new camera - too many options

I am going to be upgrading from my 350D, and in a dilema regarding what to upgrade to. I would love to go the whole hog and get the 5D mk2, but then it would require new lenses and a housing at a crazy price. I would then want to buy another body as back up if the dreaded ever happened. I want to stick with Canon as I already have Canon compatible lenses. I would also require the housing for it to be Sea and Sea as I already have ports for my lenses. At the moment I am using 2 x Sea and Sea YS90 Auto Duo's.

At the moment I am looking at the 40D - 50D and the 500D. Have any of you guys used any of these cameras underwater and what are your thoughts.

Stew

I am going to be upgrading from my 350D, and in a dilema regarding what to upgrade to. I would love to go the whole hog and get the 5D mk2, but then it would require new lenses and a housing at a crazy price. I would then want to buy another body as back up if the dreaded ever happened. I want to stick with Canon as I already have Canon compatible lenses. I would also require the housing for it to be Sea and Sea as I already have ports for my lenses. At the moment I am using 2 x Sea and Sea YS90 Auto Duo's.

 

At the moment I am looking at the 40D - 50D and the 500D. Have any of you guys used any of these cameras underwater and what are your thoughts.

 

Stew

I am quite happy with the 40D/50D in a Subal housing. Ryan at Reef upgraded the housing to shoot with optical coupling. You can see some pics from the setup at www.blueviews.net. A lot depends on what strobes you have and what types of shooting you do. I shoot mostly macro stuff and I don't use liveview at all and don't use video since my wife does that. I also like the new Sea&Sea RDX housing with the optical triggering of strobes and if you have the ports already that is the way I would probably go with the new Rebel.

Cheers

Bill

Hey Stew,

I'm upgrading to the 5d MKII for it's video capabilities and I'll be selling my 40D and 50D with Sea & Sea housing...I also have a couple of YS-110's. Check out Jim Abernethy's and Steve William's work on this site....they both use the 40D and produce great results.

You can also look at my site mpowell.smugmug.com...most were taken with the 40D and I think the Cayman shots were with the 50D.

Good luck with your decision and if your interested in a used rig let me know.

Mike

Also check to make sure that you can use your Sea and Sea NX type ports on the RDX housing if you decide to go that way.

What lenses do you have for your 350D that REALLY tie you to a cropped camera? Is is just one? There are lots of FF wideangle lenses to choose from so you may be able to sell your EF-S type lens and "upgrade" for not that much money.

Another consideration would be to get a 5D and housing - as they are going at pretty good prices now.

Cheers

James

or you can wait for the 60D with video. i'm still pretty happy with the 20D UW and not sure that a full frame is justified for many people even for WA given the quality of the Tokina 10-17 fisheye and 11-16.

i have a 40D, 5D, and 5D2, but haven't yet been compelled to buy a housing for any of them - partly because i don't feel comfortable diving without a backup body and i'm hard-pressed to buy a second 5D2

the image quality of the 5D is a big step above that of the 40D, but i think you've got to have good conditions, and excellent ports and lenses to realize this

a used 40D setup would probably be pretty good value - and save enough money to buy a 5D2 for dry shooting!

Hi Stew,

i notice you say you are going to be upgrading from the 350D, are you planning to sell on your old kit? I am looking to upgrage from my old canon point and shoot and was thinking a second hand unit would be ideal until i have enough money to get something better.

I'd be interested in the camera and housing if you were wishing to sell on.

thanks, Sarah