Subal ND800

Hi Guys,

Just received my ND800 and found that the zoom gears I am currently using won't work on this housing.

I use 99% percent of the time a Nikon 70-180mm Macro Zoom and have used this lens and the same zoom gear on all my previous housings D200, D2X, D3X and D700.

Is anyone aware if Subal provide new zoom gears for the ND800, I haven't tried another lens yet but will do over the weekend and report back.

Thanks

Ron

yes, they do (see also other post).

http://wetpixel.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=47856&hl=

Subal is aware of this problem and made new zoom gears. In fact, I will get mines (including the one for 70-180 which I also shoot occasionally) tomorrow at Photokina show!

BTW, what port are u using with the 70-180? I have the old/original FP70180 (which is heavy although). thanks for info

I just sent an e-mail to Reef Photo about the zoom gears not mating. I guess great minds think along the same path.

I am really eager to see how the 70-180 mm macro lens works with FX, it should be a very usable focal length range.

I too use the old FP70180 port.

Elmer

Received new zoom gears for the 70-180 mm macro lens, they work with the lens and ND800 housing.....

but are too large in diameter to allow the FP70180 port to attach to the housing

The gear will be require machining to make the sleeve smaller in diameter &/or the port opening will need to be enlarged.

Elmer

I've used the 70-180 underwater for the last 12 years. First with the Nikon F5 and more recently with the D700. It is one of my two most used lenses. In both cases the housing was a Seacam and the Seacam housing and port system easily allows you to have gears on all three of the 70-180 rings - zoom, M-AF switch, and manual focus. A housing body with only one lens control makes using this lens a bit more difficult and requires two lens controls (M-AF and manual focus) on the port if you want the full capabilities of the lens. Otherwise a single control - zoom - is all you have.

Fred

I also got new zoom gears for the 70-180 and I am using this combo with Subal's FP70180 port without problems. (Zoom, M-AF-Switcfh and Manual focus). However, I have Port Type 4 (which has a larger diameter than type 3) on my new ND4 housing.

I also got new zoom gears for the 70-180 and I am using this combo with Subal's FP70180 port without problems. (Zoom, M-AF-Switcfh and Manual focus). However, I have Port Type 4 (which has a larger diameter than type 3) on my new ND4 housing.

Are you using a port adapter to convert the type 3 to type 4?

Is your zoom gear the same external diameter on its entire length or is it tapered towards the front of the lens?

thx, Elmer

yes I have mounted the port adapter on the FP70180 in order to fit on the type4 housing port.

the zoom gear has the same external diameter (which is larger than the one I have used before --> for type 3 ports). I can make and post a picture tonight.

yes I have mounted the port adapter on the FP70180 in order to fit on the type4 housing port.

 

the zoom gear has the same external diameter (which is larger than the one I have used before --> for type 3 ports). I can make and post a picture tonight.

It looks like we have the same gears, mine is also the same external diameter. I think this gear will work if the portion towards the front of the lens is machined down in diameter to match the old gear. My port is a type 3.

Elmer

A question to those of you who have used the Subal ND800... how negative does it feel in the water? My ND700 is fairly negative, and I'm wondering if the new one is too.

I have not used it in the water, but the housing is oversized horizontally - for allow for easy connection of HDMI and other cables on the left of the camera. This additional airspace will clearly add more buoyancy compared with the Subal D700, but I'd still expect it to be a little negative, except with a large dome.

Alex

With a flat port, two Inon Z240's, four 8" ULCS arms with ten jumbo Stix floats my Subal ND800 is just negative.

For comparison, a Nauticam D800 with a flat port, same arms and strobes, with six jumbo and six large Stix floats is also just negative.

I would guess that adding two more jumbo floats to either would make them neutral.

Elmer

Elmer,

you are right! I checked again and found out that it does not fit into the port. When I got the new zoom ring I did try it only with the lens but not with attaching the port, how stupid! The zoom gear is little bit sticking out of the housing to get in conflict with the port (FP70180).

I measured as follows:

old zoom gear outside diameter is 82 mm

port inside diameter is 84 mm

new zoom gear outside diameter is 90 mm

So, in conclusion, you are rigtht, the new zoom gear needs machining to the front side of the lens. I figured out approximately 15 mm from the front side (it is 35mm wide in total) and machined down to 82mm, e.g. 4mm on all sides.

Now I have to find a workshop near me with a machining lathe

.

Do you have a solution already?

Juerg,

I just flew in from Bonaire last night and must say that I am impressed with the D800, great dynamic range and detail. I am also impressed with the Subal housing, great ergonomics. The housing is smaller then the Nauticam and in my hands easier to use.

I have not measured how much to get machined off of the new 70-180 mm zoom gear. Is leaving 15 mm enough to engage the zoom gear and clear the FP70180 port? Reef Photo has a lathe and will fix it for me.

Elmer

don't know exactly, but I think from visual inspection it should do the job with about 15mm which is little less than half of the zoom ring's width (is 35mm). let me know if they (Reef Foto) do more or less.

don't know exactly, but I think from visual inspection it should do the job with about 15mm which is little less than half of the zoom ring's width (is 35mm). let me know if they (Reef Foto) do more or less.

We are going to be hit by Hurricane Sandy so I will not be able to play with the gear until later in the week. I was thinking of painting the zoom gear and seeing the pattern of where the gears mated. That should tell me where the gears contact and the minimum width needed.

The new 70-180mm zoom gear is 35 mm long. If 25 mm is shaved off (to external diameter of 81.5 mm) in a lathe it will have enough clearance to allow a type 3 port to attach to the housing. This will leave 10 mm of exposed gear to provide gear engagement.

I found a workshop with lathes and let them shave off 15mm only. I measured the port FP70180 thickness, which is 10mm only. If 15 mm is not enough I still can shave it more in a second turn. The max amount is something like 25mm (measured from the font port opening to the zoom wheel. Expect some news in short time when I get it back fromn the workshop.

When I measured 15 mm was really close to the base of the housing mount. My other gears are 10 mm wide, so I figured by taking off 25 mm would give me more wiggle room between the base of the port.

I have it done with 15 mm and it works great (but also 20mm will do it). My housing is for the D4 although should be of no difference from the D800.