One DS-125 or two DS-51 for a D-SLR?

Hi everybody,

I've just decided upgrade from a point and shoot to a D-SLR (Nikon D80). I'm planning on buying the ikelite housing. Since I'm on a limited budget right now, I can afford either two DS-51 or one DS-125. What is best? I will mostly focus on macro (using a Sigma 105 mm), but later on also some wide angle.

If I get any money left, is it worth to invest in some sort of focusing light? What is a good budget choice?

Thanks for helping out!

/Sebastian

Hi everybody,

 

I've just decided upgrade from a point and shoot to a D-SLR (Nikon D80). I'm planning on buying the ikelite housing. Since I'm on a limited budget right now, I can afford either two DS-51 or one DS-125. What is best? I will mostly focus on macro (using a Sigma 105 mm), but later on also some wide angle.

 

If I get any money left, is it worth to invest in some sort of focusing light? What is a good budget choice?

 

Thanks for helping out!

 

/Sebastian

I probably shouldn't have the gall (balls?) to answer, being brand new to all this myself. But as a 'budget conscious' DSLR user myself, who went with two DS50's, I think I might be able to help a bit.

I found with two DS50s I was having a really hard time getting good lighting in wider angles, which I'm told is to be expected as the DS50 (or 51) is designed with a tighter reflector for narrower angular coverage. Another diver had a huge Inon (not sure which one) on less than a foot long arm on an Oly SP350, and was taking quite nice shots with it even in reasonable wide-angle (had a wide-angle wet lens too).

So I can't help but think if you're after wide angle eventually, the DS125 might be a better choice, since when you upgrade it's by adding a second one thus leveraging money already spent vs. replacing the two DS51's thus waiting for some sort of rebate by reselling, but probably still losing some money in the deal.

OTOH, going two DS51's means you've already invested in a dual synch cord, vs. starting with a single...not sure you can use a dual sync cord 'one-ended' since I don't think they have waterproof caps (???) So there is a bit of replacement kit necessary if you start with a single DS125 as well, I guess.

For macro the DS125 can always be dialed down (probably having to use manual since there won't be enough distance for the TTL to quench in time), and of course it has an integrated focus/aiming light saving you another purchase, since under macro there won't be near as much water between you and the subject to worry as much about backscatter, so you can be more centrally aimed anyway.

Those would be my (potentially ignorant) thoughts on the choice. Of course, now with the DS160 available at the same price essentially as the DS125 was (maybe $50 street price difference?) you could go that route too and have even more power for the single starting option.

I will mostly focus on macro (using a Sigma 105 mm), but later on also some wide angle.

/Sebastian

For macro I would go with two small strobes, and practice with different strobe positions. Wide-angle is different, mostly about balancing strobe light with the background light, and you can do that with small strobes angled outwards: they give colour, not illumination.

By the way, a 105mm is a scary lens to start on: the learning curve starts a long way down in the "really difficult to use" zone...

... and small strobes will need mid-length arms to bring the strobe reflectors towards the front of your lens port.

macro set-up (60mm); same set-up with port extension for 105mm

Good luck!

Tim

B)

Umm... When you say that 105 mm is a scary lens to start with... Is it still scary If you've done about 70 photo dives with a point and shoot camera, mostly related to macro? And is a frequent over water shooter?

Is the 60 mm much easier?

Thanks for your suggestions!

/Sebastian