Canon S95 lenses & Housing

[kfreckles]

Please forgive me if this has been answered somewhere else - this is my first post.

I'm looking at buying the S95 with either:
Ikelite 6242.95
Canon DC-38

My difficulty in deciding is that Ive been told I don't need strobe for Maldives, and read on this forum that Canon housing is best without strobe. However I recognise I may change my mind and therefore want to add a strobe.

Q1: Is the Ikelite better set up to add strobe? Is this because canon isn't really designed for this?

Next I'm really struggling to understand what lens are compatible with these. Ive read Ikelite has 67mm thread, but cant find any info on Canon

Q2: What thread/compatibility does canon housing have with lens

Q3: What lens/house combo would you recommend for snorkeller (possible future diver) who loves taking pics. Not sure If I should be getting wide angle or macro?

Problem with snorkelling is to get up close you have to dive towards subject matter at some speed (rather than approaching slowly as a diver), therefore you scare the fish etc away (hence I might not want to buy macro lens)? Which brings me onto my next question.....

Q4: Is there any possible why of achieving neutral buoyancy as a snorkeler and approaching fish gently, rather than diving towards them with a camera, and then immediately floating back to the surface before the shutter has released?

Maybe I should just book that open water course....
Many thanks

 

[jhayes75]

It is my understanding that you cannot add any lens to the Canon housing. Some are complaining about the Ikelite, but I find no issues and I use a strobe.

 

[flareside]

Maybe I should just book that open water course....

Definite yes on that one. (And if you have time, squeeze in the Advanced course too!)


As far as adding lenses check http://inonnews.blogspot.com/2010/12/accessory-for-canon-powershot-s95.html. The lens attachment uses a bayonet mount which is far easier underwater than the threaded mounts. See also places like reef photo and backscatter for more information on the mount and lenses.

 

[kfreckles]

It is my understanding that you cannot add any lens to the Canon housing.

Thanks. If that's the case then it would definitely be the ikelite for me.

 

[kfreckles]

Just spotted this mount for attaching lenses to canon:
UWdigitalcamera.com :: Conversion lens :: INON 28LD :: INON 28LD Lens mount base for Canon WP-DC38

 

[Lars_N]

If you use the internal flash and the flash diffusor that comes with the UW housing according to the manual I agree that the Canon is better than the Ikelite. On the Ikelite housing the diffusor is placed against the camera housing itself and if you consider the diffusor as the light source you can imagine that the port (with the lens inside) will create a shadow if you shoot macro. On the Canon the diffusor is placed close to the end of the lens port, i.e. away from the camera housing so the light source is closer to the subject and hence the shadow will be much smaller. I have the Ikelite housing (for a Canon S90) and I solved this shadow issue by increasing the cut out part in the diffusor and placed the diffusor in the groove on the port which is much closer to the port end.

Q1: There is no difference in the ability to use an external flash for the two housings. There is a difference in the choice of arms however arms are easily available for both housings. As you are in the UK you can e.g. use Cameras Underwater.

Q2: The Canon does not have a direct connection for extenal lenses but lens adapters are available. I even believe you can choose between different connection types (thread or bayonet) but not sure here.

Q3: The lens choice depends on what you want to shoot. In case you do not know I would recommend to start without lenses. The S95 has both a fair wide angle and fair macro feature. In case you do want a lens I think the macro lens is easier to use than a wide angle is.

Q4: When I am snorkling I am also rather positive bouyant so I use weights so I am slightly positive bouyant with the lungs air filled. I have either brought my own weights or lent / rented it in the local diving center.

And yes, if you want to shoot UW pictures you should book that open water course

 

[slowhands]

...
I'm looking at buying the S95 with either:
Ikelite 6242.95
Canon DC-38

My difficulty in deciding is that Ive been told I don't need strobe for Maldives, and read on this forum that Canon housing is best without strobe. However I recognize I may change my mind and therefore want to add a strobe.

Q1: Is the Ikelite better set up to add strobe? Is this because canon isn't really designed for this?

