Newbie Rigs: What camera system did you buy?

[maria cm 0]

Hello,

 

I'm using an LX3 and 10 bar housing. I know nothing about underwater photography (or photography generally) so please bear with me....

 

best wishes,

 

Maria

[twintanks 0]

hi drew were where these pictures taken and at what depth

Edited December 1, 2009 by twintanks

[Deep6 7]

I'm considering the nikon D90 but the focus is just too damn slow and the canon 50d (comic book colors and expensive).

 

I have to say that if I could get a four third like the Panasonic GF1 with a small Panasonic Housing that would be the size of my G10 housing, I would go for that in a hearthbeat.

 

While the G series Panasonics (G1, GH1, & GF1) are reported to have the fastest contrast-detection auto focus, I doubt that the GF1's AF is as fast as the Nikon D90's phase-detection AF. To get the fastest AF on the G's, use the micro4/3 design lenses.

Bob

[incapete 0]

Hi guys,

 

New here but I've also only just upgraded my rig so I thought I'd share the details.

 

I originally started with a Sony P10 in a housing (internal flash, no manual WB, no raw) then moved to a Canon G9 and housing with a YS120 strobe triggered by a Heinrichs Weikamp adaptor (solved all of the problems above plus kept TTL metering).

 

As my topside photography progressed I moved to a DSLR, first with a Canon 350D and now a 40D which I've been keen to take diving so I've now bought an Ikelite housing for it along with the 8inch dome port. It's a nice, solid bit of kit which allows access to a huge number of camera features and the port is great for wide-angle/close-up shots.

 

I'm still figuring out the strobes for my new setup - part of me wants to keep my YS120 strobe and just buy the Ikelite-Sea&Sea sync cable which would limit me to manual mode only but I'm not too worried about that. Another bit of me is saying that I should sell the YS120 and buy an Ikelite strobe to maintain TTL abilities. Not sure which I'll go for yet but I'm sure I'll post about it some more.

The plan is to complement the strobe with an LED focusing light on the other arm, at least until I decide to buy a second strobe!

[whale_shark72 0]

Hi all,

 

Just discovered Wetpixel - what a great site!

 

I have only been diving for a few months but am interested in buying an underwater camera. I have a Sony Cybershot DSC100 which seems to be one of the few models that the housing does not fit. I have been looking at lots of cameras online, together with reviews and think I am getting myself more and more confused by the variety of models available!

 

Think I might take a break from the research and look at some of the amazing photos on this site!

[MD4P 0]

This may sound odd, but I am looking for help going "backwards" in UW photography. I started with a Nikonos V more than 20 years ago, then in 2003 went digital with a Nikon CP5000 in an Ikelite housing with dual strobes (old SB 105 from the Nikonos, and Ikelite DS 125). The camera gear, batteries, etc weighed more than 20 lbs, and was very bulky, so I quit taking it on trips. I really miss the photography and want to start again (anyone interested in buying what I have?)

 

The catch is that I broke my back 6 months ago but have recovered enough to go diving again (YAY!) but I have to go small, compact, and lightweight. My husband has been using a little Sony P&S in a housing that has been discontinued. Picture quality not great, but he does it for fun, not for showing off.

 

My question is whether there is something reasonable out there that I can use without a strobe (I know it will be mostly monochromatic with a lot of backscatter), as it is just not possible for me to travel or dive with the extra weight and bulk.

 

Thanks for any advice.

[londonsean69 1]

I have had a Nikon D90 for nearly a year now, and this evening, I am picking up the Ikelite housing for it Also, the modular flat port plus a couple of extensions.

 

I went for Ikelite because;

• It was a good price (even better buying it from Singapore)
  
• I don't need the depth rating of an aluminium housing
  
• I like the idea of being able to spot any potential floods before they become a disaster.
  

 

To go with housing, I picked up (on EBay) the 8" dome, and a DS200 strobe.

I am in the process of buying another DS200 from a fellow WP member.

 

First test will either be in the murk of a UK quarry, or Lanzarote, in the Canary Islands (I used to teach diving over there).

 

First BIG test, is gonna be Mozambique in May.

 

Sean

[Kirsten Stackpole 0]

Hello all, I am new to the site, and I own a Canon 30D, with Ikelite housing and dual strobes.

 

I am looking to buy a wide angle as well as a macro lens to add to my gear.

 

I was wondering if anyone had a suggestion as to what wide angle would be best. I hear the 24mm is not wide enough for great underwater stuff.....and was advised to perhaps try the 10-22mm..... Does anyone have any insight about this lens, or is there an even better choice out there?

 

Please let me know. Thanks

[diverpat 0]

Just introducing myself. I'm Pat, I work as a marine biologist during the week and on a dive boat on the weekends. I'm getting into still photography after a few years of using a video camera. I've found some great info on wetpixel so far and I'd like to thank the community. My gear so far is the Panasonic Lumix LX3 with a 10Bar housing and an Inon Z240. I'm hoping to get a dome soon along with another strobe. Keep an eye out for some questions.

