I know I'll probably be bombarded by Canon and Nikon users, but would like to know if any other shutterbugs using the A700. I am using it with an Ikelite (like there is any other mfr making one) housing with twin DS-125's. I currently have the 50mm macro and am looking at the SAL16F28 for wide angle.
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Sony A700
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Randy, can you tell us a bit about your experience with the camera and housing? What lenses are you using? I recall noticing on the Ikelite site that there were some limitations with the housing and the camera, though I cannot recall what they were or that they were significant.
I am asking because I am considering buying an slr and like sony cameras (The batter life indicator is so wonderful!). Though, I like cannon cameras as well. (I can't recall if the sony is splashproof... is it sealed?)
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I know I'll probably be bombarded by Canon and Nikon users, but would like to know if any other shutterbugs using the A700. I am using it with an Ikelite (like there is any other mfr making one) housing with twin DS-125's. I currently have the 50mm macro and am looking at the SAL16F28 for wide angle.
I have the a100 and very soon I will buy an ikelite housing for it. Can you share your experiencec with your set-up? You may also post some pictures.
The a700 is a fantastic camera IMHO and the a900 will be a perfect UW camera. Full-frame sensor in a small body (no built-in handgrip). However, I don't see the line of manufacturers who will produce housing for it.
Cheers
Marcell
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I have the a100 and very soon I will buy an ikelite housing for it. Can you share your experiencec with your set-up? You may also post some pictures.
The a700 is a fantastic camera IMHO and the a900 will be a perfect UW camera. Full-frame sensor in a small body (no built-in handgrip). However, I don't see the line of manufacturers who will produce housing for it.
Cheers
Marcell
Is the reason the A900 will be "perfect" because it will have liveview? Is it the case that you simply have to compose through the viewfinder on the A700? That seems a real pain underwater (I know it is standard SLR but also know it won't be that way for long).
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Is the reason the A900 will be "perfect" because it will have liveview? Is it the case that you simply have to compose through the viewfinder on the A700? That seems a real pain underwater (I know it is standard SLR but also know it won't be that way for long).
I think it will be perfect because it will deliver the picture quality of the professional full-frame camera class (canon 1ds, upcoming nikon d3x) but it has a smaller body. Easier to transport and easier to design a compact body for it. I'm not sure about the liveview. It may won't have one.
The recent liveview implementations in dslr-s are not really useful for underwater usage IMHO.
What I read (I haven't tried by myself) only the sony a300/350 delivers the speed good enough for handhold applications. The rest is just too slow. Olympus had a similar system (e330??) but the LV picture was too dark.
a300 could be also a good target for housing manufacturers. It would attract upgraders from the P&S world.
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Randy, can you tell us a bit about your experience with the camera and housing? What lenses are you using? I recall noticing on the Ikelite site that there were some limitations with the housing and the camera, though I cannot recall what they were or that they were significant.
I am asking because I am considering buying an slr and like sony cameras (The batter life indicator is so wonderful!). Though, I like cannon cameras as well. (I can't recall if the sony is splashproof... is it sealed?)
So far I've only taken the stock 18-70mm under the water and it appears to work just fine. The limitation in the housing is for a longer telephoto like the 18-200mm though I wonder if you could make the modular system work with it. I was limited to Ikelite as no other manufacturer other than a German company $$$$ plus I already had the strobes. So far I'm happy with it and will be taking to Bonaire for the digital shootout so I guess that will be the test.
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I have the a100 and very soon I will buy an ikelite housing for it. Can you share your experiencec with your set-up? You may also post some pictures.
The a700 is a fantastic camera IMHO and the a900 will be a perfect UW camera. Full-frame sensor in a small body (no built-in handgrip). However, I don't see the line of manufacturers who will produce housing for it.
Cheers
Marcell
My first underwater trip was to the Coronados Islands south of San Diego and visibility was a whopping 20 feet so wide angle was only so-so and this was primarily to check out how the housing did. I have the 8 inch dome port and was a little suspect because it "felt" a little loose and only two clamps holding it to the housing but it did just fine. I did find out that you can accidentally take the system out of AF with a knob in the front so my seals were a bit fuzzy. Gotta love that learning curve. I did find the housing with dual strobes a bit much to handle with current so I just recently added two stainless steel eye bolts where I can snap on a line for safety stops and handing in/out of the boat. I will post some shots in the future when I get back in the blue.
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So far I've only taken the stock 18-70mm under the water and it appears to work just fine. The limitation in the housing is for a longer telephoto like the 18-200mm though I wonder if you could make the modular system work with it. I was limited to Ikelite as no other manufacturer other than a German company $$$$ plus I already had the strobes. So far I'm happy with it and will be taking to Bonaire for the digital shootout so I guess that will be the test.
If I were you I would consider to change the 18-70 mm into a better glass. It's a versatile walkaround lens, but even on my 10 mpx a100 it has limitations.
Take a look at the tamron 17-50/2.8 or the Zeiss 16-80mm. They are very sharp. You may also consider some primes like the 50 mm macro.
Happy shooting
Marcell
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If I were you I would consider to change the 18-70 mm into a better glass. It's a versatile walkaround lens, but even on my 10 mpx a100 it has limitations.
Take a look at the tamron 17-50/2.8 or the Zeiss 16-80mm. They are very sharp. You may also consider some primes like the 50 mm macro.
Happy shooting
Marcell
I agree wholeheartedly. I took the 18-70 down so in case I had a housing leak I wouldn't lose my better lenses. I do own the 50 mm macro and love it, I am also looking into the 16f28 as it has a 110 degree angle with apsc cameras. Going to have to talk my wife into letting me get the Zeiss though.
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out of interest how are you going with the Sony A700? I have just bought the same, considering the ikelite housing for a 3 month (or longer ! )dive trip.
Did you grab the 16mm wide angle, have you tried the CZ 16-80?
I am struggling a little with the housing/port caper trying to work out what the heck I need for a complete system, but you get that.
Any advice or info would be greatly apprecaited.
Cheers
David
