Need help to find affordable housing and strobe for Canon Powershot G12

[jimbolaya]

Hi Divers,


I have meanwhile decided not to upgrade my Nikon D5100 DSLR with a underwater setup but instead I think about buying a Canon Powershot G12 (or similar) to replace my old Casio Exilim S600 underwater camera. That's due to budget reasons. I'd like to take macros, close-ups and videos.


The G12 sells as second-hand for 240 USD. Including strobe and housing (can be second-hand) I ideally don't want to spend more than 700 USD. Can you give me advice on the following housing / strobe options?


1) Is it possible to use an external strobe with this cheaper (100 USD) Polaroid housing?
Polaroid Underwater Housing for Canon PowerShot G11 / PLWPCG12
Or do I at least need to get this Canon WP-DC34 (190 USD) housing?
Amazon.com: Canon WP-DC34 Underwater Housing for Canon PowerShot G11/G12 Digital Camera: Camera & Photo


2) Does this Fantasea NanoFlash Dual Lighting Package (250 USD) have any major disadvantages or would it be suitable for both above mentioned housings?
System Packages :: Lighting Packages :: Fantasea NanoFlash Dual Lighting Package -
Or can you recommend another strobe in a similar price range?


3) I understood that it's possible to use a fibre optical cable to connect the strobe to the camera-housing. I haven't found an option for TTL connection (probably requires a "real" cord..?). Is fibre optical the only possibility to connect a strobe to one of the above housings or is there another alternative (TTL?) which you would recommend? (To be honest, after some research I did not figure if I as beginner to strobe photography would need TTL..?)


Any hints are highly appreciated!


Best regards, Jan

 

[diversteve]

Generically speaking you can attach the fiber optic sensor to either of those housings as long as there's some way to do so - often velcro works. My buddy has a Canon and his works that way - really well in fact - he gets some great shots. One other thing to consider in that arrangement is that the camera's internal flash will also be functioning to provide adequate light so exposures may be too bright when the external fires. If you shut it off, the external won't fire since it has no trigger.

Some people mask most of the light output from the internal flash - my buddy does it with a kit that Inon sells - basically it's dark (exposed) film that you temporarily "glue" over the camera's internal flash. When it fires, only the infrared passes to the flash sensor to trigger the external flash - not the visible light.

Afaik (and I'm on shaky ground here...) all the exposure compensation is done manually on the external - i.e. you dial in the correct settings at the time of the shot..

However for TTL control you'll need something like the Ikelite housing since it has a TTL bulkhead connector. It's also most of the $700 just for the housing: Ikelite Housing for Canon Digital Camera

I think Sealife makes a basic setup similar to the Fantasea also.