 

Pat

[scubadiverjackcook 0]

Hello to all. This is my first post on Wetpixel. I have been doing film dry land photography for about 50 years. I started doing some UW digital about three years ago with an HP Photosmart R818 in an HP housing. I loaned out my camera and have had it flooded by the ubiquitous human error. I replaced the camera with a used HP Photosmart R817. I added a Fantasea Nano flash and housing, but was never able to get it to work properly. I have a few good shots over the past couple of years. Now that I have 400+ plus dives and am more comfortable with the task loading, I just bought an Olympus E-520 rig with the PT-E05 housing and ports. I have ULCS Double Tray with Subal handles and ULCS arms and two UFL-2 strobes. So far I have had it in the pool and am looking forward to taking it in the ocean in a few weeks. Your site was very helpful in guiding me toward some good shots with my Point and Shoot. I am sure that it will be just as helpful with my new rig. Thanks for all of your great information.

[ChrigelKarrer 52]

I hace a Fuji E900 with a Ikelite housing and INON D-2000 strobe and a Nikon D90 with a Ikelite Housing and Ikelite DS-125 Strobe.

As allday camera to take pict of my students i just bought a Canon G11 with a Patima Housing and i will use my INON D-2000 strobe.

 

Why the expensive Patima Aluminium housing? I hope that the massive tank-style aluminium housing will protect camera better from

the daily (ab)use of a dive instructor diving often with strong surge and mediocre viz...

 

Let's cross fingers that i was right!

 

Chris

[BradMM 0]

Reply

[JLH 0]

Hi My name is Jack I'm also new to this site. I bought a Nikon D70 when they first came out and kept putting off buying a housing. I just stayed with my aquatica A90 with my N90s. Having ports and extensions for the A90 I decided to go with the Aquatica A70. now they no longer make it. So I looked around and talked to an Ikelite dealer thanks david Haas He told my of someone that had moved up to a D300 and wanted to sell her A70 housing. The rest is as they say history. Now to upgrade the SB 105's.

[ornate_wrasse 0]

Hi My name is Jack I'm also new to this site. I bought a Nikon D70 when they first came out and kept putting off buying a housing. I just stayed with my aquatica A90 with my N90s. Having ports and extensions for the A90 I decided to go with the Aquatica A70. now they no longer make it. So I looked around and talked to an Ikelite dealer thanks david Haas He told my of someone that had moved up to a D300 and wanted to sell her A70 housing. The rest is as they say history. Now to upgrade the SB 105's.

 

Hi Jack,

 

Welcome to Wetpixel! You were very lucky to hear about the person who was selling their A70 housing after they moved up to a D300. That worked out quite well for you

 

I started out just like you. I bought a Nikon D70 and used it for a while topside until I found a used housing for it. I also had an SB105 and used it initially until I was able to to upgrade to a different strobe

 

Welcome to using your D70 underwater! It's a lot better than using film with the N90s

 

Ellen

[gert7to3 0]

Just updating though a "newbie" here.

 

 

Nikon P-6000 Ikelite housing; Sea & Sea YS-110a strobe and Ikelite DS-51: home brewed tray/ arm

 

Previous cameras: Oly SP-350; PT-030 housing with Sea & Sea YS_25 Dx; YS-25 Auto; Sony P-5 and P-10 in Sony PKH housings: home brewed tray/ arm

[oceansblue 0]

The most asked question by any newbie is one that many ask or do research on. So in the tradition of Mr Wetpixel himself, we will (try) to restart this quarterly thread to give newbies the most up to date new rigs from members who have made the plunge themselves.

So members who have recently bought new rigs, please feel free to add your opinions and feedback on your rigs so that others may benefit from your knowledge.

Thanks and happy shopping.

 

Hi This is Ali from Persian Gulf coast. I am new to this forum and I in search of information and would love to contribute my findings.

[San Diego Kid 0]

Hello Wetpixel,

 

I am brand new to underwater photography. Im also only 17 and in high school right now. well I've been diving for about a year and I've been crazy about it since the start. I have always been very interested in underwater photography, and now I'm looking to get my first set up after my cheap 30 ft rated camera flooded last weekend

 

I made about 2 grand last year working a summer engineering job and want to spend some of it to get a setup. i want to keep it under a thousand but am willing to go a little over. I want a decent setup to start with so i will have something decent that i can learn on and be able to grow into my camera. I want the camera to get me through senior year and college too so i want a pretty decent setup. I want something that is going to enable me to grow a lot as an underwater photographer and take great photos all the while.

 

After a ton of research, I think that the G11 is for me (unless you know of a better fit). It has full manual controls and a relatively wide angle lens to start with(im interested in macro) . It is also pretty small and a cheaper alternative especially for housings which is my main question.

