OP
I have learned that at least as of now the Patima housings do not support the Tokina 10-17. It has no zoom gear, that is yet again a deal breaker.
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The trouble with dSLR, which housing?
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scottfiji
Contributor
OP
Actually, I don't think it is the gear but the lack of a control. Not completely sure, this type of question is why I started this thread, to find answers to such things. I will eventually answer my own question, I am a quick study, if I find out I will let you know.
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Ryan
Contributor
The Patima housing does not have a zoom control on it, and patima prefers to build zoom functionality into extension rings. This isn't a problem with longer lenses like 10-22, but space is an issue for 10-17.
OP
Thanks for the answer, that is what I had figured, just was trying to piece it together in my head. That is a darn shame.
So then, in this category of camera (Rebel T1i etc) and considering the Tokina 10-17 and Inon strobes with optical sync, power On/Off switch as a requirement, I guess we are down to either the Sea and Sea RDX500 or Epoque, hmmm, I don't guess there is another choice.
Ryan, not wanting to get you into trouble so please feel free to answer private, but, in your opinion are the RDX500/Epoque housings of decent quality and durability sufficient to last the useful life of a dSLR camera (I note that Canon only rates these Rebel dSLRs at 50,000 cycles)? What is their downside?
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Just saw this thread. I have the Epoque housing for the Canon EOS500D, with the M100 port which will take the 18-55 kit lens, 60mm and 100mm lens. So yes, it does exist but due to its popularity in the Far East, its as rare as ever anywhere else in the world. I managed to get it from the LDS but only because the proprietor bought it in Japan when he visited Epoque. Otherwise, its on back order all over the world. Hoping to get it wet in a couple of weeks time.
My initial view, its a nice looking housing, not too heavy until you place the port on, which is aluminium and glass (very nice by the way) and generally looks more expensive than it is. I bought the housing, port, port cover, zoom ring for the 18-55 and focus ring for the 60mm for RM 5,000.00 (USD 1,476.00). I plan to get the dome port and the 10-22mm and/or the Tokina 10-17 FE next year. That's going to set me back another USD 1,500.00 as the Athena dome port is very expensive as it is glass and not acrylic.
My initial view, its a nice looking housing, not too heavy until you place the port on, which is aluminium and glass (very nice by the way) and generally looks more expensive than it is. I bought the housing, port, port cover, zoom ring for the 18-55 and focus ring for the 60mm for RM 5,000.00 (USD 1,476.00). I plan to get the dome port and the 10-22mm and/or the Tokina 10-17 FE next year. That's going to set me back another USD 1,500.00 as the Athena dome port is very expensive as it is glass and not acrylic.
OP
Why did you choose the Epoque over the Sea and Sea RDX, just curious, considering the S&S has less expensive plastic ports available? Thanks for your input, hope you enjoy it greatly.
Also have found that Aquatica has an aluminum housing coming for the Rebel T1i.
The thing is, I wonder if it is cost effective to buy the more durable (supposedly) aluminum housings at a premium price for an inexpensive camera that will be obsolete in a couple of years and only has a 50,000 cycle to mean failure shutter. Ikelite housings are generally known to be durable even if bulky thus similar plastic housings like the Epoque and S&S RDX should have similar durability.
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Three reasons, firstly cost (the Epoque was cheaper by about USD 400.00), secondly, the quality of the glass used in the ports and thirdly, the ability to use the pop up flash in an emergency. But really it was the cost. I had a G9 and Ike housing and making the jump to the DSLR and housing was expensive...to the point that I struggled to justify it to myself.
As to buying an expensive aluminium housing, I second your thoughts on paying a premium price on something you would be very tempted to upgrade in the near future.
The S&S RDX housings are very high quality and easy to use. I've dove the RDX D50 housing and its light, very balanced and durable, my customer dives it like 3 times a week. I still don't know why they never made a D90 RDX Housing, but that's S&S for you.
Ikelite is an option, especially if you have legacy ports or strobes, but is definitely larger and heavier. But quite durable with good quality controls.
I looked at the Epoque at DEMA and thought it was kind of a poor design, I didn't like the closures, not very ergonomic, etc. But I'll admit I only spent 10 mins with it.
I agree that spending big bucks on an aluminum housing for a camera that you'll upgrade in 1.5 years is a bit much.
Nauticam does have some pretty cool housings starting to come out now and you can use legacy ports from just about any other manufacturer with them. Their locking port lever is just plain too cool.
Ikelite is an option, especially if you have legacy ports or strobes, but is definitely larger and heavier. But quite durable with good quality controls.
I looked at the Epoque at DEMA and thought it was kind of a poor design, I didn't like the closures, not very ergonomic, etc. But I'll admit I only spent 10 mins with it.
I agree that spending big bucks on an aluminum housing for a camera that you'll upgrade in 1.5 years is a bit much.
Nauticam does have some pretty cool housings starting to come out now and you can use legacy ports from just about any other manufacturer with them. Their locking port lever is just plain too cool.
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OP
Yeah, I am, like many, at a place with this that leaves me feeling flat. I don't really like today's crop of plastic cheapo SLRs and the compacts are terribly button and menu happy so who knows. I may just decide to go next year still with my 570 rigs. But, maybe I will just get a RDX500 from you
at some point. Consider:
Canon micro sensor, button/menu driven G11/S90 about 450 plus or minus
FIX (aluminum) housing 800 to 1100 dollars
semi fisheye FIX port (for G11, S90 lens unknown) is over 500 dollars
Total = approximately 2,000 dollars
vs
Canon cheapo plastic Rebel T1i toy SLR, 700ish
RDX500 housing, 1,400 dollars
acrylic CX port, 400 dollars
Tokina plastic and over priced 10-17, 600 dollars
Total = 3,100 dollars
Here is a question about the RDX housing---I notice the large pentaprism and mirror box which allows the flash to pop up, even though Canon SLRs do not need to have the flash fully raised for it to fire. There is no flash window so you cannot use it anyways, why have such a high box? Then, here is my real question, there appear to be two latches for the rear door centered across the camera body, and nothing for the top of the housing box, what compresses the O ring at the top? Or, is this even an issue?
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