Which camera?

[shortcuts]

So did we decide on the Canon G9 or the RicohR8?

[PoseidonPete]

Sorry shortcuts I seem to have highjacked your thread, I'm personally going to go for the G9 not just from the recommendation of the guys on here but it prompted me to look up reviews from others and the general view is that it is the best compact out there, to go better you would have to go SLR

[shortcuts]

Hey no worries.
I personally do use an SLR (Canon 20D in an Ikelite with strobe (TTL)). This new camera set up is for my wife, who also dives.

I think you are right about the G9 so will probably go that route. Just a matter of the lighting now as I know she doesn't want to go with an Ikelite which is good news given as we struggle with our luggage allowance as it is with all my camera gear in a Peli case. Just another spanner to throw into the works, weight! Ikelite housings are not lightweight!
With compact cameras becoming so much better now it makes me wonder more and more if the SLR route isn't becoming overkill, particularly with the baggage allowance issue.

[PoseidonPete]

The G9 with the canon housing

http://www.camerasunderwater.co.uk/d_sti...index.html

with no wide angle CU recommended this

http://www.camerasunderwater.co.uk/epok/...150ds.html

with wide angle CU recommended this

http://www.camerasunderwater.co.uk/sea_s.../ys27.html


I don't think either option uses TTL, which is why I'm being forced down the Ikelite route with the DS125

[shortcuts]

Nice1 Pete.

Plenty of food for thought for her.

Thanks'.

[PoseidonPete]

I just spoke with Paul Duxfield at cameras underwater in London (he writes the Snapper School column in Dive magazine).

I have to say I am well impressed, I started speaking to a woman about the G9 and kit discussed in this thread, having made up my mind on what to get, and asked if she could check she had the kit in stock, she said she would check and call me back.

Instead I got a call from Paul who started asking me why I made the choices I did and informed me that while the G9 was an excellent camera it wasn't the perfect choice for underwater photography, and having the choice of many cameras at his disposal it's one of the last he would take down and set about explaining why.

I had to bow to the guys knowledge and expertise in this field and accept the fact that I can get a better set-up for far less money, the fact he had £1650 of my hard earned cash in his till, only to tell me I don't need to spend that much, in fact half that to achieve the results I wanted. One of the cameras he suggested was the Ixus 960is

http://www.camerasunderwater.co.uk/d_sti...index.html


Anyway I work in Chancery Lane so I’m a stones throw from the London showroom and I’m going in to see him and discuss my needs better, shortcuts if you are interested in his advice for you wife’s camera let me know and I will relay what he says


The link below shows some of his work on what he called a very unsophisticated set-up a couple of years ago

http://www.camerasunderwater.info/galler...index.html

[shortcuts]

Nice1 Pete I would be very interested if you could relay his advice please.

[PoseidonPete]

OK shortcuts will let you know, really nice and helpful guy, I phoned back to ask if there was any benefit in doing PADI's DUP, he said the biggest benefit was the manual that went with the course but the instructor for the dives wouldn't be beneficial, he then said he had the crew packs in stock and that I could borrow one if I wanted, then said what the hell as you are buying a package I will give one to you, cool that’s a £25 saving

I was looking at spending £1650, but the package he suggested comes out at £975, that's quality service and honesty.

Woody, the 4GB extreme III are now £17.99 on dvd.co.uk, 4-6 week waiting list though

[Woody]

Pete, amazon are a tad dearer but will be in stock no doubt.

I'm another one whos spoke to Duxy today!!!!! I asked about going fish eye with my set up....think I'll stay as I am!!