CANON G9, but which strobe???help

[davethediver 0]

Hi, I'm getting a canon G9, with Ikelite housing, but I'm not really sure which Strobe to go for, can you help me Guys and Girls??

 

thanks,

Dave

[Timmoranuk 10]

You'll never regret getting a Z-240 or two...

[easydiver 0]

I've been through the same thing recently and I chose the DS-125 due to the TTL capabilities of the Ikelite - Ikelite link.

 

Those 240s look very nice though, they appear smaller, and I think they use regular AA batteries rather than the proprietary ones Ikelite use.

 

Brian

[davethediver 0]

Thanks for the help with the strobe choice guys. How do you find the DS125 Brian?

 

Dave.

[reefwalker 2]

I you don't travel a lot, then go the Ikelite strobes, as they do offer TTL with the Ikelite Housing. But the battery pack can be a real hassle (if/when they go wrong). The Z240 Inon's are smaller/lighter and use AA batteries. In the event of battery failure, you can always buy AA's almost anywhere.

Power wise the Z240's have an edge over the Ikelite DS125's.

You could also look at the D2000 Inon's (about the same power as the DS125 Ikelite's) and use optic fibre triggering? No need for sync cords then.

[davethediver 0]

Thanks for the heads up Jeff, I'll look into what you've recommended.

 

Dave.

[bettaninja 0]

Found a good article on various strobes compared:

http://www.digitaldiver.net/images/strobea...rticlescrn2.pdf

[meimei 0]

I just got started and got remarkable results w the DS125..

 

I might try a Z240 on the other side since it uses AA batts...

Thanks for the suggestions guys..

[hriter 0]

Hi, I'm getting a canon G9, with Ikelite housing, but I'm not really sure which Strobe to go for, can you help me Guys and Girls??

 

thanks,

Dave

 

 

 

I purchased the DS51 package with the G9/Ikelite last month. I think it depends on portability and power. The DS 51 uses AA batteries (rechargable or not). It travels well since it is small. Having just upgraded from point-and-shoot film for the last 20 years, the G9 is great. Unfortunately the one trip I have taken it on so far was to St. Martin. Heavy winds prevented dive boats form going out a few days and stirred things up pretty bad. I did take about 400 shots snorkeling though.

Edited March 12, 2008 by Lobster

[Scubysnaps 9]

I've recently purchased the Ikelite G9 housing and DS125 and just come back from a trip, it worked superbly! the smartcharger battery pack is excellent, a lot less hassle than anything else IMO

[nwscubamom 0]

I've recently purchased the Ikelite G9 housing and DS125 and just come back from a trip, it worked superbly! the smartcharger battery pack is excellent, a lot less hassle than anything else IMO

 

Any updates on how you like the G9 with the DS125? Got any photos to show us?

 

Also would like updates on how the G9 works with the DS51.

 

Thanks!

[dougie 0]

I purchased the DS51 package with the G9/Ikelite last month. I think it depends on portability and power. The DS 51 uses AA batteries (rechargable or not). It travels well since it is small. Having just upgraded from point-and-shoot film for the last 20 years, the G9 is great. Unfortunately the one trip I have taken it on so far was to St. Martin. Heavy winds prevented dive boats form going out a few days and stirred things up pretty bad. I did take about 400 shots snorkeling though.

 

Hi,

 

I have the Canon G9 & Ikelite housing + IKe DS125 strobe.

 

I chose the DS125 as its coverage is good for use with inon w/a

 

some pictures here..

 

Dougie

 

I've recently purchased the Ikelite G9 housing and DS125 and just come back from a trip, it worked superbly! the smartcharger battery pack is excellent, a lot less hassle than anything else IMO

 

some pictures with the G9 & DS 125 here

[sideways 3]

Hi,

 

I have the Canon G9 & Ikelite housing + IKe DS125 strobe.

 

I chose the DS125 as its coverage is good for use with inon w/a

 

some pictures here..

