Nikon D70

[whacky]

I am just round the corner from Alan James so have been leaning towards a sea & sea housing but the cost is putting me off a bit. So i am going to look at an ikelite before making my final choice

[steven matthews]

Hi iv just got back into diving after a long time away from the sport, iv owned a D70 for a few years and would like to know if its worth getting a housing for it and if any of my current lenses would be good for underwater usage, also what housing would you recommend are they still easy to come by along with other accessories or would i maybe better off getting a cheaper more compact camera to start off with? thanks for your help. current lenses, sigma 10-20mm F4-5.6 EX sigma 150mm F2.8 APO Macro DG HSM D EX sigma 50-500mm F4-6.3 APO D HSM EX Nikon 18-70mm 3.5-4.5G AF-S ED Nikon Speedlight SB-800

[TimIngmire]

Hi Steven,

firstly, welcome to Digigreen.

second - I also use a D70 and it's housed in a Nexus housing - if I didn't have upgrade lust (fuelled I must say by one or two peeps on this site) then I'd be more than happy to keep it as the D70 is capable of some fantastic images. Of your lenses, apart from the 'Bigma' you should be able to use everything that you have UW - the trick may be finding a housing with ports for all the lenses you've listed.

Keep an eye on here, the other UWP sites and of course ebay as D70 housings come up every now and again.

As for the strobe, you may find it more cost effective to buy a dedicated strobe rather than use your speedlight.

Hope that helps.

Tim

[steven matthews]

Thanks Tim for the quick reply, i will keep my eyes open

[KenByrne]

I used a D70 underwater for several years and it's a great camera. I was pleased with the results it was capable of and any deficiencies were mine not the cameras.

It seems that most housing manufacturers have dropped the D70 from their ranges. Ikelite is still selling new D70 housings. I use an Iklite, it's amongst the cheapest but still very capable and usable. The UK dealer is Cameras Underwater. Cameras Underwater Homepage: Underwater housings, digital stills and video cameras, accessories. Gates, Ikelite, Epoque, SLR, DSLR, Sealife, Sea&Sea. Other than Ikelite you're probably going to be buying secondhand. There will probably be a steady stream of D70 housings available as it was a popular camera and many users will be upgrading.

[Cussy]

Originally Posted by TimIngmire

second - I also use a D70 and it's housed in a Nexus housing - if I didn't have upgrade lust (fuelled I must say by one or two peeps on this site) then I'd be more than happy to keep it as the D70 is capable of some fantastic images.

Scandalous, you don't need encouragement!!!
Rob

[Cussy]

Steven,
don't know if you've seen, but there are two housings for D70s for sale second hand on Alan James' website. Alan James - For all you need in underwater photography
Rob

[DDT uk]

Originally Posted by Cussy

Steven,
don't know if you've seen, but there are two housings for D70s for sale second hand on Alan James' website. Alan James - For all you need in underwater photography
Rob

I would perhaps steer clear of the Mediasub housing. At the very least I would make sure that you discuss its history.

Daniel

[Cussy]

Originally Posted by DDT uk

I would perhaps steer clear of the Mediasub housing. At the very least I would make sure that you discuss its history.

Daniel

It was the one for sale by Jim Drake that caught my eye. I've met Jim a few times and he is the sort of person I would trust to buy second hand from - he will have looked after his setup. It's also a full setup including a strobe that's ready to go!
Rob

[whacky]

Ooops I forgot all about this thread due the 400d being slightly dodgey when recording to memory card I took it back and got a refund.

A big thanks to Rob for his link to alan james sit and pointing out jims set up I am having a gander at tuesdays BUPG. If there is competition though i will have to speak to the bank manager really nice!