Thinking about exploring underwater photography

[ft.lauderdale diver]

So I have a 40d and a few different lenses 17-55, 70-200, and 50 1.4. Thinking about what it would take to get my equipment under water. What kind of cost are we talking about (I would imagine a prime lens or a wider angle lens will be most practical).

Any insight would be appreciated!

FYI all my diving now is in S. Florida- if that matters

 

[bvanant]

Go see Ryan at Reef in Ft. L. He has several housings for the 40D ranging from Ikelite ($1400 or so) to Inon ($2500 or so and definitely an Iconoclastic choice) to S&S ($2900) to Seatool ($3000) to Subal ($4000). Then you add ports (wide angle $600, macro $300) and two strobes ($400 to $900 each). Depending on your budget and whim, you can spend $2500 to $6000 for complete setups. All are good, with different ergonomics, look and feel, bragging rights etc. Have fun, go diving. The two most popular lenses will be the 60 macro and the Tokina 10-17 depending on your view (wide or macro).
Bill

 

[Choyster]

You might consider getting a point and shoot with an OEM housing to start with. That will *only* set you back $500 or so depending upon what you get. Next step would be to add a strobe like the Inon Z240 which can be used for both a P&S as well as a housed DSLR. There are a bunch of accessories that you need which add up (e.g. tray, arms, fiber optic cable, etc.). Might be good to see if you like it before investing a couple grand on the DSLR set up.

 

[Mel Moncrieff]

Ikelite is the cheapest way to go to get started in DSLR, and I agree that Ryan at Reefphoto.com is a good choice. Besides having cheaper housings, they have nice strobes that have TTL compatibility with your camera, and their ports and domes are much less expensive than those of other housings. I agree that you will eventually want the Tokina 10--17mm wide angle, and the 60 mm macro, but you could start out with a single Ikelite DS 160 strobe, and the housing and port for your 17-55 lens, and still be around $2500 price wise. The nice thing about housings for the 40D is that they will also fit the 50D if you later decide to upgrade your camera body.

Mel