S90 or 40D UW housing and Nikonos SB105

[davidw]

I'm putting together a UW camera rig for a trip this fall. I've done a lot of shooting topside with a Canon 40D but have not used it underwater (yet). There's a lot of information out there and am hoping for some help in figuring out the best setup for me.

I've shot with an old Nikonos V w/ a SB105 strobe but am looking to go digital. (shoot more than 36 shots per dive, instant feedback, newer technology)

Ideally I'd like to get a housing for the 40D but these are not compatible with newer bodies. If I later upgrade to a 5DmkII (or whatever comes next) the housing won't work with it.

Alternately, I could get a S90 and housing together for less money than the 40D housing.

Also, could I use the SB105 strobe with either (or both) of these setups?


Thanks!

 

[weeksd]

The sb105 can be used in manual modes only. No ttl as the camera is dttl and the strobe is ttl. My buddy uses the nikonos sb105 with his nikon d90 digital.

 

[HerraduraDivers]

Depending on your budget and your lenses....
Shopping around for a used 40D housing may be sucessful and you as you can find the housing and sometimes the complete rig for accessible prices.
As the camera is nice and will perform good underwater you may pull the plug and go for a new housing as it will take some years again until the 40D is really outdated. A new Ikelite housing with a dome and a macro port will be around 1800$. Choosing the strobes and arms to be compatible with your next camera this investment won't be lost.
Optical triggered slave strobes work perfectly with virtually any camera/housing combination under the condition that the housing let the internal flash to fire, or you stick with Ikelite and you will be able to continue to use your DS Series Strobes on any other Ikelite housing with a bulkhead. Used strobes can often found at attractive prices.

Be advised that Ikelite housings don't allow to use optical slave strobes as the housing don't allow the internal strobe to pop up and thus fire and trigger the optical strobe, while some aluminium housings don't have a port where the strobe flash can "escape" to trigger the strobe.

As DSLR photographer i guess that you would like the G11 more than the S90.

Chris