New to underwater photography and strobe(s)

[StreetDoctor]

I'm sure this has been asked quite a few times but I can't find much information regarding the lens I plan on using. This isn't my first DSLR and I'm pretty comfortable topside with my D90 but I'm completely foreign to underwater photography. I plan on using a sigma 10-20 lens for my underwater setup. My question is my budget right now is probably going to limit me to one strobe. I was planning on buying an Ikelite housing, 8" dome port and body and one DS160 strobe. I'd like to add another strobe in the future but am I going to have any problems with this setup in the mean time? At 10mm the lens is 104 degrees, I understand with a diffuser the 160 is 100 degrees. The majority of my use will be local shipwreck diving in 30'-50' vis with 2-3 tropical trips per year.

Any tips or advice?

 

[Ardy]

If you are wreck diving and depth is an issue then I would be looking at an Aquatica not sure which strobe is good for deep stuff. A single strobe is fine just set it up over the centre of the housing id you can to prevent side shadowing. The downside of course is particles being lighted but with one strobe it is the better option in my book.

the Sigma 10-20 has been discussed here and maybe a search will bring up something, if not try Wetpixel and search there as I am sure there was a recent discussion on wa lenses and the Sigma was discussed.

 

[bvanant]

Single strobes for wide angle wreck pics are quite challenging, I would work out ways to actually use the shadow from the strobe creatively since putting the strobe co-linear with the lens will generate lots of backscatter.
Bill

 

[marcaumarc]

I think you should be fine. If you're shooting a whole wreck, you probably won't be using your strobe anyway since the light doesn't really make it further than about six feet. For closer up stuff, one strobe is not as good as two, but there's still plenty you can do.