Comparing pricing for D7000 Setup

First let me start by saying I have never shot anything but point and shoots. I am somewhat disappointed in the photos I have been taking with my 860 Sea and Sea. I am currently in a debate with myself on what to do. I "think" I want to move forward with a Nikon D7000 but its not a cheap move. I have a couple of quotes from people, dont wanna get into names im not trying to beat anybody up (or have anyone beat me up) I would just like some feedback if im heading down the right path and what you experts think of these quotes.

Aquatica D7000 housing with dual fiber Optic $2,689.00

Aquatica AF Macro Falt Port for bayonet style housing 350.00

Sea and Sea YS0110a DS-TTL strobe 2 @ $639.95 $1,279.90

Sea and Sea Fiber Optic Sync Cord L-Type 2 @ $ 80.00 160.00

Ultralight Aquavision Type Mount Wide 2@ $ 23.95 47.90

Ultralight Single Ball Arm, Sea and Sea end 5" 2 @ $ 49.95 99.90

Ultralight 5" Double Ball Arm 2 @ $47.95 95.90

Ultralight New Style Clamp 4 @ $29.95 119.80

Xit 404 Rear Port Cap for Aquatica 40.00

Xit 404 Body Cap for Aquatic 2 @ 40.00 80.00

Total $4,962.40

Nauticam NA-D7000 $3,200.00

Nauticam6" Acrylic Wide Angle Port 430.00

NauticamSN1770s-Z Macro OS HSM 175.00

Nauticam Extension Ring with lock 330.00

Nauticam 17cm Lanyard and Strobe mounting Ball Set 100.00

Nauticam to Sea and Sea Strobe Fiber Optic Cable 2@ 100.00 200.00

Nauticam 200 mm 8" Double Ball Arm 4@ 45.00 180.00

Nauticam Clamp 6@ 32.00 192.00

Stix Jumbo Float for ULCS arms 35.00

Inon Z-240 Strobe Type 4 2 @ 749.00 1498.00

ULCS AD-IN Adapter for Inon Z-series 2 @ 24.95 49.90

Total $6,389.90

Aquatica D7000 Housing $2,500.00

Dome Port 495.00

Sea and Sea YS0110a DS-TTL strobe 2 @ $639.95 $1,279.90

TLC Arm Set 249.00

Ikelite Sync Cord 110.00

Zoom gear 160.00

Total $4,793.90

For the record I seem to like the dealer selling the Nauticam setup the most but, unless im missing something which is why Im making this post, it seems to take more to make it work. The third price is a local dealer and that would be my most perferred option except that he left me high and dry on service with the Sea and Sea camera I purchased. I purchased it on a Saturday when he was really busy and he asked me to come back during the week and he would help me get it set up. Once I called back he wanted $89.95 to do this. I was lucky enough to be going to bonaire and I stopped in and spoke with John at Buddy Dive who was happy to help me out spending 30 minutes to get me set up for the price of $15.00. John is a great guy wish he was local . Anyway Im looking for any constructive advise you might want to offer.

Garrethe,

I was in your shoes several months ago. I feel your pain. I had used Nikonos stuff for years and it just got to the point I couldn't get it repaired. I borrowed a friend's little Sea and Sea system for a trip and it was a joke. (No offense to S&S users... this was a while ago, and a pretty basic system). It was impossibly slow to trigger, the strobes were useless little spots of light and the lens was worth about 25 cents I suspect. As you have discovered, the step up is a big one...

I lucked out and found an almost new Aquatica/D90 system on here. It came with a DS 161. It also had a dome, and a flat port, a Nikon 12-24, a 105 Macro and a 50. Almost immediately added a second 161 and have since added a 60mm macro as well as a second D90 body, just in case something happens to the original, leaving me with an expensive paperweight.

What I can tell you is that I have taken more good pictures in the nine months that I have owned this new system, than I did in the previous 20 years. I have had a couple published and a resort is using some on their website in the near future (compensation under negotiation!) I have enjoyed this new system immensely and take it on almost every dive I go on, whether they be here in the Great Lakes or in the Caribbean.

If you are weighing the Aquatica vs. Others, I am extremely happy with mine. A friend recently sold his "other" and replaced it with an Aquatica, and says the build quality is very much superior. I have had the pleasure of getting to know some of the folks at Aquatica in Montreal, and toured their plant, and it is very impressive. (The fact that that they are in Montreal is appealing to me, as I live west of Toronto, so servicing will be simple!)

I have purchased a couple of doo-dads for the system through Mozaic Camera (www.housingunderwater.com) and am very impressed with their service and attention to details. Ron at Mozaic took a personal interest in getting me some stuff before a recent trip, which I really appreciated!