 

I am looking at the 200$ canon housing for it.

 

http://www.amazon.com/Canon-WP-DC34-Underw...9052&sr=1-2

 

Do you think that this is a good decision? i have read only a few complaints about it being leaky at shalower depths but most people only have good things to say about it being such a cheap housing. Plus i believe good maintainance should minimize danger. It seems like a cheap basic housing to start off with. I don't think i need the nicer fisheye, FIX, or ikelite housing to start out at least. Maybe upgrade later down the line. But you opinion would be greatly appreciated.

 

Also for a strobe I was looking at either a fantasea strobe package (its cheaper elsewhere)

 

http://cameras.about.com/gi/o.htm?zi=1/XJ&...om/s.nl/sc.2/.f

 

or a ikelite AF-35

 

http://www.ikelite.com/af35/autoflash.html

 

Has anyone used either one of these? Once again, any opinions are appreciated.

 

thanks alot to anyone with insite into my "noobie" questions.

[Steve Williams 0]

Hi San Diego,

Looks like you've done your homework. The G-11 is a good fit for what you're wanting to do. You might want to think about upgrading your strobe a little though. Check out e bay or the classifieds here for a used one that would last longer for you. Maybe an older Sea & Sea 110 or something in that power range. You should be able to get it for less than a new smaller strobe. Might want to give the guys at Reef Photo, Backscatter, and H20 Photopros a call. They usually have some good used gear for sale. Tell them what you want to do and I'll bet you get lucky.

 

Good luck!

Steve

[fishieness 0]

Hey everyone,

Just bought my first underwater camera. It's a Nikon coolpix 5000 with the aquatica 5000 housing and an iklelite DS 50 strobe for, what I believe at least, to be a pretty good deal off of ebay. I'm not a diver, but plan to get certified soon. I got this camera mainly for snorkling, as I'm going to Australia on the Ningaloo reef for 3 weeks this coming week for a marine biology study abroad program. Since I am going to school for marine biology, I figure it is only a matter of time (months? lol) until I get my diver certification, so i wanted something that can go below 10 feet. Haha. I've been reading a lot around here and will post pictures of my first trip.

Anyone have any experience with this camera, strobe, or combo? Thanks!

[San Diego Kid 0]

Hi San Diego,

Looks like you've done your homework. The G-11 is a good fit for what you're wanting to do. You might want to think about upgrading your strobe a little though. Check out e bay or the classifieds here for a used one that would last longer for you. Maybe an older Sea & Sea 110 or something in that power range. You should be able to get it for less than a new smaller strobe. Might want to give the guys at Reef Photo, Backscatter, and H20 Photopros a call. They usually have some good used gear for sale. Tell them what you want to do and I'll bet you get lucky.

 

Good luck!

Steve

 

 

Thanks Steve,

 

I just bought a canon G-9 with the canon housing used for 400$. I chose it because it's features/ specs were similar to those of the G-11 and it was a nice cheap package. I'm going to Florida on Wednesday and will have it there. I'll let you know how it all goes and post some pictures.

 

Thanks again,

 

Braden

[FormerAirline 0]

Hi! I'm new.

Someone on Rangefinderforum pointed me to this website. I recently bought the Canon underwater housing from my s90 for my trip to Kauai (my honeymoon actually). I took lots of pics. Can't wait to share and to learn more about underwater photography. It's fun! A whole new world I've never really photographed before.

[Knochi 0]

Hi There

 

 

I own a Canon G9 with Canon housing for 3 Years already and now I want to carry my EOS 7D down to make some really nice shots

I´m still unsure if Nauticam or Hugyfot but sure for below 60m ...

now to my question:

I own a 24-70mm Canon 2,8 L USM and I think it´s quite universal - big advantage - longest focal length of the lens is on it´s short end - so upside down.

I didn´t find it in any of the catalogs nor in any forum - I can´t understand that , because the Sigma 17-70mm appears quite often.

I own a Canon 100mm Macro too , but I would prefer to be a little more flexible ...

 

Is there any way to fit my lens into a Dome or do i have to get rid of the idea to use that lens ? ( if so please explain short why )

 

Is there maybe a Housing which fits the Battery handle for the camera too ? ( range 90-100m )

 

 

Thanks

Sebastian

[mikael.thulin@deepdiver.se 0]

Hello!

 

I bought an Ikelite Housing to my D200 a couple of years ago.

[dvrdve 0]

hi all

i m new to the forum

got a canon 450 in ikelite housing with ds125 strobe

[lipsking 0]

hey, im new to this forum

just starting in UW photography this year, and of course im still a newb

 

Here is my set up :

- Canon G-11

- Canon WPDC-34 housing

- Sea & Sea YS-110a Strobe

- Fantasea BigEye Lens

 

Great P&S Camera,

 

Here's a few pic I take from Tulamben and Padang Bai Bali

http://www.flickr.com/photos/52340897@N06/