Got the D2X, now for the housing

[gavinparsons 1]

OK

 

I got my hands on a D2X (need it for surface work as well as underwater), now I'm going on a housing hunt. I used Sea&Sea's before for F90X (many years of good and hard service), but it seems they aren't that keen on making a housing for the D2X, which means a complete change of system I suppose.

 

I see Subal has a housing, but are there any others people know about that are around the corner?

[Viz'art 24]

I confirm that Aquatica is making one that will be available in the short future, it will be an investment casting of the same aloy used in the aerospace industry.

[scorpio_fish 5]

but are there any others people know about that are around the corner?

 

I think there will be many choices; Subal, Seacam, Nexus, Aquatica.

 

Unfortunately, current Sea & Sea DSLR housings are quite different from the F90 housing you are familiar with.

[Kasey 0]

I confirm that Aquatica is making one that will be available in the short future, it will be an investment casting of the same aloy used in the aerospace industry.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

Is this a different casting than the process used in the D100 housing?

[Viz'art 24]

Hi Kasey, the D100 / S2pro / 14n housing's serie is what is called a Sand Casting process, same as the Subal, the D2x is an investment casting which is more specific to a camera design, the same used for the F5 , N90, D70, 20D & Digital Rebel series, the sand casting is a more versatile type alowing for change in final product, among the different technique we use, you will find the sand casting and the investment casting, we do not use machining from stock billet because it is costly (in the end , to you) for no practical gain, Only gears, knob hardware etc are machined. Injection plastic is cost effective, once you get over the initial mold cost, but the limit in pressure resistance preclude it from finding it's way in our line up, with today's breed of technical divers even our depth rating of 300 feet is put to good use often.

 

Hope this help.

[Kasey 0]

I noticed that the 20D looks more like my A90! That is great! The fit / finish and durability of my A90 was much better than my AD100. I hope Aquatica goes back to the investment casting with all of its housings!

[Viz'art 24]

Aaah! to have a crystal ball... alas the vagary of the camera market dictate us (I mean the industry) the mean to the end. some design work better in sand casting some don't, plus there is the final tally, Sand is more economical with no sacrifice in strenght and performance which transmit to a more affordable housing to the consumer. The D2x is a much more expensive camera and in a way, the sticker shock of a more expensive housing is lesser in proportion.

 

Got to go shovel the snow , catch you later

[Ryan 48]

The Subal D2x is machined from solid billet-

[Viz'art 24]

Hi Kasey, the D100 / S2pro / 14n housing's serie is what is called a Sand Casting process, same as the Subal,

 

OOPS! I meant the Nexus, sorry for the lapsus.

 

Hey Ryan, You goona be at the beneath the sea show ?

[Ryan 48]

Yep, just down the row from you in booth 525.

 

I've only seen the Subal D2x housing, as it is all that is shipping. It is ergonomic, despite its large size. I'm happy with its control placment, with both command dials being gentle reaches from the handles.

 

The housing leaves some room around the camera as a consideration for buoyancey (I hope Aquatica does too). I would imagine, based upon the companies histories, that Seacam and Nexus housings may require their own bcd's. (purely speculation at this point)

 

Sea & Sea built a custom housing for the 1ds out of aluminum, and their FX1 video houxing is going to be aluminum as well. Despite no announcement, I wouldn't be shocked to see something similar to the old f5 housing soon.

[ssra30 0]

I sincerely hope that Sea and Sea will make a D2X housing. As is, I might have to sell my kidney to get a D2X and if I have to buy something beside Sea and Sea (which I currently use), I might have to sell another kidney to be able to afford the housing with all the new ports as well :-(

[Craig Ruaux 0]

... if I have to buy something beside Sea and Sea (which I currently use), I might have to sell another kidney to be able to afford the housing with all the new ports as well :-(

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

Agreed. The only UW photographic equipment I have at the moment is my two Sea and Sea NX-series ports. (I can use the 9" fisheye like a glass bottom boat: Ooooh, look at all the pretty fish ). In the end though, new ports are going to be less kidney tissue than the D2X and housing.

 

We could always auction off liver lobes, they regenerate quite fast and thus represent a renewable resource

[james 0]

Hi Craig,

 

What happened to your D70 and your F100 and Sea and Sea housing?

 

Cheers

James

[Ryan 48]

I spoke to Blake Stoughton from Aquatica yesterday about the d2x housing, and in order to speed this one to market, his company is going to machine from solid as well. Functionally, this is irrelevant, but it should like nice . Their A5000 housing was machined, as well.

