's so, why choose the Ikelite type ? It seems to me that with the Nikonos type bulkhead I have more options to choose from, if I for some kind of reason want to change strobe system in the future.

Also, If I choose to use the iTTL adapter, can I still switch it off, and use manual settings ?

The main advice I seek is this. Do I go with the Nikonos type bulkhead, the Ikelite type, wired for manual, or the Ikelite type, wired for iTTL ?

I hope my questions aren't too silly. I might even have some more

Thanks in advance

Steen

Looking at Ikelite´s webpage it seems like the iTTL adapter connects with both Ikelite and Nikonos type bulkhead. If that's so, why choose the Ikelite type ?

Nikonos bulkhead connectors are made out of soft rubber at the end of the male connector and are prone to damage easily if not inserted with a lot of care. Orienting the Nikonos connector in the proper fashion is not very user friendly and straightforward as it could be. The Ikelite connector is a more robust connector with a very visible orientation that makes inserting connectors to bulkheads a lot easier and trouble free.

It seems to me that with the Nikonos type bulkhead I have more options to choose from, if I for some kind of reason want to change strobe system in the future.

Ikelite sells various adapter cords to connect to strobes made by other manufacturers. Also, you can not use the iTTL adapter with anything but Ikelite strobes. Check the Ikelite website because some older strobes may not be compatible with the Ikelite iTTL adapter.

Also, If I choose to use the iTTL adapter, can I still switch it off, and use manual settings ?

Yes. You just have to turn the knurled part of the adapter to either the TTL or Manual setting on the adapter body. In my experience it usually takes two hands to do this as you only want to rotate part of the adapter body and not cause strain on the rest of the cable.

Do I go with the Nikonos type bulkhead, the Ikelite type, wired for manual, or the Ikelite type, wired for iTTL ?

Ikelite type wired for iTTL because you still preserve the option to use iTTL when and if needed. You can always turn your strobes and the controller to manual when iTTL is not desirable.

Hope that helps.

It depends on what strobes you intend to use. Remember, you can always switch later.

I absolutely hate Nikonos connectors. Hate, hate, hate. It's way to easy to dribble water in them and you can't see inside them very well.

I have an Ikelite wired for TTL and use Ikelite strobes. You can still shoot manual with or without the iTTL converter.

I have a backup Nikonos connector (the original) and carry a Nikonos cord in case something goes wrong.

If you have a choice for the housing bulkhead then DEFINITELY go with Ikelite. They are a LOT better design.

Cheers

James

Thanks alot guys. Ikelite it is !!