Rookie question - Canon A1100IS

[Rhone Man]

Thinking of buying a Canon A1100IS with an Ikelite housing.

I took a class where we used a Canon A570IS with an Ikelite housing and it seemed great to me, but the technology now looks a bit dated. Before pushing the "buy now" button I thought I would solicit opinons from the board?

 

[Splash-X]

Maybe you can give us some insight on why you're targeting the A1100IS camera? Is it the low price of the camera that attracted you?

Do you plan to use the camera only below water or are you looking for a good above water and below water camera?

Are you dead set on an Ikelite housing or is the Canon housing an option for you?

What type of budget are you looking at?


I myself own a a650IS camera and use the Canon housing. I use it with a Sea & Sea strobe and get very good shots. My next upgrade would be more towards a G series camera.

 

[Rhone Man]

Thanks - I'll answer as best I can:

Maybe you can give us some insight on why you're targeting the A1100IS camera? Is it the low price of the camera that attracted you?

Partly the low price, and partly because I had liked using the A570 but I was feeling that the more advanced model would presumably be "same but better".

Do you plan to use the camera only below water or are you looking for a good above water and below water camera?

Pretty much only planning to use it below water.

Are you dead set on an Ikelite housing or is the Canon housing an option for you?

Not dead set on it, but was leaning strongly that way. Again, the advice that I had received to date had been to the effect that the Ikelite housing gave superior functionality underwater, and made the unit more amenable to various equipment upgrades in the future.

What type of budget are you looking at?

Trying to stay in the $600 range, but might be able to stretch it.

I myself own a a650IS camera and use the Canon housing. I use it with a Sea & Sea strobe and get very good shots. My next upgrade would be more towards a G series camera.

I had understood that the Canon housing gave you limited ability with flash diffusers underwater. Presumably you haven't really found that to be a problem?

 

[Nemrod]

The 570 is a better camera for underwater use. The 590 is just as good. Both are discontinued. I prefer the Ikelite housing with these. The Canon S90 is a better choice than any of the above, by far.

N

 

[DSR-3]

There's a Canon A720IS & WP-DC16 on ebay for $149 with no bids. I'd consider that plus a strobe, but maybe I'm only trying to justify my spending (but I paid much more)! I've considered buying them as spares, but I'm trying to get strobe #2 ready before next trip. The ability to add lenses easily would be nice (Ike housing).
Good Luck!

 

[Splash-X]

I had understood that the Canon housing gave you limited ability with flash diffusers underwater. Presumably you haven't really found that to be a problem?

This is only part true. The stock housings have no real port for strobe cables. If you buy a Sea & Sea strobe it comes with a mask kit that is a large sheet of velcro. You simply cut a L shape and use it to wrap around where the stock diffuser blocks. You use the gromet supplied with the mask kit to create a "snap" where the strobe cable plugs in to.

Here is a picture of the mask kit:

http://www.sea-sea.net/shop/images/Strobe Mask Set.jpg



I can take a picture of my housing with and without the mask on it if you like, it's hard to find pictures of a complete setup, but it looks somewhat similar to:

http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/canon-corner/323539-canon-g10-housing-wp-dc28-strobe-mask.html



Here is someone else here on SB that is using a strobe with the stock housing for an a570 without the mask. You'd have to PM them for more info

http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/4400396-post8.html

 

[captdaveb]

I bought my wife an A1100IS for Christmas last year, she hasn't really used it. I bought an Ikelite housing for it, all camera functions are operable with this housing. I haven't really used it underwater yet, but the topside photos are impressive for such a low price and simple use! I am in the market for a strobe, still unsure which one I will go with, but am planning some shots without when I get home this month(Miss. River towboat Pilot). I think the camera will be fine for my limited photo experience, maybe will upgrade later after some experience. That's why I'm still undecided about strobe, don't know whether to stay "cheap" because I'll only get limited usage out of it, or go more expensive where I can use with an upgraded camera. Don't know if this helps or not, wish you luck. Capt. Dave