Nikon D-200 & L&M Titan UW housing

[DiveRN deep]

I will be leaving for PNG 3/18/08. I can't wait to use my new UW setup there. I am a little nervous since I have only worked with a point & shoot for the last 2 1/2 years.
The set up alone will take about 2 hours I am told. The learning curve is phenomenal from a small auto cam to an SLR with a monster housing, dual strobes and 0-rings galore. This set up looks like the Mars rover.
K

 

[Eskasi]

Could you please explain what makes you think it will take 2 hours? That's a long time....I am new to this as well but not to DSLRs.....

Just curious

 

[Warren_L]

I will be leaving for PNG 3/18/08. I can't wait to use my new UW setup there. I am a little nervous since I have only worked with a point & shoot for the last 2 1/2 years.
The set up alone will take about 2 hours I am told. The learning curve is phenomenal from a small auto cam to an SLR with a monster housing, dual strobes and 0-rings galore. This set up looks like the Mars rover.
K

Maybe at first - it certainly pays to be thorough when working underwater camera gear. It ain't cheap! However, as you get more familiar with how to rig your camera, it shouldn't take nearly that much time. Don't get lazy, though - it can be tempting at times. I'm pretty meticulous about setting up my system and I follow the same sequence every time.

 

[boydski]

The set up alone will take about 2 hours I am told.
K

Hi K.

I shoot a Titan D200 and it should not take you 2 hours to set it up. I would guess it will be more like 20 minutes the first time. The double o-rings on the back and port are easy, just keep them clean and inspect them before use. The strobe o-rings are also easy, just keep them clean.

The strobe bulkheads are a bit fussy, and are the only thing that takes any real time to make sure they are right. Just take your time, and test to make sure your strobes are working before you get in the water.

Also, be sure to set your D200 so it doesn't power down and "sleep". That puts the housing to sleep and will drive you crazy.

 

[fisheyeview]

I agree that you should get into a routine, and stick to it. It will take you a little longer to start, but as you get used to it the process will speed up.

It was when I was complacent that I flooded my first D200.

 

[DiveRN deep]

Could you please explain what makes you think it will take 2 hours? That's a long time....I am new to this as well but not to DSLRs.....

Just curious

I was referring to the initial assembly out of the luggage case on the first day. It takes a photo pro I know about 1 1/2 hours to completely set up the cam, housing, strobes, inspect all the 0 rings, etc., when building it all from unassembled pieces from the case.
Once the major assembly is complete then it should be easier.

 

[alcina]

2 hours? No way - even when I was new at it and had no clue Each to their own, but I'll be at the bar relaxing after the long trip...

30-45 minutes I can see as you get into it, but you should have done things enough times before your holiday starts so you don't have to troubleshoot or try to figure out which bits go where!

It doesn't take very long to pop in some batteries, insert the camera, attach the port, put the arms on and double check all your orings (there's only like four or six of them with dual strobes, right?) really.

 

[Warren_L]

Remember not to be rushed when doing your setup - give yourself enough time as rushing is when you forget or do things wrong - or perhaps take shortcuts. I try to prep everything the night before, and avoid opening the housing on site or on the boat.

Another handy thing to have is a small flashlight, which can be used to better examine the o-ring as it sits in the housing channel to look for particles and such that could cause a problem.

 

[caymaniac]

Wow, PNG. I'd say of all the places I've been, PNG is tops. The Red Sea Egypt and the Indian Ocean off Africa are two other sites that were great with the Red Sea winning out but equally PNG was great for both pelagics and macro. I hope you have a great time. I hope you have some memorable dives. We have some burned in our mind.

 

[DiveRN deep]

Thanks, I am getting very excited after seeing more PNG pics. Nice shot of the dolphins BTW.
19 days to go!