Just about bulletproof, a good camera with few flaws. Durable, reliable, and rewarding. Many OEM and aftermarket accessories available, both new and used. Good for the beginning to advanced UW photographer. Small when compared to housed systems. Excellent optics available (ie 15mm lens) and easy to use macro systems (extension tubes and close up kit).

Rather expensive to get a complete system (with good lens, strobe, and accessories), with a fairly steep learning curve. Probably not for the casual UW snapshot photographer. Requires almost fanatic maintainence (ie clean, inspect, and maintain o-rings to prevent floods), but most UW photo systems do.

An excellent camera for the UW or outdoor photographer.

Customer Service

Haven't had any problems (as I cross my fingers!)

Similar Products Used:

*Ikelite Aquashot.
*Nikonos II.
*Nikonos IVA.
*Nikonos 15mm lens
*Nikonos 28mm lens
*Nikonos 35mm lens
*SB 102 and 103 strobes
*Helix Aquaflash 22 and 28 strobes
*Helix and Nikonos extension tubes
*Nikonos Close up kit
*Subawider wide angle conversion lens and viewfinder.
*Sony Camcorder in Ikelite UW housing

Rugged
Well Designed
Usually Dependable

Electrical faults cause complete shutdown
Requires Periodic Preventative Maintenance

Great camera if you can afford it and it's accessories. After-market (i.e., Motomarine) flash allows you to build a nice system (if you can afford one).

Similar Products Used:

Motormarine MX10

Solid, ergonomic design
Good size viewfinder
Excellent optics

Shutter speed ring can get knocked when winding on, moving it from A to 1/1000 :-(

Cost of 15mm fisheye lens

Few quirks that need to be understood - ie metering system can appear dead when all tha is needed is to wind on the film 3x

I love my Nikonos V. When a good shot is captured, the picture quality is second to none. With the 15mm lens, you really dont need anything else unless extension tube macro shots are your thing.

Excellent out of the water too...

Customer Service

Never needed it

Similar Products Used:

None

Very easy to use and maintain.
Amphibian with the std W-Nikkor 35mm f/2.5 or the Nikkor 80mm f/4.
Easy to find controls even with diving gloves.
True TTL Flash. Splendid results without having to spend on a housing.

None found yet.

For the frequent diver/photographer who will dive down to 165 feet, withstanding preasures up to 85lb per square inch. By mistake I've gone with it down to 300 feet and it worked flawlessly, no flooding, so maybe it was built with a 100% safety factor.

Customer Service

None ever required.
It is supossed to very good within the US.

Similar Products Used:

Nikonos III, Nikonos IV-a