Nikon D700 Housings

[wayne007]

I'm looking to buy a housing for the D700. Can anyone explain why there is such a big price difference between Ikelite (~$1500) and any of the others (+$3000)? Do the others have a performance advantage? Can't see why I would spend almost twice the price over Ikelite.
I'd appreciate if anyone has an explaination and or advice.

Wayne

 

[Larry C]

The Ikelite is cast polycarbonate, the others are cast or machined aluminum. The polycarbonate is easier to machine and finish, doesn't require painting or hard anodizing, etc. Lower production cost equals lower consumer price. Ikelite is a very nice product and they stand behind it well. They are sometimes physically larger and are designed to work with Ikelite strobes and accessories.

 

[AussieByron]

I'm looking to buy a housing for the D700. Can anyone explain why there is such a big price difference between Ikelite (~$1500) and any of the others (+$3000)? Do the others have a performance advantage? Can't see why I would spend almost twice the price over Ikelite.
I'd appreciate if anyone has an explaination and or advice.

Wayne

As Larry said the Ikelite are polycarbonate plastic compared to metal housings like Aquatica, Nauticam, Seacam etc etc.

Basically the difference in price is due to the different way the metal housings are produced. Machined from solid Aluminium costs alot more than cast ploycarbonate.

There are a few adavantages with metal housings compared to Ikelite. Mental housings are generally stronger build. This is shown by the deeper depth rating of metal housings. Some are rated passed 120m. You might not need a housing rated to 120m but it shows that the metal housing have a strong build quality.
Having a machined finished housing also means that the buttons and controls are more precise which allows for a better feel of your cameras controls.

Metal housings also allows for more options with other components like strobes. You can order housings with different bulkheads for different strobes compared with Ikelite your limited to just their strobe bulkhead.

Another important item is aditional Viewfinders made by Inon, Nauticam, Aquatica. These basically improve what you can actually see through the housing and give a more detail sight into what your shooting. These viewfinders are expensive but once you have used one you can actually see the big picture so to speak ;-). These viewfinders are not an option with Ikelite.

Another option when looking at housings is also the quality of the matching ports and domes. The metal housing companys also make their ports and domes out of metal compared to ikelite plastic ports and domes. Again these domes and ports are more expensive but are made to a higher quality compared to Ikelites polycarbonate ports and domes.

Best way to get an idea for yourself is to go and have a look at an Ikelite housing and compare it against one of the metal housings like Aquatica, Nauticam and see for yourself the difference in build quality and finish.

But seriously if I had a an excellent camera like the Nikon D700 I would not consider Ikelite as an option for housings. Like everything these days you get what you pay for.

Regards Mark

 

[John Gulliver]

"Metal housings also allows for more options with other components like strobes. You can order housings with different bulkheads for different strobes compared with Ikelite your limited to just their strobe bulkhead."

True but many experts say no other company has succeeded as well as Ikelite as regards TTL circuitry and that an Ikelite housing with Ikelite strobes has the most accurate TTL money can buy.

 

[John Gulliver]

"These viewfinders are not an option with Ikelite."
Really? Then why do Reef Photo sell a Nauticam viewfinder mounting ring for Ikelite housings?

 

[AussieByron]

"Metal housings also allows for more options with other components like strobes. You can order housings with different bulkheads for different strobes compared with Ikelite your limited to just their strobe bulkhead."

True but many experts say no other company has succeeded as well as Ikelite as regards TTL circuitry and that an Ikelite housing with Ikelite strobes has the most accurate TTL money can buy.

Many experts shoot with manual strobes also.

But those with metal housings can also buy the TTL converter to have the same TTL when using Ikelite DS series strobes. so you have the best of both worlds.

Regards Mark

 

[AussieByron]

"These viewfinders are not an option with Ikelite."
Really? Then why do Reef Photo sell a Nauticam viewfinder mounting ring for Ikelite housings?

Yes the metal housing manufacturers like Nauticam make adapters to use with Ikelite housings.

Why doesnt Ikelite make their own Viewfinders? Cost involved would make this adition too expensive was the reply I recieved from Ikelite. Ikelite basically aiming their housings at the Budget end of the Underwater housing market and the major reason why people buy Ikelite is mainly due them being the cheapest option in getting a camera in the water.

I dont think many Ikelite housing users would be willing to pay $1100 for a Viewfinder and $100 for an Adaptor for it. Its almost the cost of a brand new housing.

Regards Mark

 

[John Gulliver]

Many experts shoot with manual strobes also.

But those with metal housings can also buy the TTL converter to have the same TTL when using Ikelite DS series strobes. so you have the best of both worlds.

Regards Mark

Yes, many experts do shoot with manual strobes, but several really good uunderwater photographers I know have only done so because they didn't have access to really good TTL. Once they did, they quickly became passionate advocates of TTL, simply because in many situations you only get one shot at photographing the subject and you need to be sure of spot-on exposure the first try. Using a strobe manually is "guestimation". A few people are good at it, most of us are not and we need all the technical help strobe and housing manufacturers can give us.

A TTL converter will give you TTL but not Ikelite's reputedly superior TTL circuitry.

 

[John Gulliver]

Yes the metal housing manufacturers like Nauticam make adapters to use with Ikelite housings.

Why doesnt Ikelite make their own Viewfinders? Cost involved would make this adition too expensive was the reply I recieved from Ikelite. Ikelite basically aiming their housings at the Budget end of the Underwater housing market and the major reason why people buy Ikelite is mainly due them being the cheapest option in getting a camera in the water.

I dont think many Ikelite housing users would be willing to pay $1100 for a Viewfinder and $100 for an Adaptor for it. Its almost the cost of a brand new housing.

Regards Mark

I agree that few Ikelite housing owners would be willing to pay so much for a viewfinder but I'm not sure Ikelite housings are aimed at the budget end of the market. Ikelite housings undoubtedly have advantages apart from the lower price, above all great TTL circuitry and the fact that you can check that the back door and port o-rings are properly seated before immersing the housing and camera. Two of my friends who are among the best Swedish underwater photographers and own top-of-the line cameras (one Nikon, the other Canon) both choose to use Ikelite housings, partly for the above reasons and partly because they want to be able to afford to update their cameras to the latest models every year or so and are not willing to spend 3000+ dollars on a new housing every time and lose a lot of money on their old housings.

 

[Ryan]

I'm looking to buy a housing for the D700. Can anyone explain why there is such a big price difference between Ikelite (~$1500) and any of the others (+$3000)? Do the others have a performance advantage? Can't see why I would spend almost twice the price over Ikelite.
I'd appreciate if anyone has an explaination and or advice.

Ikelite makes a reliable product at an attainable price point. More money can get you smaller size, lighter weight, more redundant bulkheads, and fancier controls.

One thing to consider is lens support... Many of the new "girthy" FX zooms are not compatible with ikelite's port opening size. There are a lot of great lenses that work, though.