Nikon D50 on DPReview

Phil Askey has published his review of Nikon's latest DSLR on DP Review.

The D50 has a couple of features that seems advantageous for underwater photography. Compared with the D70 it has an improved viewfinder and also a improved image processing algorithm 'to clip less and have a softer roll off to highlight" (like the D2x), which promises to offer improved handling of sunbursts.

Read Phil's review here:

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/nikond50/

What is less clear is whether any housing manufacturers will offer housings for this camera. Afterall, designing and building another housing for a new model has large start up costs. Rather like the EOS 350D - maybe most housing manufacturers will concentrate on other models - arguing if you want to shoot a Nikon underwater you should choose a D70.

Digideep.com does not have any housings listed for this camera at the moment.

Alex

I think we are hearing Japanese manufacturers are working on D50 but, ofcourse is business confidential.

Sam

Alex,

I remember your assumption that with falling DSLR prices manufactures would not build housings for every new entry DSLR. You were right if you look at the small 350D housing choices. The 300D was a real bargain as the next higher model required a lot more investment. But the price differences from an entry DSLR to the next higher level have become smaller. I wouldn't be surprised if the Nikon D50 experiences the same fate.

Regards,

Julian

There will be a housing during August complete with iTTL conversion circuitry from guess who?

http://www.ikelite.com/web_pages/2dslr_dttl70.html

ewa marine is still faster ... B)

I have some clear plastic food bags in my kitchen. I could tie a knot in one end and have a D50 housing right now. Speed isn't everything!

lol, of course not, I was joking.

you were just trying to get the addled shop keeper going.

I rekon that most just won't bother with the D50 housing except ike, as all his housings are made from basically the same plug and its a matter of routing the controls then.

there will be somthing else out next month anyway... a D50s or somthing like that

these DSLR's are getting like our PC's out of date in a few weeks !!!! well not so quick

the price difference between the D50 & D70 isn't much.

if that price difference is a major issue for the customer, they will have a heart attack when they come to purchase their housing.

those customers best go for what Alex suggested

A freezer bag and zip tie

Just my thoughts on it.

craig

I remember in the old days of film, there were a lot of budget slr's on the market from Canon & Nikon

EOS500 EOS300 Nikon F70 F50.....

what happen there, we'll the housings were made, the cameras got blown out by newer models leaving surplus housings knocking around and companies out of pocket. we still have a Canon Eos 300n housing is our shop, it was left behind in the rush of new Models. I suspect that alot of companies have learned the hard lesson and may well be cautious in the future.

for top end camera's like the D2x YES, but when we are taking about £150 between a D50 & D70, whats the point.

lets say......... 4x ultralight ball clamps....... thats all... why bother ?

you were just trying to get the addled shop keeper going. 

we still have a Canon Eos 300n housing is our shop, it was left behind in the rush of new Models.

Recently a metal housing in mint condition (as new) for an obsolete film entry SLR was sold for around 150 € on ebay (price new over 1000 €). It might have been worth the double amount when two up to date sync cords would have been included.

Regards,

Julian

I am surprised that more people aren't considering modifying old film SLR housings for digitals.

For the right cameras it might be pretty easy - and a cheap housing plus a few hundred well spent on fitting a LCD viewing window and a few push buttons could work for some who are technically gifted.

When I got my D100 housing in 2002 I know of one guy who had sucessfully modified a F5 housing to take the camera.

With film housings available for such little money it could be worth a shot.

Alex

I totally agree Alex. I've often thought of trying to convert an F5 housing for a D2x or a 1D. I'd guess it would cost about $100 for a good machine shop to put in the LCD window. If you can make a mounting block for the camera tray so that it lines up w/ the important controls, then you are set.

Cheers

James

Hi,

I've heard that Hugyfot is working in a housing for the small Canon 350D.

On the other hand, I can use a Nikon F80 with my Hugy housing for Nikon D70 with only a very few adjustments... And I know several proud owners or a D70-Subal setup that can do exactly the same simple operation and shoot analogic with a F80.

The very good thing is that you only need to add a plastic/wood piece... so you can make a dive using digital and the next one shoioting analogic...

Cheers

Matetes