[james 0]

Dang, that sounds sweet. If it looks anything like their F5 housing, it's going to be very nice.

 

RE viewfinders, the one on the D2x is pretty nice. I've been in the pool a few times w/ my Seacam housing and their standard "cheap" viewfinder optic and it is plenty big for most shooting situations.

 

I'm thinking that the Aquatica housing with internal optic for the viewfinder will probably be pretty good.

 

Cheers

James

[Craig Ruaux 0]

What happened to your D70

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

Currently on topside only duty. Housing +/- decision yet to be made

 

 

and your F100 and Sea and Sea housing?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

Gone the way of all good cameras and housings: EBay

Housing is in the hands of a very happy and polite buyer from Japan

Camera in hands of a less polite wheeler/dealer/trader from Florida

 

 

The death of film for me was after returning from Curaçao, my keeper rate was pretty low and I really missed the ability to chimp. I hadn't shot film in a long time prior to that, having adopted the D70.

 

I don't have any big trips planned until Australia/Indonesia in the middle of this year, so I decided to get out while the going was good and see what happens over the next month or so.

[ssra30 0]

Agreed. The only UW photographic equipment I have at the moment is my two Sea and Sea NX-series ports.  (I can use the 9" fisheye like a glass bottom boat: Ooooh, look at all the pretty fish  ). In the end though, new ports are going to be less kidney tissue than the D2X and housing.

 

We could always auction off liver lobes, they regenerate quite fast and thus represent a renewable resource 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

Thanks for the tip on the liver lobe

Too bad Light and Motion does not seem to do anything much on camera front either, that would be another alternative on people using Sea and Sea system already.

Unless Sea and Sea will do make a housing for D2X, I probably will end up with either Subal or Nexus but at least I am not in a hurry, might try to get it before Lembeh Trip a bit later on this year. Now that Subal and Seacam both have dealer here in Bangkok, Nexus won't be the only choice anymore.

[kcf955 1]

This might be a little apples and oranges but, after searching for new housing last year, I went with Seacam. You are already plunking down big bucks for a top of the line camera, don't skimp on the housing. The optional viewfinders are a huge plus to the Seacam system and you can add them at any time without tools or modifications. Also the finish on the housing is something else, very very tough. Good luck with your search.

[Rocha 0]

....Flood Photography

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

I am not sure if I like the combination of these two words in tha same sentence. You may want to change your website name for just Keith Photography...

[kcf955 1]

Knock on wood, I have only had one minor leak in over 15years! I think I will stick to my name...

[Kasey 0]

This might be a little apples and oranges but, after searching for new housing last year, I went with Seacam. You are already plunking down big bucks for a top of the line camera, don't skimp on the housing. The optional viewfinders are a huge plus to the Seacam system and you can add them at any time without tools or modifications. Also the finish on the housing is something else, very very tough. Good luck with your search.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

Agreed. The only thing more costly than buying Seacam is switching to Seacam

[craig 0]

This might be a little apples and oranges but, after searching for new housing last year, I went with Seacam. You are already plunking down big bucks for a top of the line camera, don't skimp on the housing. The optional viewfinders are a huge plus to the Seacam system and you can add them at any time without tools or modifications. Also the finish on the housing is something else, very very tough. Good luck with your search.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Seacam makes fine gear but Subal and Nexus wouldn't be considered skimping! Anyone considering this class of housing would be well served by any of the manufacturers IMO. I like the changable Seacam finders but I like the Nexus multiport system too. For macro I'll be using the Seacam sport finder since my eyes are good and the handling penalty of the extra weight isn't worth it to me.

[kcf955 1]

Are there any specs on housing weights? I would be curious to see the weight difference between Seacam, Subal and Nexus housings for the D2x (maybe the housings aren't ready yet). The Seacam looks more sculpted and svelt than the Subal, at least with the Canon 1Ds housing. Granted either of the accessory veiwfinders for the Seacam add weight. Compared to my old Aquatica A3, the Seacam is light as a feather.

[Rocha 0]

I found the dimensions and weight for the Subal and Seacam, here they are:

 

................Width (with handles) x Height x Depth x Weight (with port)

Seacam.........260 (360) x 210 x 130 mm x 2850g (3150g)

Subal............215 (???) x 215 x 155 mm x 2700g (??????)

 

Unfortunately, no information on the Nexus.

[kcf955 1]

Hmmm...The difference must be the 150g of gold Seacam hides in each housing, hence the price difference