11 replies to this topic

[robbarker]

First impressions are very favourable indeed. It's a solid and beautifully finished housing. The castings are substantial and inspire confidence.

The housing is noticably smaller than the DX-D70 and has no seperate tray - the handles fix to the side of the housing itself. The result is a much more compact package which will be easier to travel with.

It has a leak sensor, unlike the DX-D70, and very solid and smooth feeling buttons.

I shall get it wet over the next few days (once this ear infection clears up - grrrrrr!) and post a fuller report - I'm going to do a full review in the new underwater photography forum on photo.net and on my own website once I've returned from the Red Sea in early June.

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[Arnon_Ayal]

Congrats.
Its looks handsome, much more beautiful then the D50 housing I sow.

[meister]

Looks fine. Any thoughts regarding the viewfinder, ports, and gear fit and function?

[Reefwreck]

Looks fine.  Any thoughts regarding the viewfinder, ports, and gear fit and function?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Ditto. Also, are the handles removable for stowage?
TIA.
Michael.

[Craig Ruaux]

Also, are the handles removable for stowage?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

They should be, they are the same handle mouldings used on the film SLR housings. Mine's sitting in Florida right now waiting for a zoom gear...

[robbarker]

Yup - the handles come off really easily for easy carriage. Two substantial allen bolts are used, with a split ring washer to keep the tension tight. An allen key is even supplied!

I set it up with a 12-24 zoom today to test out the gear action - it's very smooth and solid feeling.

The camera tray is a little awkward to fit as you have to line up a geared lever that operates the focus mode dial, but once it's on it's solid. Thereafter the camera fits the housing like a glove.

The viewfinder comes as standard with a 0.66 magnifier - I was able to see the whole image area, albeit with a tiny bit of vignetting on the extreme corners of the frame, while wearing a mask, and the viewfinder info is particularly clear.

The LCD window is very good - it's a revelation to have such a wonderful display and menu system available underwater!

I'm looking forward to getting this thing into the water..

[Phil Rudin]

I looked at this housing today at Reef Photo and Video and it is really nice. The D-200 is a great camera and the Sea & Sea housing is very compact with removable handles and should pack well when traveling. I highly recommend the Athena glass dome port made for this housing which is also available at Reef Photo.

[robbarker]

To give an idea of how compact this housing is, here's a shot of my new rig stowed in a Kinetics 821 (carry-on legal) case.

I can get the housing with camera and geared 12-24 lens mounted, the detached handles, compact dome port and extension ring , two strobes, a flat port, 60 macro and 10.5 FE lenses, sync cord and flexi-arms all in one case.

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[kdietz]

Pretty sweet setup.....very compact

Karl

[gadip]

Rob,

Thanks for the pictures, I want to get one too, but I need to sell my D70 housing first :-)

I wonder if you have the Sea&Sea Big Dome port? and if you can please post a picture of the D200 housing with the big dome port (Fish Eye)?

I want to see how big the rig is when they set togther?

Thanks
Gadi

[diver21]

Way too much foam in that case...

Mine it loaded with so much equipment, that I think it would be lighter carrying rocks in it.

[meister]

Interesting they already have the D200 housing out, but stated a few days ago they won't have the 5D housing out until next month or June.