Upgrading to a canon g11/12 set up...lots of questions

[shaller]

I'm pretty new to the world of underwater photography and only have done a little bit of shooting with my canon s95. I found out that I'm going to be doing a bit more diving than I recently though this year so I figured I would upgrade my kit for the future. As of right now i'm using a canon s95 with an oem housing and a ys-01 with the sea arm VII. I got decent results, but i found a lot of limitations in what I could do with it. I found it difficult not having ttl especially as a beginner. Also, the s95's macro mode isn't very good. I've been trying to do as much research as possible on the gear I'm going to need, but it seems like i've been only getting more confused. I figured coming here would be my best option. Also, for my rig, I wouldn't mind selling the stuff I already have and would also consider keeping the s95 for underwater if it can get done what i'm looking to do.

1) What do I need to get the g11/g12 to work with ys-01s in ttl mode. (What housing etc..) Im not in full understanding of how ttl actually works compared to my 430exII
2) What would I need to be able to shoot macro and wide angle in the same dive? Wet lenses etc. (If thats even possible)
3) Is it worth getting a 2nd Ys-01 especially if I might get a housing for my dslr 2 or 3 years down the road?

I'm open to any and all suggestions and would love to really love to see a nice list of what I need to do what Im looking for. I have no problem switching out strobes and arms if needed.

Cheers!

 

[cardog]

I'm pretty new to the world of underwater photography and only have done a little bit of shooting with my canon s95. I found out that I'm going to be doing a bit more diving than I recently though this year so I figured I would upgrade my kit for the future. As of right now i'm using a canon s95 with an oem housing and a ys-01 with the sea arm VII. I got decent results, but i found a lot of limitations in what I could do with it. I found it difficult not having ttl especially as a beginner. Also, the s95's macro mode isn't very good. I've been trying to do as much research as possible on the gear I'm going to need, but it seems like i've been only getting more confused. I figured coming here would be my best option. Also, for my rig, I wouldn't mind selling the stuff I already have and would also consider keeping the s95 for underwater if it can get done what i'm looking to do.

1) What do I need to get the g11/g12 to work with ys-01s in ttl mode. (What housing etc..) Im not in full understanding of how ttl actually works compared to my 430exII
2) What would I need to be able to shoot macro and wide angle in the same dive? Wet lenses etc. (If thats even possible)
3) Is it worth getting a 2nd Ys-01 especially if I might get a housing for my dslr 2 or 3 years down the road?

I'm open to any and all suggestions and would love to really love to see a nice list of what I need to do what Im looking for. I have no problem switching out strobes and arms if needed.

Cheers!

The YS-01 will do s ttl with your Canon. Just not in manual.............

 

[shaller]

I know the ys-01 can do ttl, but I didn't think it was possible with the canon housing.

 

[thejamez]

Why not change out your limited housing for a much better one, and use the s95.. instead of buying all new setup and camera?

With the FIX S95 housing you have access to all the camera's controls, the strobe capability, and a ton of wide angle and macro lenses... at least that's what my own research is telling me (and what I'm in the process of piecing together myself).

 

[Gilligan]

Don't confuse TTL with S-TTL.

True TTL is hard wired between the strobe head and the housing. The camera has a chip mounted on its hot shoe. That chip relays the camera's settings to the strobe. Sea & Sea strobes are fiber optic fired and that is S-TTL or whatever marketing term is given to it.

As cardog stated your camera can work with the S-TTL in some modes (not M mode). I think the same is true with the G12? I use a Sea & Sea YS-27DX (out of production) with my G12. It has only manual settings which I don't find to be an issue once you find the "sweet spots".

IMO I would suggest you not buy a Canon housing for a G12, should you get one. It is not the best choice for wet-mount lenses due to its oval shaped lens port. I use them because they are cost effective and I don't use add-on lenses.

If you wanted true TTL with a G12 you would have to buy a higher end housing like Ikelite and one of their strobes that is capable of true TTL.

thejamez gave you a good suggestion but you already stated you don't like the macro feature on your S95.

 

[shaller]

Does anyone know if any form of ttl can be achieved with the g11/12 in manual mode?

 

[Gilligan]

Does anyone know if any form of ttl can be achieved with the g11/12 in manual mode?

According to this discussion The Canon G series cameras do not support TTL in the M Mode. Not sure about the new G1X which replaces the G12.

Maybe there is a CHDK hack that will allow it?

Have you considered one of the 4:3 camera systems such as the Olympus ELP-2? They have changeable lenses and are a step above point-and-shoot cameras and are more compact than DSLR cameras. More money of course.

 

[azscubadude]

Does anyone know if any form of ttl can be achieved with the g11/12 in manual mode?

