G10 / WP-DC28 with Ikelite Autoflash AF35 Impressions

[shawrg]

Has anyone used the internal flash with the Ikelite housing on their G10? If so what results have ensued? If its just a slight darkening in the right corner like the Canon, I can deal with that... But if its a complete fail point, I might have to just settle for the Canon housing.

FrankPro1
I use the internal flash with an Ikelite housing but with a A720. As you say there is a shadow in the bottom right corner. However, there is a diffuser you can mount externally that helps minimize this. I would be interested to hear what strobe you go with as I have put off purchasing one.

 

[Jrock1062]

Since I am also considering buying a G10, I want to make sure I have this straight. With a housing like the Fisheye, I can connect a strobe to its hotshoe to allow it to be TTL. but with the cheapie Canon housing I could not, right? This is probably a stupid question, but a TTL strobe automatically adjusts it's intensity based on the light needed for the appropriate exposure, whereas a non-TTL fires at the same intensity unless you personally change it's output?

Sorry, I'm new to U/W photography and am trying to gain a little more insight before I buy. Would rather ask some dumb questions now and not regret my purchase.

Here's the direction a little research has pointed me; Canon G10, Fisheye FIX housing, YS-110 strobe and a tray. Does anyone think I am going wrong here? Anything I'm missing? Thanks in advance.

Regards,

Kevin

I use a G9 with the canon housing i chose the housing because its smaller and i can use it in other places IE skiing,snowmobiling and boating I felt the Ikelite was just to big I have a a S&S YS 110 strobe since i cant TTL the strobe I use the fiber optic cable
it attach's right over the housing and has never misfired here is a pic

 

[FrankPro1]

FrankPro1
I use the internal flash with an Ikelite housing but with a A720. As you say there is a shadow in the bottom right corner. However, there is a diffuser you can mount externally that helps minimize this. I would be interested to hear what strobe you go with as I have put off purchasing one.

I'll definitely be purchasing a strobe within the next few months. That gives me some time to get familiar with the camera and save up some funds. I was wondering while using the internal flash, does the shadow increase when you get extremely close to the subject? I've heard that when shooting macro with the OEM Canon housing for the G10, you have to back off a bit and zoom in with the camera in order for the diffuser to do its job right. I wonder if its the case with the Ikelite.

I'll probably end up going with DS51 strobe with the TTL link initially, just for macro and other close shots. Then later on add another for a broader range of shot options. The DS51's are on the lower end when it comes to Ikelite's strobes, but I think that they will have plenty enough power for my shooting needs.

 

[CompuDude]

One thing to consider is that your G10 has a 28mm, semi-wide angle lens. It has a wider range of coverage than your average camera, and would probably benefit from either dual strobes or at least a strobe with wider than usual coverage... like the Inon strobes.

 

[Nemrod]

Mostly correct, the actual spec is that the camera has a native lens of 28 to 140 mm (35 mm format equivilent):

"Canon's PowerShot range has a new flagship in the form of the much anticipated G10, successor to the G9. Key changes include a new 14.7 megapixel CCD sensor and, more usefully, a new 28-140mm wide zoom and increased screen resolution - plus a DIGIC IV processor. A new top panel layout adds a dedicated AE compensation dial and there's an improved grip, but overall externally the changes are subtle."

You can use this link to some worth, the G10 DC-28 port is flat as I recall, apply therefore per Snell's law a 1.33X multiplication factor and enter into the calculator on this link:

Field of View - Rectilinear and Fisheye Lenses

And you get this result:

>>>>>51.6 degrees<<<<<

Which should be more or less correct and is any thing but WIDE angle. IMO, underwater, wide angle begins at 90 degrees and upward in FOV. BTW, the new Ikelite G10 "wide angle" dome port housing will give you around 65 degrees FOV underwater, probably slightly less.

The Inon D2000 strobe has a coverage of 90 to 100 degrees and with the diffuser it is approximately 110 degrees, JFYI.

N, if it isn't science then it is mythology

 

[CompuDude]

Thanks, N... I misremembered the spec. I know there's some new(ish) camera out there that has a 24mm lens, I thought it was the G10 but clearly not. Maybe it was that Ricoh I was looking at...

 

[shawrg]

I'll definitely be purchasing a strobe within the next few months. That gives me some time to get familiar with the camera and save up some funds. I was wondering while using the internal flash, does the shadow increase when you get extremely close to the subject? I've heard that when shooting macro with the OEM Canon housing for the G10, you have to back off a bit and zoom in with the camera in order for the diffuser to do its job right. I wonder if its the case with the Ikelite.

I'll probably end up going with DS51 strobe with the TTL link initially, just for macro and other close shots. Then later on add another for a broader range of shot options. The DS51's are on the lower end when it comes to Ikelite's strobes, but I think that they will have plenty enough power for my shooting needs.

frank,

I pulled out my camera and put it in the ikelite to see how zoom impacts the shadow. After a few inconclusive shots, I noticed the low batteries symbol. I'll recharge & check tomorrow. Underwater I don't recall an issue, but then I don't usually get closer than 24 inches.

I did some research on strobes a few years ago & liked the Inon but it was out of my budget. Ikelite was out too, but not as much!

 

[FrankPro1]

frank,

I pulled out my camera and put it in the ikelite to see how zoom impacts the shadow. After a few inconclusive shots, I noticed the low batteries symbol. I'll recharge & check tomorrow. Underwater I don't recall an issue, but then I don't usually get closer than 24 inches.

I did some research on strobes a few years ago & liked the Inon but it was out of my budget. Ikelite was out too, but not as much!

Hey shawrg,
If you can, try to get about 6inches away and see if the corner is dark in the shots. 1.6ft is the maximum distance for shooting in macro with the G10, but I'll probably be shooting either 1 foot shots or 6inch shots for most of my pictures with flash.

 

[FrankPro1]

Here are some shots using the Internal Flash on the G10, provided by Ikelite employee Jean.
2ft with Diffuser:

12 inches with Diffuser:

And things get real bad when using 6inches with Diffuser:

 

[CompuDude]

Ugh.