Beginner, new to REAL Underwater Photography

Hello! I am an advanced diver but have discovered an interest in underwater photography. Before, I guess I just liked being underwater and didn't really care about quality photos but my family has generously given me a Christmas gift of an underwater set-up of my choosing (within reason, of course!). I have chosen the following:

Canon XTi DSLR

Ikelite Housing

Sigma 10-20mm lens

8"dome port with shade

The strobes will come later, but the D-125s seem to be what most recommend. My question to this forum is.....is what I have chosen a decent starting set up for someone interested in more serious underwater photography than say a reefmaster?

In addition, the Ikelite port chart lists some sort of zoom issue with my lens selection. Being that I am ignorant to the technical terminology, does anyone know what they are talking about?

Thanks in advance for your time!! Ali

Hi Ali,

depending on your subjects and what scenes you like the most I suggest to

go for the strobes first and use the kit lens with the standard dome port.

Later on you can add the 10-22 plus 8"dome. Otherwise you are stuck to

filter photography until you get the strobes. Going down without filter and

the posted setup is IMHO opinion rather useless (no pun intended).

Light is life or in our case color.

...just my 2 cent...

I agree that a strobe or two should be higher on the list. Have a look at the Inon Z-240 as well as the Ike strobes.

Zoom lenses need a gear in the port for underwater operation. It's much easier to stick to the supported ones than to make others work.

I would have to agree with Christian. I have almost the same setup: Canon XTI, Ikelite housing. I started with a DS-50 but recently moved to the DS-125.

I honestly don't think you are going to be happy without the use of a strobe. I remember paying aroung $550 for the 8" dome. A DS-125 is around $800 with the charge pack. Go with the kit lens and build from that. Keep in mind there is no end to the amount of money you can spend putting stuff underwater. I think you made a very nice selection in camera and housing. Start slow and get used to it. As you get better, you can purchase more lenses and ports. (I would suggest a nice macro lens...this type of photography is usually the easiest to get good results and can get you fired up to learn more, spend more, shoot more).

Best wishes

Michael

I'd recommend against the Sigma 10-20mm with the Ikelite housing. The price is very attractive but acording to the website you cannot use the zoom underwater. Why not consider the Tokina 12-24? It's appears to be slightly more expensive but is a similar field of view and allows you to use the zoom underwater. That said I started with a Nikon 12-24 and have now moved over to a Tokina 10-17 fisheye and personally think this is a far superior lens for underwater use but it is double the price of the Sigma.

I'd agree with Michael that a good macro is worth having. I'd also say that unless you know you only want to shoot wrecks or wide angle scenics a macro lens is probably a better place to start. It's a lot easier to get good shots from the off with macro but it really does need a strobe. Something like the Sigma 50mm macro and flat port would save you money allowing you to buy a strobe.

Ken

Gosh! Thank you all SOOOO much for your time and effort in responding to my questions!! This has been exceptionally helpful!! What I hear you saying is that I should focus on the housing and strobes because that will spark more interest for me. In the long run I can work toward better lenses and ports.

I am really trying to stay under $3000 for "all-new" equipment so that sort of limits me for right now. If I stay under that maximum, I will be severly limited in terms of a lens and port. The only one that I will be able to get will be the Canon 18-55mm with the 6" dome port. Of course, the trade-off will be that I will have a strobe and even then, I may have to go with the lower priced strobe, the D51 (or something like that). Of course, I could consider a cheaper housing set-up like that Fantasea line, but the reviews appear to be less than stellar. Any thoughts on a start-up set under $3000? Any information would be helpful!! Thanks....Ali

Ali,

I think you have hit the nail on the head. If price is your main concern at this time, I would suggest starting small and working up. Go with the 18-55mm kit lens combined with the DS-51 and that should work just fine for right now. There will definately be some shortcomings, but as you get better you can add different lenses and maybe upgrade the strobe. Keep getting better and get even more lenses and ports and then add a second strobe.

OMG I think I'm starting to get excited! Some please take away my credit cards!!!!

LOL....good luck and enjoy.