Posted by Lance Warley on October 16, 2008 at 1:50 PM
The information I am looking for is:
- What is a good underwater digital camera model that is comparable to the Canon 40D-50D? In other words, above entry level but below pro level? It will be used for hobbyist purposes.
- Is it better to buy a 50D and some kind of underwater housing, or a dedicated underwater camera?
Hey Lance, I use a 20d in an Ikelite housing w/dual strobes when I dive. Cheap enough on ebay or wetpixel.com and if you flood them you can easily replace them. On wetpixel.com you should be able to pick up a complete unit (camera, ports, housing and strobes) for a pretty reasonable price. I just received my 50d 2 days ago, but it won't be going under with me. I will wait for the new 5d instead.
Posted by Lance Warley on October 16, 2008 at 3:23 PM
I forgot to mention that you have one of the best u/w photographers just a little south of you (Marathon Keys I believe) that may have some good used equipment and also offers training (if you feel the need) his name is Stepehn Frink, do a google for his site. Good luck.
I hear that they're making a housing for the Canon G9 now. I shoot Nikon underwater, but the G9 sure is looking nice, especially when you consider downsizing for travel..... Also, I think it's a good idea to be considering the high iso performance of the latest models for underwater.
Posted by Vandit Kalia on October 17, 2008 at 4:48 PM
Hi Lance -
Since the demise of the Nikonos V, there hasnt been a proper underwater camera. The market is now pretty much entirely housed bodies (the few waterproof compacts in the market are mainly for snorkeling/surface use).
You have 3 options:
(a) Basic compact in a manufacturer housing (eg, Canon A590IS with their WP-DC12 housing or whatever it is called). We have a few of these that are used as rental bodies and they work quite well as easy to carry & easy to use rigs. Later, you can always add a strobe to it for greater flexibility
(b) Serious compact system - a RAW-capable camera (G9 and now possibly G10), with either the manufacturer body or an Ikelite/other third party housing. The manufacturer housing will be smaller while the Ike housing will be bigger and clunkier... but the Ike housing will let you add wet lenses (wideangle and macro adapters), and also provide wired strobe connectivity.
(c) House an SLR. Not only is this a big ticket item ($3.5k barely gets you in the door), but it requires a lot more effort to use - if you are not prepared to put in that effort, then there is no point getting this setup. I have an article on that online here:
http://www.diveindia.com/uwphoto.html
However, if you are keen on putting in the effort, it is pretty hard to beat the results that you get with this setup.
Hope this helps. Do check www.wetpixel.com for more info on gear and also for the classified section.
Among DSLRs, people house everything ranging from Rebels to 1Ds3s. I am still using my old 20D, simply b/c I have 2 spare bodies. With underwater photography, the camera ends up becoming less important than your choice of strobes.
Vandit
Posted by Lance Warley on October 18, 2008 at 9:20 AM
Discussion
6 replies- What is a good underwater digital camera model that is comparable to the Canon 40D-50D? In other words, above entry level but below pro level? It will be used for hobbyist purposes.
- Is it better to buy a 50D and some kind of underwater housing, or a dedicated underwater camera?
Thanks.
http://www.amazon.com/WP-DC21-Underwater-housing-Digital-Cameras/dp/B000V74S1Y
Since the demise of the Nikonos V, there hasnt been a proper underwater camera. The market is now pretty much entirely housed bodies (the few waterproof compacts in the market are mainly for snorkeling/surface use).
You have 3 options:
(a) Basic compact in a manufacturer housing (eg, Canon A590IS with their WP-DC12 housing or whatever it is called). We have a few of these that are used as rental bodies and they work quite well as easy to carry & easy to use rigs. Later, you can always add a strobe to it for greater flexibility
(b) Serious compact system - a RAW-capable camera (G9 and now possibly G10), with either the manufacturer body or an Ikelite/other third party housing. The manufacturer housing will be smaller while the Ike housing will be bigger and clunkier... but the Ike housing will let you add wet lenses (wideangle and macro adapters), and also provide wired strobe connectivity.
(c) House an SLR. Not only is this a big ticket item ($3.5k barely gets you in the door), but it requires a lot more effort to use - if you are not prepared to put in that effort, then there is no point getting this setup. I have an article on that online here:
http://www.diveindia.com/uwphoto.html
However, if you are keen on putting in the effort, it is pretty hard to beat the results that you get with this setup.
Hope this helps. Do check www.wetpixel.com for more info on gear and also for the classified section.
Among DSLRs, people house everything ranging from Rebels to 1Ds3s. I am still using my old 20D, simply b/c I have 2 spare bodies. With underwater photography, the camera ends up becoming less important than your choice of strobes.
Vandit