Q: Sea&Sea strobe vs Ikelite?

[scubapatton]

I am looking at getting the G9 very soon. I will PROBABLY go with the Ikelite housing (vs the Canon housing). I am ONLY considering those 2 housings.

So... once I pick the housing, I am looking at either the Sea&Sea YS110 or the Ikelite DS125 strobe. I only am getting one strobe. The cost difference seems pretty significant so I really would like input form those that have opinions about ONLY these 2 options. I have my reasons for Sea&Sea or Ikelite, so if you have something to offer, PLEASE "write" up (vs speak up). I am torn.

Cost is a bit of a factor. I am really pretty new at it. I have used a Canon S230 with Canon housing (no strobe) so this is a big jump. I have been told I have a good eye for photos, so I would like to learn more about it, etc. I am not going with a dSLR, nor with a 2-strobe setup. I want photos to about 8x10 or 11x17 that friends and family can hang up if they want.

Thanks!

 

[wmiller]

Don't overlook the Inon D2000. This is a slick strobe which I just upgraded to from my Sea & Sea YS90 DX. I use it with my Rebel XTi and SeaTool housing.

 

[scubapatton]

I did not overlook Inon. I just can get good deals on Sea&Sea and Ikelite, so....

 

[Gilligan]

1. Will The Sea & Sea strobe fit the Ike arm/tray? I don't believe so. If not, is there an adapter for it?

2. The Sea & Sea YS-110 has a built in focus/target light and the Ikelite does not. IMHO that light is an invaluable accessory. I have one on my Inon D-180. It shuts off automatically when the strobe fires. You will likely have to ad some type of small dive light to the Ike setup to use as a focus/target light and it won't shut off when the strobe fires.

3. The Ike tray has a single handle on the left side. I'm not sure Ike offers a dual handle tray for that housing. It come with a single handle one. I am a firm believer in a dual handled tray, especially one that will allow you to hold the rig in your right hand and work the shutter/zoom controls at the same time leaving your left hand free for buoyancy control under certain conditions.

4. Not sure if the Canon housing has full use of all the camera controls? There have been issues with some Canon housings in that area.

Good luck. The G9 looks like the best underwater choice for a point-n-shoot camera right now, especially since Canon brought RAW mode back. If I had to replace my camera right now I would most likely go with the G9.

 

[dbh]

The Ike DS125 does have a target / focus light.

IMHO, if you go with the Ike housing...get the Ike strobe. With the G9 having a hotshoe, Ike will most likely offer TTL with that system. If you go with the Canon housing, get the YS110. It will fire via fiber optic (where the Ike needs a controller).

That being said, I still prefer the Inon strobes .

Dave