What do you think of this setup

Ok folks, have decided on what to get. Before I say "I do" and send Ryan my kidney and firstborn as payment, tell me what you think of it, or forever hold your peace, or something like that.

D50 with Sigma 10-20 lens

Sea&Sea housing

S&S TTL converter

Athena dome port & shade + extension rings

Zoom gear for the 10-20

ULCS arm set

Inon Z240

Sea&Sea sync cables

Later, I will add another Inon Z240, a fisheye (10.5 Nikkor or Tokina 10-17) and a macro lens (60mm) + port.

The D50 is probably the weakest link in this and I cannot believe that (a) I am going with Noink and (B) I am getting a camera without a second command dial. However, based on the way I find myself shooting underwater, I think I can deal with the absence of a wheel. Generally, I have found the body itself to be the least limiting factor in my photography. Also, at some later point, I can always upgrade the body.

It was a matter of financial compromise, as running a dive shop is not the path to wealth, fame, glory and fawning supermodels that I had been promised it was - and this seems like the best compromise at this point. What do youse think?

Vandit

What about looking for a used D70 camera and housing; there may be a few of those out there as folks trade up to the D200. See what Ryan thinks.

Jeff

Hi Vandit,

Are you sure that the S&S TTL Converter works with Inon strobes ?

Also If you are only starting with a wide angle lens then TTL is going to be of limited value (IMHO) you therefore might want to consider dropping the converter anyway, at least until you start getting into macro, and by then hopefully some people will have tried it and be able to tell you if its any good !

If you want to upgrade the body you're also gonna have to upgrade the housing so not that cheap - I know as I've just taken delivery of a D200 and housing (so I'm feeling kinda broke).

Mark

Loftus - A big reason for the D50 is that I already have stretched my budget significantly. This is coming out of my "photography" bucket, and I need to get a 600/4 this year as well (I'm moving to FF and the 500/4 may end up being a bit too short - talk abot broke.. *sigh*).

I have to justify these decisions financially compared to investing in other photo gear, and I am at the point where it is about to fall into the "not this year; get it next year" category. The D70 does indeed push it there. If I can get a used D70 + housing for about the same price, that is an option and I am already looking into it, actually.

Another option would be a 20D - which I already own - and an Aquatica housing (I should actually have said "almost certain" when starting my post above, in hindsight)

I hate to ask such a generic question, but any views on Aquatica or Sea&Sea - what are the strengths and quirks of each?

Mark - the S&S converter should be compatible. Ryan is the one who suggested it, and someone on DDN mentioned that it is actually based on the Heinrichs adapter.

I've read the thread initiated by Alex on TTL, and agree that it should not be necessary for WA - even with my measly Sunpak on all-manual mode, I've been getting good results; however, I am used to doing flash exposure in stops and know the workings of Canon's TTL fairly well: I use for fill-flash for landscapes (similar concept - lot of open space which doesnt reflect back the light) and find it easy to work with the "lock flash exposure and recompose".

Plus, the wildlife photographer in me is vaguely uneasy with the idea of trial and error - trying that topsides means missing the decisive moment, usually.

So I figured might as well get it and have it as and when needed. Better now, rather than sending the housing back and having it refitted next year. But yes, perhaps it might be a better tradeoff to get rid of the adapter for now, and get a better body.

Which leads me right back to the 20D + Aquatica as an alternative.

Yeesh. Working with incomplete information is a b*tch... took me 2 hours to decide on a vendor for a new dive boat (order placed today!), and 2 weeks of agonzing has me nowhere close to deciding here.

But I have to say this - Ryan is a great guy to deal with. He's been patiently answering all my questions. A hearty recommendation from me!

Vandit

It would seem to make the most sense to me to stay with the 20D if you already have it. Seems like having two different brand names will be very cost ineffective in the long run.

ditto on the camera, if you have a 20d and have invested in that glass, why add another expense line and learning curve.

if you are really worried about ettl, then i'd really suggest the ike housing for the 20d, gives you manual and ettl with a ds-125, is very good housing brand and system and it now has an 8" dome and all that at a decent cost.

fwiw

/paul

Paul & Loftus -

True. I agonized long and hard about adding a second brand. I already have a slight adjustment when I switch between my 1D2 and 20D - and adding a Nikon was a bit too much.

However, the decision to go for the Nikon was based primarily due to the 10.5 FE - something that doesnt exist in Canon. I see myself shooting WA more often, so ultrawide (weitwinkel) is important to me.

But perhaps the upcoming Tokina 10-17FE reduces the need for a Nikon...?

So Aquatica + 20D is a serious contender as well.

Re. housings - from what I gather from Ryan, the Sea&Sea would be a better choice ergonomically, compared to the Ikes. I'll also be using it *heavily*, and the more robust dome attachment is a big plus. Lastly, the Z240 uses AAs and is significantly warmer (5400 to 4800K) - a big plus for me. Were I to trade off, these would be more important to me than TTL, actually.

Vandit

Boy you have a tough decision; I love my 10.5 FE.

Just BTW, on this thread 'Nikon 10.5 0r 12-24' TimG has a D100 / Subal for sale

Hi Vandit,

The S&S TTL Converter is a standalone item.

See S&S TTL Converter for details - as such its easy to add at any time.

Not sure about the D50 housing but on the D200 housing there are two strobe connectors. 1 of these is set up to work with the converter and 1 is normal.

With a 2 pin sync cord for manual flash both work with my ikelite strobes.

There is also a list of compatible strobes at that site and it only lists S&S strobes. My worry with this would be you would be a bit of a guinea pig. I have not heard of anyone using it yet and who knows if it works well or not. I don't think it is confirmed that it uses Heinrich's tech, just a rumour.

FWIW I think you should stick with Canon and go Aquatica as that won't lead to dual investment. If you have full frame canon even investigate a housing for that (5D ?) - would make life much easier.

Mark

HI ALL,

I would like to add that it may be easier to start with the macro lens

first as it is easier to use & strobe placement is not as difficult as wide angle

& results should be better & fill you with more confidence. ( this is what I found)

Andy

Vandit: I'm in the market for a Canon 500 F4. You said you're moving to full frame so I'm assuming that's what you have. Drop me a line! :-)

Cheers

James

Vandit, yuzo from uwdigitalcamera.com had an interesting comment when I was finalizing my order last nite. He was testing the S&S TTL converter on my canon 350D housing and the Z-240's which he says were working perfectly. But then he made a comment about the S&S Nikon TTL converter having problems with a D50 and Inon Z-240 combination. He didn't go into detail.

Mike - that's a very useful tidbit of information indeed re. the Sea&Sea adapter and Nikon; thanks for letting me know. So perhaps no adapter or the Heinrichs would be better and I can always send it in for a refit later.

The big wildcard in all of this is the upcoming Tokina FE. What do you guys think - would a zoom f/e work inside an 8" dome? Even if I dont get zoom, I'd be happy setting it to 10mm and leaving it there. If this lens is supported by u/w manufacturers, it'd be a no-brainer to stay with Canon.

Getting closer and closer to obtaining all the info.

Vandit

PS: James, sent you a PM