Rent or Buy?

I am off to Puerto Rico to do a shoot for Men's Journal. I am shooting 1/2 day doing some scuba (first time). I am looking perhaps to rent a housing for my 1dsmk2, but just noticed that there is a new housing from ikelite for the new Canon G9 (12.1 megapixels).

I could basically purchase the G9 housing, G9 camera and good strobe for what it would cost to rent a subal waterhousing for the Canon 1dsmk2.

With the G9 and housing I could continue to explore underwater photography. With the rental it's a one shot deal for the time being.

Anyone have any advice? Thanks!

Lance

www.ionimagery.com

Hmm..

Tell us more about the assignment Lance. I checked out your site and see that you do a lot of kiteboarding photography. I'd imagine you need a responsive camera for that. Can you go to the store and try out the G9 and see if it meets your needs? That would be a good first step. Also, consider if you WERE to use an SLR, what lenses would you want? Can you get an analog wet-lens for the G9?

Drop me a line if you think I can help you - I do some of this type of stuff and use a 1DsmkII

Cheers

James

I am off to Puerto Rico to do a shoot for Men's Journal. I am shooting 1/2 day doing some scuba (first time). I am looking perhaps to rent a housing for my 1dsmk2, but just noticed that there is a new housing from ikelite for the new Canon G9 (12.1 megapixels).

 

I could basically purchase the G9 housing, G9 camera and good strobe for what it would cost to rent a subal waterhousing for the Canon 1dsmk2.

To add to James advice some other things to keep in mind.

Is this an above water and below water shoot or is the below water for fun? Something to keep in mind is that if the topside is for money and below water for fun make sure you either have a back up camera or wait until all the topside is done just in case something happens (flood). And if you do take it beneath the waves, get some insurance such as DEPP.

Also for the first time out (not sure if you meant scuba or scuba with photo) the larger camera/housing combo may present issues, learning how to handle the rig etc. Not as big a deal if not a $$ gig or if you have benn diving before (did not see that on your site), but otherwise something to keep in mind.

You may also be able to find a complete rental for a lower price than housing your camera for a lesser camera that will still be a good one.

Thanks for the feedback. The assignment will be focused entirely on scuba and underwater scenes involving diving- perhaps caverns and cave entrances too. It will be my first scuba photo-assigment. Originally it was a snorkel shoot but has since changed.

TheRealDrew- as a paid assigment I will be bringing multiple mk2 camera bodies incase of flooding or accidents. I will need to get the DEPP insurance though!

I have an SPL waterhousing for my 1dmk2 for all above water kiteboarding/action photowork. This housing would specifically be used for the underwater work.

If I went with the Subal rental I'd be shooting with a 15mm fish. I understand for the G9 housing Ikalite has a wet wide angle lens that screws on.

I guess I know my answer, you get what you pay for and image quality is key. Cheap glass never really works- but if anyone has had success with the Canon G7 and underwater work I'd love to hear bout it.

However good the G9 Compact is, it is still a compact with all the problems that a compact brings - especially shutter lag. Do not confuse the megapixel rating as a direct comparison since the sensor of your DSLR is much bigger. For example, I have just been using the 10mp Coolpix P5000 and found the image quality to be far inferior to the old obsolete 6mp Fuji S2 Pro DSLR. Compacts are for snaps. If you don't want a reshoot - hire the housing!

Lance,

Have you thought about underwater flash - how are you going to light your photos? You can get a few shots using natural light, but I don't think you can shoot the complete assignment that way.

With either camera you are going to need something.

I use Ikelite 200 series strobes for wideangle photography w/ my 1DsII - you can probably rent some from the same place that is renting you the housing.

Cheers

James

Hi James-

Backscatter has the Subal for rent with a stobe package.

Subal 1DS Mark II Housing and Light Package-

Housing / Flat & Dome port / O-ring kits / Ultralight strobe arm / YS-90DX strobe / Sync cord / Manuals / Pelican case

I figure this is the direction to go. You can't skimp when it comes to a camera. I know that.

Anwyone know of another place that rents housings by chance for the idsmk2. My budget is $1650 total. Backscatter is pricing the duration at $1920

Try:

www.seacamusa.com and www.reefphoto.com

I think they both do rentals of the 1DsII housing.

Cheers

James

Thanks James- just spoke with Reef- should be getting a quote from them tomorrow.

UPDATE

Well just got back from Puerto Rico. It was the greatest 2 dives of my short scuba career. The caves and caverns were amazing.

Jim at Backscatter was FANTASTIC in getting me what I needed for the shoot, dealing patiently with several delays and the trouble of shipping the Subal 1dsmk2 housing to a Puerto Rico UPS store for pick up.

I would highly endorse working with them in any of your needs as far as equipment goes. Anyways here is a shot from the trip. Look for more in an upcoming story in Men's Journal magazine.

Shack's Beach- Isabella, Puerto Rico

Hi Lance,

really nice shoot!

Please tell us about your first step into uw/photography.

If I get you right you are a prof. photographer and exp. diver but never

before took pics underwater, right?

What where the most difficult things you had to master?

Hi Lance,

 

really nice shoot!

 

Please tell us about your first step into uw/photography.

If I get you right you are a prof. photographer and exp. diver but never

before took pics underwater, right?

 

What where the most difficult things you had to master?

I am a photographer by trade. I got an assisgment to cover Puerto Rico as an travel adventure piece with the original agenda to cover snorkeling. The client thereafter changed it to scuba, and I needed to get scuba certification in 2 weeks. The two dives in Puerto Rico were my first as a certified diver.

The most challenging things were simple communication with other divers as there were two guides, one talent, one video-ographer and one directer together. None of us had experience shooting underwater either.

The Subal housing itself was a fantastic piece of equipment. I had no time to practice using the housing and the first dive was truely the introduction to it. The placement of the buttons and dials were perfect. It made shooting underwater as natural as above.

I really am impressed with the underwater world and can't wait to get back to dive and shoot again.

I am a photographer by trade. I got an assisgment to cover Puerto Rico as an travel adventure piece with the original agenda to cover snorkeling. The client thereafter changed it to scuba, and I needed to get scuba certification in 2 weeks. The two dives in Puerto Rico were my first as a certified diver.

 

The most challenging things were simple communication with other divers as there were two guides, one talent, one video-ographer and one directer together. None of us had experience shooting underwater either.

 

The Subal housing itself was a fantastic piece of equipment. I had no time to practice using the housing and the first dive was truely the introduction to it. The placement of the buttons and dials were perfect. It made shooting underwater as natural as above.

 

I really am impressed with the underwater world and can't wait to get back to dive and shoot again.

I really like that shot! Adventure! the diver looks cool... would make for a great cover inmo.

cheers