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Scuba Forum / Scuba Equipment / November 2003Nikonos V Discontinued?
I am thinking of getting into UW photography. According to the Google group archives, Nikonos-V was discontinued sometime in 2001. But when I look at Nikon USA web site today, it's still listed as a product. Are they just warehouse left-overs? If I buy one today, will they be able to service it and for how long? GH > I am thinking of getting into UW photography. According to the Google > group archives, Nikonos-V was discontinued sometime in 2001. But when I > look at Nikon USA web site today, it's still listed as a product. Are > they just warehouse left-overs? If I buy one today, will they be able to > service it and for how long? > GH Yes, Nikon has discontinued making the Nikonos line because of both slow sales and a financial bath they took on the SB-103 strobe recall. However the reason for the slow sales is partially because there are so many Nikonos units for sale on the used market. This is a great camera and a workhorse. As for getting it repaired, I would not worry about it. First because you never want Nikon to repair anything - use one of several repair firms (I like Southern Nikonos Service Center in Houston TX, 713-462-5436 www.southern-nikonos.com) Here is a website with several others listed as well: http://www.helixcamera.com/wwwboard/messages/2829.html The second reason not to worry about repairs is because will be readily avaliable for years. Finally, repair on a Nikonos primarily consists of annual servicing. That is adjusting settings and lubbing internal o-rings. The camera is very dependable beyond that. One final note - get the Nikonos V, not the Nikonos IV or IV-A. Ron Thompson Chief Photographer Citrus Edition St. Petersburg (FL) Times > Yes, Nikon has discontinued making the Nikonos line because of both slow > sales and a financial bath they took on the SB-103 strobe recall. Are they still doing replacements for the SB-103s? Yes, I still have mine. > As for getting it repaired, I would not worry about it. First because > you never want Nikon to repair anything - use one of several repair [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > Here is a website with several others listed as well: > http://www.helixcamera.com/wwwboard/messages/2829.html Thanks for this. I've copied your entire post to a safe place for future review. My V is ready for some service. Lee Hey Lee.... The Recall is past from what I know, but I have heard of some straglers calling and getting in special... And there is a great shop in Miami to get the camera serviced... I have always enjoyed their work, no problems... Underwater Camera Repair http://www.underwatercamerarepair.com Keith  SignatureKeith R Hamlin Photographer / Webmaster / Graphics Arts http://www.webdive.com Underwater Resources http://www.HamlinPhoto.com http://www.HamlinPhoto.net Photography, WebHosting, Web Design Assosciated With Paul Cater Deaton & The Deaton Studio; The Best Visibility in the Dive Industry http://www.PaulCaterDeaton.com http://www.TheDeatonStudio.com DEMA, Oct 13-16, Houston, Texas > Are they still doing replacements for the SB-103s? Yes, I still have mine. > .................... > My V is ready for some service. > > Lee Thanks. I work in Miami. I'll stop by and see them. Lee > Hey Lee.... > [quoted text clipped - 13 lines] > > > > Lee > I am thinking of getting into UW photography. According to the Google > group archives, Nikonos-V was discontinued sometime in 2001. But when I > look at Nikon USA web site today, it's still listed as a product. Are > they just warehouse left-overs? If I buy one today, will they be able to > service it and for how long? > GH If you're a starter, get a digital camera. You'll pick up much much faster because of the instant feedback. Edwin >> I am thinking of getting into UW photography. According to the Google >> group archives, Nikonos-V was discontinued sometime in 2001. But when [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > If you're a starter, get a digital camera. You'll pick up much much > faster because of the instant feedback. Digital is another option I am considering. I have a Canon 3MP that can be fitted into a Canon UW housing available for about $200. It this the way to go? I also have a Nikonos II as a vacation camera mainly for its toughness and water proofness but I don't have any UW accessories for it. GH > I also have a Nikonos II as a vacation camera mainly for its > toughness and water proofness but I don't have any UW accessories for it. The Nikonos I, II, and III were my favorites. The only accessory I used with it was a separate underwater lightmeter, but I only snorkeled. Great camera. What accessories are you contemplating? SignaturePhilip Stripling | email to the replyto address is presumed Legal Assistance on the Web | spam and read later. email to philip@ http://www.PhilipStripling.com/ | my domain