Fantasea Line

Type: Manufacturer (underwater housings, accessories, optics, lighting)
Founded: Before 1970 (management involved in diving/photo industries “over 37 years” as of 2007) ([1])
Headquarters: Old Greenwich, Connecticut, USA (as of 2002); international operations with offices and representatives worldwide ([2], [3])
Key people: Howard Rosenstein (company representative, forum username “Hman”), Nadav Rosenstein, Ran Vered
Key products: Nikon Coolpix housings, Canon G-series housings, Sony RX100 housings, Sony a-series mirrorless housings, FML port system, Fantasea Eyes optics, Radiant video lights, Remora strobe
Websites: fantasea.com, canondive.com, sonydive.com

Overview

Fantasea Line is an international company dedicated to developing, manufacturing, and marketing affordable underwater photography products for the diving, water sports, and photography markets. The company describes itself as “distributor of the world’s most popular and affordable underwater photographic products” ([4]). Fantasea specializes in injection-molded polycarbonate housings — lighter and less expensive than machined aluminum alternatives from Nauticam, Aquatica, Subal, and others — targeting entry-level to mid-range underwater photographers, travel photographers, and dive shops.

A distinctive feature of Fantasea’s business model has been the inclusion of pre-paid flood insurance with all housings, covering camera replacement in case of accidental water leakage. This was unique among housing manufacturers and addressed a major concern for photographers nervous about taking expensive cameras underwater. ([5], [6])

Fantasea cooperates with leading international manufacturers on joint venture projects for product development and distribution ([7]). From 2018, the company formed a significant partnership with AOI (a Japanese optical company) to co-develop high-quality wet lenses for compact and mirrorless camera systems.

Key People

Howard Rosenstein has been the public face of Fantasea at trade shows throughout the company’s history, appearing at DEMA and other events from at least 2005 through 2019. He posts on the Wetpixel forums under the username “Hman.” His son Nadav Rosenstein also works at the company and has appeared alongside Howard at DEMA shows from 2007 onward. ([8], [9], [10])

Ran Vered appeared with Howard Rosenstein at the Fantasea booth at DEMA 2006 and has been involved in the company’s operations. ([11])

Market Position

Fantasea competes primarily on price and accessibility:

The FG7X review by Wetpixel editor Adam Hanlon concluded: “The Fantasea FG7X perfectly bridges the gap between the Canon housing and more expensive aluminum models. It has good ergonomics and is feature rich… It seems robust, solid and well-made and should last for many seasons.” ([18])

Product Timeline

Early Years: Nikon Coolpix Era (2002—2005)

Expansion to Canon and DSLR (2006—2008)

Transition Period (2009—2012)

Canon G-Series Focus (2013—2016)

Mirrorless Expansion and AOI Partnership (2017—2019)

Product Lines

Housings

Fantasea’s housing product lines evolved through distinct eras:

  1. Nikon Coolpix era (2002—2009): CP-series and FL-series housings for virtually every Nikon Coolpix model. Fantasea was known as “the Coolpix housing company,” specializing in housings for all Nikon Coolpix cameras. ([69])
  2. DSLR era (2005—2008): FD-70 (Nikon D70), F350D (Canon Rebel XT/350D), FD-40/FD-40X (Nikon D40/D40X). Interchangeable port systems, $999-$1,099 with port and flood insurance.
  3. Advanced compact era (2010—2016): FP7000 (Nikon P7000), FG15/FG16 (Canon G15/G16), FG7X series (Canon G7 X family), FRX100 series (Sony RX100 family). $499-$575.
  4. Mirrorless era (2017—present): FA6500, FA6000, FA6400 (Sony a-series). FML proprietary port system, M16 accessory ports, $949-$1,190.

All housings share common characteristics: injection-molded polycarbonate, double O-ring seals, 60m/200ft depth rating (tested to 80m), full camera control access, and fiber optic strobe connections.

FML Port System

Introduced with the FA6500 housing in 2017, the Fantasea Mirrorless Lens (FML) port system is a proprietary bayonet-mount system for interchangeable lens housings. The system includes flat ports, dome ports, extension rings, and lens gears for Sony E-mount lenses. ([70])

Optics (Fantasea Eyes / AOI Partnership)

The Fantasea Eyes lens line launched in 2010 with the BigEye wide-angle and SharpEye macro lenses plus the EyeDaptor 67mm threaded adapter. ([71])

From 2018, Fantasea partnered with AOI (Japan) to co-develop premium wet optics:

The AOI/Fantasea UWL-09 wet wide lens became recommended in the Wetpixel community as a cost-effective alternative for wide-angle conversion on mirrorless systems. ([76])

