Epoque or Inon?

[SeaFlea]

Greetings all. I've received some good advice from this board and I have another question I need some feedback on.

I'm sold on a Canon S1 IS and a WP-DC20 housing. I had decided on a Inon D2000 strobe but after talking to Marine Camera been introduced to Epoque strobes, specifically the ES150DS.

My question: Is there a $500 difference between the two? I mean, The total price for a Inon D2000 setup(strobe, tray/arm, tray adaptor, and sync cable) is approx. $900. I can buy a Epoque ES150 DS setup(strobe, tray/arm, sync cable) for about $365. I realize the Inon is more powerful, better built, and has a modeling lamp. But I wonder if the Inon might be overkill for my requirements. What can I expect from the less expensive Epoque? I'm inclined to believe the more power the better for underwater pics. Will the Epoque be able to handle most all situations / conditions?

I take at most three dive-trips a year. Have just sold my MX10w/Y40A 35mm film camera and am entering the underwater digital arena for the first time.

Thank you for you help.

 

[alcina]

You'll want some manual control so you can dictate how much light goes out. You might consider the Inon 180, too. It should be cheaper.

The Inon strobes will grow with you - I doubt the Epoque will.

Inon has a better reputation for quality than Epoque as well.

You can compare the two strobes here.

 

[SeaFlea]

I'll will have to learn more about manual settings. My past camera was point-n-shoot. At least with digital you can see the pic right away and adjust as necessary.

 

[midwestdvr]

Seaflea, I too considered an es-150 but have read too many posts about people having problems with getting just the right amount of light for their pics (mostly posted over at digitaldiver.net). I'm relatively new to uw photography so I decided I didn't need that kind of hassle so got the d-2000 instead. Got mine from Yuzo over in Japan with fisheye base tray, loc-line arms, and stuff for about 800 bucks. Mind you there are pros and cons with buying from overseas vendors. Lots of luck with whatever choice you make. Happy New Year.

 

[Marriard]

Inon would be my choice no doubt. Reliable, powerful and a great strobe.

As you learn more and more, the Inon will never put you in a situation where it is restricting you from getting a shot - the Epoque definetly will.

On the other hand, if you are just looking for some holiday snaps, then the saving may be very attractive to you. Just how good do you expect to get and how good were the images you were getting out of the MX10 - were they good enough for you?

M

 

[SeaFlea]

I'd like to do better than the pics taken with my MX10. The limited "reach" of the YS40a strobe was a limiting factor to be sure. I don't expect to get super shots every time but I'd like to better my past percentage of good shots to throw-aways.

Thx.

 

[ChrisA]

I'll will have to learn more about manual settings. My past camera was point-n-shoot. At least with digital you can see the pic right away and adjust as necessary.

Have you tried this underwater yet? If you really only intend to use this camera three times a year while travelling I'd seriously suggest going with automation and point and shoot mode. If you intend to take the camera with you on local dives every couple weeks or so then even if you have to divide the distance in feet into the guide number and bring up the f-stop menu it will be second nature but if you do it only every four months you will run into task loading problems. Actually the world has to many photos of tropical reefs, take the local stuff. I have no idea what's under the water at your location. Don't think of local diving as "practice". Local is what most of us do 90% of the time. Do about 200 shots per weekend. It will take 1000 before it becomes natural. Don't expect to learn while on vacation. Under water manual mode flash photography has a steep learning curve.

 

[lukeROB]

Under water manual mode flash photography has a steep learning curve.

With digital I think this is cut down significantly as you can actually review underwater and learn very quickly how to expose properly manually. I'd take the Inon even for a novice. The D-2000 can basically be used as a TTL (mimic) strobe which will be great for P&S, and it can also grow with you. Remember it is very easy to get addicted to this (you in effect will be saving $375 not spending an extra $500)

 

[SeaFlea]

To ChrisA: when you say "going with automation and point and shoot mode" you mean using the AUTO mode on the Canon S1, right?

Maybe a silly question but... Can I use the Auto mode on the camera for underwater pics? Or will I have too select another mode? I'll search thru the threads and see what I can find specific to the Canon S1.

I think I'll go with the Inon. I agree that the Inon will be worht the extra $$.

Thx all.

 

[midwestdvr]

I don't know about the canon s1 but I have the a70 and the d2000. The d2000 has the s-ttl mode which, through some electronic wizardry, supposedly matches the aperture setting the camera uses in auto mode. Have tried above water and it seems to be alright. Mind you, I don't know how it will work under water. Other users may have a better explanation of this feature.

midwestdvr