Cocos Island Trip - Camera advice needed (A80)

[NTSilver]

My husband and I are going to the Cocos Islands in May (Undersea Hunter). My first and only adventure with u/w photography was in Turks and Caicos in Oct 2006. I used the Canon Housing for my Canon A80. At that time, my instructor advised that my next purchase should be an external strobe. I have done some research but frankly have not found anything that says "you need to buy x and y for your camera."

I would appreciate any help you can offer with the following:
1. Do I need the plate for the bottom of the housing no matter what strobe I get?
2. When I buy a strobe does the cord and arms come with it or do I need to purchase separately? Do you prefer one brand over another?
3. For Cocos, should I get some sort of cord that attaches the camera to me (currently all I have is the wrist strap that came with the Canon housing)
4. Since there are big critters in Cocos, should I conside some sort of WAL, or just stick with what the camera has to offer (in T&C we discussed the macro aspect of u/w photography but I don't believe I will be concentrating on macro in Cocos)
5. I am really not looking to spend thousands of dollars -- am interested in something that will help me take nicer photos than I did the first time (and possibly something that can be "added to" as my skill level increases)

Thanks in advance you your assistance.

Nonie

 

[EvaL]

Hi. I'm new to digital UW photography, so my suggestion is low end, but I have found this setup ideal for more challenging dive conditions as it requires very few adjustments. I have a Canon A520 with housing and got a Sealife SL960D for under $300 at Scubatoys a year ago:
http://www.scubatoys.com/store/detail.asp?product_id=SL960D
It is a slave strobe with mounting base and the strobe is triggered via an optical cable (included) that you tape on end in front of the flash on the housing (just remember to bring a short strip of duct tape on your trip). The strobe is fairly powerful and intensity can be controlled by adjusting a knob behind the strobe. It uses 4AA batteries and I have taken over 70-80 shots before each re-charge. I also got a diffuser for closer shots.
Mention you're on Scubaboard and you can get 10% off from scubatoys (great diveshop).
Enjoy your trip to the Cocos and dive safely.

 

[alcina]

1 - yes, unless you want to hand hold your strobe. I've done this and it's fine if you are using a strobe with a remote sensor, not a cable, but it is a total PITA and I wouldn't recommend it.

2- Maybe. Depends on which brand and which package. Many people get the strobe head from one manufacturer (Inon for example) and the arms/tray from another (ULCS for example). There are endless permutations. Contact www.reefphoto.com or ryan@reefphoto.com for options that will suit your needs and system.

3 - I always have the wrist strap on. I also have a metal ring on the housing/tray that can attach to a brass clip on my bcd if I need to go hands free for any reason.

4 - If you have the cash and the patience, then, yes, get the WAL if it fits your housing (check first!) This will let you get closer the big animals but get more of the big animal in the frame. Closer is better underwater as there is less water between you and the subject so you should end up with a sharper image. Lighting can be tricker with a WAL - depending on the expected content of the dive, you might want to simply shoot natural light with your WAL and not haul the strobe around.

5 - Practice is going to be the number one determining factor on getting better photos, after dive skills. But I assume since you are heading to Cocos that your diving skills are already A1. Adding more gear is going to increase your task loading and give you more to learn on the fly. So get any gear you are thinking of for your trip as early as possible and practice with it - in the pool, the local quarry, in your bathtub - wherever. Just practice.

Both the strobe and the WAL will give you room to grow in your skills. The strobe is probably, imho, the better bet - except you'll really like the WA for where you are going!

 

[NTSilver]

Thanks for your replies. I was planning to go to the local dive shop and get some one on one pool time/instruction prior to the trip, but wanted to get the gear first.