Lighting

Accessories

Reviews

ProductReviewerDateVerdict
FP7000 housingTal Mor2011-05Compact, easy latch, good shutter button; too buoyant, no side strap. ([90])
FG15 housingAdam Hanlon2013-07Full camera control, robust build, leak detector standard; too buoyant, some rear buttons close together. ([91])
FG7X housingAdam Hanlon2015-08”Perfectly bridges the gap” between Canon housing and aluminum models. Good ergonomics, feature-rich, competitive at ~$500. ([92])
FRX100 IV housingBecky Kagan Schott2016-03Easy to operate even in dry gloves, compact for travel. Tested with Steller sea lions. ([93])

Community Discussion

Fantasea housings are frequently discussed on the Wetpixel forums, particularly in threads about compact camera and budget-friendly mirrorless setups. Community members note:

Trade Show Presence

Fantasea has been a consistent exhibitor at major underwater photography trade shows:

References


Sources

  1. Wetpixel article, Jul 5, 2007: Fantasea Announces Fp 5000 Housing
  2. Wetpixel article, Jul 22, 2002: Dema 2002 Report
  3. Wetpixel article, Jul 5, 2007: Fantasea Announces Fp 5000 Housing
  4. Wetpixel article, Jan 16, 2006: Fantasea Announces F350d Housing
  5. Wetpixel article, Jun 5, 2005: Fantasea Nikon Coolpix S1 Housing Preview
  6. Wetpixel article, Nov 4, 2007: Dema 2007 Fantasea
  7. Wetpixel article, Jul 5, 2007: Fantasea Announces Fp 5000 Housing
  8. Wetpixel article, Nov 15, 2006: Dema 2006 Fantasea
  9. Wetpixel article, Nov 4, 2007: Dema 2007 Fantasea
  10. Wetpixel article, Oct 29, 2008: Dema 2008 Fantasea
  11. Wetpixel article, Nov 15, 2006: Dema 2006 Fantasea
  12. Wetpixel article, Apr 30, 2015: Fantasea Releases Details Of Housing For Canon G7 X
  13. Wetpixel article, Jul 7, 2013: Review Fantasea Fg15 Housing
  14. Wetpixel article, Aug 27, 2015: Review Fantasea Fg7x Housing
  15. Wetpixel article, Nov 15, 2006: Dema 2006 Fantasea
  16. Wetpixel article, May 13, 2005: Fantasea Adds Cp 6 And Cp 7 Housings
  17. Wetpixel article, Oct 7, 2003: Dema 2003 Show Coverage1
  18. Wetpixel article, Aug 27, 2015: Review Fantasea Fg7x Housing
  19. Wetpixel article, Jul 22, 2002: Dema 2002 Report
  20. Wetpixel article, Apr 21, 2003: Fantasea Line Cp 4 Housing For Coolpix 4300 And 885
  21. Wetpixel article, Oct 7, 2003: Dema 2003 Show Coverage1
  22. Wetpixel article, May 30, 2004: Fantasea Cp 3n For Coolpix 2200 3200 4100
  23. Wetpixel article, Oct 15, 2004: Dema Show 2004 Report
  24. Wetpixel article, Feb 2, 2005: Fantasea Line Fd 70 Waterproof Housing
  25. Wetpixel article, May 13, 2005: Fantasea Adds Cp 6 And Cp 7 Housings
  26. Wetpixel article, Jun 5, 2005: Fantasea Nikon Coolpix S1 Housing Preview
  27. Wetpixel article, Sep 22, 2005: Fantasea Announces Wifi Housing And More
  28. Wetpixel article, Jan 16, 2006: Fantasea Announces F350d Housing
  29. Wetpixel article, Nov 15, 2006: Dema 2006 Fantasea
  30. Wetpixel article, Jan 8, 2007: First Look At Fantasea Fd 40 Housing For Nikon D 40 Dslr
  31. Wetpixel article, Apr 23, 2007: Fantasea Announces Fd 40x Housing
  32. Wetpixel article, May 10, 2007: Fantasea Announces Fl 10 And Fl 11 Housings
  33. Wetpixel article, Jul 5, 2007: Fantasea Announces Fp 5000 Housing
  34. Wetpixel article, Nov 4, 2007: Dema 2007 Fantasea
  35. Wetpixel article, Feb 19, 2008: Fantasea Announces Nano Spotter Led Dive Light
  36. Wetpixel article, Mar 5, 2008: Fantasea Announces Fl 18 And Fs 210 Housings
  37. Wetpixel article, Sep 5, 2008: Fantasea Line X Flash Naming Competition
  38. Wetpixel article, Oct 29, 2008: Dema 2008 Fantasea
