The cost of getting into DSLR underwater photography can be really intimidating! When you add up the cost of the camera system, the lenses, the housing, the strobes, etc. it can really break the bank. However, if you are not someone that absolutely needs the "latest and greatest", perhaps buying a used system would work for you without putting you in the poor house.
I've shot my underwater photos with a Nikon D70S and an Aquatica housing for years. To see some of the results, please take a look at this page:
http://johnrawlings.smugmug.com/
Health reasons have forced my retirement from diving. As a result, I have my D70 housing up for sale. This is the one that I flooded up in BC last year, (MY fault, not the housing!). I just paid Backscatter, an authorized Aquatica repair and maintenance dealer, over $500.00 to completely refurbish it, replace any parts that weren't 100%, and pressure test the housing. I have the paperwork from Backscatter to verify this, and it is available for buyer perusal. This housing is now in pristine, like-new condition.
The housing is rated by Aquatica to 300 feet and is made of solid aluminum. It has served me well for a number of years and I have always found it to be well-designed, tough and durable, and easy to use.
Some of you may already have a Nikon D70 or D70S. If not, good used ones are available in the used market for $300.00 or less. Any lens that will work on that camera body will work with this housing.
Brand new, the MSRP for this housing was around $2,000.00. It is no longer available new. As I said above, I just spent over $500.00 having it completely refurbished and tested.
As part of this package, I am including the following:
An Aquatica dome port with guard
An Aquatica macro port, (supports both auto focus and manual focus)
An Aquatica port extention
Adjustable strobe arms
An Aquatica lens gear for a Nikkor 10.5 fisheye lens
An Aquatica lens gear for a Nikkor 12-24 wide angle lens
An Aquatica lens gear for a Nikkor 60mm micro lens
An Aquatica lens gear for a Nikkor 105mm micro lens
A Pelican Travel Case (with wheels and handle extension for airports) that will hold the entire system.
Cover for dome port
Cover for Macro port
All you will need is a used camera, a lens or two, and some strobes w/sync cord and you'll have the complete set-up.
Strobes, focus light and buoyancy arms will be sold seperately, so watch for posts on them.
I'm asking $1,200.00 OBO. Please PM me if you are interested. Click on the photos below for better viewing.
John
