Ready to start again...

[Rockhound76 0]

I've been diving more than 30 years. For about 10 years, I was into UW photography, using the venerable Nikonos 5 system. I only owned the 35mm lense, the SB105 flash and a set of extension tubes, but I had nearly unlimited access to a 15mm and viewfinder, which I used a LOT.

 

I loved taking photos, and was often complimented on the quality. But, I "drifted away", as they say. I continued to dive, but just started leaving the camera at home.

 

A month ago, my 14yr. old became certified. He's a great buddy and an enthusiastic diver.

 

He has been a pretty good photographer in his own right, taking photos since he was 7. He would often tell me that "one day" he was going to be a "car photographer" and work for Autoweek. We spend many of our weekends at car shows, even now.

 

Well, that "autos only" mindset changed when I took him on his first Florida dives last month. He immediately asked for a camera to take on his dives. Easier said than done, but he was insistent and I thought a really cheap point and shoot film camera or disposable wouldn't be too distracting on the dives if I carried it.

 

We found one on closeout at Kmart for $12, a reusable model with a flash. After playing with it on our deeper dives (60') and then using my Pentax Optio W30 on a snorkeling excursion, he was definitely hooked on another form of photography. Some of his photos, especially the macro with the Optio, were very, very good. Some of the ones with the P&S were good as well (Well, after some editing--we had the film processed to a CD at Walmart).

 

Now, here's my dilemma: I want to enourage this new passion (without distracting from his dive skills progression) by bringing my old camera along on our dives.

 

Of course, I the Nikonos is in great shape. All I have to do is have it serviced to get it ready, but I also need a WA lens. I figure $400-$500 for a 20mm with optical finder, maybe twice+ that for a 15mm, and I'm set with a pro quality rig that is still easy to use. The total investment for the 20mm setup would be less than for a cheap digital UW starter rig.

 

The other way to go (duh) is truly digital with a prosumer setup for me (selfish) that I can share with him until he's ready to have his own.

 

I still love film, but I don't wont to foolishly cling to something that seems increasingly passe'. I mean, is anyone but me still in love with the Nikonos system? Is it even possible to get equivalent quality from a consumer or prosumer level digital camera/housing for less than $1500 (what I can buy a NIB 15mm and finder for right now). Is film becoming too scarce (slide film) and quality processing too hard to find?

 

So many questions...I know. With a name like "Wetpixel", I know there might be some bias, but please be objective (and kind)....

Edited August 23, 2007 by Rockhound76

[james 0]

Interesting question! Nowadays you can get a used Nikonos 15mm for <$500

 

http://photography.search.ebay.com/nikonos...gZ1QQsofocusZbs

 

So that may be an option for you.

 

Or you can get a consumer compact digital and housing + add-on wide angle lens. You might be able to use your strobe from the Nikonos system w/ one of these.

 

Cheers

James

[ce4jesus 1]

Just my 2 cents worth. There are plenty of film people still out there who take professional shots with the Nikonos camera. With that said, all of todays prosumer models (like Canon G7, Olympus, Nikon. fuji) will all produce photos that would rival the quality of a Nikonos image. Furthermore, there's nothing worse than running out of film on a dive. Or, figure out you had a setting wrong after you get the prints back. Digital offers instant feedback and helps speed up the learning curve of a young photographer. Additionally, many of the "close out" models of brands like Canon, Olympus and Nikon also have cheap housings made by the manufacturer that you could get for under $300. So the Camera and housing and external strobe for around a $1000 bucks would be reasonable.

One item of note is if you're in the market for Nikonos lens etc, you can't beat Ebay. Those 20mm lens and viewfinders go for around $100. I hope all that helps.

 

Does anyone know if the new Nikon P&S with a hotshoe will work with the SB105?

[Rockhound76 0]

...........

Does anyone know if the new Nikon P&S with a hotshoe will work with the SB105?

 

I don't know specifically about any such compatibility, but i do know that the SB105 is designed to work with TTL feedback from the camera (Otherwise, it will just fire at a manual setting of 1/4, 1/2 or Full, depending on your setting. It WILL not work in as a pre-flash,er,flash, as the response time is too slow.

 

I doubt it would work with many, if any, digital cameras, but someone on this forum who really knows what they're talking about will likely offer a more complete response.

 

Thanks for the info, btw. (both of you.)

[james 0]

Sure, it works fine with digital cameras - any camera with a hot-shoe (including the Nikon P5000). You need to get a special cord - but that's it. With the manual power settings of 1/4 1/2 and full (plus a diffuser) you can get by just fine.

 

Cheers

James

[ornate_wrasse 0]

I just got back from Cozumel where I used two older strobes I'd used with my Nik V with my Nikon D70S and a Subal housing. My Subal housing has 2 Nikonos 5 pin connectors. I was able to use the same sync cords I'd used with my Nik V and everything worked fine. The two strobes were the Ikelite SS200 and the SB105. Both were used on manual. While in Coz, I was able to demo the Inon 240Z and ended up purchasing it. Until I get a second Inon strobe, I will use the 240Z and the SB105 in combination.

 

So, yes, I was able to use my older strobes with my digital camera and everything worked A-OK.