Canon g9 or g10

[slowhands]

I add my vote to the S95 camp. The reasons: It's lighter, cheaper, and better than the G9 or G10. You can pick this up for $600 in the USA, but you would have to pay VAT in the UK, so it will push your budget. I have only bought from one dealer in the UK, but it was an excellent experience. You can check them out here, price is 612 pounds with VAT:
Canon WP-DC38 for PowerShot S95 camera. Cameras Underwater.

If you add a strobe, you will be way over budget. You can photograph many close subjects with the internal camera strobe if it is in the canon case -- just remember to use the strobe diffuser. If you add a strobe, the budget is shot. But an Inon S2000 would be a nice partner to the camera -- small, light and yet quite good.

 

[Gilligan]

I really reconsidered my choice. I never used an UW camera before so i think i am better off with smaller and lighter camera as you all suggested.

When i look at s95 i can buy a canon or a Ikelite housing (price difference is only €50). But i guess the Ikelite housing is much heavier and bulky then canon?

Thanks again.

The size difference is not much. It is more about the feel of the housing and the ability to add wet mount lenses.
I handled both the Canon and Ikelite S90 housings (same size as the S95) here in Bohol. I personally liked the feel of the Canon housing better.
However, if you plan on adding wet mount lenses at a later time the Ike housing comes with a 67mm threaded lens port and IMO is better suited for that.
But then again if you don't have an external strobe from the get go the Canon housing will not block close-up macro shots as much as the Ike housing.

Decisions decisions

 

[cardog]

The size difference is not much. It is more about the feel of the housing and the ability to add wet mount lenses.
I handled both the Canon and Ikelite S90 housings (same size as the S95) here in Bohol. I personally liked the feel of the Canon housing better.
However, if you plan on adding wet mount lenses at a later time the Ike housing comes with a 67mm threaded lens port and IMO is better suited for that.
But then again if you don't have an external strobe from the get go the Canon housing will not block close-up macro shots as much as the Ike housing.

Decisions decisions

Does anyone know if there is a way to mount a Sea & Sea tray to the Ike housing?

 

[under water]

Does anyone know if there is a way to mount a Sea & Sea tray to the Ike housing?

There is a hole in the S&S tray that should work fine with an Ike housing (but apparently doesn't). I have done the reverse, Ike tray with Sea & Sea housing (well its Oly, but i"m 99.9% sure it's made by S&S or whoever makes theirs) and it worked OK.
Are you having problems or just wondering?
The Ike housings sometimes have the 2 holes thing going on, is that the issue?

 

[cardog]

There is a hole in the S&S tray that should work fine with an Ike housing. I have done the reverse, Ike tray with Sea & Sea housing (well its Oly, but i"m 99.9% sure it's made by S&S or whoever makes theirs) and it worked OK.
Are you having problems or just wondering?
The Ike housings sometimes have the 2 holes thing going on, is that the issue?

It's the two holes vs the one hole that is the issue. I just purchased the new Oly Xz-1 but am having second thoughts due to the lack of using the flash in super macro mode. The S95 and Ike housing are my second choice and I already own the SS tray and two YS01 strobes.

 

[weitodive]

I have a canon g9. I have had both the ikelite and canon case. I have decided to try to sell my g9 and opt for a s95 instead due to size. I will use my s95 for teaching and travel. I have a 7d in an ikelite case for the dive only trips. I can tell you that the ikelite g9 case is very very heavy. Especially with all the lenses. One thing to consider is case service. I will be buying an Ike case for the s95 because Ike will service all their equipment even after the camera is out dated. That's my 2cents

 

[under water]

It's the two holes vs the one hole that is the issue. I just purchased the new Oly Xz-1 but am having second thoughts due to the lack of using the flash in super macro mode. The S95 and Ike housing are my second choice and I already own the SS tray and two YS01 strobes.

DIY -
http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/strobes-lighting/318682-what-h-ikelite.html

or maybe
Ultralight TR-DM Digital Tray for Ikelite / Fisheye / Seatool housings #TR-DM

 

[Gilligan]

Does anyone know if there is a way to mount a Sea & Sea tray to the Ike housing?

As stated Ikelite uses two mounting screws on their housings versus one on most other brands. Even the Ike threads are a different size (larger) from the tripod "standard".

My generic tray as shown below came with a center slot for the most common center tripod mount along with two other slots that would probably fit the span of the two Ikelite mounts BUT the slots are not big enough to accommodate the larger Ikelite mounting screws and would have to be enlarged.

Bottom line IMO is if you buy an Ike housing then buy an Ike tray/handle.

 

[Grotius]

Go with a canon S95 in a canon housing and don't worry about a strobe. Camera is $369, housing is $180. That leaves some money for a strobe. A strobe is much more important than add on lenses

I have a canon g9. I have had both the ikelite and canon case. I have decided to try to sell my g9 and opt for a s95 instead due to size. I will use my s95 for teaching and travel. I have a 7d in an ikelite case for the dive only trips. I can tell you that the ikelite g9 case is very very heavy. Especially with all the lenses. One thing to consider is case service. I will be buying an Ike case for the s95 because Ike will service all their equipment even after the camera is out dated. That's my 2cents

Thanks for all of your answers. I am really convienced to buy the canon S95 (or S90?)

4. The S95 in a Canon housing is not as impaired by the lens tunnel and therefore can be used without an external strobe.

Does the same count for the Canon s90?

Actually, the size difference is not that much for the S95 housing between canon and ikelite

.

However, if you plan on adding wet mount lenses at a later time the Ike housing comes with a 67mm threaded lens port and IMO is better suited for that.

Because of the weight i will not plan adding wet mount lenses (first a strobe). This is why i will buy the Canon Housing.

If you add a strobe, you will be way over budget. You can photograph many close subjects with the internal camera strobe if it is in the canon case -- just remember to use the strobe diffuser. If you add a strobe, the budget is shot. But an Inon S2000 would be a nice partner to the camera -- small, light and yet quite good

I found a canon s90 with canon housing for a good price. If i am correct the main difference between the S90 and the S95 is the abillity to film HD. I do not plan to film HD.

So if this is correct i will buy the s90 and still have budget left for a ligthweight strobe (like the Inon S2000 you suggested).

 

[jbb]

I have both the G11 and S90 canons and if i were to do it over i would probably go the S90/95 route as the camera is so easy to carry in a pocket top side - the g series is a brick in your pocket. If you don't have the camera with you, you can't take the photo. However I would miss using the g11 for topside macro as the S just can't get close enough but things even out underwater with wet lenses.