Canon 40D Housing Suggestions?

[KLETCO]

I am upgrading from a point and shoot (specifically: Canon A95, Inon D-2000, Inon Z-240, UFL-165AD Fisheye, Dual UCL-165AD macro lenses).

So far, I have already purchased the Canon 40D with the EF-S 17-85mm and EF 100mm macro lenses. I am looking to buy a wide angle lens to compliment the lenses I already have. Based on the fact that I will want to use the lens on land too, I am considering buying the Canon EFS 10-22mm lens. I am open to suggestions on this.

The difficult part I am really struggling with now is what housing to buy. I really like the Aquatica housing but to purchase everything I need (housing, dome port, macro port, zoom gears, and all the minor accessories) it is going to cost a small fortune. I am willing to part with the money if I know that it will enable me to step up to the next level in UW photography but I think it is best to ask people with far more experience as to their opinion. So, based on the lenses I am looking to use and the Canon 40D, what suggestions do you have for housings?

 

[txdano]

I am no expert, and only have experience with Canon and Ikelite housings. But for the money and quality, I have been very impressed with the Ikelite stuff. I use a 400D underwater with the 100mm and 17-40mm. If I was to do it all over again, I think I would have gone with the 10-22 lens and port instead of the 17-40.

 

[bigfrog23]

i use a an aquatica housing for my 30d and love its i am very happy with it and will be buying a new one when i up grade in the future. they are a very solidly built housing i am fairly ruff on the housing because of some of the entries we have to do it gets banged around a lot. long and short is that i love the housing and would highly recommend there housing to any one considering a SLR housing

 

[KLETCO]

Wow, you are even using the lenses that I have... hm... That makes an even more compelling arguement. If you don't mind me asking, approximately what did it set you back and where did you purchase it from? Just from my research on B&H, it looks like it is going to run somewhere around $5K for the housing, dome port, macro port, gears, and other related stuff. I mean, I really have LOVED the pictures I have gotten with my little A95 P&S and I am SURE I will love this even more but that is a lot of cash... I guess I just want to make sure I get a good deal and I am not going overboard.

 

[jdcpa]

An Ikelite setup of housing, dome port, macro, gears(????) should not cost near $5,000.

Throw in 2 Ds-125's and the camera and then you get there.

I use an Ikelite on a 30D and 40D and love them. Also Ikelite for an A620 and A640.

There are a lot of good housings out there. You will probably like everyone of them. Each has their plusses and minuses.

 

[fisheyeview]

You should talk to the gang at Reef Photo. www.reefphoto.com

 

[KLETCO]

Yeah, probably a good idea to get in touch with someone who really knows how to setup what I want.

In the meantime, anybody have any other opinions?

 

[Gudge]

I have a Subal housing for my 40D, a great housing if you can afford it. The other housings I would look are the Seatool and Sea & Sea 40D housings.

 

[peterbj7]

I haven't heard this for a while, but it used to be the case that perspex housings like Ikelite's developed fatigue cracks after a while. Can anyone positively confirm that they solved that problem?

That said, I'd look at the various cast metal housings around. I'd also go for one with electronic controls as they can control the whole camera, not just the basics. It is ESSENTIAL though that these housings don't leak.

You need to find what lenses you can use inside any housing you're tempted by, both for physical constraints as well as optical. I'd always be inclined towards a prime rather than a zoom. And whether things like IS and autofocus can be controlled from the housing, or whether you have to turn them off.

 

[H2O Photo Pros]

The 40D is an excellent camera and there are a lot of housing options. The Ikelite housing is great for the price. The Aquatica and Sea & Sea are similarly priced and the overall best bang for the buck. Seatool will give you the most compact of any SLR system and is just a hair over the S&S and Aquatica systems. Subal is the Rolls Royce and is great, but will cost you both arms and legs.

As for a wide angle lens, the 10-22 is great. The Tokina 10-17 is an excellent lens, especially for the price. It quickly became the one of the favorites for cropped sensored cameras like the 40D and D300.

If you need any details, feel free to PM us.