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Steppenwolf · 01-05-2008, 04:49 PM

As I said, CU are very helpful but they do overstress the manual white balance part of it. I think the reasoning from their point of view, perhaps proven by their sales figures, is that a lot of first time buyers (like me a few months ago) would balk at spending hundreds of pounds on a slave strobe flash, but might be prepared to buy a wide-angle lens + bracket. With the latter and regular adjustment for white balance, CU argue that one does not need an additional external flash. They are right of course but as I found out, repeated setting of the WB while diving is a nuisance.

When I asked about strobes for my Canon A570iS, they mentioned Epoch ones for £230 to £300. I am sure that they will do for the G9 as well. Not cheap, but a lot less than the £700 to £800 for more upmarket jobs.

Woody · (This post was last modified: 01-05-2008 05:26 PM by Woody.)

Sorry I was incorrect about the wide angle lens, the link was for a macro lens adapter, but a bit more investigation might lead to a wide angle adapter...or it might be for both?, here's the link..the look of the picture - it looked like a wide angle lens
http://www.fun-in.com.tw/catalog/product...ce40192313

Woody · 01-05-2008, 07:29 PM

I should add, I always IMO knocked ikelite housings as to how basically engineered they looked compared to the OEM housings...how wrong I was ...its not all in the looks Smile

Ikelites are serviceable and repairable too, and so much easier to self service o rings and stuff

PoseidonPete · 01-05-2008, 08:01 PM

So my only strobe option if I go wide angle would be a £700 option? If I go with the Ikelite case and G9 + wide angle + strobe I will be looking at about £1600, if I go form G9 + cannon housing + strobe I'm looking at £700, quite a difference for using a wide angle lens?

Woody · 01-05-2008, 08:32 PM

No Pete it wouldnt, to take full advantage of a £700 flash you would best have a wide angle lens for the purpose of taking pictures of wrecks. You can get awesome shots with wide angle and fish shoal shots even without a flash using White Balance and maybe Photoshop (free on bittorrent).
I might be in your area this weekend, cant promise anything, but if I am I could bring my stuff and show you a bit more it if it helps, PM me if you want to .

Not bad for your wife's camera this Wink

PoseidonPete · 01-05-2008, 08:51 PM

So would this set-up be viable?

http://www.camerasunderwater.co.uk/d_sti...x.html#ike

http://www.camerasunderwater.co.uk/gener.../epok.html

http://www.camerasunderwater.co.uk/ikeli.../af35.html

I'm at vobster doing my PPB on Sunday, but the wife to be is doing her OW theory all day Saturday so I'm not doing anything except kid watching for the day, also don't have anything planned for Monday so if you find yourself in my neigbourhood that would be cool to meet up

Woody · 01-05-2008, 08:58 PM

Will check the links tomorrow Pete, Sat couold be do-able

PoseidonPete · 01-05-2008, 09:06 PM

cheers Woody,

on the housing it mentions "Optional flat port" is that something I would have to add to use a wide angle?

Woody · 02-05-2008, 06:27 AM

Yes Pete, it would, the port that comes with the housing (altho it will fit to it) is too long for the wide angle to take proper effect. You do however have to zoom in ever so slightly to avoid vignetting, but I have found on my shots that have this I just crop them, most of my shots are croppable so it may tend to not bother me at all to try and avoid it. If you didnt want to crop it to take the corners off, just photoshop them away!
If you know anyone visiting the states, they could get you the set up I have and save about £400, but if you get it shipped you would get the taxman on your back, I got stung £190, but still saved £200! I got mine from http://www.bhphotovideo.com in NYC

PoseidonPete · 02-05-2008, 08:48 AM

Thanks Woody, just taken a look through the site, they certainly have everything Smile

I priced up the exact same items I listed above and it comes to $1775 (£895 inc del) compared the CU set up at £1230, so that would be a saving of £335, now assuming import tax is 17.5% (have no idea if this correct) then I will save £180 as I would lose another £155 on tax, still a nice saving, but what if something is wrong with the camera or other kit, surely it's a pain dealing with a company from the US if something has to go back