 

Dougie

some pictures with the G9 & DS 125 here

 

 

Very nice photos Doug!! Are they shot in RAW? On the TTL setting? Thanks!

 

 

Greg

[jeremyl 0]

I also have a G9 + Ike Houseing + 2*DS125's. I got the 125's for the TTL and the price (I got them used here in the classifies for better than 1/2 price). If money were not an object I would probably go Inon in retrospect because of size/weight. A managable issue but an issue... I shoot manual now so the TTL is not as big an issue, although you still have to figure out a way to sync. But if money were no object I would go DSLR - which is the main reason I say I would go Inon... with a DLSR I think the Inon is a better solution. If you are truly staying G9/Ike the DS125's are just as good. I see MANY people shooting DS125's. Both are VERY good strobes. Just if you go DS125 I might add a little boyancy (Styx) to it to help balance out the weight.

 

I am pretty happy with my setup. I am "upgrading" to ULCS arms from the Ike Deluxe Kit arms, so PM me if you want a deal on some arms I kinda wish I just went straight DSLR (for ~3X the cost, so thats why I didnt) but for a P&S it is a great rig, if not a little bulky.

 

Jeremy

[dougie 0]

Very nice photos Doug!! Are they shot in RAW? On the TTL setting? Thanks!

Greg

 

Hi Greg,

 

thanks. Yes photos were shot in raw in TTL. Minor adjustments in lightroom for exposure and curves and export as full size JPEG

 

Dougie

[jeremypayne 0]

I shoot a G9 in full manual mode with a Sea & Sea YS-110 and a YS-27DX.

 

Here's my my recent stuff ... Link to Flickr

[jd8 0]

Hi everybody...I am new to the forum. I have been diving for the past 2 years based in Indonesia and taking UW photos since the first time I dive (using a p&s Canon ixus 800), I just bought a G9 recently with Canon housing..and thinking about getting a strobe for the set up...

 

I am actually considering getting a sea&sea strobe. I have being recommended to get either a YS-27DX or YS-110...

 

I have seen Jeremy's pix using both strobes and they are amazing!! Anyway, what if I just want to get one strobe at the moment, which one should I get??

 

And btw what about the YS-90 TTL Duo...looks likes another option??? A better one??

 

Anyway do appreciate all the help...

 

Cheers..

 

Jd

[Timmoranuk 10]

Hi JD,

 

An excellent choice of camera. IMO, you couldn't have chosen a better compact...

 

All the Sea & Sea strobes you have mentioned will do the job, especially as you have a Canon housing which will mean that you'll be unable to fit wide angle glass.

 

However, consider that if you were to upgrade your housing in the future to a Ikelite or Patima (which will allow wide angle glass) the beam angle of say a YS-27 (105 x 84) will be a little shy of what will be needed if you were using a 100 or 130 degree lens.

 

Also, as you are presently limited to a 35mm (equivalent) lens, for wide angle shots you'll have a tendancy to back off from subjects so make sure your strobes have plenty of power. Compare strobe guide numbers for this.

 

Frankly, with the Canon housing, I'd equip with a M67mm adaptor and some INON close up glass - UWL-165 and UWL-330 and concentrate on macro and portrait shots.

 

Jeremy uses a pair of stacked 165's for his macro work and his results are superb. Presently, I stack a 165 and a 330 and I do not quite achieve the magnification that Jeremy does. However I like the 330 on its own which I find useful for portraits.

 

HTH, Tim

[diggy 54]

Hi,

 

I am using a canon G7 and two strobes one DS51 and a DS50. But i would recommend going for either the DS125 or Inon a for wide angle they are a bit lacking. You can check out the link below for both wide angl and macro to get a rough idea

 

http://www.flickr.com/photos/14232146@N08/...57605406848800/

Cheers,

 

Diggy

[SFLDiver 0]

Hi JD,

 

An excellent choice of camera. IMO, you couldn't have chosen a better compact...

 

All the Sea & Sea strobes you have mentioned will do the job, especially as you have a Canon housing which will mean that you'll be unable to fit wide angle glass.