If I had any complaint, I can see a day when I move up to a full frame camera. I will stick with Aquatica when I do.

Happy shopping!

Stu

Is there any reason to choose the Sea and Sea YS0110a strobe with the Aquatica housing and the Inon z240 with Nauticam?

Because Sea & Sea and Inon strobes are compatible with both housings.

The same goes with the arms, you can use the nauticam arms with an Aquatica housing.

In other words, you can choose housing brand, strobes and arms independently from each other.

The reason you have such a variation is that each of the quotes is for very different items.

Once you have decided on which lenses and strobes you wish to use get the system requoted.

First let me start by saying I have never shot anything but point and shoots. I am somewhat disappointed in the photos I have been taking with my 860 Sea and Sea. I am currently in a debate with myself on what to do. I "think" I want to move forward with a Nikon D7000 but its not a cheap move. I have a couple of quotes from people, dont wanna get into names im not trying to beat anybody up (or have anyone beat me up) I would just like some feedback if im heading down the right path and what you experts think of these quotes.

 

Aquatica D7000 housing with dual fiber Optic $2,689.00

Aquatica AF Macro Falt Port for bayonet style housing 350.00

Sea and Sea YS0110a DS-TTL strobe 2 @ $639.95 $1,279.90

Sea and Sea Fiber Optic Sync Cord L-Type 2 @ $ 80.00 160.00

Ultralight Aquavision Type Mount Wide 2@ $ 23.95 47.90

Ultralight Single Ball Arm, Sea and Sea end 5" 2 @ $ 49.95 99.90

Ultralight 5" Double Ball Arm 2 @ $47.95 95.90

Ultralight New Style Clamp 4 @ $29.95 119.80

Xit 404 Rear Port Cap for Aquatica 40.00

Xit 404 Body Cap for Aquatic 2 @ 40.00 80.00

 

Total $4,962.40

 

 

Nauticam NA-D7000 $3,200.00

Nauticam6" Acrylic Wide Angle Port 430.00

NauticamSN1770s-Z Macro OS HSM 175.00

Nauticam Extension Ring with lock 330.00

Nauticam 17cm Lanyard and Strobe mounting Ball Set 100.00

Nauticam to Sea and Sea Strobe Fiber Optic Cable 2@ 100.00 200.00

Nauticam 200 mm 8" Double Ball Arm 4@ 45.00 180.00

Nauticam Clamp 6@ 32.00 192.00

Stix Jumbo Float for ULCS arms 35.00

Inon Z-240 Strobe Type 4 2 @ 749.00 1498.00

ULCS AD-IN Adapter for Inon Z-series 2 @ 24.95 49.90

 

Total $6,389.90

 

 

Aquatica D7000 Housing $2,500.00

Dome Port 495.00

Sea and Sea YS0110a DS-TTL strobe 2 @ $639.95 $1,279.90

TLC Arm Set 249.00

Ikelite Sync Cord 110.00

Zoom gear 160.00

 

Total $4,793.90

 

For the record I seem to like the dealer selling the Nauticam setup the most but, unless im missing something which is why Im making this post, it seems to take more to make it work. The third price is a local dealer and that would be my most perferred option except that he left me high and dry on service with the Sea and Sea camera I purchased. I purchased it on a Saturday when he was really busy and he asked me to come back during the week and he would help me get it set up. Once I called back he wanted $89.95 to do this. I was lucky enough to be going to bonaire and I stopped in and spoke with John at Buddy Dive who was happy to help me out spending 30 minutes to get me set up for the price of $15.00. John is a great guy wish he was local . Anyway Im looking for any constructive advise you might want to offer.

As stated above, you do have different items in the packages, The Aquatica is set up for a flat port/macro set up, the Nauticam is set up for wide angle. With regards to your question about the strobes, regardless of whether you go with the Nauticam or Aquatica housing, you can use the YS-110a or Z240 for both. Generally, the strobes quoted will depend on the dealer you are working with as each tends to have their own preference.

Thank you for all your replys. There are different strobes quoted because the dealers liked different strobes. I asked each what they recommended. However, I see your point in that the quotes are not apple to apple guotes. So, I need to decide on the strobes I wish to use and start over. Also, I see mention that the ports are different. I will also be very specific on the lens I am going to use. Is there any real reason to chose 1 strobe over the other or are they, for the most part, just a preference. Thanks again for the help you are offering. I do greatly appreciate it.

