New Camera Purchase... Good Choices?

[Submarine]

I am looking to purchase a mid-range digital camera and housing. I am new to shooting underwater. I am fairly partial to the Canon cameras. I would like some room to grow a bit as my skill develop, but I do not need shots that warrant $4000 in investment (I could see $1000 initial) I dive primarily in the Northwest (Puget Sound, San Juans, etc.) I take a couple of trips a year to other warm water locations. So, after searching the forum for some time I still find myself still asking a few questions...
What camera? (Maybe the G9)
Do I use the Canon housing or am I better off with a Ikelite?
Am I going to get by without a strobe for awhile?
Who do I buy from in order to best protect and service my investment?

Thank you!
Submarine

 

[ScubaMarc]

I use a g7 with canon housing. The housing cost $150 so if the camera gets flooded, it is cheaper to buy a new g9 than the ikelite case. But the case has lasted over 100 dives with no issues.

I use a strobe, sea and sea ys15. It is a little small but nice. I wish I went a little larger. When I dive in NY my stobe is useless in the 15-30 vis. In the Caribbean it is worth it.

Takes great pictures. Check out Marc's Dives, all gallerys from 2007,2008 is from my g7. Older years is a canon sd500

I am very amature photographer, but my picutres came out nice.

I bought it all from adorama and bhphoto, but I live in nyc so I bought it in person.

 

[cardog]

I just bought the G9 and the Canon housing from BHPhoto. Under 700.00 and you can probably do without a strobe for a while. As I'm sure you know. Our viz lends itself to macro photography.

 

[sunnyboy]

The G9 Ikelite housing is quite expensive (600 list). Why not get something a lot cheaper, like the A570 and the Ikelite housing ($300 list). The 570 is now cheap enough that you should buy a second one (camera) as a spare.

As for resolution and all that - unless you are going to go really serious with the UW digital (i.e. SLR, mucho dollars for camera, lenses and housing), then why not just start with something very inexpensive.

Even with the 570, I doubt most intro photographers will hit the limitations of these cameras in underwater photography for a while.

Cheers,

-S

 

[viola123]

I had the opportunity to get my hands on the G9 a week ago and have used it exclusively for the past week. The camera feels heavy and very big compared with my brother's Canon Powershot SD-700, and in automatic control the pictures are almost the same, but when using manual control it just becomes the magic!!
But it is really great. I am an amature and was able to take point and shoot photos with out messing with all the numerous adjustments and all but 2 of the 600 pics I took came out perfect. This camera is fast and takes the best pictures I have ever seen. And I got my Canon Powershot G9 at a pretty low deal price of $425.

 

[ScubaMarc]

I had the opportunity to get my hands on the G9 a week ago and have used it exclusively for the past week. The camera feels heavy and very big compared with my brother's Canon Powershot SD-700, and in automatic control the pictures are almost the same, but when using manual control it just becomes the magic!!
But it is really great. I am an amature and was able to take point and shoot photos with out messing with all the numerous adjustments and all but 2 of the 600 pics I took came out perfect. This camera is fast and takes the best pictures I have ever seen. And I got my Canon Powershot G9 at a pretty low deal price of $425.

You need to decide what is more important to you:
sd-700 is smaller
g9 has better:sensor, lens, telephoto, IS, speed.
check out:
Digital Cameras Side-by-Side, 2 cameras: Digital Photography Review

Face to Face : cameras, printers, ... - DigitalVersus

Home http://www.mycanong9.com/

Personal for underwater pictures my g7 blows away the sd500, size is the same with the case on.

On land, it would be nice to have a smaller camera, but again the quality wins with me.

 

[ScubaMarc]

The G9 Ikelite housing is quite expensive (600 list). Why not get something a lot cheaper, like the A570 and the Ikelite housing ($300 list). The 570 is now cheap enough that you should buy a second one (camera) as a spare.

for $600, get the canon case($180) with an extra g9($400). The canon case does not have an hot shoe connector, if this matters to you.

 

[Submarine]

Thanks for the information!
I ended up purchasing the G9... It is a nice solid camera! I bought the camera from our local Camera World (I have purchased several other cameras from them with outstanding service) along with their No Questions Asked Repair/Replacement warranty. I still have to make a decision on the housing but, I am tending toward a start with the Canon.

I am working on getting familiar with this cameras functions and am hoping to get it underwater in a couple of weeks. I will share the results...

Thanks again