Housed 35mm or dedicated U/W

[Ghost.Diver]

Ive got an old Sea & Sea MM 35 that I actually have never used. I got it pretty cheap but it's not really what I am looking for.
I'm a fairly good land photographer with a 35mm SLR camera and feel that is my strong point.
Should I be looking at getting a housed 35mm or a dedicated u/w camera. I dont really want to go digital yet but would like to stay with a SLR camera. Any suggestions on which way to go?

 

[Liang]

Hi,

I started out using Sea&Sea MMEXII and has upgraded to a housed SLR.

My advise would be for you to first use your Sea&Sea MMEXII since you have it already. The only extra investment will be either a 20mm or 15mm conversion lens and a base plate.

You will need also need a strobe and a strobe arm in which you can reuse them when you upgrade to a housed SLR.

You can of course go straight to housed SLR, the investment will be a lot more than starting off with your Sea&Sea MMEXII. The advantage will also be a lot greater than the Sea&Sea MMEXII.

The next dedicated UW camera that is better than Sea&Sea MMEXII will be the Nikonos V. I have a Nikonos V as well. Although I must say that the 15mm lens is superb, I will not advise you to go for it as compared to a housed SLR since the investment for a Nikonos V and its lens are not a lot cheaper than a housed SLR.

Liang

PS : If you are using a Nikon and have already either a 16mm, 20mm, 60mm or 105mm lens.... You can really consider getting a housing!

 

[Ghost.Diver]

I didnt make it clear in my original post but I dont have the MMEXII, I have the earlier version of it, the MM 35se. I do have a strobe and a 16mm wide angle but I really dont like it too much, too bulky.

I really dont want to go out and buy a brand new 35mm SLR from Nikon or anyone for that matter, and stick it in a housing. I've got a Canon Rebel that I use every now and then that I am thinking of picking up a housing for it.

If anyone out there has a housing and/or 35mm SLR they are looking to get rid of let me know.

If I end up buying the whole outfit, I would like to keep the price under 1000. Just a housing, less than 500 would be what I am looking for.