D200 Set Up Suggestions

[itsjustme0770]

Hi all-

Bought my wife a D200 for her B-day a couple months back. She's interested in housings/strobe setups and I'd really appreciate the feedback. Been looking at the Sea & Sea and Ikelite housings. Not really willing to spend the jack for a Subal. I'd really appreciate anyone giving me your thoughts on a good set-up: Strobes, Housing, Ports.

Thanks again in advance.

 

[alcina]

You're a sweet husband!

Can't go wrong with Ikelite - solid product, good price, well supported.

Sea&Sea is also a strong company.

Subal is sexier but you pay the price

Pretty much, just choose which lens or lenses she wants to take underwater and make sure the housing you choose supports it/them.

Personally, I'd contact Ryan and Richard at ReefPhoto for advice - www.reefphoto.com

You can also have a look at the Sticky at the top of the UW Photo area - the Pink Link in my signature will get you there - for links and ideas that have been compiled from our members. There's even a bit of a lens breakdown to help you get on the right track for choosing kit.

Have fun!

 

[ScubaSteve]

I just purchased a Nikon Coolpix P5000 and the Ikleite Housing, wide angle lens and D125 deluxe strobe system. It is a great set-up. It was not cheap but it is one of the best buys I have made in quite a while. I bought from www.bhphotovideo.com and saved a great deal of money over buying in Canada from Ikelite distributors. For Ikelite, I was very happy with them. I have also heard great things about www.reefphoto.com. All I can say is the Ikelite system is great and would recommend it to anyone.

 

[dbh]

If you have it narrowed to those 2; I would go with the Sea & Sea housing, Inon Z240 strobes and the Sea & Sea iTTL converter. The Sea & Sea is smaller and the Inons are very small & light which helps alot for travel. The Inon's pack a pretty good puch too. I am pretty sure that Sea & Sea ports will support any lens that she want's to shoot underwater.

Dave

 

[HowardE]

I have a D200 with an Ikelite housing and 2 DS-125 strobes. I am very happy with it.

 

[philmayer]

I have a D200 with an Ikelite housing and 2 DS-125 strobes. I am very happy with it.

I use an Ikelite housing for my D200 as well, but I use DS-200 substrobes. Ikelite makes great gear, and their customer service is fantastic!

I screwed up and flooded BOTH of my brand new DS-200s on a trip to Roatan last month. Ikelite repaired both strobes FOR FREE and gave me a great deal on a pair of new batteries to replace the two I trashed.

AFAIK, Ikelite is also the only housing you can get with TTL. And the TTL works great!

 

[fisheyeview]

I have a D200 with an Ikelite housing and 2 DS-125 strobes. I am very happy with it.

I've seen Howard with his camera & housing. He did look happy.

I have the Sea & Sea housing and the INON Z220's. I love the set up. I didn't get the ttl convertor. I decided to give it a try without, and have been happy with the results.

Whichever housing you get her will be good because it will put the camera in the water with her.

 

[cdoyal]

I started with Ikelite housings and just bought an Aquatica. There really is no comparison. The Ikelite will produce images close to or equal to the Aquatica but the fit and finish of an aluminum housing is wonderful. Go with Ikelite strobes. Two DS125s would be wonderful. Ike's customer service is simply the best. If you bought a Tokina 10-17 and a 60 or 105 you would be set for some time.

 

[fisheyeview]

If you bought a Tokina 10-17 and a 60 or 105 you would be set for some time.

I agree. These are all the lenses that I use. I have some others, but I don't use them.

 

[karant]

After much research, I recently purchased the
Nikon D200
Tokina 10 - 17 mm for wide-angle/8" dome port
Nikon 60 mm for macro and portraits/flat port
Aqautica housing with Aqua View Finder for my aging eyes
Ikelite DS-125 strobes

The system is a bit heavy in the water, so I have just ordered
the ultralight buoyancy arms.

So far, so good.