 

However, consider that if you were to upgrade your housing in the future to a Ikelite or Patima (which will allow wide angle glass) the beam angle of say a YS-27 (105 x 84) will be a little shy of what will be needed if you were using a 100 or 130 degree lens.

 

Also, as you are presently limited to a 35mm (equivalent) lens, for wide angle shots you'll have a tendancy to back off from subjects so make sure your strobes have plenty of power. Compare strobe guide numbers for this.

 

Frankly, with the Canon housing, I'd equip with a M67mm adaptor and some INON close up glass - UWL-165 and UWL-330 and concentrate on macro and portrait shots.

 

Jeremy uses a pair of stacked 165's for his macro work and his results are superb. Presently, I stack a 165 and a 330 and I do not quite achieve the magnification that Jeremy does. However I like the 330 on its own which I find useful for portraits.

 

HTH, Tim

 

Hi JD,

 

I use the G9 in a Patima housing w/ dual Inon Strobes and Inon wide angle and close up lenses.

 

I second Tim's advice. If you can't find a way of cleanly attaching some wet lenses, I'd definitely consider upgrading your housing. Furthermore, if and when you do apply a wide angle lens, you difinitely want to have powerful strobe(s) that will give you adequate coverage, especially if you ever consider going to the domed semi-fisheye Inon lens (130 degree coverage). Also, I may be a bit biased b/c I use them, but I'm a big fan of Inon strobes, because they're lite weight, powerful and use rechargeable AA batteries.

 

Even though I've only been shooting my G9 with the full setup for approximately 4 weeks, and even though the visibility has not been spectacular on my recent dives, I'm really happy with my initial results. These attached shots that I've taken over the past 4 weeks using the Inon wide angle lens and dual strobes, should give you an idea why I recommend you make sure whatever setup you use should has the ability to use a wide angle lens and has at least one poweful strobe, preferably two.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

HTH,

 

Adrian

Edited July 24, 2008 by SFLDiver

[jd8 0]

Hi guys...Thanks for all the inputs...can't agree with you more that those Inon strobes are great...But too bad can't really get hold of them from where I live..so need to settle for 2nd best I suppose..

 

Again, I also been browsing a lot about the Ikelite and Patima housing before I buy my "standard" Canon housing...and again those housings are not readily available in Indonesia (not that I know of...)...so again gotta settle for 2nd best again...

 

Anyway...

 

@ Tim:

 

You can attach wet lenses to Canon housing?? If yes, where can I get the info??

 

And in your opinion, I should get a more powerful strobe for the G9 (ie. YS 90 TTL DUO or YS 110)...

 

Btw anyone know what's the difference between YS 90 TTL DUO, Automatic or DS...The one they offered here only YS 90 TTL DUO...

 

And btw will that work for preflashes???

 

Most important, will the YS 90 TTL DUO work with G9 and Canon casing??

 

Sorry I got so many questions...kinda confused with all the different types or strobes and you know once you buy it and "try" it underwater...you can't return it...so need to think this through...

 

Anyway...thanks to all of you!!! And @ Adrian and Dig...Those pix are awesome!!

 

Can't wait to use my G9!!

 

Cheers,

 

JD

[Timmoranuk 10]

Hi JD.

 

You can always get INON strobes shipped directly from Japan. Yuzo Kanda is a very reliable retailer. You'll find his contact details if you do a search.

 

A fibre optic sync'd TTL strobe will give your G9 all the bells and whistle and an INON will deliver S-TTL, external auto and manual. As your u/w photography develops you'll find yourself using manual settings more and more but its sure handy to have fully auto TTL when things are happening fast! For example, I usually set to S-TTL and Av to cover my entry into the water so I can grab that lucky shot.

 

The OEM housing will take additional lenses but not wide angle glass as the G9 needs a short port to properly align the lenses elements. The short port is an option with the Ike, Patima and the new Sea & Sea housings. Check out this link for a M67 adapter which will allow you to use close up lenses on the OEM housing. http://www.divervision.com/catalog/product...products_id=777

 

You'll find that attaching the fibre optic sync cables to the OEM housing is not that simple and requires the Sea & Sea velcro strobe mask set. I believe the best place to attach this is on the diffuser but I'm sure Jeremy will advise you. Attaching INON strobe cables may require some ingenuity.

