Confused about WA lens for G9 and G10

[diverrex]

For the past year I've considered trading up my A620 in Canon housing for the G9 with either the Ikelite or Patima housing. One of the reasons would be the ability to add a WA lens like the Inon UWL-100 28AD. I'm not a camera techno geek so bear with my confusion. I know the G9 goes down to 35mm and the G10 goes to 28mm. Here is what Ikelite says about the G10:

"The Canon G10 features a 28mm wide angle setting, even wider than the Canon G9's 35mm lens. Even with the shortest port possible, external wide angle conversion lenses cannot be used to any advantage. No wide angle options are currently available for this housing."

So I guess my question is what gives me the widest angle? - the G9 with the WA lens added, or the G10 with it's native lens at 28mm? Is one of those options better in other ways? Is it likely that a WA lens will be made later for the G10 that makes it wider than 28mm, and would that be useful?

I'm trying to figure out if I should buy a G9 now (probably with Patima housing) and add the WA lens, or just wait for Patima to make a housing for the G10 and get that.

I already have dual Inon strobes, one Z40 and one D2000.

Anything else I should be thinking about?

 

[SFLDiver3445]

For the past year I've considered trading up my A620 in Canon housing for the G9 with either the Ikelite or Patima housing. One of the reasons would be the ability to add a WA lens like the Inon UWL-100 28AD. I'm not a camera techno geek so bear with my confusion. I know the G9 goes down to 35mm and the G10 goes to 28mm. Here is what Ikelite says about the G10:

"The Canon G10 features a 28mm wide angle setting, even wider than the Canon G9's 35mm lens. Even with the shortest port possible, external wide angle conversion lenses cannot be used to any advantage. No wide angle options are currently available for this housing."

So I guess my question is what gives me the widest angle? - the G9 with the WA lens added, or the G10 with it's native lens at 28mm? Is one of those options better in other ways? Is it likely that a WA lens will be made later for the G10 that makes it wider than 28mm, and would that be useful?

I'm trying to figure out if I should buy a G9 now (probably with Patima housing) and add the WA lens, or just wait for Patima to make a housing for the G10 and get that.

I already have dual Inon strobes, one Z40 and one D2000.

Anything else I should be thinking about?

I currently have one of the setups you are considering (G9/Patima/UWL-100 Lens/UWL-100 Semi-Fisheye Dome/Dual Inon Strobes), and let me just say, I'm very happy with my choice!

With regard to your comparisson question, it's my understanding that wide angle wet conversion lenses get you down into the high teen to 20mm range, so I don't think the G10's 28mm lens alone compares to a G9 with a wide angle wet conversion lens, but I'm no expert. Also, the advantage of the conversion lenses is that they really allow you to get close-up to your subject, which is one of the secrets to underwater photography. With the dome unit on my Inon UWL-100, I can put my subject right up to the glass dome and keep it all in focus, and I don't think you will be able to focus as close as you would like with the G10's 28mm lens alone.

Here's an example...when I took this picture, I was literally inches away from the lionfish, but because the Inon lens and the dome allows me to focus right up to the end of the lens and gives me approx 130 Degree angle of coverage, I can get very close and still squeeze everything I want into the picture.

If I were in your shoes, not sure exactly what I would do (G9 or G10), because I suspect it would depend on how impatient I was at the time. However, if Patima comes out with the equivalent housing for the G10, as it has for the G9, and it allows for the addition of Inon wet lenses, then I suspect the G10 would probably be the better setup, as compared to the G9.

BTW, since you already have Inon Strobes, it's my opinion that the Patima Housing is the way for you to go, because it's so compact and ergonomically designed, that it makes for very comfortable and easy operation underwater. The only drawback is the underwater weight of the setup, but with the proper strategic placement of some Stix Floatation on the arms, that is very manageable.

The folks at Reefphoto (www.reefphoto.com) have sold several of the Patima setups (that's where I bought mine), so you may want to give them a call and chat with them, because them may be able to give you some expert practical advice regarding the setup's abilities. Furthermore, they may have a better idea of what Patima is planning for the G10.

Good luck with whatever decision you finally go with!

 

[diverrex]

I currently have one of the setups you are considering (G9/Patima/UWL-100 Lens/UWL-100 Semi-Fisheye Dome/Dual Inon Strobes), and let me just say, I'm very happy with my choice!

BTW, since you already have Inon Strobes, it's my opinion that the Patima Housing is the way for you to go, because it's so compact and ergonomically designed, that it makes for very comfortable and easy operation underwater. The only drawback is the underwater weight of the setup, but with the proper strategic placement of some Stix Floatation on the arms, that is very manageable.

The folks at Reefphoto (www.reefphoto.com) have sold several of the Patima setups (that's where I bought mine), so you may want to give them a call and chat with them, because them may be able to give you some expert practical advice regarding the setup's abilities. Furthermore, they may have a better idea of what Patima is planning for the G10.

Good luck with whatever decision you finally go with!

Adrian,

Thanks for the feedback. It's because of seeing your posts and photos that I've been leaning to the Patima housing for either the G9 or G10. I'm not impatient to upgrade right now since I'm only doing local California diving right now and probably won't do a foreign trip till May 09. I'm sure I'd be happy with the G9 setup but I may just wait a while longer and see what housings and lens come out for the G10. I heard a professional UW photographer speak last night who said once you find a setup you like just use it and quit looking at others, otherwise you drive yourself crazy and broke chasing after the next and greatest technology, which never ends. Good advice.

 

[Nemrod]

The external wide angle lens will offer a field of view nearly three times that of the native 28mm behind a flat port.

N

 

[kerryw]

Adrian should be getting a cut of sales

And yes I have a G9/Patima/dual Z240 setup that I am very happy with and just ordered the wide lens from Reef Photo (where I also got the system) Wide was less important to me as local waters were I dive are more of a macro place... but trip to the Bahamas coming in Feb so thought I better get the WA stuff and practice a bit..

I do see a post about a SeaTool housing coming for the G10 that looks cool, but I'm putting that way out of my mind as I have lots of growth and learning left with the G9 setup.. and i am certainly happy with the photo quality..

Kerry