New Underwater Housings for Nikon Cameras & Flash

January 2, 2006: Local Nikon distributor, Maxwell Optical Industries, has released some new Fantasea underwater housings for popular Nikon digital cameras and the Nikon SB800 Speedlight.
The Fantasea FD-50 is a compact, lightweight, injection-moulded polycarbonate housing for the Nikon D50 DSLR model. Rated to a depth of 60 metres, it has a specially-designed O-ring and gasket seal and purpose-built tray to hold the camera in position. Users have full access to key controls, including the on/off switch, mode select, menu, ISO, exposure compensation, white balance and image quality settings. Playback and delete functions are also accessible, along with the multi-selector and main dial commands. The housing sports a magnified optical viewfinder and light control for the LCD screen plus a Nikonos-style five-pin underwater flash synch connector.
Ergonomically designed handles make the housing easy to use and the interchangeable port system can accommodate a wide variety of interchangeable lenses, including macro lenses. The FD-50 housing can also protect the camera and lens against damage from rain, snow, dust, sand and dirt and resists most liquids and sprays. It weighs approximately 2.45 kg and has slightly positive buoyancy with the camera installed. Recommended retail price for the FD-50 including standard port (18-55 mm zoom lens) is $1599.

Fantasea’s new FSB 800 housing for the Nikon SB800 Speedlight provides full controls for all flash functions, including iTTL when used with the Fantasea FD-50 and Fantasea FD-70 housings and Nikon D50 or D70 cameras. Depth rated to 60 metres, it comes with a five-pin underwater synch cord that is compatible with other manufacturers’ Nikon DSLR housings with sync cord compatibility. Push buttons provide access to all the important controls and features of the flash. Expected retail price is $569.
Designed for Nikon’s Coolpix S1 and S3 cameras, the Fantasea FS-1 housing is depth rated to 40 metres and provides easy access to key controls, such as zoom, flash and macro settings, shot confirm (which uses the white balance button) and review/restore. Ideal for outdoor and underwater photographers who prefer to use the camera’s automatic exposure features for capturing fast action pictures, it can be used for activities like sailing and boating, surfing, fishing and hunting, backpacking and camping and will also protect the camera against damage from water, sand and dust. A built-in anti-glare hood makes the LCD screen easier to view in sunlight. The recommended retail price of the FS-1 is $219.

All Fantasea Housings come with “Flood Insurance” protection for the equipment they contain. In the event of accidental water leakage, the camera inside will be replaced. For additional product information and details of stockists, visit www.maxwell.com.au or phone Maxwell Optical Industries on (02) 8748 5215.