Need to decide between 2 quotes for arm/tray etc. for Inon S2000

[Leejnd]

Here's another noobie trying to put together my first rig. I've already purchased a Canon G9 (very gently used - I know it's a bit older, but it gets great reviews) and a new housing for it, and I've decided to buy the Inon S2000. My final decision is, what to do about the arm/tray/adapter situation.

I have two quotes:

Inon S-2000 S-TTL Strobe -- 469.00
Inon Optical D Cable (43 cm/L Type) -- 79.00
Fisheye Compact Digicam Tray, Handle and Flex (Loc-line) Arm -- 119.00

Total $667.00

OR:

Inon S-2000 S-TTL Strobe -- 449.00
Inon Optical D Cable (43 cm/L Type) --79.00
ULCS DB-05 5" Double Ball Arm 2@ 47.95 -- 95.90
ULCS AC-CSF Clamp, New Style w/ 15° Lateral Movement 3@ 29.95 -- 89.85
ULCS AD-IN Adapter for Inon Z-series, D-series and S-Series Stro -- 19.95
ULCS TR-D Digital Tray -- 29.95
ULCS TR-DHB Padded Handle w/ Ball for Digital Tray -- 49.95

Total $813.60

I'm trying to avoid over-buying, spending money on things that are beyond my skill level...but also not buy things that are "cheap" and won't last or give me value for my money. So any advice would be appreciated. Thanks!

 

[HerraduraDivers]

It depends where you wanna go...
Sooner or later you will change your flex arm with ball joint arms as on what ever camera you use as ball joint arms offer much more flexibility positioning your strobe.
The Inon S-2000 is a nice, sweet little strobe but ist has some "annoying" limits; first. no focus light and 2nd no EA mode what is the only way to use the G9 in manual mode and still having some kind of "TTL". I would suggest the D-2000 what is a much more versatile (and powerful?) strobe.
You might get a D-2000 and the flex arm to start your photographic experience and later switch to ball joint arms and a second d-2000 while you save money to get a better camera....
Underwater photography is a terrible addicting and expensive hobby, so i find it the best starting with a few but good pieces than investing in "tons" of gear you will change in "short" time.
In short words: You will ditch your flex arm soon while you will continue to buy more of the UCLS ball joint arms and will have them still in 20 years beeing happy with them.

Chris

 

[Leejnd]

Thanks for the feedback. I've gotten similar advice elsewhere, so you just confirmed it. I'm going to go with the UCLS ball arms.

As for the strobe itself, I've got a bead on a used Sea & Sea Ys-90 from someone I know, that I may go with instead. It would save me a bunch of money, and give me a decent strobe to start out with, that I won't mind replacing with something better when I upgrade in the future. And I'll already have the good hardware (arms/tray etc.) that I can transfer to whatever I upgrade to. I think this will be a decent rig to start out on, without wasting money on all kinds of whiz-bang gear that's way over my head.