I am considering using the 707 for uw shooting too. I have written serveral e-mails to Amphibico about their LSD, light sensor device, unit. What follows is part of the first reply from Amphibico followed by the second reply plus a pic of the setup minus the strobe.
First reply:
“The camera flash will be over written because of the design of the housing
and not being able to operate properly underwater. What we have design is
an LSD sensor, Amphibico,s engineers have developed this light sensoring
devise to control the firing and intensity level of any type of strobe on
the market today, it will simulate TTL motion, since the Sony F707 is not
compatible with TTL. The LSD will be available in mid September, or you
can equipment the 707 housing with one of our 10 watt HID light head which
will work as a spot light a good alternative to Yes there will be to lugs
on the housing to accommodate a strap. The LSD with retail for about
$295US, the LSD will come with one mounting bracket to accommodate either
TLC, Ultra Light Control Arms or Sea Sea Arms, There will also be an
optional left hand grip available with a mounting bracket for a strobe. So
you will be able to mount one strobe on the left grip and the other on top
of the housing.”
Second reply:
“It uses a sync cord and electronics between the LSD which has a Nikonos
connector that the strobe plugs into, and the LSD will have a control knob
for the intensity levels. The LSD will connector to the housing bulkhead
with our Mini 3 pin connector system then it will plug into the main PCB in
the housing which the camera’s LANC is then used.”
Once again these are repplies to my qusetions to Amphibico’s info desk.
I would probably go with Ikelite except that they don’t offer a wide angle lens. Which is a deal breaker for me. WA gotta have it. Although the CP5000 has a 28mm lens a lot of divers are shooting wider than this, say 19mm. Still faciltating the purchase of another lens.
The LSD is suppose to be ready by the end of September.
I hope this helps.
After doing a lot of camera research I have pretty much decided on the Sony F707. The housing list for this camera is a short list though. :( I tried the 707 and found it to be a great camera. Easy to use, navigate the menu, controls, etc. I looked at the Ikelite housing but I have a problem with thr fact that it doesn’t allow for the use of wide angle lens. Kinda of a must for uw pics. I am strongly considering the Amphibico housing. Currently I am trying to find out how the camera and strobe connect together and fire, sync cord or slaved strobe. They have a device called the LSD or “light sensor device” that is supposed to simulate TTL metering and set the strobe. Ikelite’s housing has a very large volume making it buoyant. Gates housing is totally out of my price range at over $2,000. If that price included the strobe I would consider it. One more thing. Sony has a 6 megapixel camera? Never heard of it. I hear rumors that an upgraded version of the 707 make pressed released soon. Here is another bit of info. Sony CCDs are in alot of digital cameras, including some Nikons, because of their knowledge base from digtial camcorders. If you go with an SLR take a look at the D30 or D60. There are more housings for than the D100.
