Ikelite Vs. Canon Housings

[TrojanCatMan]

I am trying to decide if I should get the Ikelite or Canon housing for my SD900. Is there a quality difference? I know the Ikelite can go deeper but I rarely dive past 120'. Does anyone know how the housing affects my strobe selection? I was kinda hoping my camera could share a strobe with my Sea and Sea Motor Marine 2ex. But I doubt that is possible.

Most of my diving is done in shallow reefs in the particle filled CA waters!

Thanks I appreciate the help. If you know anything else that might persuade me to go with one over the other let me know!

-Jeremy

 

[Tom Winters]

No one with an Ikelite housing talks about moving up to the Canon version.

 

[dbh]

Ike housings are VERY well made and Ike has customer service. Try getting ANY customer service for housings by Canon.....

Worth any extra $$$$ IMHO.

Dave

 

[jdcpa]

I own one of each for a Canon P&S. Each has its' own set of pluses and minuses. I think both are good cases. I do view the Canon as a throw away. Once there are problems, throw it away. I think Ikelite will be good for repairs.

Both sets of camera controls are completely functional. No problems there. The controls are designed very differently and function very differently.

The Ikelite housing is a much more substantial housing. Therefore it weighs more underwater.

Yes, you can go deeper with the Ikelite, but that is not an issue for me either.

I think the Ikelite housing is designed to allow for more attachment options andd it will attach to more items better.

You can't use a wide angle or telephoto lens with the Canon. (Unless Inon has developed an external lens.)

You cannot use the camera only with the Ikelite housing only. The internal flash is partialy blocked. The Canon case does not block the internal flash.

I don't see how it is an issue with your strobe. The SD900 does not have a hotshoe so you are going to have to uses some other method to trigger the strobe. The housing should not make any difference on that issue.

You will not go wrong either way.

 

[alcina]

For this camera, Canon. You don't have access to manual controls on this model so it is doubtful that you would add the expense of extra lenses as you won't be able to really get the most out of them anyway.

You will be easily able to add a strobe to the set up.

I thought I saw that this housing actually has a round port? if so, you might be able to add wet mate lenses to it if you really want to.

 

[TrojanCatMan]

Thanks for all the wonderful information!

 

[Lone Frogman]

No one with an Ikelite housing talks about moving up to the Canon version.

Thats right!

 

[alcina]

Actually there is a current thread on someone wanting to change from the Ikelite to the manufacturer's case due to size and "feel" in the hand Thankfully there are choices to suit most everyone.

 

[TrojanCatMan]

You cannot use the camera only with the Ikelite housing only. The internal flash is partialy blocked. The Canon case does not block the internal flash.

I plan on using the internal flash initially (save up money first). Is this flash block a common to Ikelite housings?

 

[chrisp]

Is this flash block a common to Ikelite housings?

Ike only has a handful of different size "boxes". Each camera gets the most appropriately sized box then they place the controls where necessary. As a result, some flashes get blocked by the port attachment and others don't.