Fast, compact, DSLR set up.... helpppppppppppppp

My requirements are pretty basic – but I am overwhelmed with the choices.

Please point me in the right direction. I need to make a decision in the next 2-3 weeks.

I currently have a Nikon cool pix with IKE housing and DS125-IKE Strobe, macro and wide angle lens. The set up has a very slow shutter speed and the housing (IKE) is quite large. I have to change batteries on every dive (a major production to take the camera completely out of the housing to change the battery).

It’s time to upgrade….

My requirements:

o Small / compact housing (I want to carry it on the plane and not check luggage)

o Fast shutter speed (I assume this rules out point and shoot)

o Long lasting battery

o Manual settings

o Sturdy set up (not a cheapy plastic housing)

o Hot shoe for strobe

o Ability to use multiple strobes

o Ability to add lenses / ports without it becoming a HUGE beast that I can not carry on the plane

o Ability to upgrade over time (add lenses, strobes, etc)

o Easy to use view finder – or capability

Nice to have:

o Nice to reuse the IKE strobe – but definitely not a requirement

o Image stabilization nice to have

o TTL nice – but not required

o Used gear or discontinued gear is GREAT

Don’t care:

o Camera brand (Nikon, cannon, ... - I don’t have religion either way)

Price range – hard for me to justify to spend $10K system since I only go on a couple live aboard trips per year. So maybe something in the $3-6k range +/- is in the ball park.

Have you thought about just upgrading to a Canon G10 with Ike housing? That would be the first thing I'd look at because you can do that for around $1,000.

Next up would be a 40D w/ Ikelite housing - you can get them on the used market now and they are quite a deal.

Cheers

James

Since your saying a "small light " I would think along the lines of a d40. You can get one for about 200-300 used. housings for them are cheap. Before I got my d300 I used the d40 underwater and loved it.

A D300 in a Seatool housing with Inon strobes fullfills all of your requirements except for hotshoe....which isn't needed with Inon strobes fired optically.

HTH,

Dave

Well first off, if you are looking for compact, the Ike strobes would not be the way to go...you are better off selling or trading those in and getting either Inon Z240s or Sea & Sea YS 110a strobes.

For compactness, if you want to stay with a P&S, then go with the Fisheye FIX G10 and the Canon G10 camera, with either of the mentioned strobes. You can also get a really great wide angle lens and macro lenses.

If you want DSLR, then going with the Seatool DSLR housings, or the Sea & sea housings, would allow you to have a compact rig (for a DSLR anyways) and you can carry the entire system on planes with you. Both of those systems allow the use of the Inon Viewfinders as well.

As usual, I'll throw the Olympus E620 (replacement for the E520) into the mix. I currently have the E-520 and manage to get the housing, camera, 2 inon strobes and 1 flat port into a Pelican 1510 (largest carryon size). I use a lowepro backpack as my other carryon and fit all the lenses, other ports and a computer into it. I just purchased the 9-18mm WA lens and was thrilled to hear that Athena has come out with a 5" port for it. In any case, as DSLR's go you would be hardpressed to find a lighter, more compact setup.

To add to what James said, I was testing out the G10 the other day in a store and was quite impressed by its lack of shutter lag.

Humm too much to think about, let's see if I can do it the long way:

My requirements:

o Small / compact housing (I want to carry it on the plane and not check luggage)

Go aluminum housing, the most compact ones I can think of are Sea&Sea MDXs and Hugyfots.

o Fast shutter speed (I assume this rules out point and shoot)

o Long lasting battery

o Hot shoe for strobe.

o Ability to upgrade over time (add lenses, strobes, etc)

Any DSLR will do those.

o Manual settings.

Any DSLR will do, I would prefer one with 2 command dials (in Nikon range = D90 or higher).

o Sturdy set up (not a cheapy plastic housing)

As I said, aluminum housing.

o Ability to use multiple strobes

Any aluminum housing will do, with twin cables.

o Ability to add lenses / ports without it becoming a HUGE beast that I can not carry on the plane.

Hard to get, you will probably have to give up on this, but you can use small domes...

o Easy to use view finder – or capability

Any DSLR will do, check housing compatibility w/ Inon viewfinders.

Nice to have:

o Nice to reuse the IKE strobe – but definitely not a requirement

o Image stabilization nice to have

o TTL nice – but not required

o Used gear or discontinued gear is GREAT

I am a Nikon user, Nikon D300 shall drop in price to the end of the year...

Don’t care:

o Camera brand (Nikon, cannon, ... - I don’t have religion either way)

At least stick with any of those 2.

On the fast answer:

Nikon D300

Nikkor 10.5mm OR Tokina 10-17mm

Nikkor 60mm/D

Sea&Sea MDX-D300

Optical Dome

Compact Macro Ports for the 60mm/D

2 flash arms (Sea&Sea or Ultralight)

2 strobes (Sea&Sea YS110(a) or Inons)

1 twin cable.

Anything for upside:

18-55 + 55-200 OR 16-85 + 70-300VR OR 18-200 (don't like it).

1 strobe SB600.

These will cover your requirements...

You can find some international distributors for better pricing on the uw part of it.

With the requirements you have stipulated; you want a DSLR of course.

The most compact DSLR system is Olympus. Olympus is probably the only DSLR camera company that seriously provides for their underwater market from camera, to housing, to strobes.

There are some Olympus afficionados on this site who love their Olympus setups, you may want to do a search for Olympus threads. Their housings are also very price competitive.

I am absolutely delighted at your responses..... Thank you so much for your help and interest.

Any opinions about the Sea and Sea DX-2G? Will it meet my requirements - or will the shutter delay make me crazy. I'm assuming that I'll have to get a DSLR - but who knows, maybe this little guy will do the job (sure sounds good on paper).

Also wondered if you could point me to any good used or factory close out equipment? (now that I have some ideas about what I'm looking for)..

Thanks again - I've very impressed!

With the requirements you have stipulated; you want a DSLR of course.

The most compact DSLR system is Olympus. Olympus is probably the only DSLR camera company that seriously provides for their underwater market from camera, to housing, to strobes.

There are some Olympus afficionados on this site who love their Olympus setups, you may want to do a search for Olympus threads. Their housings are also very price competitive.

Any opinions about the Sea and Sea DX-2G? Will it meet my requirements - or will the shutter delay make me crazy. I'm assuming that I'll have to get a DSLR - but who knows, maybe this little guy will do the job (sure sounds good on paper).

Recent thread on the Sea & Sea

Some Info On and it looks interesting. Mike O also posted some links in another thread I think....

Aquatica has a small housing for the Nikon D90 and one looks like it is on the way for the small Canon. I played with it at Beneath The Sea. The one I played with had a 6 inch port. Thought it was small and portable (it seemed pretty light even with the camera body in there) Right now I carry a small Gates housing and a Canon 30D housing in a Porter or Pelican 1510 with a Macro port and one strobe. Carrying one housing with a port should not be too bad. (Actually I know have to carry more, just got a housing for my 40D )