Love my A650is - need a strobe

[revjlw]

I have now logged 21 dives and am in love! I have been using a Canon A650is on land for a couple years as my "backup" point and shoot, because I mostly use my Nikon D70s. I had purchased the UW housing with the A650 initially because I am outside in the snow a lot - live in NW Wisconsin and shoot outside. Now I want to add an arm and strobe so I can get good photos UW.

I have read and read and read. I get the GN and had already known I wanted a short recycle time and good battery length with AA batteries, rather than an expensive proprietary battery. I like the idea of a fully flexible arm that requires no tools to set/move. I think I want a GN of at least 20. I also think I like the idea of a focus light attached to the top of the strobe, rather than on a second arm. I will always - well, almost always - be flying to dive, so size matters. (despite what you may have been told! ) What I need is recommendations from folks who actually own an A650!

I know some of you are going to say to skip the point and shoot and get going with a DSLR like I use on land, but I am not going to do that. I want good photos with little or no thought! Suggestions please?

 

[Nemrod]

I have now logged 21 dives and am in love! I have been using a Canon A650is on land for a couple years as my "backup" point and shoot, because I mostly use my Nikon D70s. I had purchased the UW housing with the A650 initially because I am outside in the snow a lot - live in NW Wisconsin and shoot outside. Now I want to add an arm and strobe so I can get good photos UW.

I have read and read and read. I get the GN and had already known I wanted a short recycle time and good battery length with AA batteries, rather than an expensive proprietary battery. I like the idea of a fully flexible arm that requires no tools to set/move. I think I want a GN of at least 20. I also think I like the idea of a focus light attached to the top of the strobe, rather than on a second arm. I will always - well, almost always - be flying to dive, so size matters. (despite what you may have been told! ) What I need is recommendations from folks who actually own an A650!

I know some of you are going to say to skip the point and shoot and get going with a DSLR like I use on land, but I am not going to do that. I want good photos with little or no thought! Suggestions please?

Just get yourself and Inon S2000 an be done with it.

No, you don't need a dSLR to be a photographer. You have a nice camera, use it.

That Inotva 2000 strobe might be a useful thing at way under 200 dollars but lack of having owned one cannot recommend.

www.Opticaloceansales.com has killer prices on arms, trays, clamps etc.

N

 

[BKP]

I have now logged 21 dives and am in love! I have been using a Canon A650is on land for a couple years as my "backup" point and shoot, because I mostly use my Nikon D70s. I had purchased the UW housing with the A650 initially because I am outside in the snow a lot - live in NW Wisconsin and shoot outside. Now I want to add an arm and strobe so I can get good photos UW.

I have read and read and read. I get the GN and had already known I wanted a short recycle time and good battery length with AA batteries, rather than an expensive proprietary battery. I like the idea of a fully flexible arm that requires no tools to set/move. I think I want a GN of at least 20. I also think I like the idea of a focus light attached to the top of the strobe, rather than on a second arm. I will always - well, almost always - be flying to dive, so size matters. (despite what you may have been told! ) What I need is recommendations from folks who actually own an A650!

I know some of you are going to say to skip the point and shoot and get going with a DSLR like I use on land, but I am not going to do that. I want good photos with little or no thought! Suggestions please?

I was wondering if you ever got this resolved... did you go with the INON S2000, and how did it work out?

 

[Gilligan]

Just get yourself and Inon S2000 an be done with it.

No, you don't need a dSLR to be a photographer. You have a nice camera, use it.

That Inotva 2000 strobe might be a useful thing at way under 200 dollars but lack of having owned one cannot recommend.

Camera Housings, Strobes, Arms, Trays & More! - Optical Ocean Sales Underwater Photo - 800-359-1295! has killer prices on arms, trays, clamps etc.

N

Ditto.

 

[Splash-X]

I myself use the Canon a650 IS with the Canon housing. I previously owned a Sea & Sea DX-1G and bought a Sea & Sea YS-27 DX strobe to go with it.

I was disappointed with the DX-1G and sold the camera and kept the strobe.

Here is a picture from BHPhoto of the strobe (with the arm kit I have).

I found an image that is similar to the way I hooked up the strobe to my canon housing (the mask kit).

 

[BKP]

I took a look at all the Sea & Sea strobes... I liked the YS-27, however, it was discontinued (not to mention a bit beyond what I wanted to spend this time around).
I ended up going with the Intova ISS 4000. Seems to be the same product as the Fantasea Remora, without the focus lamp, and 'appears' to have most of the features I need for the casual (and relatively infrequent) photography I'll be doing...
Also upgrading an older version of Photoshop Elements to ver. 9, for the post-processing. Hopefully, that'll keep me happy for this year...