I may as well throw in my $.02 worth. I have a Canon S95. I have both an Iklite and Canon housing. I find the Canon Housing easier to use. I have been happy enough with the Canon I bought another on Ebay. Being an "old model" now but not too old they are readily available. I got the Iklite Housing so I could attach a wetlens for macro. You can even "stack" a couple Inons on it. I don't have a strobe but experimenting with other light options.
The Canon S95 can do much more than I know how to ask of it. It has a very "fast lens" and works well under low light with just the diffuser and internal flash. These shots are some of my first ones with the camera and I did not have any additional lenses attached. I expect to get much better with my Inon lense on our next dive trip. It can certainly "grow with you for a while. here is an example of what it can do
one of my favourite subjects.. the Sydney Pygmy Pipehorse. To put it into perspective the filaments attached to it's head are not much bigger than a human hair! Those shots were taken with only the internal flash.
My suggestions would be Get something like the S95 and spend the rest of your bonus on an Underwater Photography course. I have seen people with a lot of expensive equipment that still couldn't get decent shots! Spendyou money on getting the knowledge and getting as much underwater time as you can/ If or when you decide you want something more you will have a better idea what you want and the experience/knowledge to get the most out of it.
The Canon S95 can do much more than I know how to ask of it. It has a very "fast lens" and works well under low light with just the diffuser and internal flash. These shots are some of my first ones with the camera and I did not have any additional lenses attached. I expect to get much better with my Inon lense on our next dive trip. It can certainly "grow with you for a while. here is an example of what it can do
one of my favourite subjects.. the Sydney Pygmy Pipehorse. To put it into perspective the filaments attached to it's head are not much bigger than a human hair! Those shots were taken with only the internal flash.
My suggestions would be Get something like the S95 and spend the rest of your bonus on an Underwater Photography course. I have seen people with a lot of expensive equipment that still couldn't get decent shots! Spendyou money on getting the knowledge and getting as much underwater time as you can/ If or when you decide you want something more you will have a better idea what you want and the experience/knowledge to get the most out of it.
). 
