Canon S90 Housing Dilemma

[babydoll]

After a long debate between S90 and G11, I've finally decided to get a Canon S90 to replace my current Lumix. In preparation for my dive trip next month, I'm looking at underwater housing choices. This is my first Canon. I read some reviews saying that the canon housing has leaking problems around the O-ring. Is that true?

I'm debating between the Canon housing and Ikelite housing. The Canon housing is much cheaper than the Ikelite one (money is definitely an issue, so FIX is out of the question for sure). I'm just an amateur taking photos underwater, so don't need too many fancy functions. However, I am concerned about the leaking problem that I've heard of. If it is the case, I'd rather spend more money on a more expensive housing to make sure my camera is safe.

Any input on this? Thanks!

 

[jd950]

I have never had an Ike housing, so I can't say much about them,. I have had several Canon housings and never had one leak or flood, but anything is possible and any housing can flood. I am familiar with the discussions you mentioned and personally would not worry much about the issue. If you look you can find examples of defective, or supposedly defective products from most housing makers. I definitely would not choose one brand over the other based upon a fear of flooding.

Other than a greater depth rating, I see no benefit to the Ike housing, and would get the Canon, but others would disagree. For a comparison of the two housings, this may be useful:

Canon S90 Underwater Housings - Ikelite & Fisheye|Underwater Photography Guide

 

[mitsuguy]

I have had my S90 in the DC35 housing well past recreational depths (165 ft) with no leakage and no issue taking pictures and using all of the buttons...

Might add that I just threw in a UWL100 Inon lens into the mix with the AD Mount adapted, and it is an amazing lens and a perfect setup for wide angle u/w photography

 

[skynscuba]

I have had my S90 in the DC35 housing well past recreational depths (165 ft) with no leakage and no issue taking pictures and using all of the buttons...

Might add that I just threw in a UWL100 Inon lens into the mix with the AD Mount adapted, and it is an amazing lens and a perfect setup for wide angle u/w photography

Regarding the wide angle lens:

Which Inon, the 28AD? Any problem with vignetting? Do you have to zoom it at all, or can you use it full wide (28mm)?

 

[mitsuguy]

Regarding the wide angle lens:

Which Inon, the 28AD? Any problem with vignetting? Do you have to zoom it at all, or can you use it full wide (28mm)?

Inon 28AD mount adapter, with Inon UWL100-28AD lens, no dome adapter (yet)

no vignetting, full wide angle... (there actually might be a hair of a shadow upper right corner, but its definitely not there on every picture, so I think that is only in this shot)

lemme find a photo that was unaltered so you can see...

alright, attached photo has been white balanced and resized, but no other cropping or modifications made...

 

[skynscuba]

Inon 28AD mount adapter, with Inon UWL100-28AD lens, no dome adapter (yet)

Do you have the hood on the lens? Do you consider a hood for the UWL-100 28AD useful/necessary/not so important/ ?

 

[dogdrjohn]

I have been using my S90/WP-DC35 here in Dauin Philippines and no problems. Canon housing is definitely better with internal flash than Ikelite. I tried my buddy's INON UFL-165AD today. Of course it vignetted at 28mm, but zoomed to 35mm revealed NO vignetting, or at least almost none. I haven't loaded the pictures on the computer to check out corner focus yet. At 35mm zoom, the 165AD should be at it's native lens opening so should provide nearly complete 165 degree field of view, much more that the 100AD28 unless that lens has the heavy and expensive dome. Buy it, I think you will be satisfied.

 

[ozziworld]

dogdrjohn,

Did you use the UFL-165AD on the 28AD adapter? How did you mount the UFL 165AD Lends on the WP-DC35 ? Would be so interested in seeing your photos from that set-up. Would you be so kind as to post some photos with that set-up?

 

[Diane V]

I have never had an Ike housing, so I can't say much about them,. I have had several Canon housings and never had one leak or flood, but anything is possible and any housing can flood. I am familiar with the discussions you mentioned and personally would not worry much about the issue. If you look you can find examples of defective, or supposedly defective products from most housing makers. I definitely would not choose one brand over the other based upon a fear of flooding.

Other than a greater depth rating, I see no benefit to the Ike housing, and would get the Canon, but others would disagree. For a comparison of the two housings, this may be useful:

Canon S90 Underwater Housings - Ikelite & Fisheye|Underwater Photography Guide

I too am trying to decide between Canon and Ike housings. I have had both and the Canon was definitely a better fit and smaller in the hand. I checked the the above sie and it is very helpful. Thanks. Only question is there a dealer for the attachment adapter in the US?

 

[jd950]

Reef Photo sells the Inon adapter

Inon Optical D Cable SS (L Type)/Cap W51 Set for WP-DC35 [ino.45621243574] - $90.00 : Reef Photo & Video!, The Underwater Photo Pros

and although not listed on their website, I believe Backscatter does or will, as well. I suspect there are others, but these are the two U.S. sources that I know of.

They can also be purchased from overseas sellers like divervision and uwdigitalcamera.