Looking to upgrade my camera gear

[TigerDiver8]

Hey everyone I am looking to get a good DSLR and Underwater Housing.

I have been looking at the EOS T3, T3I and T5. and Ikelite Housing

But I am open to any other options.

I have a budget of about 1500.00

Thank you.

 

[rob1967]

I saw your post in the Nikon forum so I thought I would try to answer your question since no one else has yet.For a budget of $1500, you will not get very far going the SLR route if buying new. You might find something decent if looking at used stuff.If you are on a tight budget, the SL-1 would likely be your best option. But, you will want to save some money for a tray, arms, and some strobes. You will also need money for a wide-angle lens and a macro lens. Plus the associated ports. So right away, your budget will be completely blown. You are looking at a minimum of $5k for SLR camera, macro lens, wide-angle lens, housing, ports, and strobes. I am guessing you are planning to save money by confining yourself to a kit lens (i..e, 18-55mm). If that is your plan, you are better off getting a compact camera, for example the the G16 or G7x. Image quality of these newer compacts are getting better all the time, and most people won't even notice the slight difference in image quality. IMHO opinion, image quality difference between an SLR kit lens and a large sensor compact is so small to the point of being insignificant. Plus the G16 and G7x have much better macro capabilities out of the box compared to a standard SLR kit lens, and ability to o focus close is very important for underwater. So if you get a compact camera, at least then you might have a bit of money left over to buy strobes. No point in getting an SLR housing if you don't have strobes.

 

[KeithG]

you may also get better feedback if you indicate what you are upgrading from and why you feel it is inadequate. what types of shots do you prefer and where does your current camera fall short?

 

[Irish1957]

Hey everyone I am looking to get a good DSLR and Underwater Housing.

I have been looking at the EOS T3, T3I and T5. and Ikelite Housing

But I am open to any other options.

I have a budget of about 1500.00

Thank you.

Just got a T5i for Christmas and so far have spent $3000.00 and still don't have my stobes yet.Good luck

 

[Jim Lapenta]

I have the SL1 from Canon with an Ikelite housing and dual DS51 strobes. The SL1 I bought from adorama as a kit new last fall. It was on sale for 549.00 with the 18-55 kit lens and 75-300. With just the 18-55 its normally 499.00 I like the camera so much I bought a back up body from ebay. The strobes I got used for 375.00 each. Then you need a synch cable. Single is right around 100.00. Dual is 150.00 new but I found a used one from adorama for 89.00.

Then the Ikelite housing is 1100 -1500 depending on the retailer. I got mine at a very good price from a friend who is an Ikelite dealer. Then you need the arms for the strobe to connect to the tray. 59.00 for loc line's up to a couple hundred for the ball arms you adjust and tighten. I've got loc lines for now.

I consider my rig an entry level DSLR that you can still shoot some amazing photos with and it's insured for 2500.00

Below is a pic of a stink bug at the bottom of the pool. I'm still learning the camera and the pool is where I am doing much of that as there is ice on the water here now. I'm ice certified but none of my regular buddies are so it's pool practice as much as possible and these are my models. This is with the 18-55 kit lens, manual, f 5.6, ISO 400, 1/125 with single strobe. The detail is shocking to me as this bug is the size of my index finger nail. Maybe a little smaller. And I was floating practicing staying off the bottom when shooting.