 

The G9 puts out a preflash in Auto, Av and Tv so you'll need a strobe which will compensate. I'm sure all Sea and Sea and INONs do that.

 

Consider that if you have a G9 you are serious about your u/w photography and in 'N' number of months or years you may decide to upgrade to a DSLR. IMO get strobes which will allow your G9 to perform at its best and will remain relevant if / when you change your camera. No strobe is TOO powerful...

 

Happy snapping, Tim

Edited July 25, 2008 by Timmoranuk

[jcnavarro 1]

Hi,

 

I am using a canon G7 and two strobes one DS51 and a DS50. But i would recommend going for either the DS125 or Inon a for wide angle they are a bit lacking. You can check out the link below for both wide angl and macro to get a rough idea

 

http://www.flickr.com/photos/14232146@N08/...57605406848800/

Cheers,

 

Diggy

Hi Diggy, I have just seen your pics and are wonderfull, congratulations, let me ask you something, all of the pics were took with the G7?? if so, what settings did you use, do you remenber that??

 

thanks,

 

jc

[bruceterrill 0]

Hi JD.

 

You can always get INON strobes shipped directly from Japan. Yuzo Kanda is a very reliable retailer. You'll find his contact details if you do a search.

 

A fibre optic sync'd TTL strobe will give your G9 all the bells and whistle and an INON will deliver S-TTL, external auto and manual. As your u/w photography develops you'll find yourself using manual settings more and more but its sure handy to have fully auto TTL when things are happening fast! For example, I usually set to S-TTL and Av to cover my entry into the water so I can grab that lucky shot.

 

The OEM housing will take additional lenses but not wide angle glass as the G9 needs a short port to properly align the lenses elements. The short port is an option with the Ike, Patima and the new Sea & Sea housings. Check out this link for a M67 adapter which will allow you to use close up lenses on the OEM housing. http://www.divervision.com/catalog/product...products_id=777

 

You'll find that attaching the fibre optic sync cables to the OEM housing is not that simple and requires the Sea & Sea velcro strobe mask set. I believe the best place to attach this is on the diffuser but I'm sure Jeremy will advise you. Attaching INON strobe cables may require some ingenuity.

 

The G9 puts out a preflash in Auto, Av and Tv so you'll need a strobe which will compensate. I'm sure all Sea and Sea and INONs do that.

 

Consider that if you have a G9 you are serious about your u/w photography and in 'N' number of months or years you may decide to upgrade to a DSLR. IMO get strobes which will allow your G9 to perform at its best and will remain relevant if / when you change your camera. No strobe is TOO powerful...

 

Happy snapping, Tim

Hi Timmy,

I think that you are the only one who consistently lists his TTL work with the G9 as being with Av etc...

I think that it should be pointed out, really loudly, to the new , or aspiring, owners of the G9 the TTL is NOT available in any of the manual settings. It is however, ONLY, available through Av, Tv, etc., and this is not always the best option for using the P&S cameras.

I must add, that I think that the G9 is one hell of a camera and I am tossing up, right now, between it and his newer cousin the G10.

I'm having huge problems with my eyes at the moment and the "best" option seems to be to down-grade.

Anyway, back to my origional point. TTL is NOT available in the manual setting of the G7, 9, or 10...

HTH,

Bruce...

[jeremypayne 0]

Anyway, back to my origional point. TTL is NOT available in the manual setting of the G7, 9, or 10...

Very good point and why I don't use TTL on the G9. Very weird product call on Canon's part IMO.

 

To maximize DOF in macro, I use F8. To get F8 and TTL, one has to shoot F8 @ 1/60th in AV ... that's ok, but makes for very blue water and I much prefer to shoot F8 @ 1/1000th and that can only be achieved in manual.