Reviews on a Nikon coolpix underwater housing?

[rydog]

Hello,
I am looking for some information on an underwater housing for my "cheap" camera. I have the Nikon D50 that I would love to get a housing for but budget does not allow it. Therefore, I am looking for one for my Coolpix 5600. It looks like there are two options that I have found. The Fantasea CP-6 and the Nikon WP-CP3. From what limited information I can find online, for a few bucks more, the WP-CP3 seems like a better housing. Does anyone have any experience with either? OR is there a different one out there you would suggest?

If I do pull the trigger on either, what are my options for add-ons such as strobes? I am not expecting much but wanted to get comfortable underwater with a camera before I spend the big bucks on the D50 housing.

Thoughts, suggestions, help? Thanks in advance!

 

[Kupu]

I have been using the WP-CP3 housing for 4 years now. Never used any add ons, so can't really comment on that aspect of the housing. But the WP-CP3 housing does give underwater access to every function button on the 5600, which has certainly been handy over the years. I haven't looked at the Fantasea housing recently, a while back they had limited function buttons on the housing, but I remember a post from a year or two back that mentioned the newer models had improved on that? Not sure.

The compact design of the WP-CP3 is great, I can stick the whole thing in my BC pocket when not in use. It is not bad for macro, and so-so for most other types of underwater photos. You can check out the pix in my stats if you like, they were taken with this setup. I would upgrade if I could afford it, but also have to worry about the budget...All in all, I am happy with the pictures I get with the cheap-o setup.

Hope that helps.