  39. Wetpixel article, Oct 27, 2009: Fujifilm Uk Selects Fantaseas Remora Flash Kit For Underwater Photography
  40. Wetpixel article, May 10, 2010: Fantasea Release New Accessory Lenses
  41. Wetpixel article, Sep 13, 2010: Fantasea Releases Fp7000 Housing
  42. Wetpixel article, Feb 14, 2011: Fantasea Launches 3d Housing And Camera Package
  43. Wetpixel article, May 9, 2011: Review Nikon Coolpix P7000 And Fantasea Fp7000 Housing
  44. Wetpixel article, Apr 25, 2013: Fantasea Announces The Fg15 Housing
  45. Wetpixel article, Jul 7, 2013: Review Fantasea Fg15 Housing
  46. Wetpixel article, Dec 3, 2013: Fantasea Announces Their Housing For The Canon G16
  47. Wetpixel article, Apr 30, 2015: Fantasea Releases Details Of Housing For Canon G7 X
  48. Wetpixel article, Jul 28, 2015: Fantasea Announces Housing For Sony Rx100 Iv
  49. Wetpixel article, Aug 19, 2015: Fantasea Announces Housing For Sony Rx100 Iv1
  50. Wetpixel article, Aug 19, 2015: Fantasea Ship New Video Lights
  51. Wetpixel article, Aug 27, 2015: Review Fantasea Fg7x Housing
  52. Wetpixel article, Mar 12, 2016: Review Fantasea Frx100 Iv By Becky Kagan Schott
  53. Wetpixel article, Apr 21, 2016: Fantasea Announces Housing For Canon G9 X
  54. Wetpixel article, Jul 27, 2016: Fantasea Unveils Housing For Canon G7 X Mark Ii
  55. Wetpixel article, Nov 9, 2016: Fantasea Announces Rx100 Mark V Compatibility
  56. Wetpixel article, Jan 31, 2017: Fantasea Release Macro Lenses
  57. Wetpixel article, Mar 14, 2017: Fantasea Announces Housing For Sony A6500 And A6500
  58. Wetpixel article, Jun 29, 2017: Fantasea Ships Fml System Ports
  59. Wetpixel article, Jul 6, 2017: Fantasea Announces Radiant 3000f Video Light
  60. Wetpixel article, Sep 25, 2017: Fantasea Announces Housing For Sony A6000
  61. Wetpixel article, May 24, 2018: Fantasea Announces Uwl 400f Conversion Lens
  62. Wetpixel article, Jun 26, 2018: Fantasea Releases Bayonet Lens Mount System
  63. Wetpixel article, Jul 31, 2018: Fantasea Aoi Uwl 09 Pro Wide Angle Lens Is Available
  64. Wetpixel article, Nov 8, 2018: Fantasea Announces Housing For Sony Rx100 Vi
  65. Wetpixel article, Nov 12, 2018: Fantasea And Aoi Ship Ucl 900f Macro Lens
  66. Wetpixel article, May 2, 2019: Fantasea Ships Fa6400 Housing
  67. Wetpixel article, May 7, 2019: Fantasea Updates Housing For Sony A6500
  68. Wetpixel article, Aug 12, 2019: Fantasea Announces Updated Strobe Trigger And Battery Cradle
  69. Wetpixel article, Nov 15, 2006: Dema 2006 Fantasea
  70. Wetpixel article, Jun 29, 2017: Fantasea Ships Fml System Ports
  71. Wetpixel article, May 10, 2010: Fantasea Release New Accessory Lenses
  72. Wetpixel article, May 24, 2018: Fantasea Announces Uwl 400f Conversion Lens
  73. Wetpixel article, Jul 31, 2018: Fantasea Aoi Uwl 09 Pro Wide Angle Lens Is Available
  74. Wetpixel article, Nov 12, 2018: Fantasea And Aoi Ship Ucl 900f Macro Lens
  75. Wetpixel article, Jun 26, 2018: Fantasea Releases Bayonet Lens Mount System
  76. Forum thread: Best Salted Line Combo For A6300
  77. Wetpixel article, Nov 4, 2007: Dema 2007 Fantasea
  78. Wetpixel article, Feb 19, 2008: Fantasea Announces Nano Spotter Led Dive Light
  79. Wetpixel article, Oct 29, 2008: Dema 2008 Fantasea
  80. Wetpixel article, Oct 27, 2009: Fujifilm Uk Selects Fantaseas Remora Flash Kit For Underwater Photography
  81. Wetpixel article, Nov 15, 2006: Dema 2006 Fantasea
  82. Wetpixel article, Aug 19, 2015: Fantasea Ship New Video Lights
  83. Wetpixel article, Jul 6, 2017: Fantasea Announces Radiant 3000f Video Light
