Good News, Bad News

As you might know I’m in the process of building a housing for my new D2 X and I have been investigating my option for strobes.

I’ve been in contact with Christian Weikamp the manufacture of digital adapters for non digital TTL flashes. http://www.heinrichsweikamp.net/blitz/introduction.htm

He is now offering a iTTL adapter for the Nikon D70's for use with various flash units.

He’s reply to me was good news and bad news, first the bad news. “ We don’t have a D2X iTTL converter at the moment. The D70 converter doesn’t officially support the D2X . Maybe there will be a D2X converter soon “ The good new is... Subtronic’s Maxi will be available with built-in iTTL control soon “

Does anyone have any first hand knowledge of these flash units ?

I have one other question to whom ever. I have not bought a flash unit for above use as yet. I’ll probably buy the SB 800 flash unit and was thinking I might use a pair of these underwater. I know there are several camera manufactures offering housings for these flashes. My question is...do you think a pair of SB 800 will be effective underwater ? They will probably work good for macro but I’m not sure they will be powerful enough for wide angle ?

Marc

I had some very strange compatability issues with my subtronic strobes and the D2X. When I connected them to the camera through the Subal housing with three pins they would always fire but the camera would not always write the image to the card. I never had the same problem with a D70 connected to the same strobes through the same housing (land tests). This was just for manual shooting.

So there does seem to be a difference between the flash protocol on the D2X and D70. PLus some strange compatabilty issues with Subtronics.

The SB800 is powerful - but it is limited in coverage (fine for a 12-24, not so good for a 10.5mm). Also I find the light a bit too cool for UW use. The nikon speedlights are fantastic on land - although I tend to dial in somewhere between+0.3 and +1.0 over exposure on the flash.

Alex

Hi Alex,

A couple of questions if you care to answer ?

Since you’re the only person that I know that’s used the D2X , and I’ve seen your gallery of beautiful images. Could you tell me how you set up your camera . What meter pattern did you use with what lens ? Did you shoot raw , jpeg , or both ? What color mode did you select 1,2, or 3 ? And any other pertinent info would be greatly appreciated .

Marc

No problem, Marc.

I am currently shooting RAW + JPG basic - while I am waiting for ACR to support RAW - which I feel is not going to happen until PS CS2. We will see.

Actually the D2X has renewed my love of JPG. This camera produces such good ones - and I have already supplied a good number from D2X and it has crossed my mind to only shoot JPG from now on. Except perhaps for available light + filter photography.

I shoot in manual using the matrix metering pattern - although generally ingoring what it says. Certainly for macro - and usually for wide angle too. I tend to set my exposure from the LCD screen.

I shoot in Adobe 1998 RGB III.

I don't have any secrets so please let me know any other questions you have.

Alex

Actually the D2X has renewed my love of JPG. This camera produces such good ones - and I have already supplied a good number from D2X and it has crossed my mind to only shoot JPG from now on. Except perhaps for available light + filter photography.

 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

The Wetpixel gurus thought I was nuts when I suggested this a month or two ago - but that is how I've felt since getting the D2H last year. I store the raw files in case someone wants them, but the difference is not often worth the effort IMHO. My complaint with the D2x has been extremely soft files tho they sharpen really well. Nikon says the defaults should not be much different than my prior D series cameras, so I sent my D2x back to them for evaluation yesterday. I love the camera, but I just need to make sure it is functioning as intended.

I shoot in Adobe 1998 RGB III.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Setting "II" in Capture and on the camera (at least the D70)?

Hi Alex,

Thanks for the help and valuable input.

This is my second day with my D2X and I’m just learning the basics.

Most of my shots have been in aperture priority or shutter priority mode to check out how accurate the exposures are. I was some what disappointed at first with the low saturated images I was getting. But I knew it was probably the mode I was shooting in, and it was. I change and tried all three of the color modes and the best color saturated images came form mode 3 as you have referenced to. I also got better saturated image using a center weighted pattern. Probably because it tends to under expose compared to the matrix mode which is metering a much wider pattern. I ‘m shooting out doors with a bright Florida sunny sky.

I’m very impressed with the jpg mode. My images are tack sharp and I see little necessity to change to raw. I’ll give raw a try when Adobe up dates their plug in, till than I’m a happy camper!

On another good note, the D2X fits in my 8 3/4 inch schedule 80 PVC tube that I have. I had to mill a small 1/4 inch groove in the tube to accommodate the protruding neck strap lug , other wise it fits like a glove. This means I’ll have a housing made very soon and the total cost will be around $ 500., that includes two new Ikelite ports.

I have inquired last night about the new Subtronic Max iTTL flash but have not heard back.. If and when I hear back I’ll report.

Marc

Hi Marc,

Personally I see absolutely no need for TTL with a digital camera. But if you are convinced that you want it theh I'm sure I won't be able to change your mind.

Another tip: for fish photography I have become a big fan of using the AF in grouped closest subject priority. Basically this means that if the fish is side on or angled towards you - the head/eye is always sharp. V useful.

Alex

Hi All. I'm still learning about my D2X on land as i wait for a few more housings to become available so I can see what they are like. I know a lot of digital guys shoot with the Sea@Sea YS 90Ds and I just wondered what people's experience with them was. I use YS 120Duos at the moment and Love them, but the 90s have several power settings which I feel would work v well with digital.