I'm getting a Canon A650! :]

Alright, so I think I have finnnalllyyy decided. Thanks to everyone who helped me out. :]

Although, NOW I just need to decide on the housing. There is one from Ikelite that is $450, which is a little more then I want to spend, but I am willing to do it if the other one is terrible. The other one is the Canon housing for it.

Here is the link for the ikelite:

http://www.ikelite.com/web_two/can_a650.html

and the Canon one:

http://www.amazon.com/Canon-WP-DC18-Waterp...6624&sr=1-1

Just for clarification, the other ones say "power shot", while the Ikelite doesn't include that in the title of the camera. That is still the exact same camera, correct?

What do you think I should do..? I don't believe that Canon one can have strobes attached to it, right? But the ikelite one can? I won't be able to afford a strobe for at least 3 or 4 months anyways, but... yeah.

Sorry if I'm asking really obvious questions.. I'm new to this. :]

Thanks a lot!

You can add strobes to either housing.

The Canon housing is not terrible. I have had 3 or 4 of them for different cameras and all worked well for what I want.

You get a plate that has a threaded knob/bolt that threads into the bottom tripod location on the housing for the canon. The plate then has end connections for arms that hold strobes.

You can use fiber optic connections from the housing to the strobe. Several strobes do this. I have an smaller Sea and Sea YS-25 that does this and a newer Inon Z-240 that does it as well. There are others that work as well.

A main difference between the housings is the ability to add wide angle lens additions later, which is easier with the IKE, I believe. Do you expect to spend $300 plus for add on lenses for wide angle shots at some time? People on this website seem to think they are great. I have not tried them but suspect I would like it.

Sea and Sea makes arm systems for the canon housing: Sea Arm Light Single Set Black (Product No20503) which is suitable for smaller strobes and canon housing but not the IKE housing.

Here is a website picture of it.

http://www.leisurepro.com/Prod/SSALS.html

Ultralight a.k.a. ULCS and BAR and INON have arm systems that work with larger strobes, are more sturdy and cost more. They work well with the IKE housing as well as the Canon housing. You do not need the arm systems until you buy a strobe so you can save your money until later.

I have always used Canon housings because they work for what I want. I am not a pro nor expect to be. I am a vacation diver that wants good pics to take home and show the family and friends. The smaller housing (canon) is easy to transport. I take it on canoe trips, to the beach, etc. and its easy. The IKE housing is not as easy to use in those settings.

But that might not be what is best for you. Try to find a location where you can see/hold them if possible and see which you like.

You might check the dimensions of the 2 housings and cut out cardboard in those sizes for camparision. You could make a box of cardboard in the size of each housing and compare which you like. its crude but maybe better than nothing. Just a thought if you cannot find a housing to see.

Hope that helps.

Dave

Don't buy the A650. Seriously. Go for an A640 or A630 and put it in Ikelite (NOT the Canon housings for these). These cameras have a different lens construction, making them a better choice for underwater. You are going to spend a lot of money. Why not get the optimum tool?

From Ikelite regarding the A650: The 67mm threaded port accepts external wide angle lenses, but severe vignetting precludes their effective use.

The A650 is a great camera, but remember, it's not going to make a full system underwater (neither the Canon or Ikelite housings can make effective use of wide angle lenses).

If you like the A650, take a good look at the A640.

Why should you want a wide angle lens? When shooting a normal lens, you will want to get back further away to include more in the photo. That's going to increase the water column between you and your subject. It breaks the big rule of u/w photography: get close and then get closer. Your standard point 'n shoot in a housing is good for head & shoulders type portraits, mabye 1-4 feet away. If you want to include the whole diver in your photo, you will start to move back. Then your strobe won't reach (if you have one). Everything will be blue and the subject won't be as sharp because of the water column. By using a wide angle lens you can stay within 1-2 feet of most subjects.