Folks,

I see Aquatica are offering an upgrade to the Nikon D200 housing to make it compatable for the D300 camera body. Circa $1100.00.

I believe its a new back (without viewfinder) which makes sense but I would imagine you'd need a new mounting try too. I mailed Aquatica a week ago looking for details but got no reply yet.

Has anybody experience of this ?

The kit includes a new back ( with no viewfinder ) , a new mounting tray and a new internal lever for the focus mode ( CSM ) selector.

Thanks, Have you used it - I assume then that once its put together then there is no loss of function anywhere else and optically its going to be the same as the D200 for wides behind the domes - no edge softness beyond the D200 performance ?

My housing is currently off at Aquatica getting upgraded for the D300. I know for certain there is a new back without viewfinder. I sent my entire housing to them, so I would assume they will install my old viewfinder into the new back. They also are stripping the front of its silver paint to make it black to match the new style housings which are all black. They are servicing all controls on the front of the housing and pressuring testing before sending it back to me. Cost is USD $1,199 + S&H. I'll post back once I get it.

Good luck getting one, I've given up waiting, ordered one nearly 2 months ago

I just got my upgraded Aquatica D200/D300 housing back to day - looks real good so far - nice black matte finish with the old back stripped and repainted to match - and yes they took the viewfinder out of the old D200 back and put it in the D300 back - but it doesn't matter to me since I use my Aquavue viewfinder anyway.

I will find out how it works in Sulawesi next week.
Andy

Let's hope that your ttl works and that all the equipment and us makes it safely to Kima Bajo

Well Dr Fiscus - how long did you have to wait for yours ? - I wouldn't want to be without a housing for two months !! I like the idea of having the upgrade but keeping the D200 as a back up camera.

I think it took about six to seven weeks - I sent it through my Aquatica dealer and they shipped it to Aquatica - the process is time consuming - they have to strip down whole housing - remove old paint - paint everything nice new black matte - rebuild it - and probably not Aquatica's number one priority as opposed to all the other housings they have. I just scheduled it between dive trips. I will admit that I did have another housing and camera to use but my planned trip to the Keys got knocked out by the unscheduled hurricane.
If you have a rush need you probably should just call Jean Bruneau at Aquatica directly and see what they can do.
Good luck.
Andy

I just ordered the new backplate, wasn't interested in sending my housing off. But alas still waiting.

I just received mine back today and it did take about 6-7 weeks for the total turnaround time. I have an email out to Jean as mine came back all silver with the front serviced, but definitely not stripped and painted black. My back is silver to match the front. I am a little disappointed in this as one of the reasons I was given for the delay was a back log in the paint department. Maybe they figured painting it silver was going to be quicker than the black, but in the end, I would've appreciated the option or at least be informed of the situation.

Instead, I have a D300 housing which says AD200 on the front. I am bummed for two reasons. One, I paid for a housing upgrade that was to be black, and I do believe a black housing is aesthetically more pleasing for my personal use and for resale, as well as the fact I thought I was partly paying for a new paint job on the front.

I'm sure I will get over it, but I know a lot of you might feel the same as me. If you ordered a black car, and it came to the dealership silver, would you be happy?

It also cost me $125 in shipping to get it back, and I told Aquatica on the phone earlier this week I wanted it shipped as cheaply as possible. What did you other guys and gals pay for return shipping?

I still love my Aquatica gear, and I eagerly await a response about the shipping and paint mix-up.