is read daily. >>I also have a Nikonos II as a vacation camera mainly for its >>toughness and water proofness but I don't have any UW accessories for it. > > The Nikonos I, II, and III were my favorites. The only accessory I used > with it was a separate underwater lightmeter, but I only snorkeled. Great > camera. What accessories are you contemplating? Well, I was told that if you go any depth beyond 10 ft or if the sun is not directly above you, a underwater flash is a must, and there should be some mechanical apparatus to keep the flash a distance from the camera to lessen the haze caused by the near field particles. The II has an obsolete sync connector that won't mate with anything available today. GH > Well, I was told that if you go any depth beyond 10 ft or if the sun is not > directly above you, a underwater flash is a must, and there should be > some mechanical apparatus to keep the flash a distance from the camera > to lessen the haze caused by the near field particles. The II has an I believe that is correct -- I've seen lots of "how not to do it" photos wit the flash mounted on the camera and a host of ghosts from reflected debris in the water. > obsolete sync connector that won't mate with anything available today. Not using a flash, I'm unaware of the sync type. I'm not surprised it is out of date, though. SignaturePhilip Stripling | email to the replyto address is presumed Legal Assistance on the Web | spam and read later. email to philip@ http://www.PhilipStripling.com/ | my domain is read daily. >Digital is another option I am considering. I have a Canon 3MP that can >be fitted into a Canon UW housing available for about $200. It this the >way to go? I also have a Nikonos II as a vacation camera mainly for its >toughness and water proofness but I don't have any UW accessories for it. Maybe. It won't do wide angle, and the shutter lag makes fish shots more challenging to set up. But I'm happy with what it lets me do - it's especially good for getting decent pics of your buddies. I've been using the S400 with canon's DC800 - 7 dives total. I get about 50 shots in per roll, just about 2 dives before the battery gives out. Without an external strobe hookup, you do have limitations. Not sure if you can get one strobe that would work with both the Nik II and the digital, but if you could it would be great for both units. SignatureJason O'Rourke www.jor.com > Maybe. It won't do wide angle, and the shutter lag makes fish shots It will do wide angle. According to this UK website: http://www.camerasunderwater.co.uk/web_site/canon/dstil.html you can put an Epoque and Sea and Sea lenses on a Canon WP-DC800 with the right adaptor. Jason Signaturehttp://www.scuba-addict.co.uk/ for Maldivian trip reports including Kuredu, Fesdu, Meedhupparu, Summer Island Village and Velidhu > >> I am thinking of getting into UW photography. According to the Google > >> group archives, Nikonos-V was discontinued sometime in 2001. But when [quoted text clipped - 9 lines] > be fitted into a Canon UW housing available for about $200. It this the > way to go? Digital is a double-edged sword. While there are lot of things that favor it, the two that have my attention are: 1) Shutter lag (most non-SLR digitals) 2) Resolution...which is the old "film vs digital" debate. On the latter, opinions as to what resolution is "good enough" vary, but using the basis of 300dpi, a 2MP camera is good up to a 4x6 print, a 3MP camera is good up to a 5x7 print. A full frame 8x12 requires almost 9MP and an 11x14 print requires 14MP. Granted, its not every day that we get an enlargement made, but we rarely know _which_ photo is going to be 'The One' that you want to get enlarged until after we see the first proof. > I also have a Nikonos II as a vacation camera mainly for its > toughness and water proofness but I don't have any UW accessories for it. I suspect that accessories are going to be pretty hard to come by for a Nik-II. Its strobe port will be the "old style", which will cost you some bucks if you want to convert it to use with modern (supportable) strobes. I'd be inclined find out how much its worth as a collectible as is, and if the price is good, sell it and get a V for real UW use. Also, as I believe has already been said, if you don't know when the last time it was serviced, you're waaaaay overdue. Get it down straight away, as the availability of O-rings and other parts on the older Nikonos models is finite...for a II, I'd definitely check first with the previously endorsedSouthern Nikonos. Bob W does good work, and IMO is probably the best authority to know who still supports what, and where to get the parts for this camera. -hh > On the latter, opinions as to what resolution is "good enough" vary, but > using the basis of 300dpi, a 2MP camera is good up to a 4x6 print, a 3MP > camera is good up to a 5x7 print. A full frame 8x12 requires almost 9MP > and an 11x14 print requires 14MP. My 3.2 megapixel