Migrating from MMIIEX to SP-350

[JCT_UCB]

Hi all,

First post here -- getting back into diving after a bit of a layoff (kids intervened ) - the youngest just turned 13 and along with his older sister completed his pool/classroom work last weekend, so we're off to the Caribbean in a few weeks for their OW dives and our first family diving trip!

My husband and I were avid divers and I'm a reasonably serious photographer (shot underwater with a Nikonos V way back when). I currently shoot digital with a D2x (that is not going underwater anytime soon), though I mostly shoot film these days (LF and occasional MF). So I'm certainly comfortably with both sides of the film-digital "divide", but I have to say that since I have gone back to film my digital shooting has *greatly* improved.

I currently own a Sea and Sea MMIIEX setup as follows:

1. MMIIEX
2. S & S 20mm WA lens + viewfinder
3. S & S YS60 TTL/S

I picked all of this up ( for < $200) early last Fall after we decided to take this trip-- it sort of fell in my lap.

Of course, in preparation for this trip, I did something imprudent ()and started reading this board a bit and I was frankly quite amazed at how folks have been able to configure the more manual P & S cameras to pursue underwater photography -- pretty ingenious.

So now I am wondering whether I should instead just go digital largely for the feedback while on the trip, I prefer shooting slide film UW and clearly will not be able to get E-6 while I am away. I actually own a Canon G5 -- but it seems to have been orphaned a bit, no Canon housing, Ikelite hard to find and few people out there using them it seems. This is in contrast to the tons of useful info on the SP-350 that would clearly streamline my re-learning curve a bit.

So I would love some general advice/feedback if possible --- my current thinking would be to get a hold of one of the refurbished SP-350s. If I were to go this route, would *any* of my existing gear be useful (e.g. the WA lens, maybe the strobe)?

Thanks a million in advance,

JT

 

[slw105]

I just recently bought a SP-350. I ugraded from a Sea & Sea DX-750. I am very pleased with the SP-350. I bought a Sea & Sea YS-110 strobe and use TTL control.

Excellent combination. I don't see any reason you couldn't use your existing strobe.
I also bought the INON wide angle lens.
I think you move to digital is a good one. The learning curve is much faster and with the SP-350 you will quickly be capturing great pictures.

I bought my camera and wet lens from Cathy Church in Grand Cayman while I was there in January. I spend 3 months searching for a point and shot camera that gave me the same features and allowed manual focus, apature and shutter selection along with TTL strobe operation and be able to add a wet wide angle. The SP-350 was the only point and shoot that has these features.

Stephen