SEA&SEA D200 HOUSING with SB-105... TTL?

[billkeane 0]

I am close to renting a Sea&Sea DX-200 for my Nikon D200. If I use an Nikonos SB-105 and the proper cord/port can I get TTL flash as is, or do I still need the Sea&Sea TTL Converter?

[ornate_wrasse 0]

I am close to renting a Sea&Sea DX-200 for my Nikon D200. If I use an Nikonos SB-105 and the proper cord/port can I get TTL flash as is, or do I still need the Sea&Sea TTL Converter?

 

I'll take a stab at helping you to get the answer to your question even though I admit I don't know the answer. I would imagine that you'd need the Sea & Sea TTL Converter but to be honest I don't know for sure since I've never used that housing. I do, however, have some suggestions to help you get the answer. Feel free to contact either Reef Photo and Video and/or Backscatter, two of the sponsors of this site. I have personally dealt with Reef Photo many times and their staff is extremely knowledgeable and helpful about all matters relating to underwater photography.

 

It is my personal feeling that TTL is not needed for underwater photography. Some feel it is very important, I do not. I have generally used Manual mode, although I did use TTL when using my SB 105 and Nikonos V. In any event, it is only really useful for macro photography and shots where the subject fills most all of the frame. It is not very helpful when shooting wide angle. I know the TTL converters can be somewhat pricey. Don't feel you "need" one to do uw photography.

 

My two cents

 

Ellen

[billkeane 0]

I'll take a stab at helping you to get the answer to your question even though I admit I don't know the answer. I would imagine that you'd need the Sea & Sea TTL Converter but to be honest I don't know for sure since I've never used that housing. I do, however, have some suggestions to help you get the answer. Feel free to contact either Reef Photo and Video and/or Backscatter, two of the sponsors of this site. I have personally dealt with Reef Photo many times and their staff is extremely knowledgeable and helpful about all matters relating to underwater photography.

 

It is my personal feeling that TTL is not needed for underwater photography. Some feel it is very important, I do not. I have generally used Manual mode, although I did use TTL when using my SB 105 and Nikonos V. In any event, it is only really useful for macro photography and shots where the subject fills most all of the frame. It is not very helpful when shooting wide angle. I know the TTL converters can be somewhat pricey. Don't feel you "need" one to do uw photography.

 

My two cents

 

Ellen

 

Thanks Ellen! OK, so here's what I'm doing now... I've gotten hold of a Nikonos V with 20mm and 35mm Nikkors, and 2 SB-105's, etc, for a fraction of what renting a housing would be. Much as I love digital, I cut my teeth on Velvia and for the amount of diving I do, I can't justify the $$ to do digital things really right.

 

Retro state of the art for me, and if I get 3 or 4 real keepers, I'll be a very happy guy!

Edited May 13, 2010 by billkeane

[Steve Williams 0]

I've gotten hold of a Nikonos V with 20mm and 35mm Nikkors, and 2 SB-105's, etc, for a fraction of what renting a housing would be.

 

Have a great time with your Nikonos Bill. Just one caution, make very sure that your o-ring is nice and fresh. I've had trouble finding good ones. The last "new" version I bought a few years ago must have been on the shelf awhile. It didn't feel right, sort of crunchy to use a technical term. I tried it anyway and I can only say that the feeling that goes through you when you can't advance the film because it has swelled from sitting in saltwater is not for the faint of heart.

 

Steve

[ornate_wrasse 0]

You might want to keep this place in mind for the future, or even have your Nik V serviced before you take it in the water:

 

Southern Nikonos

 

On the Southern Nikonos web site there are an excellent series of articles on o-rings, how to maintain the camera, the proper batteries, etc. You can gan much information about the camera using the online articles:

 

Online Articles

 

I would also recommend getting a copy of Jim Church's book:

 

Essential Guide to Nikonos Systems

 

Back in the heyday of the Nik V, it was "the" book to have and every underwater photographer had a copy.

 

And, finally, if you really get into uw photography with this camera, see if you can get a copy of the legendary 15mm lens. For wide angle shots, it's the king.

 

And, yes, two to three keepers per roll of 36 was about all most uw photographers got

 

Ellen

[billkeane 0]

You might want to keep this place in mind for the future, or even have your Nik V serviced before you take it in the water:

 

I would also recommend getting a copy of Jim Church's book:

 

Essential Guide to Nikonos Systems

Ellen

 

 

Called Southern Nikonos before buying anything, and talking with Bob gave the last bit of encouragement I needed. Everything is going to him before it goes out to sea with me.

 

Also, ordered Church's book simultaneously with the Nikonos V! :-)

 

I did a PADI U/W Photography course at Stuart Cove's some 9 years ago, using the Nikonos. I got some terrific results, just with the 35mm lens. For now, I'll miss not using digital, but on the other hand, the space saving of not carrying a dome is significant.

 

The tradeoffs are large, but not all of them are bad. Truth is, I'd have given my eye-teeth a decade ago for a Nikonos rig (much of it new), secured for a small faction of original cost, and a good deal less than renting a Sea&Sea.

 

Got this one last year though, with the Sea&Sea/Nikon D200: http://billkeane.zenfolio.com/p687018592/h3b07a628

 

Thanks for all the help and insight here!

Edited May 16, 2010 by billkeane