Canon Powershot G12 Housing ?? No good? Do I need a strobe? Help please!

[frankrom]

Hi Guys,

I purchased a powershot g12 and I hear the canon housing when taking close up photos (macro mode) there is a blackspot in the bottom right of the photo...

This is what a guy said in another one of my posts...

"You will get a shadow covering the lower right corner of your pics unless you use a strobe. The port on the Canon housing blocks the output from your on board flash."

So I have a few questions...

1) I was wondering if this is accurate... if anyone who has used it can tell me if It is worth getting this housing or not
2) If that housing is no good can anyone tell me which housing you would recommend for the G12?
3) Also is it cheaper to use the canon housing and just buy a strobe? or can i just get a new housing?

I have this trip to cozumel coming up in October and I need to get my stuff together before then! please help!

Thanks guys!

 

[cardog]

I posted a pic of what I was talking about in the original forum.
Surprisingly, I do know what I am talking about.....
It doesn't matter which housing you use. It's the lens on the G series cameras that is the problem.....

 

[frankrom]

Cardog, I am new to this sorry.

I thought you were saying the housing is the cause of that... So that happens no matter what housing? only when you are taking very close up photos?

 

[charlesml3]

Well yea. That and the fact that you really need an external strobe to get good photos. That tiny flash on the camera is well near useless on land, let alone in the water. It's weak and in the wrong location. Believe me, I tried several times to get good photos and although I'd get lucky every now and then, most were ruined by backscatter.

A single external strobe will make a huge difference in your shots.

Cozumel 2011 - a set on Flickr

 

[frankrom]

Well yea. That and the fact that you really need an external strobe to get good photos. That tiny flash on the camera is well near useless on land, let alone in the water. It's weak and in the wrong location. Believe me, I tried several times to get good photos and although I'd get lucky every now and then, most were ruined by backscatter.

A single external strobe will make a huge difference in your shots.

Cozumel 2011 - a set on Flickr

can you recommend a half decent strobe that will get the job done and ensure good photos? I dont want to spend a ton as I wont get much use out of it before it will be time for an upgrade.

 

[frankrom]

damn charlesml3 those are awesome photos!

 

[cardog]

can you recommend a half decent strobe that will get the job done and ensure good photos? I dont want to spend a ton as I wont get much use out of it before it will be time for an upgrade.

I would look at three. The Sea & Sea YS-01 and YS-02, and the Inon S 2000 (strobe in the above pic) All are under 500 and you will also need a tray and arm to mount the strobe.

 

[cardog]

Cardog, I am new to this sorry.

I thought you were saying the housing is the cause of that... So that happens no matter what housing? only when you are taking very close up photos?

Yes but when you move away from your subject underwater the on board flash is too weak to be useful.

 

[frankrom]

Cardog - I see what you were getting at... Again I am new so sorry if I am not picking up on this stuff to quick... you guys are being very helpful though.

This brings me to my next question. Strobes are not dependant on the housing right? I should be able to use any strobe with any housing? Also you made mention to a tray and arm... I notice that with this ikelite housing... it has a spot to put the strobe on the housing... where as the housing I have which is the canon one... just encloses your camera doesn't have a spot for the strobe.

 

[frankrom]

Oh I forgot ... I wanted to add... I would also like the ability to do video as well... not just photos... can id o that with the The Sea & Sea YS-01 and YS-02, and the Inon S 2000 ??

something like this I guess?
http://www.amazon.com/Sea-YS-02-Str...PXZ6/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1316026897&sr=8-1