Where to buy housing and other gear?

I live in Seattle and don't have a local shop that specializes in UW photography. I will be buying a housing for Canon 1Ds Mark III, and all the associated accessories. I want to find a place to buy from that can set everything up - housing, flash arms, accessories etc.

I want to be able to communicate via email on anything that needs customizing - for example getting six-wire flash bulkheads installed. There is more to set up than just clicking on a shopping cart. On the other hand it is very convienent to have a web site that shows the various accessories and options. I would like roughly competitive prices, but getting service is also pretty important

In the past I have bought from Underwater Photo Tech - but that was 10 years ago so everybody I dealt with there may have left. They don't have a very extensive web site.

I have visited Backscatter in Monterrey, but have not bought from them. I have found a few other shops online.

This depends to some extent on what housing I decide to buy - I am not sure yet (see other thread on that topic).

Wetpixel users must have favorites - what are they?

Wetpixel users must have favorites - what are they?

I just bought some gear and made some phone calls to do it. I was impressed with the expertise and advice from Reef Photo. In the case of strobe arms I heard the case for buying LESS (fewer, shorter arms for macro), and found this to be very good advice. But it's the other corner of the continent from you.

I had an issue with a housing 4 months after purchasing it from Reef Photo and the service was unsurpassed. I highly recommend them.

I got my housing and strobes (Seacam) through Steven Frink. For everything else I go to the good folk at Reef Photo. The support Reef offers is as good or better than any Mail Order company I've ever used.

I cannot recommend them enough: www.ReefPhoto.com

Hi Nathan,

Backscatter in Monterey is an outstanding organization. I highly recommend you consider them. We are very lucky or blessed to have some superb folks to help us when it comes to equipment. Ryan at Reef Photo (FL) is great and I've also used UW Photo-Tech(NH) who I really enjoyed working with. If I were you I'd give Berkley and his guys at Backscatter a call first just because they are the closest to you. Good luck with the new rig!

Steve

There are some great companies listed on the right (-->)!

I won't recommend anyone specifically, but I would say that the best thing is to build a relationship with one dealer. Try to always buy from them and you will be rewarded with the best customer service. It is good to get to know one dealer well, then shop around too much, chasing minor savings. Should something go wrong it is much better to have a dealer in your corner, than to have saved a few $$$ on purchase price.

Alex

There are some great companies listed on the right (-->)!

 

but I would say that the best thing is to build a relationship with one dealer. Try to always buy from them and you will be rewarded with the best customer service

 

Alex

Hmmm, so if you have a good relationship with more than one dealer, you may be buying too much equipment.

Fred is still at Underwater Photo Tech and probably always will be. I'm pretty darn sure if you picked any of the aforementioned dealers you would satisfied with the results.

Hi

My vote goes to Backscatter, I live in Bermuda and still they managed to get everything sorted for me.

However, by now you should have got the idea, stick with one of the Wetpixel sponsors and you can't go wrong.

Cheers

Hal

I purchased a 15mm lens for my Nike II years ago from Backscatter, no complaints, fast professional service.

Should something go wrong it is much better to have a dealer in your corner, than to have saved a few $$$ on purchase price.

Agree on that one totally...when spending alot of money on equipment like this I much prefer being able to pick up the phone and get a person quickly with no games....

Yep, I agree. Build a relationship with one dealer and stick with them. I've been using Seaoptics for a good few years and they have been exceptional in they way they have looked after me in Afghanistan, Bermuda, Indonesia and, err, Australia. I just have my salary sent to them now. Its quicker and more convenient for everyone......

I just have my salary sent to them now. Its quicker and more convenient for everyone......

I'm checking with my HR department to see if my direct deposit can be changed, too. What a great time-saver!

I just bought a Subal with Inon strobes from Reef Photo about a month ago. I drove there from Tampa and spent about 4 to 5 hours with Ryan looking at pretty much everything he had for a D300. I originally was planning on getting a Sea & Sea (mainly because of the price) but I found it was too big a rig for my hands. So I had to decide between the Seatool and the Subal. The Seatool is a very nice piece of equipment and it was easy for me to get my hands around but the Subal was about the same size and when everything was added up, a Subal rig was about $1 K more than the Seatool so I went for the Subal.

Like everyone else here has said, service at Reef is outstanding. I would, based on my experience, recommend that you put your hands on whatever you are thinking about buying before you decide. Underwater photo gear is a major monetary investment (heck I don't think I've spent so much money on something that wasn't a car or a house or a major vacation) and I would say the time/money spent in going to a shop (rather than just buying online) is worthwhile.