I just got the new D60 and it is, as I expected a very good camera.

I can’t wait to dive with it and I have found at least three options for it (one has already my favour but I won’t say which yet) :

> Aquatica D40X

> Fantasea FD40X

> Ikelite D40

Any opinion or other recommandation?

Ozoyo - 27 May 2008 01:03 PM

I just got the new D60 and it is, as I expected a very good camera.

I can’t wait to dive with it and I have found at least three options for it (one has already my favour but I won’t say which yet) :

> Aquatica D40X

> Fantasea FD40X

> Ikelite D40

Any opinion or other recommandation?

Well two of them on plastic housings while the third is a metal housing.  The Fantasea has DEPP insurance and comes with a port so it is less expensive than the Ikelite housing.  Ikelite has many people who love them and the camera comes with TTL built in while the other two housings you still do TTL with with an extra cord for Ikelite strobes (the Fantasea does some iTTL with Nikon Sppelights).  At one time Fantasea was looking to see if the TTL worked with the other strobes direct from the existing connections, but I am not sure of the answer.  Worth dropping them a line.

I have handled the Fantasea housings at shows, but never had one underwater.  I have had an non dSLR-Ikelite and now shoot an Aquatica Canon 30D housing.  Though I can get the current rig with a Macro lens and my video in carry-on now, if Aquatica comes out with a housing for the Canon XSI I may get one to have in my carry-on and also as a back-up.

Aquatica is a bit more expensive, but I would get another one myself.  That is even having an issue where I could not use it on two trips where some service things were done wrong by a shop Long story, not related to the housing itself.  The housing itself is a pleasure and underwater is great to handle.

Thanks for the answers Drew.

My preference goes to the Fantasea, it looks strong and the design is simple enough, the main advantages being its price and insurance.
I don’t plan on buying a specific strobe yet, so I will try natural light or use the LED strobe I already have.

The only thing is that it is not clear on the product description that you can reach the WB command easily (maybe through the menu?).
There is a new customisable quick access function on the D60 (left side of the camera) that would be perfect for that but I don’t thing this housing allows to use it (was made for the D40).