Since you will be snorkeling near the surface in bright light, you probably don't need a strobe, but if you go deeper it's nice to have. I'd skip it at first, honestly.

Both housings allow adding strobes. The strobe triggers by sensing the camera's flash. Ikelite recommends their AF35, which is expensive and probably too low powered for the typical distance you will be from your subject as a snorkeler. It also false triggers if you aim it up at the sun, a nuisance. Pass.

A better choice would be a Sea&Sea YS-01 or Inon S2000, with optical fiber cord to trigger it. This has a lot more power and you can be farther from your subject.

To add any strobe, you need a "tray" to attach the camera and strobe together. Another expense. My sense is you are better off on your first trip with just the camera and housing, skipping the expense and bulk of a strobe and tray.

Next I'm really struggling to understand what lens are compatible with these. Ive read Ikelite has 67mm thread, but cant find any info on Canon

Q2: What thread/compatibility does canon housing have with lens

I'm not sure you want to bother with an add on lens at first, but here's the scoop. Ikelite has a port with M67 threads, pretty universal for adding many wet lenses. The Canon has no provision for add-on lenses by itself, but there is a $64 (GBP40?) M67 adapter from Dyron that allows the same ability. Then you can add M67 wide or macro lenses to taste.
Canon WP-DC38 for PowerShot S95 camera. Cameras Underwater.
Dyron 67mm Adapter for Canon S95 Housing | Bluewater Photo & Video

Q3: What lens/house combo would you recommend for snorkeller (possible future diver) who loves taking pics. Not sure If I should be getting wide angle or macro?

Problem with snorkeling is to get up close you have to dive towards subject matter at some speed (rather than approaching slowly as a diver), therefore you scare the fish etc away (hence I might not want to buy macro lens)? Which brings me onto my next question.....

This is a religious debate. Some say you should not even think about diving without a $1000 super mega wide angle lens hung off your camera. Balderdash. Keep it simple.
You just need to hang out at the surface and zoom close to your fish friends. The camera will do fine, without any extra gadgets. If you can hold your breath and get closer, that's better as long as you don't scare away your subjects.

Q4: Is there any possible why of achieving neutral buoyancy as a snorkeler and approaching fish gently, rather than diving towards them with a camera, and then immediately floating back to the surface before the shutter has released?

Sure, wear a weight belt, but how much weight to add depends on your body density and your wetsuit. If you are thin, and have no wetsuit, maybe you need a weight belt with only 2-4 kg on it. Experiment to find neutral buoyancy, your dive guide should help with that.

I always wear a skinsuit, very thin 0.5mm wetsuit (because of jellies bits stinging and sunburn) and I'm heavy, so I need more weight for the suit and my body weight. So it varies from person to person. Just ask your dive guide for help with this. That's his or her job.

Also, use sunblock on your back, neck, back of legs a lot. The sun will hurt you badly and you won't know because the water is cool. That's another reason for a wetsuit, but still add sunblock to exposed areas like back of neck, calves, ankles.

As for taking the open water course, sure. Then diving deeper is a real delight. You'll also learn a lot about safety and be able to enjoy the water more. You really need to learn how to equalize your ears, how to surface if there might be prop boats around, how to relieve jelly stings, why to avoid cone snails and stone fish, all sorts of important stuff. Might even save your life one day. Well worth it.

 

[kfreckles]

Thank you so much for all your really informative helpful replies. I think I will leave the strobes and probably the lenses off for now and just stick with the basic camera and housing and a weight belt!

I can't wait to try it all out

 

[Hatul]

I don't think you should be thinking of an underwater camera if you're not certified. It takes a fair amount of skill to manage a camera and maintain buoyancy without breaking coral.

Adam

 

[veli141]

I am going to Maldives end of April and I bought canon wpc 38 with inon s 2000. I wanted to buy also a Inon uwl-h 100 28 ld wide lens and inon 28ld mounthbase dc 38, but I cant find them in europe.
I dont scuba dive I just snorkeling