  84. Wetpixel article, Aug 12, 2019: Fantasea Announces Updated Strobe Trigger And Battery Cradle
  85. Wetpixel article, Sep 22, 2005: Fantasea Announces Wifi Housing And More
  86. Wetpixel article, May 9, 2011: Review Nikon Coolpix P7000 And Fantasea Fp7000 Housing
  87. Wetpixel article, May 2, 2019: Fantasea Ships Fa6400 Housing
  88. Wetpixel article, Aug 12, 2019: Fantasea Announces Updated Strobe Trigger And Battery Cradle
  89. Forum thread: Recommendations For Compact Camera And Housing
  90. Wetpixel article, May 9, 2011: Review Nikon Coolpix P7000 And Fantasea Fp7000 Housing
  91. Wetpixel article, Jul 7, 2013: Review Fantasea Fg15 Housing
  92. Wetpixel article, Aug 27, 2015: Review Fantasea Fg7x Housing
  93. Wetpixel article, Mar 12, 2016: Review Fantasea Frx100 Iv By Becky Kagan Schott
  94. Forum thread: Recommendations For Compact Camera And Housing
  95. Forum thread: Recommendations For Compact Camera And Housing
  96. Forum thread: Best Salted Line Combo For A6300
  97. Forum thread: Compact Vs Mirrorless
  98. Wetpixel article, Nov 15, 2006: Dema 2006 Fantasea
  99. Wetpixel article, Nov 4, 2007: Dema 2007 Fantasea
  100. Wetpixel article, Oct 29, 2008: Dema 2008 Fantasea
  101. Wetpixel article, Feb 4, 2007: Boot 2007 Expo Report By Simon Klaiber
  102. Wetpixel article, Apr 21, 2016: Report Adex Show 2016
  103. Wetpixel article, Apr 24, 2019: Show Report Adex 2019 By Drew Wong
  104. Wetpixel article, Sep 26, 2012: Wetpixel Show Coverage Photokina 2012
  105. Wetpixel article, Mar 29, 2012: Beneath The Sea Show 2012
  106. DEMA 2002 Report (article)
  107. CP-4 housing announcement (article)
  108. DEMA 2003 show coverage (article)
  109. CP-3N announcement (article)
  110. DEMA 2004 Report (article)
  111. FD-70 announcement (article)
  112. CP-6/CP-7 announcement (article)
  113. Coolpix S1 housing preview (article)
  114. WiFi housing announcement (article)
  115. F350D announcement (article)
  116. DEMA 2006: Fantasea (article)
  117. FD-40 first look (article)
  118. FD-40X announcement (article)
  119. FL-10/FL-11 announcement (article)
  120. FP-5000 announcement (article)
  121. DEMA 2007: Fantasea (article)
  122. Nano Spotter announcement (article)
  123. FL-18/FS-210 announcement (article)
  124. X Flash naming competition (article)
  125. DEMA 2008: Fantasea (article)
  126. Fujifilm UK Remora partnership (article)
  127. Fantasea Eyes lenses (article)
  128. FP7000 announcement (article)
  129. 3D housing package (article)
  130. FP7000 review (article)
  131. FG15 announcement (article)
  132. FG15 review (article)
  133. FG16 announcement (article)
  134. FG7X announcement (article)
  135. FRX100 IV announcement (article)
  136. Radiant video lights (article)
  137. FG7X review (article)
  138. FRX100 IV review by Becky Kagan Schott (article)
  139. FG9X announcement (article)
  140. FG7X Mark II announcement (article)
  141. RX100 V compatibility (article)
  142. Macro lenses release (article)
  143. FA6500 announcement (article)
  144. FML port system (article)
  145. Radiant 3000F announcement (article)
  146. FA6000 announcement (article)
  147. UWL-400F announcement (article)
  148. Bayonet lens mount (article)
  149. UWL-09 PRO announcement (article)
  150. FRX100 VI announcement (article)
  151. UCL-900F macro lens (article)
  152. FA6400 housing (article)
  153. FA6500 V2 housing (article)
  154. FA-3 strobe trigger (article)
  155. Forum: Compact camera recommendations (forum)
  156. Forum: Compact vs mirrorless (forum)
  157. Forum: Canon G7X vs Sony RX100 (forum)
  158. Forum: Best Salted Line combo for a6300 (forum)