Getting Started

[alcina]

Macro is "easier" to learn and you can shoot it virtually anywhere.

It sounds like to get started, your zoom lens, again if there is a port for it, might be a great place to start. I've taken my Sigma 18-200 for several recon dives and while I never thought I'd put this thing underwater it's proved a good choice for those dives where I am not sure what I will find, what the conditions will be like and/or when I can't make up my mind. The downside to these zooms is that they don't focus close enough for some things!

You 20D underwater will not feel the same as it does on land

In all honesty, I'd go for one of the other digitals until you decide what you really like to do...unless you are happy to a) keep throwing money at this and b) happy to be limited by your lens choice once underwater. I can't tell you how many times since moving to the DSLR that I've wished I was using my Oly 5050 so I could do the opposite thing (macro when I have wide angle on or wide angle when I have the 100 macro on)!

 

[alcina]

Not sure on the 8" Ikelite.

I use the Sigma 10-20mm in a Subal housing.

 

[H20Bubbles]

Alcina, those ball parks that I had been seeing as well, so it is glad to know I am not way off. Ikelite does make a dome port or 8" port for the Tamron lens. In looking I had not considered starting with the 125 strobe.

When you mention tray and handle, don't those come as part of the housing or am I misunderstanding the terminology? Or at least in looking at the Ike housings they appear to come together.

And thanks for the great advice. You definitely provide thoughts to think on.

 

[Warren_L]

Alcina, those ball parks that I had been seeing as well, so it is glad to know I am not way off.

When you mention tray and handle, don't those come as part of the housing or am I misunderstanding the terminology? Or at least in looking at the Ike housings they appear to come together.

The ike housings come with the tray and handle. It should also have an eTTL controller built into the housing too. Not bad at all for the price.

 

[alcina]

Ikelite does come with a tray and handle. Whether is the handle that suits you might be an issue - have a look at it and decide.

Also, that is NOT the bit that the strobe head goes on. When you order a strobe all you get is the part that puts out the light. You have to order the cord you want (this connects it to the housing and lets the camera talk to the strobe) and the arm (this connects the strobe head to your housing/handle. There are a few choices out there: Ikelite, ULCS, loc line etc - an advanced search here should bring up some recent threads on these options. Everyone has their favourites and all are good; all have downsides, too!

 

[H20Bubbles]

So in looking at www.reefphoto.com, it seems that the start up cost is somewhere around $2,100 - with the lower entry Ike strobe.

#6871.20 Housing for the Canon 20D ($1275.00)
#5503.80 Ikelite Dome Port ($157.50)
#5509.28 special zoom & clamp set ($15.00)
#3944.57 Digital Package includes: ($575.00)
#4100.6 Manual Controller
#4044 DS-50 SubStrobe
#4086.61 Ball Socket Arm system
#4103.51 Digital TTL Sync Cord ($85.00)

Again, I greatly appreciate everyone's suggestions and input.

 

[alcina]

I wouldn't skimp on the strobe. I'd get the 125...for me, the $400 would be money well spent.

Have a look at www.digitaldiver.net in the Strobe Finder to compare the two.

You may find that the 50 suits you just fine...but if you like those really Wide Angle shots, I think the 125 is the way to go. Of course, you can add it later and use the 50 for fill, too...lots of options. Ryan can help you choose the best for YOU.

 

[H20Bubbles]

I'm gonna owe you a beer when this is all said and done

 

[alcina]

I'll take you up on that

 

[Warren_L]

IMHO Alcina is right on the money about the DS-50 vs the DS-125. Especially if you are starting out with a single strobe. You will find that the extra power will give you much more flexibility, as well as the degree of coverage is going to be huge, and especially if you shoot wide angle. With the included diffuser, it will be a much better choice than the 50. Faster recycling time, and built in modeling light. As far as I'm concerned, a no brainer. Check out Ike's side by side comparison of their strobes: http://www.ikelite.com/web_pages/strobe_chart2.html