Casio does a pretty nice job at 8 1/2 x 11. Most of us want nothing more than to share our pictures via computer or to put some of them in an album. For either, digital is a good choice. I'll add a problem to you list. My digital camera is much, much smaller than any 35mm I've ever owned. While that was one of the reasons I chose it, there's a price to pay. It's damned near impossible to hold it steady, particularly when using it's 3 x optical telephoto. > I suspect that accessories are going to be pretty hard to come by for a > Nik-II. Its strobe port will be the "old style", which will cost you > some bucks if you want to convert it to use with modern (supportable) > strobes. I'd be inclined find out how much its worth as a collectible > as is, and if the price is good, sell it and get a V for real UW use. I have a V myself, but don't want to play down the advantages of some of the older Nikonos cameras. The II is pretty dated, but one of the advantages it shares with other older cameras is its lack of electronics. Flood your V and brace youself for, at best, a large repair bill. Flood one of the older cameras and, like as not, you can rinse it out well and take it diving after it dries. Lee > I have a V myself, but don't want to play down the advantages of some of the > older Nikonos cameras. The II is pretty dated, but one of the advantages it > shares with other older cameras is its lack of electronics. Flood your V > and brace youself for, at best, a large repair bill. Flood one of the older > cameras and, like as not, you can rinse it out well and take it diving after > it dries. True; I didn't mean to sell it short on that point. If you do want what's considered the best in "recoverable from flood" UW cameras, the I & II will do, but what's generally considered to be the best choice is the Nikonos III, and I do know that BobW will modify the III's strobe fitting from the old to new styles (for a fee). FWIW, its also my understanding that the III is also generally considered to be the "deepest" of the Nikonos line when it comes to exceeding the 165ft factory specifications. I don't know how deep they've gone, but it has reportedly been used to photograph the USS Monitor (~240fsw) years ago. IIRC, the report also mentioned that the depth caused the rear & front O-ring's to extrude, which necessitated their replacement after every dive. -hh > Also, as I believe has already been said, if you don't know when the > last time it was serviced, you're waaaaay overdue. Get it down straight > away, as the availability of O-rings and other parts on the older > Nikonos models is finite...for a II, I'd definitely check first with the Let me add my encouragement here. I was replacing the user-replaceable o-rings in my IV-A, without thinking about the internals, and of course, one of them failed, creating a leak that corroded the camera. I don't know what internal o-rings a II has, but please have it serviced if you have not done so recently -- whether you take it underwater or not. SignaturePhilip Stripling | email to the replyto address is presumed Legal Assistance on the Web | spam and read later. email to philip@ http://www.PhilipStripling.com/ | my domain is read daily. Don't sweat it. Nikon will repair the camera for as long as it is in warantee, and once out of warantee you wouldn't want to waste your time or money on Nikon's repair center. -- http://www.chapelhillnoir.com home of The Camera-ist's Manifesto The Improved Links Pages are at http://www.chapelhillnoir.com/links/mlinks00.html A sample chapter from my novel "Haight-Ashbury" is at http://www.chapelhillnoir.com/writ/hait/hatitl.html > I am thinking of getting into UW photography. According to the Google > group archives, Nikonos-V was discontinued sometime in 2001. But when I > look at Nikon USA web site today, it's still listed as a product. Are > they just warehouse left-overs? If I buy one today, will they be able to > service it and for how long? > GH hello the Nikonos V has been in produciton for the past 10 years or so, yes Nikon did stop producing them in 2001. but due to there are a ton of these cameras still being used in UW photogrpahy there will be a lot of used ones for sale as well a a lot of parts avaiable as well. wouldnt worry to much on replacement parts due to only time u would really need to replace anything is if u flooded item camera and needed it to be rebuilt, the Nikonos V is very well built and will last a long time so long as u take care of the camera after every dive and keep reg maintaince. Hoep this info helps > I am thinking of getting into UW photography. According to the Google > group archives, Nikonos-V was discontinued sometime in 2001. But when I > look at Nikon USA web site today, it's still listed as a product. Are > they just warehouse left-overs? If I buy one today, will they be able to > service it and for how long? > GH |
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