Strobe for Canon SD 850?

[TwoScratchers]

I've been shooting with the SD 850 for a couple of years, using the custom white balance and natural light to get pretty decent photos. I'd like to upgrade by adding a strobe, but also realize that the camera has been discontinued. Does it make sense to upgrade a rig with a discontinued camera? Will my results be significantly better with this camera and a strobe? Any feedback would be helpful. And if you can recommend a good beginner strobe that works with the SD 850, I'd appreciate it. Thanks!

 

[flareside]

No reason to worry about the camera being discontinued as the strobe for the most part doesn't care. As to whether your results will be significantly better, that's hard to say but the potential is there. Remember, photography is a symbiotic relationship of user and tools.

It would be a good idea to assess your photographic future before getting a new strobe however. If you plan to upgrade your camera at some point in the foreseeable future, financially it makes more sense to get a strobe you can grow into rather than outgrow. I suggest you peruse the Strobes and Lighting section of the forum to get a better idea of which specific strobes might be best suited to your needs. And what will be the best fit for you may also come down to your budget. Don't forget, in order to add a strobe you will also need to add a tray and arms so be sure and budget them in.

 

[Warmwater Wank]

2Scratch--Welcome to SB! Flareside makes several good points and strobes don't change nearly as much or as fast as cameras do. Buy a decent strobe and it will likely see you through a few camera changes if need be. Getting a decent strobe also means you can always use it as a second strobe should you ever decide to.

What's a "decent" strobe? Well, use the SB search feature and certainly check the lighting forum but also try to get an idea where you might want to go with your photography. If you don't see yourself ever getting past a good point & shoot you may not need a top end strobe but if you even suspect that "someday..." a dslr is a possibility don't cheap out and get a small, low output strobe. Sea & Sea as well as Inon are probably the two brands you will hear a lot about (unless you get or use an Ikelite housing, in which case you'll need to look at their strobes).

Here are two very helpful sites to check out:
Underwater Strobe Comparison Guide - Digital Diver Network

Underwater Photography Guide

Do your homework, think about your needs, have fun--but yes, an external strobe will make a significant difference with any camera that can adjust for one! // ww

 

[TwoScratchers]

Thanks, Flareside and Warmwater...all makes sense, and I appreciate the links.