Housing Pricing Sanity Check

Thank you for the corrections and insight, Jeff.

you may think that the corrections I am going to point out are semantic, however your position in this community as an "expert" makes it very important that you have a handle on the semantics.

All I can say is yikes!

You are certainly entitled to your opinion...

As for "worth it" I think it's clear I said I would pick the PT. As for "D-TTL" - I guess it would make you feel better if I said auto exposure. (Of course, everyone can see it's exactly what I meant...) As for "expert" - I'd say, huh? I made it clear I only offer my opinion. (Glad you set things straight.) What's your agenda. jeff?

Hi Ken,

The technical comments that Jeff made are correct - I think he was just trying to clear up some confusion. I myself was scratching my head when I saw you using D-TTL to talk about an Olympus camera. I know you meant "digital TTL" but to others, it can definitely be confusing.

As for the rest - I would be happy if someone called me an expert...lol!

Cheers

James

As I understand the term, "D-TTL" is a misnomer, referring to a "digital version of TTL" (which isn't "thru the lens" at all). The system - in this case within the D180 - pre-meters the scene , pre-determines the correct flash duration, and quenches the strobe accordingly. A "D-TTL" system pre-meters the scene and cuts the strobe at the point it decides will be the correct exposure. I think this is what the D180 does - and so I said so... jeff's "correction" seems besides the point about the relative merits of the various housings. He does seem to have a lot of knowledge of how the D180 works. My point re the D180 is that it DOES work.

Ok, pass the viagra my way!! LOL!

I hate talking about the "TTL" feature of my Tetra because the conversation always gets steered away from the results to the definition of real TTL and what electro-mechanical wizardry is being performed under the hood of the Tetra and the fact it isn't "real" TTL. Bottom line is, it works, it works so well quite frankly it's amazing. I've gotten some fatastic exposures on Plumose anemones that are so white, it hurts your eyes to look at them.

I should also mention that when I move on, my Tetra will probably fetch at least 1/2 of what I paid for it. So, the cost isn't a zero sum game. My first Tetra for the 4040 sold for more than 1/2 as well.

Is it worth it???? Has the rig paid for itself..... :wink:

Rand

D-TTL is the ttl logic applied by the Nikon D-100, D1x, D2h, Kodak 14n, and what is announced will be used by the Fuji S3. It is a technology owned by Nikon.

D-ttl consists of mutliple preflashes (I've read 10-14) (fired after the mirror locks up, before the shutter opens) that are metered by their reflection off of the shutter curtain, which is behind the lens. More definitive information should be available in Thom Hogan's Flash Guide, which should be released in May. I've seen lots of discussion about this on the DP Review forums, but can't find anything on a formal site.

In my opinion, Jeff's clarification is necessary, beacause the difference in performance between Auto Flashes and true TTL can be quite different due to massive differences in the sophistication of the metering.

The TTL system Ken commented on in his Coolpix 5000 was not TTL at all, and in fact, used the exact same technology employed by Inon D-180 strobes. The only difference is the position of the auto sensor, in teh D-180 it resides in the strobe head, and on the coolpix 5000 it was housed in the camera next to the lens.

Regarding the 10d speculation above, I'm hearing similar stuff, but Canon reps don't know anything either. Canon is still taking orders, but they were doing that when they discontinued the d60 too.

I must admit I glossed over the TTL stuff in ken's original reply because I use the PT-015 and TTL is merely a fantasy with this box(my brain automatically filters out TTL-related sentences to reduce power consumption). Sorry for not paying attention to the details as I was focused on the price differential aspect. All that being said, I appreciate Jeff's input while questioning the need to put the word expert in quotes. Careful, you could put out a feeling with that there thing. Anyhoo, I appreciate ALL your input. Mahalo nui loa.

--John

The TTL system Ken commented on in his Coolpix 5000 was not TTL at all

Read the post above - you seem to be unclear on what I said.

in fact, (the Tetra5000) used the exact same technology employed by Inon D-180 strobes

If it's "the exact same technology" the D180 with the PT house has one big advantage re auto exposure - it works!

Are you and Jeff in business together ryan??? LOL!

As for the Jeff's "expert" comment, John, I have to admit I felt the same thing...

I guess it would make you feel better if I said auto exposure.  

Yes, it would.

(Of course, everyone can see it's exactly what I meant...)

Not necessarily.

As for "expert" - I'd say, huh?  I made it clear I only offer my opinion.  (Glad you set things straight.)  What's your agenda. jeff?

I don't have one.

This topic has been unlocked. Please be civil, guys.

Thank you Jeff

I just learned a few new things.

Back to the original post.

Consumer digital cameras are getting like PC's. The minute you purchase a PC, with all of the necessary accessory cards and boards, it's obsolete (by the manufacturer's standard). We all know why. Make something new and convince the public they need it and you generate additional sales

Hence, I no longer invest in expensive PC's nor expensive add-ons. I buy what I need and drive the heck out of them until I absolutely can no longer use it or the software I want and need will no longer run on it. For instance, why would I buy an expensive video card that outlasts the computer and can't be used on the new one?

Housings are the same. For the VERY FEW that need or require the features and functions of a VERY expensive housing...go for it. For the majority of us "Weekend" photographers, constantly facing the obsolescence of our cameras, it just doesn't make sense to invest in a very expensive housing for a "less than sophisticated" camera which will certainly be obsolete within a year or two

We (well most) all do this because we enjoy this as a leisure time hobby

It ceases to be fun when we have to worry about "keeping up with the Jone's" or have to invest the "National Debt" to keep current