I just went through exactly what you are going through. I ended up with the Aquatica AD-7000 8" dome port for my Tokina 10 -17 aquatica strobe arms 2 Sea & Sea YS-01. Went through Mozaik, both Ron and Tal were helpful in guiding me to the right package.

Most of the strobes are very comparable (S&S, Inon and Ike). There are reasons some like one over the over. Size is always a key player. Most of the strobes from one company are comparable in power to one from each company. Battery power is also a big player. Some use rechargeable AA batteries (cheap, small and light) where other strobes, and larger powerful strobes, use proprietary rechargeable battery packs. Its really about deciding what is the most important features for your needs and desires then narrowing it down from there.

$160 for a zoom gear! Unbelievable.

If you are only using this a few weeks per year, go ikelite. Save $1500 - $2000!

Easier, low stress setup - you can see all the sealing surfaces after assembly. Great wired full TTL compatibility, already built in. Legendary service and support.

Slightly bulkier than the competition, and that is it.

$160 for a zoom gear! Unbelievable.

 

If you are only using this a few weeks per year, go ikelite. Save $1500 - $2000!

 

Easier, low stress setup - you can see all the sealing surfaces after assembly. Great wired full TTL compatibility, already built in. Legendary service and support.

 

Slightly bulkier than the competition, and that is it.

Legendary service in the usa - yes may well be.

My (personal) experience in the UK was less than stellar.

YMMV.

Paul C

I made a similar list some months ago, and in the end I decided to buy a housing for a Sony NEX-5 instead of a Nikon of Sony DSLR. I have always used Sony and before that Minolta on land, hence my bias here. But no quality housings are available for Sony DSLR's so I decided I had to switch to Nikon, but that was becoming really expensive.. I am very happy I went for the Sony NEX-5, in the Nauticam housing. The housing is about the same size as a large DSLR without housing. Got two Sea&Sea YS110a strobes (new, very cheap, via ebay) and I so far I do not regret my choice. Specially since the smaller housing is also less expensive. Just to make it a bit more complicated that picking the right set already is.

Reindert

Some comments:

1-I have found the INON Z-240 strobes very reliable.

2-If I was housing a d-7000, and dove only 2 weeks a year, I would take derway's advice and look at an Ikelite housing. (see selection analysis below)

3-I would set up for EITHER macro or wide-angle shots, not both. I would learn to use EITHER an Af-105-VR (mostly clear water)/60mm (dirty water) OR a Tonika 10/17 with a dome port. Not both.

3-The NEX-5 in a Naudi is also a good idea

(Ikelite-metal housing selection analysis)

I did move from an Ikelite housing to a metal housing and was happy I did but the cost was a small fortune, as you are finding out. Essentially the result is that I committed to use this camera/housing for 5 years. In contrast, I felt OK upgrading the Ikelite setup after 2 years. What I received for the extra money purchasing a metal housing is a MUCH more compact rig, easier setup and less maintenance. In particular fibreoptic strobe connections are a lot less of a problem. What I lost in purchasing a metal housing is that I am still shooting a D-300 because my upgrade timeframe extended by about 2 1/2 years.

After considering several housings and that i am european i got stuck wit the decision Hugyfot or Sealux.

As Sealux was more economic i was almost sure to get a sealux housing until i discovered that the don't have

a fiber optic port, as the Sealux housing don't allow the internal strobe to pop up.

As i wanted to go the optical triggered slave strobe way i choose the Hugyfot housing and i am more than happy with it.

The same problem with the impossibility to open the internal strobe has also Ikelite for example with their D90 housing.

In your case i would choose a housing built where you live or a excellent service department to avoid expensive transportation costs in case of any troubles.

I had some issues with Ikelite regarding this matter and the transport for a faulty stobe cost me half of the price of the strobe...

Chris

OK, so I have made a purchase of a housing! Bought the Aquatica housing for the Nikon D7000 Camera and YS-110a strobes. Need some advise on lens now. See 2 different 60mm lens available for purchase. The "Nikon AF-S Micro-Nikkor 60mm f/2.8G ED Macro Autofocus Lens" and the "Nikon AF Micro-Nikkor 60mm f/2.8D Lens ". Which one of these is the correct lens to purchase. The 60mm is the lens im going to be starting with. However, I also have a question about the Tokina 10-17. It seems to be a very popular lens however, as I understand fisheye lens, it distorts the image. Why is this a popular lens if it distorts the photo?

Either 60mm lens is good, neither is "incorrect". I use the older D lens and it works superbly for me. I believe the newer G lens might focus a bit more quickly (not that I can say that the D lens is slow). The D lens will be cheaper.