Upgrade to Canon G12 and Ikelite housing & strobe TTL set-up, advise required?

[daisythecat]

I currently have a powershot A650 with a sea & sea YS 110 strobe (fiber optic link)

I want to upgrade to a TTL set-up but i'm not sure which one to go for, especialy as it's a bit on the expensive side.

I'm thinking that if i'm going to get one I my as well get a good one. I'm thinking about the Canon G12 with an Ikelite housing and a Ikelite DS 160 strobe

Anyone have any sugestion's OR view's on my G12/Ikelite thoughts.

Any advice , thoughts & views are very much welcomed

Daisy

 

[Interceptor121]

I would buy an S100, in terms of housing the ikelite in my opinion offer little more than the canon

 

[Cumbo]

I have G12 in Canon housing. This means my wideangle options are limited, but I've decided I can live with it for now. I considered Ikelite housing as well, but abandoned it, because it would've been HUGE and really HEAVY. Canon housing was inexpensive and light.

Why not Inon strobe instead of the Ikelite strobe? They are lighter.

 

[azscubadude]

I'm thinking about the Canon G12 with an Ikelite housing and a Ikelite DS 160 strobe

If you can afford just a bit more get the Ikelite DS-161 strobe (or strobes) since the G-12 has 720 HD video you will have a great flash and video lights to boot.

Here are some still shots using the G-12 and DS-161's as strobes.. Cozumel-March-2011 - Prescott Outdoors

Here are a couple videos using the DS-161's as video lights.. Dive Video - Prescott Outdoors (night dive).
and Dive Video - Prescott Outdoors (some night, some daytime but video lights still on to bring out color).

 

[daisythecat]

Your pics & videos are great and were a big help to making my mind up

Really colorful - had though about the 161 strobe but don't usually take many videos but I suupose this would give me the option - I may review my budget

Daisy

 

[coralgirl]

Have you try thr fantasea line for canon g12? Look up their website, the have mount for canon g12 housing to 67mm adapter. With this adapter you can use their bigeyes for wide angle or sharpeyes for macro shoots.

But you can also use other brand for macro wetlens

 

[boggie708]

I upgraded to G12, Ikelite housing and DS-51 strobe from a compact camera. G12 was recommended as the best in advanced compact, see Underwater Camera Articles: Best Underwater Point & Shoot Cameras for 2011. I did one trip with my new gear - I was afraid that the housing is too heavy and huge, but I got quickly used to it and it is quite handy underwater. I mounted the camera on the tray so I carry it in the right hand, using the left hand to adjust the strobe. I would consider getting a dual tray for possible extension to the second strobe and convenience.

 

[Interceptor121]

The fantasea dome is not a wide angle lens is just a port to restore the air field of view. In that respect for underwater purposes it is just too narrow at 75 degrees

The fact is that the G12 is only a choice if you are going to spend big bucks on a fix or recsea housing so that you can have proper wide angle lens. With a plastic housing (no difference between canon and ikelite and no reason to buy an ikelite really) you are pretty much limited to macro

For entry level purposes and a set up that can expand the S95/S100 is a better choice and offers more in terms of wide angle lens. Even with the canon plastic housing for the S95/S100 there is not vignetting with the Inon LD series or even the Epoque DCL30.
The G12 is the last camera of that series, now canon goes on G1X for macro four thirds so I would not consider that camera for a purchase considering that is also bulky and offers very little more than an S100

Right now the S100 is the canon go to option

in terms of strobe nothing can beat the Sea and Sea YS-01 in terms of feature, robustness and price

Have you try thr fantasea line for canon g12? Look up their website, the have mount for canon g12 housing to 67mm adapter. With this adapter you can use their bigeyes for wide angle or sharpeyes for macro shoots.

But you can also use other brand for macro wetlens

 

[NautilusCairns]

The fantasea dome is not a wide angle lens is just a port to restore the air field of view. In that respect for underwater purposes it is just too narrow at 75 degrees

The fact is that the G12 is only a choice if you are going to spend big bucks on a fix or recsea housing so that you can have proper wide angle lens. With a plastic housing (no difference between canon and ikelite and no reason to buy an ikelite really) you are pretty much limited to macro

For entry level purposes and a set up that can expand the S95/S100 is a better choice and offers more in terms of wide angle lens. Even with the canon plastic housing for the S95/S100 there is not vignetting with the Inon LD series or even the Epoque DCL30.
The G12 is the last camera of that series, now canon goes on G1X for macro four thirds so I would not consider that camera for a purchase considering that is also bulky and offers very little more than an S100

Right now the S100 is the canon go to option

in terms of strobe nothing can beat the Sea and Sea YS-01 in terms of feature, robustness and price

One advantage of the Ikelite is the 60 metre rating over the Canon's 40 metre. Just got back from Truk Lagoon where my friend's Canon housing would seize at 41 metres. We did a number of dives below 40 metres. On our return he bought an S100 and Ikelite housing. He will swap over the YS-01 strobe to the new rig. No problems with my S95 Recsea of course!!

 

[Interceptor121]

If you happen to go diving below 40 and wanting to take a picture (I wonder how good would that look??) then you have a point
But also now he has spent nearly the same of a recsea and still no access to the rear dial...spend more to spend less huh?

One advantage of the Ikelite is the 60 metre rating over the Canon's 40 metre. Just got back from Truk Lagoon where my friend's Canon housing would seize at 41 metres. We did a number of dives below 40 metres. On our return he bought an S100 and Ikelite housing. He will swap over the YS-01 strobe to the new rig. No problems with my S95 Recsea of course!!