Getting frustrated / purchasing suggestions

[DXHI]

Hey guys looking for some input on what to do.
Approximately a year and a half ago , purchased a Sony a6500 with hopes of getting my toes into underwater photography. Had planned to save and buy the housing / strobes etc when I could.
Life happened and toys got postponed and now that I’m getting ready to purchase the rest of the gear nauticam has discontinued my cameras housing ..

I haven’t used my camera a lot but I like it and not necessarily wanting to get rid of it as it’s small enough to not be a burden to carry in my pack on camping trips

There are housings for the 6600 but I don’t want to sell my camera just to buy a newer version of the same… seems redundant but may be what I have to do.

I’m not invested heavily in the Sony ecosystem and if I’m having to start over; I’m willing to purchase a dedicated underwater setup. But now that I’m having to “start over “ I am going to have to piece it together again.

Do I go with Canon, almost purchased a Fujifilm XT series camera before the Sony .. do I upgrade to the a7V , or a Nikon,
I think I want to stay relatively compact…

Suggestions appreciated

 

[d^2b]

Well, if you're not set on nauticam there are other options, e.g. Ikelite Sony a6100, a6300, a6400, a6500 Underwater Housing 200DLM/A

 

[bvanant]

There is a Nauticam 6500 housing right now on eBay, and a bunch of SeaFrogs housings as well.There is also a S&S housing. Lots of choices
Bill

 

[Cacie B]

What’s an affordable camera to take to 50M?

 

[bvanant]

Fantasea housings go to 60 m.
Bill

 

[morey000]

What’s an affordable camera to take to 50M?

the DJI Osomo Action 3 (out of production but still available for $329), and a 60m case ($79 at B&H).

but at that depth- not sure you'll have enough natural light.

you said affordable.

 

[Mo.Diver]

I use the SeaFrogs SaltedLine for my A6500, it has audible and visual leakage alarms and I do a vacuum test before every dive but still don't feel all that safe in it. I did about 50-70 dives with it. You get what you pay for.

Let me know if you want to see pictures.

 

[Barmaglot]

I use the SeaFrogs SaltedLine for my A6500, it has audible and visual leakage alarms and I do a vacuum test before every dive but still don't feel all that safe in it. I did about 50-70 dives with it. You get what you pay for.

FWIW, my A6300 in a SeaFrogs housing is still alive after over 300 dives. I use a Leak Sentinel V5 XB, and it has saved me from a user-error caused flood several times. Major advantage over SeaFrogs' own vacuum valve is that it can be taken underwater without releasing the vacuum.

 

[RedSeaDiver2]

If you didn't get the Nauticam housing off ebay then maybe contact Nauticam to see if they can make you one - if the housings are CNC machined then they will still have the file to machine one.

 

[ROUS]

You should be able to find that Nauticam housing on the secondary market. Someone will be upgrading and selling their old one. I found my discontinued Nauticam housing right here in the classifieds. So, it can be done if you have time to hunt some.