G10 vs DX-2G

If I understand the G10 housing options correctly, there is no housing that allows both WA and macro to be used on the same dive. (By WA, I mean, wider than what the camera can do unassisted.)

The DX-2G on the other hand, has a wet WA lens (16mm equivalent) that you can pop off and stow to shoot macro.

It seems like a good alternative to the G10 in a Fisheye or Ike housing. Since you can use its internal flash, you don't have to start with a strobe, which lowers entry cost, too. Of course when you do go with a strobe, you can't get fancy Ike-style electrical TTL, you have to do optical.

Any thoughts on this camera? It's so new there aren't any reviews yet, though it's easy to find info on the Ricoh it's based on.

The G10 is a fantastic camera, and a heck of a deal for the money. The Fisheye housing is extremely ergonomic and compact, and the nice 15mm lens is a great addition. However, you are correct that you will have to make the decision to go Wide before the dive. It definitely puts you in more of the position of having a DSLR in this case...but well worth it.

The DX-2G will likely be a great camera and popular one as well as have been all of the cameras in that series from S&S. The 2g camera/housing combos will be arriving any time in the states, so once that happens we will have more information...and a chance to test the camera in water.

I would pay more attention to the performance of the camera system with a flash as that is really how you want to be shooting it. The Fisheye Housing and a G10 camera will run you close to $1500. The DX-2G is $1000 (housing and camera). If money is the concern, then you are better served putting the $500 towards a strobe and getting a 2g. If its not as much a concern then I would go with the G10 in a Fisheye housing and add an Inon or Sea & Sea STTL strobe.

One things to note about TTL with the G10 -- it doesn't work with the camera in manual mode. Even with fancy Ikelite TTL. If the camera is in M mode, you must shoot with manual strobe control. Might be a concern for macro shooting. Not sure about the DX-2G, but the camera used in the DX-2G is the Ricoh GX-200 (S&S just re-badges Ricoh cameras). You should be able to find reviews on the camera, at least, right now . . .

Mike

I've read all I can find on the Ricoh base model and while there are compromises, reviews are pretty favorable in general.

Money is a concern for me, as is size--fortunately these things are related, because I wouldn't want to lug a DSLR and dual strobe setup even if I could afford it. I do love photography, but I like to keep my dive gear as simple as I can. A compact camera and single strobe is about as much photo gear as I am willing to dive with.

Thanks everyone.

I might be completely wrong, but doesn't the Patima PDCH-G10 housing come standard with a 67mm threaded port that accepts Inon wetmate lenses? Wouldn't that provide macro and WA capability?

Doug

I think when I made the first post I had not learned about the Patima system yet. I have to rule it out on expense, though, as the housing is a bundle and you can't put off an external strobe purchase.