Ordered G15 ... a few questions.

[DreaminOfSand&Salt]

Just ordered G15 with fantasea housing, macro lens, and filter - Do I need the wide angle lens? What brand of strobe (budget), I was looking at the sea and sea YS-O1 or will some of the cheaper brands do as good of a job? I am not looking to publish I just want some good pics for our own albums.

Thanks
Brian

 

[netazure]

Sounds like you answered all your own questions, not sure you NEED a wide angle lens =) for max choice underwater sure, but if this is your first decent UW camera, you will be fine shooting at the wide end of the G15 and playing with macro, sometimes extra stuff is extra, while having options is the main selling point to using a P&S, messing with too many things early on will just make sure you are not great at any of them, I would wait until you really want to shoot wide angle, because IMHO the results are going to be rather meh with a P&S anyway.

-mike

 

[coralcruiser]

The only WA lens worth using with the G15 is made by Inon and will run you well over $300 for the setup. IMHO, don't be in a rush to run out and get a WA lens yet. I agree with netazure.

As for a strobe...check out the Inon S2000 which is nice and compact for traveling. I've been shooting with it since it came out and like using it.

I believe that Ikelite came out with a little strobe called the Manta but haven't read any reviews yet

 

[Interceptor121]

If you want the least headache get an Inon D2000, most likely you will be shooting macro or close ups with the G15 due to the lack of wide angle lens support and the D2000 works in eAuto with the G15 in manual
No Sea and Sea strobe can work in manual TTL unless you hack the firmware with CHDK

 

[DreaminOfSand&Salt]

Thanks for the replys - I have also seen the Ikelite Manta ... but no reviews yet, What are the differences (for an amateur) between the Inon S2000 and the D2000 other than $200?

 

[Hetland]

+1 to what everyone says above. Priceless advice.

The D2000 allows you to shoot in sTTL and in "Auto" mode. "Auto" mode allows you to set the strobe to the aperture setting on your camera. The strobe then figures out how long the strobe needs to fire for an adequate exposure. This is especially helpful to new photographers, but it does have it's limitations. The D2000 also has an aiming lamp, which is useful, but not as good as a separate lamp that's aligned with your lens. Sometimes your strobe does not need to point perfectly at your focus point, and in those cases, the strobe-integrated focus light is less useful. The D2000 also has a 13-step manual intensity adjustment that is very useful if you shoot the strobe in manual.

I've used a Sea & Sea, and several models of the Inon line. Both companies make great strobes. The Sea & Sea's seem to have a little more light than their advertised guide numbers, which is a good thing, but I have heard about flood issues on the newer models. The Inon's seem to have a tiny bit less light than their guide numbers, but they are near bulletproof if you use the correct batteries (the Type III strobes can overheat in certain circumstances when certain batteries are in use)

Currently I own a D2000, a D2000w, and a Z240. All excellent strobes, and all bulletproof for me, even though they were all purchased used.

While I love the small size (and price) of the S2000, I would have to say, that I recommend the D2000 Type VI over everything else I have tried. It's perfect for beginners, and it will grow with you as you advance in skill and technique. The hold their value very well. I can sell every strobe I have for about what I paid for them.

That said, there are many quality strobes on the market, and as long as you invest in a quality brand, that is sufficiently powered, toy probably won't be disappointed.