Question Housing decision - Nauticam vs. Ikelite

[hroark2112]

I have decided on a camera (Canon R7) and now am looking at which housing to buy. The two main ones are the Nauticam and Ikelite. It’s about a $4k difference in cost between the two, I’m trying to justify in my head whether I should spend the extra money or not. Is there a huge difference between the two other than the material? Is the functionality the same?

 

[PatW]

I have had housings of both types. My Ikelite housings were with an advanced point and shoot. The Ikelite housings at that time was essentially a box with the controls for the camera cobbled together. The controls could get out of alignment and get less responsive.

I went to a DSLR crop sensor and then to a DSLR full frame sensor and I now use a mirrorless full frame sensor. I had used Nauticam housings for all of them. The Nauticam housings have superb ergonomics and great control. They stay just spot on with heavy use. I had one that I did about 500 dives with.

Yes, there is a big price difference between the two housings. But you need to consider the total price. Depending on your number of lenses, you will need a port for each different lens. And the price of these are pretty similar. On top of that, you will need strobes and a high quality strobe costs over $600,

When I priced my crop sensor DSLR in Ikelite and Nauticam, the housing price difference was high but percentage difference in the two total systems was much lower. I went with Nauticam and I never regretted it.

As an addition, whatever system you go with, get a vacuum lock system. Nauticam has an in house system. You assemble it. You take your vacuum lock and put it to the port. You pump it up and watch the. LED indicator light go to GREEN. Once I have gotten a green signal, I have never had the seal decline to even YELLOW (caution). I have seen people flood their housings which means the camera and lenses (at least) are now junk. I know Backscatter makes a vacuum system that fits with most housings.

Another bit of advice, before you buy, try to go to a specialized vender like Backscatter (California) or Reef Photo and Video in Fort Lauderdale. These venders tend to go to the major trade shows so that is an option.

I know a number of venders have trips where they give you coaching on using the systems and guidance on using editing software. And that maybe of interest also.

 

[hroark2112]

Thanks for the feedback!! I think I’m leaning towards the Backscatter Hybrid strobes. They will work with either housing.

 

[tursiops]

Nauticam and Ikelite. It’s about a $4k difference in cost between the two

This doesn't sound right. $2k difference sounds more likely. And worth it....

 

[hroark2112]

I’ve priced them both. By the time I add in ports and all the extras it is close to $4,000.

 

[MikeFotoDives]

i converted from Ikelite after 30 dives to Nauticam for my D850. 500+ dives later - no regrets. Ikelite is clumsy.....

 

[hedonist222]

One thing to check is button accessibility.

I understand some housing manufacturers do not map all camera buttons to the housing.

 

[rmorgan]

Thanks for the feedback!! I think I’m leaning towards the Backscatter Hybrid strobes. They will work with either housing.

I’ve seen these in action and was impressed. Before you hit the button, though, Retra has just introduced a hybrid with good numbers and 2 x 21700 batteries at an attractive price point. Retra makes fine gear and these should be a worthy competitor. Retra Underwater Technology

 

[sea_ledford]

Aquatica and Marelux are two others that likely make a housing for the R7. Both will cost less than the nauticam, and have better functionality than the ike.

I've used all 4 housings types. Ikes are great for inexpensive point and shoots, but not a fan of their dslr systems. Great strobes, but seem to be getting left behind with the advancement of technology.

Aquatica make great housings, but on all three that I have had/used they have had some level of button functionality that didn't work great.

Nauticams are fantastic across the board, just expensive.

I currently own a Marelux for my Sony A7iv. I would slot it between Aquatica and Nauticam for quality, closer to Nauticam for sure though. My only complaint on it is the finicky nature of one of the dial controls, but it's the camera/video/S&Q selector that is a rotating selector under another rotating dial, so it was always going to be a pain to make work. I'd love to try it out on a nauticam to see how they did it.

Depth ratings are the primary functional differences between them, as long as the housings have access to all the buttons you need.

 

[TostitoBandito]

I did a similar analysis before going with Ikelite for my R5. No doubt Nauticam is a higher quality housing but you pay a lot for it. And while the Ikelite housings of 20 years ago were pretty rudimentary and clumsy, I think they've come a long ways and it was hard for me to justify minor ergonomic/size benefits as being worth that much money. All the critical things like shutter/back focus trigger position, effectiveness at keeping water out, durability, strobe compatibility, vacuum systems, etc... I think is basically a push between the two.

The biggest thing you're paying for with Nauticam is an aluminum housing in a smaller and more "glove-like" form factor with more electronic bells and whistles and a slightly more ergonomic button experience. And access to all their ports and accessories, which I guess could be a deciding factor if you have the $$$ to burn on them. They certainly have more ports, wet lenses, and so forth to choose from than Ikelite does, though they cost a small fortune.

Anyways, as a hobbyist I was fine going with Ikelite. If money was no object or I was a pro doing this for a living, yeah I think brands like Nauticam serve that market well.