Deciding on a setup is tougher than I thought

[col4bin]

I was originally thinking about using one of my SLR's (5DII or 7D) but then I saw the financial investment and quickly backed away.

Now I am tossed between the G11 and the new S95. I have a G11 and have an S95 preordered. The G11 is technically my wife's but she will take whichever camera I don't use. I want the option of wide angle and macro. I know there are numerous posts here on this topic however it is still confusing. It's not like shooting topside where testing of a system is easy. When it comes to land, I am very knowledgeable but underwater is another story.

If one is just starting out and has the option for either system, which is the way to go? Which will have the most universal application?

If I had more hair on my head I would be pulling it out.

 

[TightLines]

People get phenomenal results with either camera. Your desire for wide angle and macro may seem to be a bit at odds with one another.

The S90/S95 seem to be the answer for WA shooting but the G11 is the ticket for macro. People have had difficulty getting good macro focus with the S90. Good macro shots are definitely possible and you'll see plenty of them posted here on the boards but it just requires a bit more effort.

Another side to consider is the housing. If you're going the cheaper route (like me) and want to get something without spending $500+ on a housing alone then you should consider that the Ikelite offering for the S90 (I assume the s95 housing will be a similar size) is MUCH more compact than the G11. Leading to my final point, since the S95 has only just been announced, it could be a little bit before you see non-OEM housings.

 

[col4bin]

I have decided on the FIX housing regardless of the camera. I am in no rush so I can wait if the S95 is the route I go.

 

[Nemrod]

The G11/G10 and I presume the G12 can use the FIX dry port system for wide angle. The S90 and I am sure the S95 can use, via a system of adapters, nearly every currently available wet mount wide angle, fisheye and macro lens available.

For people who already own wet lenses are who like the concept of easy interchangeability on the boat or even in the water, the S90/S95 with FIX housing makes sense. For somebody who does not own any lenses, starting fresh and who does not care to interchange lenses underwater or on the boat, the G11 with the standard port and the wide angle lens/port makes sense.

I recommend the S90/S95. Since the S95 and housings for it are still something of what one might call "vapor"ware any recommendations for such should be considered with the possibility some currently unknown factor might make the S95 suck as an underwater camera, not likely IMO, but the S90 is a sure thing.

N

 

[col4bin]

I am undecided about wet or dry lenses. When just starting out, it seems as though wide angle shooting would be easer to perfect. How much of a sacrifice is there with image quality using wet lenses v dry lenses. I have been shooting RAW for a long time and I am pretty competent when it comes to image editing so quality is of the utmost importance to me.

 

[slowhands]

At this moment the S95 is only sold out of Hong Kong, apparently. If you don't mind paying a premium, you can get this vaporware sooner. I expect wide distribution next month.

I checked the specs for both the S90 and S95 on the Canon USA website. I mean, how different can the S95 be? It looks like the controls are in the same locations, but the S95 is slightly thinner:
S90: 3.94 x 2.30 x 1.22 in./100.0 x 58.4 x 30.9mm
S95: 3.93 x 2.30 x 1.16 in. (99.8 x 58.4 x 29.5mm)

That does not seem like much, but it means none of the controls on the back of an S90 housing would reach the camera. It will require shims or padding or even machining the ribs that hold the camera in the housing slightly differently to correct this. So it's too soon to know if the housing will interchange, but probably not because of the change in thickness.

Note that Canon announced a new housing for it, the WP-DC38 (looks just like the DC-35 for the S90):
Canon U.S.A. : Consumer & Home Office : PowerShot S95

 

[slowhands]

I am undecided about wet or dry lenses. When just starting out, it seems as though wide angle shooting would be easer to perfect. How much of a sacrifice is there with image quality using wet lenses v dry lenses. I have been shooting RAW for a long time and I am pretty competent when it comes to image editing so quality is of the utmost importance to me.

If you want the ultimate quality, then you need an SLR, not a point and shoot. There is simply no comparison. The sensor is 7 times bigger, end of story. Yes, it's bigger and a lot more money, but for top quality, it's the answer.

And to continue this contrarian line, an old 35mm film camera like a Nikon F100 will give even better results. A 35mm film image has at least 25 megapixels, some claim 40 megapixels. For big enlargements or magazine covers, that's the tool to use. Sure you will scan it and go digital for editing, but the raw image has more resolution on plain old 35mm film.

 

[col4bin]

I know that to get the best quality, I would need to use one of my SLRs however I am not prepared to make the financial commitment just yet. The next best option would be a high end compact which has led me to the G11 (which I already have) or the S90/95. The G11 is actually my wife's so if I take her camera I will get her the S95 which is why I am ordering one regardless.

Topside, this type of stuff is a no brainer for me. Maybe one day I will get there underwater but I have a ways to go.

Also, I want once again thank everyone for contributing to this discussion. This forum is very helpful and responsive.

 

[Nemrod]

I am undecided about wet or dry lenses. When just starting out, it seems as though wide angle shooting would be easer to perfect. How much of a sacrifice is there with image quality using wet lenses v dry lenses. I have been shooting RAW for a long time and I am pretty competent when it comes to image editing so quality is of the utmost importance to me.

I have posted a few pics taken with my Nikonos III mixed in with some from my old A570 and nobody knew the difference, even at a slide show I gave at a dive club via Power Point or a large screen TV. The 35mm were scanned with a high quality Canon Photos scanner at max resolution straight from the slides. But, nothing beats the pop of Kodachrome projected with a slide projector on a silvered screen, they are simply explosive compared to what I see from any digie job.

Top IQ requires a SLR or large sensor camera, fun shooting for your enjoyment requires whatever you are satisfied with.

The IQ between wet and dry, yes, dry is better, maybe, expect that the wet lenses are actually corrected for water so IMO, on this class of camera we are discussing, I would go wet.

A professional photographer can justify dumping 12,000 dollars into a system that will be obsolete as soon as he/she pulls the packing off. Most of us "just for fun" shooters cannot and even if we could, would not. As it is, a G/S FIX rig with lenses, strobes, arms, lights, accessories and tray is easily going to run up 4,000 dollars and you better purchase a spare camera so you are not sitting in Tim-Buck-Too holding a dead camera you dropped on the floor with a 4,000 dollar underwater rig and no place to get the now discontinued camera except eBay. Better buy the spare up front when you commit, be that compact, Micro or dSLR.

YRMV
James

 

[col4bin]

I understand the investment in a compact rig is not inexpensive....it is just not as expensive as an SLR rig. I can appreciate the back-up camera comment. I travel with two DSLRs everywhere I go. I had been burned once and missed some good shots.

Is it safe to assume that FIX will likely come out with a housing for the S95?

Also, where is the best place to buy this type of gear? I have a shop in NY that I get most of my topside gear from but they do not deal with underwater beyond the basics. I have looked at backscatter.com and reefphoto.com. Are there other places to consider? All seem to have similar pricing.