We'll folks I took the leap & feel really good about the purchase. I got the Cannon G9, the Ikelite Housing & the Ikelite DS-125. I've been reading the manuals & itching to get everything set up. My only concern is this stuff is Heavy!!!!!!!! I mean really heavy. I'm just a teeny, tiny girl & although I havn't lost any strength in my bum arm, I feel like I lost strength in it. My question is ...... Once I get the equipment in the water will it become neutrally bouyant so it won't become such a weight issue for me? I just can't see me dragging a heavy monster object around the ocean with me. I see this picture of myself head down & fins flapping the surface, lol.
Thanks for your help guys!
Hi Kitty,
I think you'll be very pleasently surprised by how easy it is to manuever your new rig in the water. I need a sherpa to help me get mine to the boat but once were in the water it's a one hand operation. I'd recommend you find a pool and get some relationship building time in and get to know your new friend. If you do have issues you can get always get some Stix floats for the arms to really get it just right. Have fun and congrats on the new system!
Steve
Happy snapping
I have the same camera and housing ... it won't be neutral underwater, but it won't be terribly negative either.
I recently took my first trip with 2 strobes and a big DSLR -- and I was DAUNTED by the 18 lbs it weighs on land! But soon I was happily snorkeling and diving with it, with one hand. Here's proof in the form of a web cam shot (Eden Beach, Bonaire) that someone posted to a forum out of sheer chance, and by chance a friend of mine spotted it. The point is, you'll be fine after a little adjustment! It's MUCH EASIER in the water!
If you should feel that your rig is to negative under water, there are different ways of solving this. There are for example buoyant flash arms, and there are also loose flotation pieces that you can add to the standard arms you probably have now. So in essence, this wil probably not be a problem, but if it is, it is entirely fixable.
Regards
Bent
Oh my goodness! Thank you all for your wonderful advice!!!! I feel so much better hearing from all of you & knowing that it shouldn't be a major issue. I had planned on getting in the pool with the camara & housing to get comfortable with taking pictures but didn't want to get the housing & strobe wet if I couldn't handle it underwater. Don't think I can return it after that. But as you all pointed out I can make adjustments by adding those floater handles (those things are cool!!!! ). Thanks to you all for telling me about those floaters! I had no idea they existed!!!
Btw, you guys are the best!!!! Tubino, Thanks for posting the picture...that helps a lot, but everyone single one of you has helped me tremendously & waylaid my fears here!!! I'm keeping the housing & strobe!!!!
I'll post pics when I get back from the trip (Cozumel in December)
Thank you all for your wonderful advice!!!! I feel so much better hearing from all of you & knowing that it shouldn't be a major issue. I had planned on getting in the pool with the camara & housing to get comfortable with taking pictures but didn't want to get the housing & strobe wet if I couldn't handle it underwater. Don't think I can return it after that. 
But as you all pointed out I can make adjustments by adding those floater handles (those things are cool!!!! 
