Nikon P2 w/ Fantasea Housing

[dashmatrix]

Howdy All
just ordered a Nikon P2 with the Fantasea Case. My question is about the "built-in" flash diffuser thing. How well do the built in flashes work ? I'm not snapping for national geo so do I need a strobe or will the built in suffice ?

 

[JackConnick]

If you strictly do close-in/macro work in clear water it should work ok.

You might want to take a look at one of the new strobe packages on my website. I've been selling quite a few of the Nano strobes to folks with P&S cases. My SB price for the set 1 of tray, strobe, cord and arm is only $174. It will give you much greater flexibility to light from the side and show more definition with your subjects.

Jack

 

[jwilmot]

I have the P1 with the ikelite housing. For macro shots and shots at the top of the reef this system worked fine, using the diffuser. However there were a number of times I wished I had a strobe, the obvious was for the night dives, beyond that there where times that there was just too much back scatter, especially around the wrecks we did. I will definitely be investing is a strobe before our next trip. Just have to do the research and decide which one.

 

[dashmatrix]

Well the Fantasea housing arrived. I wasn't very impressed. I didn't like that I didn't have full access to all camera functions especially the knob. So I sent it back and got the Ikelite. I also got the DS-51 with manual controler.
Hopefully this system will work for me.

 

[jwilmot]

I went with Ikelite primarily for this reason, I wanted full control. Another reason was they are rated to deeper depths. I do not intend on taking it any wear near 200 feet but wanted the safety cushion. I know Fantasea has a flood warranty but that does you no good when you are on vacation, especially out of the country.

Anyway as for the Ikelite the only complaint I have is that the knob for the dial mode is turned too easily. I was constantly having to adjust the mode because it would turn just a little and would end up between modes. On land I could pull the knob up and it would stay there however in the water this did not work.

Let me know what you think of the strobe I will be purchasing one shortly.

 

[dashmatrix]

will do j.
I have my fingers crossed. Any suggestions for my first underwater shots with the p ?
how is the wb ? does it need to be finnessed ?

 

[alcina]

Well the Fantasea housing arrived. I wasn't very impressed. I didn't like that I didn't have full access to all camera functions especially the knob.

Just curious...was this not clear when you decided on this housing?

 

[JackConnick]

Just as a point of reference, not that it matters, he did not order through me, which is fine. If asked, I would have shown him this page.

Jack

 

[JackConnick]

An update to this thread.

All new Fantasea housings (such as the P3/P4) will have all of the controls accessible and the controls have been redesigned. The housings come with flood insurance and a 2 year warranty.