Canon PowerShot 650IS + Strobe

[ensiferum]

First of all thanks for the forum, lot's of great information here.

Then the actual problem question.

I'm looking to purchase a strobe for my camera. My camera is Canon PowerShot 650IS and housing is Canon WP-DC18. After carefully trying to piece together some kind of compatibility map of all the items needed with my very limited knowledge of the subject I settled with INON D2000 and INON Grip Base 4. So far so good... but then I noticed that it doesn't seem like there's an optical cable available for this configuration. According to INON website the only option is to get Wireless Kit that will work using mirrors. But I wonder how good will this be? I guess it will only work with the Grip Base4 with the Z-joint but having any other joint like a ball joint or whatever for the strobe would render this mirror mechanism useless.

So I'm trying to look for other options that would work but it feels like perusing all the lists and specs of different components and their compatibilities is an endless swamp for a newbiew like myself.

Can anyone give hints which strobes and arms would work nicely with the said camera + housing? Or point to any sites that would have this information?

Are there any universal things that are truly universal and will work? I see some Strobe kits advertised with stuff like "works with all major models, Canon, NIKON etc" do they really? I bet there are some exceptions and I'm quite sure my camera would be one of those.. (it always is this way..)

What are adapter bases and would I need one?

What are optical caps and would I need one?

This really is a lot of work. Why can't the manufacturers have a search function where you simply select your camera + housing and it lists all compatible models as you go along. Would be too easy I guess?

Thanks

 

[smellzlikefish]

I am unfamiliar with Inon strobes, but I shoot an A650IS with external strobe unit underwater and LOVE it. I went with the Fantasea lineup and was relatively happy with the results. Their base is kind of a one-size-fits-all as is their optical cable system. I feel your pain with the compatibility of this model camera, though. Try finding an underwater wide angle lens for it...

They have two types of strobes; the nano and the remora. I just lost my nano last weekend after two years of reliable service when the screw holding it to the strobe-arm backed out underwater. My only complaints were that its battery life was often too short for a full night dive- a result of using only two AAA batteries. Also, since I went with the base model, it wasn't really useful past 3-ish feet. I imagine the remora is a little more powerful in this regard.

When looking at strobes, I had a similar reaction to the mirror thing. I just don't trust it.

 

[flareside]

Regarding the strobe sync problem, check with Jack at opticaloceansales. He shows some sync cords on his site that just might do the trick.

 

[Splash-X]

I use a Canon a650IS with the Canon WP-DC18 housing. I myself use a Sea & Sea YS-27DX strobe with a sync cable.

I don't use the Canon diffuser, I use the mask kit that comes with the strobe and attach it similar to how this photo depicts below. There is a gromet connector that can be placed in mask to provide a "hookup":

The picture came from the following thread:

http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/strobes-lighting/228242-what-do-i-use-setup-a650-strobe.html


The Sea & Sea strobes come with the mask kit but not all strobes do.

I'm happy with the way my photos turn out and my setup. My next jump will perhaps be for the G11 or G12 and a Fisheye or Wide Angle Lense ONLY for the wide angle aspect.