General equipment question

[Dustinh]

Topside, I'm a hardcore Canon camera fan. I've got several film bodies, lenses, etc. I've taken Canon cameras to the middle east, europe and Urban jungles. I've seen even the "cheapest" canon digital point and shoot come back from everything from car accidents to hurricanes and still give pictures I can print in newspapers.

So here's my question, the only 2 film bodies I'd really want to take underwater are my Rebel Ti (nice and light) or the ELAN 7NE. Are there any housings for these cameras? Would anyone make a custom housing? What about with lenses, etc, what would I need?

My other thought is going Canon digital. Any specific recommendations? I've been told that the S80, even without RAW seems to be the way to go, unless I go 20D, or something similar. Does anyone reccomend any other canon digitals instead?

Underwater I've been renting digital cameras just to get comfortable with diving with a camera, and I realize with my rental fees, I could have just bought a good camera of my own.

Any info is well appreciated. I've searched the board for hours, but it seems like I'm going in circles.

 

[OzeDiver]

Try ebay maybe?

Not exact but I expect similar??

From Ikelite (www.ikelite.com)
EOS Elan 7, 7e, 30, 33

#6777.7 NO LONGER AVAILABLE

Controls for auto focus/shutter release, custom function button, function button, main dial, quick dial, command dial, and zoom.

 

[greenflash1]

Topside, I'm a hardcore Canon camera fan. I've got several film bodies, lenses, etc. I've taken Canon cameras to the middle east, europe and Urban jungles. I've seen even the "cheapest" canon digital point and shoot come back from everything from car accidents to hurricanes and still give pictures I can print in newspapers.

So here's my question, the only 2 film bodies I'd really want to take underwater are my Rebel Ti (nice and light) or the ELAN 7NE. Are there any housings for these cameras? Would anyone make a custom housing? What about with lenses, etc, what would I need?

My other thought is going Canon digital. Any specific recommendations? I've been told that the S80, even without RAW seems to be the way to go, unless I go 20D, or something similar. Does anyone reccomend any other canon digitals instead?

Underwater I've been renting digital cameras just to get comfortable with diving with a camera, and I realize with my rental fees, I could have just bought a good camera of my own.

Any info is well appreciated. I've searched the board for hours, but it seems like I'm going in circles.

I just bought a Canon S80 I cant believe how clear the pictures are. The housing is nice and small. With weight Restrictions today this is the way to go!

 

[aic007]

I Have used a digital rebel since they first came out at a reasonable consumer price. 6.1MP originally around $900. The camera can use most Eos lenses and takes phenominal Pics. You can get a newer one, the 8mp for a little less that what I paid or the 6.1mp. Very easy to use I am pretty sure it supports Raw but not sure how quick it writes to card at that. I usually have it set on highest JPG quality. Canons definately are about as good as you can get and the digital SLRs are excellent.

 

[mach2plus]

Topside, I'm a hardcore Canon camera fan. I've got several film bodies, lenses, etc. I've taken Canon cameras to the middle east, europe and Urban jungles. I've seen even the "cheapest" canon digital point and shoot come back from everything from car accidents to hurricanes and still give pictures I can print in newspapers.

So here's my question, the only 2 film bodies I'd really want to take underwater are my Rebel Ti (nice and light) or the ELAN 7NE. Are there any housings for these cameras? Would anyone make a custom housing? What about with lenses, etc, what would I need?

My other thought is going Canon digital. Any specific recommendations? I've been told that the S80, even without RAW seems to be the way to go, unless I go 20D, or something similar. Does anyone reccomend any other canon digitals instead?

Underwater I've been renting digital cameras just to get comfortable with diving with a camera, and I realize with my rental fees, I could have just bought a good camera of my own.

Any info is well appreciated. I've searched the board for hours, but it seems like I'm going in circles.

Hi Dustinh. It sounds that you've got some experience, so I'm wondering why RAW mode might be a real tie-breaker in a digital camera choice? I'm not trying to be adversarial here, but actually trying to learn something from someone like yourself who might know more about it. I researched long and hard before buying my digital for underwater use (bought a Canon A620 and absolutely love it), and from what I gathered, RAW just wasn't all that it was spelled out to be. What really turned my eyes was the article by Mr. Ken Rockwell regarding it, which can be found at: www.kenrockwell.com/tech/raw.htm

It blew me away to learn that RAW is probably the last way that you want to archive something, given that each manufacturers software is apparently different. But I guess that if you like to hand massage each photo, it's the way to go...

Like you, I've taken my Canons worldwide and never had any problems whatsoever. Great product. Film in 35mm format is all but history, and I'm not sure it's smart money going down that road for underwater purposes. Like to know what you think.

Best regards -- Mach

 

[Diver Dennis]

Try the Rebel XT. They are pretty cheap right now and will give you great results. I have a thread here with some pictures taken with mine.

http://www.scubaboard.com/showthread.php?t=147109

As the others have said, you have experience and this might be closer to what you have been using. You probably have some glass you could use U/W that you've been using with your other Canons. PM me if you need more info.

 

[Dustinh]

Yeah, it is true, RAW really has very little advantage in my experiance, but I'll NEVER give up film. I've used the highest of the high end digital, and I just don't like it as much as film. They still make and sell film for a reason, and if you take any photography classes at a university, you'll be using film.

I've used RAW a few times for some very special purposes, but yes, high quality JPG really does serve the same purposes. It used to matter more in the days of the first, lower megapixel and smaller sensor SLR digitals, now, I don't see much difference.

The A620 is not a bad camera by any means, I've used it topside and I'm impressed with it, but I was looking a little higher end because I'm just used to more manual control.

Thanks for the replies guys!

-Dustin