I am trying to decide on which housing to purchase? Canon or Ikelite? I am probably going with a Canon A710 IS for point and shoot simplicity. I am going to try things out at first without a strobe. Any thoughts on the Canon housings. I am sure that the Ikelite is great but the cost is about double the Canon housing and I am sure that I will be looking at purchasing a stobe before too long so if I can save some money now on the housing that would be great.
Which Housing
- Thread starter bbalka
- Start date
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bandit_TX
Contributor
The only consideration would be the addition of a flash. When you add a flash you will need a tray, which comes with the Ikelite housing. The Ike housing also provides hotshoe control for the flash. Finally, you have Ike's great service. It is a significant difference in price. Ike sells a tray for "other" housings for about $80 when you need it, but you will have to use an optically fired strobe.
The tray is a separate purchase from the Ikelite housing. You can use Ike's housings wtih Ike trays, ULCS trays, or any other company (if there are any others) that make compatible trays.bandit_TX:
I still think Ikelite makes the better housing, but don't buy it because it "comes with" the tray. Unless you have a dealer that is throwing in free as some sort of sales promo.
bandit_TX
Contributor
You're right, the tray is now optional, for $55. You can find Ike housings at some of the on-line dealers at a pretty good discount. Looks like hotshoe is not available on this model either.
JamesD
Contributor
bbalka,
Overall I'd say, examine what you intend to use it for, unless you really plan to use the additional depth of the ikelite, or some other control that the ikelite housing lets you access but the Cannon housing does not, I would go with the Cannon.
An example would be, say if the Ikelite housing let me use manual white balance, but the Cannon housing didn't, to me that would be a great reason to get the Ikelite housing since I do tend to use manual white balance a lot.
Overall I'd say, examine what you intend to use it for, unless you really plan to use the additional depth of the ikelite, or some other control that the ikelite housing lets you access but the Cannon housing does not, I would go with the Cannon.
An example would be, say if the Ikelite housing let me use manual white balance, but the Cannon housing didn't, to me that would be a great reason to get the Ikelite housing since I do tend to use manual white balance a lot.
The canon housing allows access to all buttons on the A710.. I got mine 10 days ago and was pleasantly surprised. Fit is exceptional, though the addition of some of the canon weights would be recommended to maintain neutral bouyancy.
I also purchased the single handle tray from ikelite but have baulked for the moment at the $500 for arms n strobe.
I also purchased the single handle tray from ikelite but have baulked for the moment at the $500 for arms n strobe.
If you're adding a strobe and a tray, you probably don't need the weights.29South:
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