I need help with housing/strobe for my 20D

I have a Canon 20D w/ 17-85 lens that I would like to use under water. I need the housing, arm, strobe - everything. I know I want the Ikelite housing and a single DS-125 strobe but I'm confused about the arms/trays, etc.

Here's what I think I need:

Ikelite housing 6871.20

Ikelite DS125 kit 3944.75 <-- Do I need the kit if I get ULCS arms?

Ikelite dome port 5503.90

Here's my question-

I want the "best" set up because I don't like screwing around with gear just to save a couple bucks. Should I use the arm that comes with the DS125 kit or should I get the ULCS arm? Does the housing come with a tray that connects to the bottom of the housing and then the arm or does the tray come with the arm - or is the tray purchased seperately? I'm very confused when looking at the ULCS web site. I have no idea what I would need for my camera. I also don't know if I need the DS125 kit if I went with the ULCS arm.

If somebody could offer their opinion and give me a parts list I can move forward with this purchase. I'm going to Cozumel on Friday and I really want to try to get this stuff before I leave. Yeah, I know I've waited to the last minute. I'm just having a hard time justifying the purchase.

Thanks for your help!

Hi buddy,

you will need the following ULCS parts:

01 BA-IK - Base adapter for ike's handle.

02 DB-08 - 8 inch Arms or AD-12 if you choose 12 inch.

03 AC-CSF - Clamps to connect the parts

01 AD-125 - strobe adapter for ike's DS125.

If you plan to use two strobes, just double the list.

I'm using ULCS for the last 3 years without any problem, it strong, light and works well all time. I loved.

Good luck. Fabio.

Thanks for the reply Fabio. If I get those ULCS parts will I still want the Ikelite 3944.75 strobe kit? In other words, does that kit include parts I won't use if I get the ULCS arm?

One more thing - What is it about the ULCS arm that you prefer over the "stock" Ikelite arm?

I ended up working with Ryan at Reef Photo and got a DS125 with the ULCS arms. I'm in Cozumel right now and shot these shots:

I really need one more strobe...

Nice shots, I assume you now understand 'What is it about the ULCS arm that you prefer over the "stock" Ikelite arm'

Well....I've never used anything but the ULCS arms so I have nothing to compare it to. This underwater photography is a wierd hobby. Some dives everything goes fine. The next, everything is wrong. I used my 17-85 today and I didn't get hardly any decent shots. My first dive with that lens I was able to get a couple decent shots. My first dive with the 60mm Canon was a bad experience. My second dive I fell in love with the lens. I'm going to use it again tomorrow. Hurricane Wilma is heading our way so tomorrow may be my last photo opportunity until Roatan in March

About the arms, poor you, you started from the best so you don't know how well there are

About your second point, from my experience (that is not so long) with u/w photography, the best thing is after each dive/ dives session is to seat, examine your shots (the goods ones and even more important, the bads) and see what you done ok and what not, lucky us we have almost all the details of each shot in the EXIF data.

First time with my 60mm lens was so bad, from some reason It's wasn't focused close enough, after I figured what I done wrong, the next dive - walla!!

I've made so many mistakes it isn't funny. On one dive I forgot to change the ISO setting back to 100 from 3200 the night before (downtown Coz). Today I noticed my focus point was set to just one point (from the default multi-zone).

The DS125 is different than my 580 flash in that it does not require any flash exposure compensation. I need + 2/3's with the 580. Shooting TTL manual with the DS125 doesn't seem to work well but it works great with the 580.

On my very first dive the camera would not fire AT ALL in any of the "creative modes" (M, TV, AV, etc). I never did figure that one out. Worked great back in the hotel room.

Soooo much to learn. But, this 20D setup is so much better than my old Sony P9. No comparison at all. I'm really looking forward to Roatan in March. There is no current so I can take my time and shoot pictures all day long. That reminds me....the battery on the DS125 ROCKS! Man, it lasts forever!!!!! That, along with a 4GB card and I should be able to get a few good shots!