Need a Housing for the D70

Hello,

I have been filming underwater for a few years and only got to use my housing in long trips, there is not much to film in the Mediterranean coast, so I decided to "try" underwater photography. I just bought the new Nikon D70 with these lenses: 10.5 dx fisheye, 105 macro and the 17-80 dx. I have read many posts in this site for the past month and my conclusion is to get the Sea and Sea or the Ikelite housing, can anyone give me a hand to decide what to get?.

Thanks a lot

Fer.

Both are excellent housings....buy the one who's dealers can give you the most support

Karl

I have a question about Sea&Sea and Ikelite housings for the D70, do they work in TTL with a housed SB800? I mean, I heard that some housing companies changed the wires in the hotshoe in order for the camera to work with the current strobes in manual. I mainly do fish (fast fish) photography and I really need TTL, that's why I need a housed SB800. Also, how does the power of the housed SB800 compares to the power of the let's say Ikelites 100a, 200 and 125?

For those of us who do oh so love our Light & Motion housing....they are coming out with a D70 housing sometime this year. Doubt you would want to wait for that to compare, but just thought I would pass it along

E

Hello,

I have been filming underwater for a few years and only got to use my housing in long trips, there is not much to film in the Mediterranean coast, so I decided to "try" underwater photography. I just bought the new Nikon D70 with these lenses: 10.5 dx fisheye, 105 macro and the 17-80 dx. I have read many posts in this site for the past month and my conclusion is to get the Sea and Sea or the Ikelite housing, can anyone give me a hand to decide what to get?.  

Thanks a lot  

Fer.

And what about the SUBAL' one ??? 8) Read the review made by Alex....

A very important thing is the support (like Karl said).

I had a problem on my housing (N10: housing for the F100....yes I know...not yet digital!!) and Subal repaired it very quickly (15 days!!!)

Don't forget that sea and sea and ikelite are american brand (nothing against that.. )....but I wonder how long does the support take for repairing ?? Subal is located in Austria...so in Europe......and they are very quick!

Dear Merlinos,

As a clarification, I would submit that Sea & Sea is a Japanese company.

And you a right, service is very important. Living in Europe, you are obviously better off with a Hugy, Subal, Seacam or comparable CE made housing if you want a faster turnaround time for service. However, it also depends on the company's ability to serve its customers. In the case of American, Canadian, Japanese or Korean units, it depends also on the distributor ability to perform service in a timely fashion.

Michel

PS: Do you plan to be in Antibes for the Festival?

Thanks a lot Merlinos and Michel, going to have a look at the Subal too.

Dear Merlinos,

 

As a clarification, I would submit that Sea & Sea is a Japanese company.

 

And you a right, service is very important. Living in Europe, you are obviously better off with a Hugy, Subal, Seacam or comparable CE made housing if you want a faster turnaround time for service. However, it also depends on the company's ability to serve its customers. In the case of American, Canadian, Japanese or Korean units, it depends also on the distributor ability to perform service in a timely fashion.

 

Michel

 

PS: Do you plan to be in Antibes for the Festival?

You're absolutely right!!! The living place must be considered.....but taking an european brand when you live in Europe isn't a guarantee of fast service!!! For example.....Hugy is (since it has been bought up) has a very very.....very slow customer service !!

Seacam is ok....and Subal too

But the advantages of subal is the "versatility" of their port: I have only 2 port for my 15 mm fisheye, 20 mm, 18-35, 60 micro, 105 micro !!! Just one dome + 1 port and an extension ring....and that's all!!

saving place....and cash !!

