newbie question on A710IS and housing

[czwong]

Hi, I am just getting into underwater photography and would appreciate your advice on this. Thinking of picking up the Canon A710 IS with the canon underwater housing for my dive trip this January (also considering the SD800IS but prefer the A series with more control). After browsing through some posts, I start to have doubts about getting the canon housing with the camera. Should I spend the extra $$$ for an ikelite housing (basically double the price) so I can have the option to add
wide angle lens later? I like the more compact form factor of the canon
housing and wondering how important is the wide angle lens option.
Also, is there going to be problem with canon housing if I want to add a
strobe later on? I understand strobe is quite important for underwater photography, but budget is going to be an issue. Is the internal flash almost not usable?

Pardon all my questions, trying to get a footing here as a newbie.... Thanks for all the help in advance!

 

[alcina]

You are going to have to decide what is most important to you:
- small form OR
- ability to add-on wet mate lenses.

Strobes can be added to both the Ikelite and the Canon housings, so that doesn't really matter as there are a variety of options for both.

I have used Canon housings with my Canon A series cameras for years with no problems and I love the small rig. I've added Ikelite and Inon strobes to these units with no problems.

Don't forget to budget for things like a tray and arm for your strobe.

Jump in, the water's great!

 

[czwong]

Thanks alcina, will probably get the Canon housing because of the compact form factor and hope Inon will come out with lens adaptor later. Well at least I can add strobes to this setup, shouldn't be too big a problem

 

[Lyndon]

I never recommend canon housings after Ive flooded 2 A70s with mine...i was careful to say the least especially after the 1st flood...Im an Ikelite fan

 

[Willar]

I've used the Canon S30 and the Canon housing since it was state of the art. I have really enjoyed the small size of the package. I have a good heavy duty coiled cord to clip it to my BC. Sometimes I focus on the camera work (no pun intended) and sometimes I clip it and just enjoy the dive. I watch divers with big strobes (or 2) and how much work it is to handle that gear and I am glad I have the smaller setup. I'm sure they end up with some fabulous pics, but I have always come home with some really great pics.

I am ready to spend cash on a new camera and I think I'll do the A710IS and Canon's UW case. I've been very happy with that setup and I hear the A710 is excellent.

 

[czwong]

Just came back from my dive trip in the Philippines. Took my brand new A710 IS with the Canon underwater housing with me and I was quite happy with the results. The camera would definitely benefit from an external strobe but you just have to get close enough to take the picture while using the internal flash. There is only one thing I don't quite like about the A710 - flash recycle time. It takes about 5-7 secs for flash to come back on again (on new set of batteries). You will probably miss some shots because of this delay. Other than that I would highly recommend this camera!

Photos from Philippines dive trip with A710 IS
http://Mentat.smugmug.com/gallery/2339952/1/122442399

 

[Willar]

Wow! Your photos are outstanding! This reinforces my thoughts on the A710.

I have heard the slow flash recharge is an issue. Did you have the red-eye turned off? I hear that can affect the recycle time.

How did it do with the flash turned off?

How well did the IS feature work underwater?

 

[czwong]

Glad you like the photos and the A710 really performs well underwater. I used the "Av" mode with flash (no red-eye) most of the time and the recycle time is still around 5-7 secs.... since there was almost no sunshine (heavy overcast to rainstorm) during my stay in Bohol Philippines, all the non-flash photos have heavy blue cast even taken at shallow depth (10-20ft). The IS feature is quite helpful as I got minimal number of blurred pictures due to hand-shake and current induced movements.

 

[sassy19a]

Hi, czwong

The pictures are amazing! I am also thinking of buying A710 and its underwater casing. However at another thread (link below) the person commented that the flash is blocked when taking macro picts. Do you also experience such incidents? Would really like to hear from someone who has used it before. Thanx!


http://www.scubaboard.com/showthread.php?t=181667&page=3&highlight=canon+A710

 

[Dusty2]

The recharge time is a fault of the two battery cameras and is one of the many reasons I went with the A640 The flash cycle time is very fast indeed. I have to ask what you are using for batteries. canon reccommends you use 2700 mah rechargables and never disposables. you will get very slow times and poor performance with anything less than 2500 mah bats. I reccommend you think about the A630/640 instead. The IS is not that important underwater

As for the case issue?? Canon cases are fine for the most part but you need to be real careful maintaining them or they will leak. and they won't handle rough treatment very well. Also there is the depth issue. they are rated to 130 feet but any one who takes one below 100 is flirting with disaster. The flash is useable and works for macros as long as you use the difusser, you will have a shadow in the lower right corner which gets progressivly larger the closer you get. the case fits well in my hand and I do most of my shooting with one hand.

As for the the ikelite housing they are very strong and very well built but you had better be perpared to dig deep in the old money bags right away. The built in lens barrel for the add on lenses is very large and renders the camera flash useless so plan on buying a strobe and mount along with the case. Also they are much bulker so figure on using both hands.

In the end it's your decision. The difference in the price of the cases is about $235.00 or roughly the price of the camera. The strobe will add another $250 to over $500 depending on what you buy but this is money you will probably spend later anyway.