New DSLR?

[pavouk]

Hallo fellow divers,
After about 2 years of use Canon S40 with original Canon underwater housing I think now is the time to change and step up to semi-pro equipment. I list you what I have in mind (camera, lenses, housing, domes and strobe kit) and as a totally new user I would appreciate any input of yours. I have to mention that lenses were chosen by non diver professional photographer, but I’ll be using this camera under the water too. There is rebate going on Digital rebel XT now so I thing that will be a good starting boost and use that $100 on housing etc. So here we go:

Canon EOS Digital Rebel XT (a.k.a. 350D) 8.0 Megapixel, SLR, Digital Camera Body (Black)
Price $ 679.95
Mail-In Rebate: $ 100.00
Price After Rebate: $ 579.95

SIGMA Zoom Super Wide Angle 10-20mm f/4-5.6 EX DC HSM Autofocus Lens for Canon Digital SLR Cameras
Price $ 499.00

Canon Zoom Super Wide Angle EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM Autofocus Lens for Select Digital SLR Cameras
Price $ 509.95

Ikelite #6871.35 eTTL2 Underwater Housing for Canon EOS Digital Rebel XT - Rated up to 200'
Price $ 1,234.95

Ikelite 8" Dome Port Kit for Wide Angle Zoom lenses 5510.81
Price $ 379.95

Ikelite Dome Port for Canon 17-85mm EF lens 5503.90
Price $ 175.95

Ikelite SubStrobe DS-125 Digital Package with TTL Sync Cord and Deluxe Ball Socket Strobe Arm - Rated up to 300' 3944.75
Price $ 819.95

Also do you please know about some company (except B+H; which I heard only the best about) that can give me deal on this setup if I buy the whole thing from them?

Thank you for your input

Michael

 

[sitka diver]

So I am just wondering why the 8" dome port. I have been shooting underwater for 3years and have never had a problem with the 6" dome port.

First of all you would save $400 not buying it. And the only difference really is the actual dome itself. With the dome being so big it is to easy to scratch.....that and you have to put ur lens on after you put the camera in the housing, Sounds like a big waste of time and energy to me.

The lenses that I use in my housing with a 6" dome port areall CANON)
17x85
50mm macro 100mm macro
10x22 superwide 17x40 superwide

As for the wideangle they fit and work just fine in the 6" port.

 

[Jeff Toorish]

From three decades of experience, I would say stick with only Canon lenses for that camera. Also, you might consider a 20d, I think it's is a better camera and there are very good deals on them now that the 30d is out.

But even if you stick with the Rebel (which is a fine camera) go with Canon lenses.

If you have any questions about Canon, feel free to PM me.

Jeff

 

[havnmonkey]

You've got almost 4 grand in this list... you should probably add insurance too.

Also maybe a case to carry it in.

I've heard if you sell your spleen and a kidney on Ebay, you might find a deal.

 

[Diver Dennis]

I'm new to U/W photography, I started last December, and I have almost the exact set up you are thinking of. I have the 6" port and I find it very soft on the edges with the Canon 10-22mm. I ordered the 8" and I'm taking it to the Philippines tomorrow and leaving the 6" behind.
I found a lot of the reviews on the 17-85mm and I chose not to buy it because of a lot of barrel distortion at 17mm. You should read some reviews before buying it. I bought the 100mm macro and it was a very good decision for me. The 60mm is very good as well. You didn't have a macro lens on your list.
I also splurged and bought 2 of the DS-125s. They make a big difference when shooting WA and help eliminate shadows when shooting macro.
In the end you have to decide what you want to shoot and how much you want to spend. My gallery has both WA and macro shots I've taken with this set up.
http://www.scubaboard.com/gallery/showgallery.php?cat=all&ppuser=39385

 

[pavouk]

Thank you for speedy answers. As I said, the lenses were chosen by professional photographer who does not take underwater pictures.
Sigma lens 10-20mm was chosen for “fish eye” like pictures as wide angle lens shooting “a lot of water” around you with lot of objects. I’m not sure if I want to go with wide angle or macro lens.
Canon lens 17-85 mm was chosen for normal above water shooting and occasional shoots underwater it can not be used for macro shots and you van not unlock the whole potentional of this lens in Ikelite housing Zoom Lenses usually require addition of a +4 diopter close-up to the lens for full range operation underwater behind a dome port.. The 8” dome can be used with both lenses except there is no zooming possible on Canon lens. Therefore additional dome. I know there is no change possible between AF/MF and image stabilization. But I think that it is not that important to switch those values. Most of the shots will be taken with stabilization (the lens is very good for stabilization) and most likely there will be no time to switch and play with manual focus underwater especially with mask looking through magnification glass on the housing with such a small viewfinder.
I was looking for suggestions if wide angle or macro lens. I do not want to lug around to many domes and lenses.
I’ll be doing most of my diving around Ft. Lauderdale, Miami Fla Keys area because I live 2 hours on the other coast of Florida in Ft. Myers. I can visit some Caribbean countries too. So you can see that my conditions will be mostly perfect for lighting. I also asked same question about two strobes UW professional photographers and they told me that as a beginner you really want to get used to housing with flash first (drag, submerging, overall manipulation underwater) and once I know what to expect attach additional strobe or fill light if needed or conditions require. Since I can not consider myself as “experienced” diver (fewer than 100 dives logged) I rather buy more bulky stuff later once I have the housing and operation “in my hand”.
Michael
P.S. 20D is too much camera for me now and the price difference is to much and I can use the difference for other equipment. Also my diving photography won't be at a professional level, but I wanted decent camera for overall use with interchangeable lenses. I did not list obvious things like, case, memory cards extra batteries and vertical grip, which will be mostly used above water.

 

[Diver Dennis]

Both the 17-85 qnd the 10-22 lenses can be "zoomed". I have the port for the 17-85mm and it has a zoom knob on the side of the port. The WA lense has a spring loaded cuff that goes on the lens and a zoom gear that is controled with a knob on the side of the housing.
Do not use IS underwater. I have this information from the pros at Wetpixel.com.
All the U?W pro photographers I know say to get 2 strobes if you can afford it. The extra drag or balance in the water is no different than 1 strobe, it would just be a little heavier on land. I'm not sure what you mean by your statement that your conditions "will be mostly perfect for lighting" but I only shoot in warm water and lighting is still a challenge.

 

[havnmonkey]

Manual Setting is always best U/W... Your camera thinks it's seeing air, so you must tell it that it's not.

 

[pavouk]

Wow that is why you ask at forums first before you buy. Because the camera has to be versatile I want to get setup which I’ll use in both worlds. I guess I do have add another lens to my setup (Sigma 105mm f/2.8 EX DG Macro or Canon 100mm 1:2.8 EF Macro) and add flat port as Ikelite recommends.
Weather vise is South florida nice for water clarity and viz. But if there is another $820 in play just for strobe which I can use for purchasing macro lens at the beginning. I guess I have to save little bit more for this strobe setup

 

[Diver Dennis]

There are people who use just one strobe but I'm glad I got two. The great thing about these DS-125s is that they last for years and you can transfer them to any other camera you might buy in the future. There are people who just use one but you will get better results, in my opinion, with two. I thought when I started out that I would use WA much more than macro but I've been taking mostly macro shots lately.
Buoyancy is very important in U/W photography along with being aware of your gas situation and where your buddy is. Lots to think about even before you start adjusting your camera and composing a shot.