Buying a used set up or buy individual pieces and parts?

[Rogersea]

Hello,

I have a quick question. I am about to get back into UW Photography and had thought about purchasing a used Camera/housing/strobe(s), but as I am doing my research and see the cost of new cameras on ebay, it appears to me that I might do better in the long run by buying a new set up over a period of 6 months... I am looking at buying a new 50D off ebay and then buying the appropriate IKELITE housing to get started.. then in a couple of months buying the strobe(s) Any comments on buying used or slowly putting a set together?? Thanks

 

[jdcpa]

If you buy new, you get the latest equipment and the associated warranty.

I think you will find B&H to be as cheap on a 50D as Ebay sellers. Watch to make sure you buy US warranty equipment on Ebay.

Canon will likely have their spring rebates very soon.

 

[M_Bipartitus]

You may want to consider comparisons between 50D and 40D. If I recall the 40D had better high ISO performance, with could help underwater. You may be able to find a deal on a 40D setup.
The 40D can use a 50D Ikelite case, and a 40D ikelite housing can be upgraded to a 50D housing.

Also, the DS-125 strobes are a good deal these days as the DS-160 has come out. As far as I'm concerned the feature difference isn't enough for me to buy new for these strobes.

A final thought: Remember that many used packages come with stuff that can add up, like strobe-sync cables, arms, extra batteries, and/or extra o-rings. I spent a few hundred getting these "little" accessories after thinking I had everything I needed.