Question Ikelite set-up - Sony A7 IV - Opportunity

[Thibaut27]

Hi folks,

I've managed to secure a potential deal to acquire a nearly complete Ikelite set-up for a Sony A7IV for 2,800 EUR. This set up would require that I send back my newly purchased Sony A7C II for the Sony A7IV but it's only a 300 EUR delta whilst potentially saving up 3,000-3,500 EUR on the Ikelite set up.

Deal is the following piece of gear for 2,800 EUR. Would love to get confirmation that it's worth it for that price from folks that have already bought used gear and if so, I am meeting the seller on Saturday so would love any tips of what needs to be checked out when buying one of these set ups as used. Will be hard to test waterproofing remains efficient as we'll meet at the airport (I intend to ask for a video beforehand).

Finally it appears to me that the only missing piece for me to add will be flashes - any tips as to how to complete this set up? Will be my first set up, but seems to me like a good one to evolve into. Looking to do both video and photos, would love recommendations on which strobe to go for.

1 x 200DL Underwater Housing for Sony A7IV and A7RV Mirrorless Digital Cameras - 71479
1 x Right handle - 4077.02
1 x Flat Port - 75301
1 x DL 20mm Port Extension - 75020
1 x DL 42mm Port Extension - 75042
1 x TTL Converter SONY DSLR (ST1+B1A) - 46045
1 x Manual flash grip - 46071
2 x Wide Angle Ball Arm - 4080.06
1 x pump - 47011
1 x Joint for housing Ikelite compact - 0132.45
1 x Joint 013259 pour back of housing - 0132.59
1 x Trigger Extension Ikelite V2 - 4077.95
1 x Dome 8'' DL - 75340
1 x TTL cable - 45151
1 x Synchronisation cable for double Ikelite flash - 45152
4 x O-RING F/BATTERY DOOR F/DS-125 - 0132.36
3 x IKELITE VIDEO O-RING (CLR MOLDED ALUM FRNT) - IK0132.59
1 x IKELITE THUMB SCREWS FOR DL PORTS (SET OF 3 - IK9249.7)
5 x IKELITE O-RING F/ULTRA COMPCT DIGI CAMERA H - IK0132.45
2 x IKELITE O-RING F/SPD - IK0136.13
1 x IKELITE O RING KIT FOR PUSH BUTTONS - IK620103
1 x IKELITE UPDATE KIT SONY A7R V - IKUKSAR7V

 

[TostitoBandito]

That looks to be basically an entire kit, with the exception of strobes as you mentioned and also possibly a port extension or two depending on your lens choices. Price seems fine, though not necessarily great for a second-hand housing. The useful big ticket items in there are the housing, port extensions, ports, sync cords, and TTL converter, totaling probably somewhere around 3500-4000 Euro MSRP new. Plus another 500-1000 Euro worth of spares and accessories that you may or may not care about. I'm personally not a fan of Ikelite's arms/clamps and much prefer ULCS.

You should look for corrosion/discoloration on the metal buttons which can indicate lack of rinsing/maintenance, and test every button and dial to make sure it moves smoothly. O-rings can be cheaply replaced, so focus on looking for any damage in the plastics of the housing or ports. Make sure the dome doesn't have a bunch of scratches in it. Take a camera with you and test the sync cords and TTL converter with an Ikelite strobe if possible. As for waterproofing and whatnot, I'd advise you to send the main housing to Ikelite for them to do a routine service on after you get it regardless of what it looks like. They'll replace any button o-rings or other wear items that need attention, and test everything. Then when you get it back they'll tell you to dive it without a camera once just to make sure, which you can choose whether or not to do.

If you get this, you're more or less committed to getting Ikelite strobes unless you want to spend more to buy fiber optic converters/bulkheads. In the Ikelite range I'd suggest looking at the DS165, DS230, or DS232 depending on your budget and needs. If you want to shoot a lot of video you'll probably also need a separate set of video lights unless you get a strobe with a video light like the DS232 and 2500 lumens is enough for you. I'd personally suggest focusing on either stills or video and setting up for that accordingly, instead of trying to do both and having to make a bunch of compromises or end up with a massive rig with multiple sets of lights.