Which 20d housing to buy?

The aquatica housing for the D20 is pretty hard to beat.

Ike: perhaps the (temporary) solution would be designing some kind of extension to the viewfinder .... you can solve the cable problem leaving it where it is, and make a lot of customers happy by magnifying the viewfinder at the same time.

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It sure would make me a happy snapper! :-) Yes please, I want one! Too bad I won't get in time for my red Sea trip tomorrow. B)

I too have been disappointed in the location of the sync cord connector on Ikelite housings (5050 &20D). Location on the back of housing makes the cord subject to accidental damage by dive boat crews who place the housing down onto the deck with the lens pointing up (upon exiting the water when you hand your rig to the deck hand). This is done to protect the lens port and I appreciate their efforts. However when you lay the housing on its' back, the sync cord is the point of contact. Do this a few times and soon the cord has a crease at the connector. My cord's rubber exterior was close to being cut through. I called Ikelite, they said they were working on a solution but nothing yet. Attached is my solution. It may not be pretty, but so far, it works. I laid out the cord in the desired configuration and each day applied a coat of epoxy until I had built up a permanent and rigid elbow.

I have only used this cord on approximately 20 dives since the modification but it has held up beautifully, a few dings on the paint where it hit the deck show me that it has protected the cord. Now, if I can only keep water out of my housing...

TomC

Thank again for the replies. I have things slightly clearer now (I think). This discussion has lead me to make one decision: I'm gonna head off to London and visit somewhere that sells housings and try them out for myself before i purchase. I'm not too fussed about the price - what i want is the housing that will be right for me. I'm planning to head off to the tropics for good by next year so want something that will serve me well. It seems both Ike and Aquatica have fans out there so they will be the first housings i will look at.

Thanks again

If price isn't that important, I'd consider the Subal as well. I had that for my 35mm kamera and was very happy. Now with the 20D I couldn't afford it and settled (Ike'll love this ;-)) for Ikelite. I would probably have been just as happy with my new housing if it wasn't for that darn cable in my left cheek!

I've been very happy with my Ikelite choice.

It all comes down to what is it worth to you.

Some argue that having the sync cord on the top is an "advantage". If someone told me I had the choice, I would probably agree, and get the sync cord on top. However, if someone says, "You can have it on the top for an additional $600." I'd laugh my ass off.

If someone told me I had the choice, I would probably agree, and get the sync cord on top.  However, if someone says, "You can have it on the top for an additional $600."  I'd laugh my ass off.

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I completely agree with that, if you are limited to 2,000 (US$) the decision is already made, and it is Ikelite. However, if if have 3-4k I would also consider other brands. It all comes down to your budget.

That's not how I meant it.

I have whatever budget I feel is justified. And there is no way that moving the bulkhead connector will ever be worth hundreads of dollars. Nor is aluminum worth the extra cost, as PC keeps water out just as well. Or I remember when I first started messing around with this stuff and someone posted the cost of the upgraded Seacam viewfinder. I seriously thought it was a joke, because it was almost as much as I paid for my housing, and this was just a viewfinder.

This isn't to say there aren't things that I would be willing to pay for, but I need to see real value in it. Some people see that value, and obviously are willing to shell out the bucks. Just not me.

I'm sure I'm not the only one that had the choice between all of the housings, and still chose Ikelite.

  Or I remember when I first started messing around with this stuff and someone posted the cost of the upgraded Seacam viewfinder.  I seriously thought it was a joke, because it was almost as much as I paid for my housing, and this was just a viewfinder.

 

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Have you tried one? Actually, I find it easier to splurge on items like the Seacam viewfinder because they are one time purchases. Like lenses, I will utilize them forever as long as seacam doesn't change their design. I'm also confident that switching to those big viewfinders has significantly improved my photography, and that is priceless. Nothing like being able to see your subject in detail BEFORE you click the shutter!

Maybe, but in order to buy the viewfinder, you first have to buy the housing, and then you have to buy the ports. All of which carry a price tag unproportional (in my opinion) to the features. Especially the housing, which is not going to be used forever.

The Seacam 1D series housings (for Canon) can be used for a darned long time... That's why I decided to get one. I'm not sure I'd get one for a D70 though.