From all I know I don't believe you can. I have my G12 in an Ikelite housing which offers TTL running to two Ikelite DS-161 strobes which offer TTL.. but even using this setup there is no TTL using the camera Manual Mode.

I should add that using an Ikelite housing on your s95 (or for that matter any other housing) there will be no (hardwired) TTL because there isn't a Hot Shoe on the s95. That's why anyone looking for TTL goes with the Ikelite housings.

ps.. If you can, go with the G12, just the front dial and 720 HD makes a world of difference. If you decide to go with the Ikelite housing they are basically the same for the G11 and G12 except Ikelite added the control for the front dial and offered a retrofit ($75.00) to upgrade the housing for the G11, adding the front dial control for the G12.

Here are some shots to show what the G12 can do without any additional lenses.. wide angle or close up, just the camera in a housing. Don't forget, the G12 does Macro down to 1cm (.393 of an inch) and HD video (720).

Cozumel-March-2011

What everyone is worried about (including myself) is that the new Canon G1X has a minimum Macro focusing distance of over 7 inches. The G12 will be a popular camera for UW photography for quite a while (IMHO).

 

[shaller]

From all I know I don't believe you can. I have my G12 in an Ikelite housing which offers TTL running to two Ikelite DS-161 strobes which offer TTL.. but even using this setup there is no TTL using the camera Manual Mode.

I should add that using an Ikelite housing on your s95 (or for that matter any other housing) there will be no (hardwired) TTL because there isn't a Hot Shoe on the s95. That's why anyone looking for TTL goes with the Ikelite housings.

ps.. If you can, go with the G12, just the front dial and 720 HD makes a world of difference. If you decide to go with the Ikelite housing they are basically the same for the G11 and G12 except Ikelite added the control for the front dial and offered a retrofit ($75.00) to upgrade the housing for the G11, adding the front dial control for the G12.

Here are some shots to show what the G12 can do without any additional lenses.. wide angle or close up, just the camera in a housing. Don't forget, the G12 does Macro down to 1cm (.393 of an inch) and HD video (720).

Cozumel-March-2011

What everyone is worried about (including myself) is that the new Canon G1X has a minimum Macro focusing distance of over 7 inches. The G12 will be a popular camera for UW photography for quite a while (IMHO).

Thanks for the reply. Those are some really nice shots.

So this Is what I'm getting from all this. Correct me if I'm wrong. Hardwired ttl can only be achieved using ikelite strobes and housings and I would be able to use a macro lens and a wide angle wet lens on the same dive?

My question now is will the ikelite housing be compatible with the type of ttl used on my ys-01, or will I need something like a fix housing for that to work?

 

[azscubadude]

Thanks for the reply. Those are some really nice shots.

So this Is what I'm getting from all this. Correct me if I'm wrong. Hardwired ttl can only be achieved using ikelite strobes and housings and I would be able to use a macro lens and a wide angle wet lens on the same dive?

My question now is will the ikelite housing be compatible with the type of ttl used on my ys-01, or will I need something like a fix housing for that to work?

As far as I know your statement is correct, at least in the P&S category, that the only true TTL is with the Ikelite housing. I'm not sure about your ys-01 but one call to the guys at Ikelite will get you an answer real fast. I do believe that the Fix housing is sTTL so it isn't hard wired. Below attachment is what I found on Ikelite's web site..

You should email Scott over at BlueWaterPhoto, he would know better than me.. sales@bluewaterphotostore.com

No matter who you talk to other than Ikelite they will try to talk you out of worrying about TTL and that you should shoot in Manual Mode all the time. My opinion is.. I only get a few dive trips a year and I don't want to come home with tons of under or overexposed photos while I'm experimenting. I've been a photographer for many years and know all my cameras inside and out (from all my Pro bodies for wildlife to my little walk around P&S) and I will go with the easiest route I can take to get good photographs every time. If I lived on the coast and could dive every week it would be a different story. UW photography is difficult enough given all the variables, making it harder when not needed is foolish to me.

The thing about having true TTL is that the strobes also come with Manual settings so if I want to experiment with my lighting I have that option.. but not having it is not an option for me.

As a side note.. I don't have any involvement in Ikelite other than I use (and pay full price) for the products from one of their distributors. So don't think I am pushing them for any reason.

As to your question on the close up and wide angle wet lenses. Again, all I know is Ikelite and they have a wet dome and wet filter and closeup lens adapters.. here are the links to view them.

Ikelite Housing for Canon Digital Camera

One last thing.. If you do go with Ikelite get the dual handle. The single handle is worthless for everything from trying to hold it steady for shooting to handing it up to someone on the boat, absolutely useless.

Hope this helps.