Decisions, Decisions, Decisions!

[Khello]

Here’s the situation, I have a Rebel XS and I’ve been thinking about an underwater housing for it. An Ikelite housing for the XS is about $1100 and a Cannon G10 + Ikelite housing is about $1100. Will I see a huge difference between the XS and the G10, or is the difference more of a function of the strobes and filters? It’d be nice to have the G10 around as a backup or this-isn’t-worth-taking-the-rebel camera, but will I be sacrificing too much underwater?

Cheers!

 

[bvanant]

Depends (of course you knew that). The rebel has multiple lenses, so you can do real macro, super macro and real wide angle. The G10 is a great camera but sensor size and IQ matters and the rebel will give you arguably better quality at the ends of the scale where the g10 starts to fall apart. On the other hand, there are many many very nice pics taken with P&S cameras. If your goal is to shoot some snaps to show your friends, then the G10 in the Canon housing will do the trick. If you plan on making 16x20 prints to hang on the wall or sell to friends, I would say go the rebel route but hang on to your wallet since $1100 will be only the start. You will need strobes and lots of other little stuff that adds up.
Bill

 

[sprange]

Another bonus for the G10 (or G11) is the fact that it can take video. Of course we're not talking about HD camcorder quality, but still very usable. If you had any of the DSLRs with HD video capability (such as the 7D or T1i) I'd say definitely go for the DSLR housing.

 

[arun]

The decision will also be based on whether you plan to expand your photography or not. As Bill said, there are multiple lenses which you can buy and that would necessitate you buying the different port and port extensions. With the G10, you would be limited to the camera's capabilities unless you were prepared to invest in multiple macro lenses and the WD4 for wide angle, which in my opinion is more of a medium wide angle. Take into account the shutter lag, small sensor (noise issues) and the limited f-stops, and I think the DSLR route is the way to go. Also factor in that the G11 is out and Ikelite will soon (in November) be coming out with their housing for it. Your G10 and Ike housing already becomes less attractive.

 

[Mel Moncrieff]

I struggled with the same decision a while back and someone said, "If your main focus on every dive is to take the best possible pictures, and you don't mind the work of lugging around a DSLR, than go for it. But if your main focus is to enjoy the dive, while taking a few nice shots, then you'll enjoy the G10 a lot more, and later, if you want to upgrade, the G10 becomes a very capable back-up camera." It's true that you can do both better macro and much better wide-angle with a DSLR. But you will need two strobes, lenses, ports, etc. My DSLR rig weighs 28 pounds, with only one lens. Of course, underwater, it is nearly neutral, but I've still got to lug it there. My website is Mel Moncrieff's Photo Galleries at pbase.com If you look at my various galleries, you can see the images I shot with a Canon G9, and the images I've been getting since switching to DSLR (Canon 50D, same Ikelite strobes). I loved my G9, and still miss the size and weight and versatility of it, but I got to the point where I had maxed out my creativity with it and had to go to the next step.

 

[arun]

I second Mel's sentiments. I loved the G9 but I feel I need to move on.

 

[Khello]

I loved my G9, and still miss the size and weight and versatility of it, but I got to the point where I had maxed out my creativity with it and had to go to the next step.

That did it right there. I'm not a creative photographer. I just want to take a few nice pictures on some dives and that's it. It's the G10/11 then. Thanks for the advice guys.

 

[fredaroony]

I got my G11 yesterday and it great! Now I'm just waiting for the underwater case to turn up

 

[Khello]

Fredaroony, which UW housing are you getting? Can you add strobes to that?

Thanks.