Cheers

James

The Seacam 1D series housings (for Canon) can be used for a darned long time... 

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The same is true for any aluminum housing for top of the line, professional cameras. I just bought a D2x and the only way I see an upgrade in the near (5 years) future is if Nikon comes up with a full frame 20+ mp camera, which I don't think is going to happen. The tiff files that the D2x produces are about the same size and quality as my scanned slides.

Forgive me as I don't own a housing and this may be a naive question, but after looking at snappy's pic of how the sync cord connector butts up against the regulator....wouldn't it be possible to develop an alternate L-shaped connector (or use one if it already exists) so it wouldn't be sticking straight out? This would be similar to what guitar players use to patch effects pedals. That would allow you to get to the viewfinder easier. Short end of the "L" goes into the housing and the long end leads the cord out to one side.

Maybe, but in order to buy the viewfinder, you first have to buy the housing, and then you have to buy the ports.  All of which carry a price tag unproportional (in my opinion) to the features.  Especially the housing, which is not going to be used forever.

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I'm just suggesting you try one before you formulate an opinion. I really believe that I'd maxed out my photographic "growth" shooting the Aquatica D100, but I came to this conclusion AFTER I upgraded to my current Seacam. I had no idea what I was missing, but in the first 7 days shooting with the big viewfinders I was creating images a notch above what I was doing before. The improvement in my imaging was noted by other photographers who had no idea I'd upgraded, and I'm convinced that I've added a new dimension to my photography.

You are right that these are insanely expensive toys, I only suggest that you keep an open mind and put your hands on gear before you discount it. If you ever make it to St. Croix look me up and you can go a few rounds with the big viewfinder I think you'll like it!

It is also unfair to say that the price is disproportional to the features, as this is true with any commodity - it is the law of diminishing returns. Of course you'll pay much more for that last bit of refinement versus a bare bones product. Cars are no different, eh? Premium or exotic lenses have a similar curve as well.

Disclaimer: I would agree that for 95% of photographers on the forum, any housing that keeps their camera dry is good enough. Anyone who only dives a trip or two every year would have to be pretty gung ho to splurge for a premium housing. More than any other "feature," however, being able to see your subject in detail could be considered priceless.

I'm just suggesting you try one before you formulate an opinion. 

I agree with Kasey, I was a film ikelite user and before migrate to digital (EOS20d) I had the opportunity to try a Subal and Aquatica. I really feel a better sensation/confort using these housings. The subal and Aquatica system gears and controls, IMHO, are so far better than Ikelite. The optical quality for Macro is the same, but for wide angle the 8" is wonderful. (When I did my tests, there was no aquatica 8" for ikelite)

I also think a lot about the E-TTL II feature, but I spoke with Aquatica and they told me that the circuit are in final testing and working well, so we will get it available soon.

If the money wasn't a problem, Subal would be my choice, but my budget was about $3000, so I'm very happy with Aquatica.

Regards

The new Sealux 20D housing might be a nice choice as well. More popular over here, but maybe worth to have a look at. Sportsfinder available (the one Subal shops at Sealux and installs in their housings) and the price is very attractive for a high quality aluminium housing (especially in the case of the 20D housing).

Julian

Hmm.. Interesting. By the looks of the housing, it appears Sealux has a button available for the multi-directional joystick on the back of the 20D. This button, while not critically needed, does make it nice to pan around a zoomed preview of your image. Until now all 20D housing only allow you to zoom into the center of the image b/c they lack this button. Not very helpful if your subject is not centered in your frame.

- Just an observation -

Do you happen to know hoe many euros/dollars the seacam 20 D housing costs? Iain

Hi Iain,

Seacam does not make a housing for the 20D. You can find out prices for the Sealux housings at www.sealux.de

HTH

James

The same is true for any aluminum housing for top of the line, professional cameras. I just bought a D2x and the only way I see an upgrade in the near (5 years) future is if Nikon comes up with a full frame 20+ mp camera, which I don't think is going to happen. The tiff files that the D2x produces are about the same size and quality as my scanned slides.

Don't be so sure, 5 years it’s a lot of times this days, a lot can be change and improved. The more pixels it’s not so important but maybe increasing the dynamics range for instance can be much significant.