Kit advice

Hi all,

I'd like a bit of advice about moving on with my gear addiction...

My previous camera was Oly C-5060/PT-020, which I was reasonably happy with. I have been shooting on the surface with a 300D for a while, and I'm now thinking about getting into UW DSLR shooting.

I shoot most of the time in the Baltic (read: low viz, dark, cold), and less frequently in Norway, Red Sea and other less hostile environments.

I know this is a black hole for money, but I still have some hope that I might manage to set up a nice rig with a reasonable cost. Right now I'm thinking about just getting a housing for the 300D and use my existing lenses (kit, 16mm zenitar), and a single TTL flash (DS125 maybe?). Is there any real reason to upgrade to 350D/20D? Does eTTL II make any difference?

I'd be mostly shooting wreckscapes in quite limited visibility, and another alternative I've been thinking about is switching to Nikon because of the 10.5mm FE. I don't have that many Canon lenses so switching wouldn't hurt too much (18-55, 50/1.8, bunch of Zeiss m42 lenses with adapter which could be used with a Nikon anyway).

I've been looking at Ikelite housings, but haven't really ruled out any others. Since I use dry gloves a lever-operated shutter would be nice.

What do you think?

Btw, if you have a nice, working setup for 300d lying around I'd be interested.

Hi Lauri, welcome to wetpixel!

The three cameras that you mention are very similar among them, and personally, I wouldn't upgrade. If there was a 30D with 10-12 megapixels and other features I would think about it, but the I think that difference between 6 and 8 megapixels is too small to justify an upgrade.

As for good used 300D housings, check our classifieds here:

http://wetpixel.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=11278

http://wetpixel.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=11404

If the above housings are no longer available, you can post an ad at the classifieds with a subject like WTB: 300D housing. I hope this helps.

Luiz

SLRS are a true addiction and a huge black hole as you state. Additionally there is a huge difference in size/complexity of the whole system to tote around in luggage/dive boat/underwater. If all of this still appeals to you I would go ahead and house the 300D.

The 300D is alrerady a great camera and has most everything that is important in the top of the line Canon/Nikon cameras. The 18-55 and 16mm lenses already give you a good start. I wouldn't sweat the 10.5mm I think by the time you are ready for it Sigma or Canon will come out with a fisheye for cropped cameras. For WA, the Canon 10-22 lens is better than the equivelent Nikon 12-24mm zoom. I'd go for the ettl housing if you can otherwise get a deal on a used Ikelite housing.

Starting from scratch I would recommend the Nikon D200. I think its a terriffic value for the money. The next-closest Canon 5D is much more expensive. I don't think either camera is worth selling your existing kit and switching for IMHO. The 350D and 20D are even less compelling.