Yes I admit.........I'm a subalophile....but I try to treat myself!! :wink:

PS: of course I will be in Antibes (80 Km from my house!)

hi all

i m also Subal addicted , but a bit (a lot ? ) disapointed with their new housing for the D70

Now I know where's the $1000 difference with my FS2, one strobe socket , one arm , a new economic door ..... :evil: :evil:

If you WANT a Subal, you'd wait a bit and choose the "normal" version that will let you the access of all the functions of this DSLR ..... or wait for the S3 or D90 housing (what I'll certainly do)

I ll also be in antibes , and will present 2 pictures (1 B&W)

Merlinos will also soon be "D" addicted

If you WANT a Subal, you'd wait a bit and choose the "normal" version that will let you the access of all the functions of this DSLR ..... or wait for the S3 or D90 housing   (what I'll certainly do)

As far as I know, Subal do not have any plans for another version of the D70 housing. I was just speculating in my review.

But I do think that Subal will have underestimated the popularity of the D70 (assuming that Nikon do not bring out a D90 before next year) and will probably sell their first production run of the D70 before the end of the year. Meaning that they could bring out a Mark II version of the D70 next year.

Alex

p.s. just to be clear, I DO NOT have any inside information - this is all my speculation.

I look forward to meeting you all in Antibes.

http://www.underwater-festival.com/en/index.html

Ultralight Control Systems offers a bracket for attaching their padded handles to this housing. These handles have a 1 inch ball on the top for mounting strobes.

The single bulkhead problem can be remedied with a dual sync cord, and it is easy enough to travel with a spare in your save a camera box to swap out in the event of a flood. I'm not sure that the changes were made to save money as much as to reduce the physical size of the housing.

Subal's magnified viewfinder is certainly a deal maker. It is smaller than the Seacam 180 VF, offers the same magnifcation, and is $600 less expensive.

If viewfinder optics weren't important to me, I probably wouldn't buy this housing. But they are, so if I were buying today, this would be the one.

ok Alex I didn't meant that you gave us an official information , but the idea of a MII seems to be realistic .

I think Subal has made a miscomprehension in the category of UW photographers for this housing

D70 will not only be used UW by Newbies

I agree with you, Jerome, about Subal's attitude.

It is also very easy (so long as you know a good machinist) to get a second synch socket added to a housing. Lots of people did this in the UK with F801 and F90 Subal housings back in 1980s-1990s.

Alex

I think you would doing yourself a disservice if you did not take a look at the Nexus D70 housing before you made your choice. It is well made, very compact and every camera function is accessible (sp?).

I have always thought that Nexus makes good housings.

I haven't seen the Nexus D70 housing in the flesh, but it looks from the photos that it is modified from the same casting as the D100. Considering the D100 is bigger than the D70 the housing might not be as compact as it could be - although the Nexus D100 was one of the smallest housings out there. The Ikelite, Subal and Sea and Sea D70 housings are all much smaller than their D100.

Alex

Look at the size of the housing vs. size of the camera. Not much bigger.

I was on the wait list for a D70 housing from Light and Motion. I received a call today from L&M informing me that they will NOT be coming out with a housing for the D70.

So, now I have the same dilemma regarding which housing to buy. I was leaning towards the L&M and Ikelite but L&M recommended the Sea&Sea.

Also, any good recommendations where to buy either the Ike or the Sea&Sea? I am concerned about the followup support more than the initial price.

I just bought the D70 and love it. The underwater stuff is a big jump.

If you're concern is followup support, then Ikelite is absolutely the way to go. I've had both Ike and Sea&Sea products, and the post-sale support has been significantly better from Ikelite.

Also, any good recommendations where to buy either the Ike or the Sea&Sea?  I am concerned about the followup support more than the initial price.

I just bought the D70 and love it.  The underwater stuff is a big jump.

I have always been happy dealing with Ryan at underwatercamerapros.com (and a sponsor of this site). He has always treated me fair and is very knowledgeable. He will not try to sell you what you don't want. He handles Ike, Sea & Sea, Nexus & Subal....all for the D70.

I LOVE my Nexus!

Happy shopping,

Dave

I agree with Dave, that going to a shop that supplies several lines is always a good thing - they will be able to suggest which line is best for your needs.

Alex