Question about strobes with P&S cameras

Got a question for you guys. I’m a newbie underwater photographer, been using an old Olympus D-560 for the last year. I have been able to get some decent shots from it, but I now want to take it up a step. Size and weight are the 1# concern, so I am sticking with a point-and-shoot. Was looking at the Sea & Sea DX 1200DH (camera, housing, strobe), but am thinking I could get a better value with a Canon SD-980IS paired with an Ikelite housing. With a built in 24-120mm lens the Canon would not need an additional wide angle lens. And having owned a number of Canon SD cameras before I know it’s a reliable and well built camera. Not so sure about the Ukrainian made S&S (ERGO DS 1200-HD). And with the Canon priced at $329 vs the S&S at around $600, plus smaller size, I’m really considering the Canon.

Anyway, my real question is regarding the strobes. I’m looking at the Ikelite SD-51, but am unsure if it would be worth it (extra $400+ bucks) to go with the Ikelite DS-160 (also toying with the idea of a S&S 110a). Like I said I’m a newbie and with this new setup I’m looking to start using a strobe for the first time. Would like to keep the cost down, but if paying an extra $400 will give me more latitude to get better shots, I could do it. It seems like the difference between the two are power (50 w/s vs 160w/s) and coverage (and also size and weight).

I guess I wanted to know your opinion, worth it? Thoughts?? Thanks.

Hi Kushie!

I have a Canon P&S in Ikelite housing and I often use it with the additional Wide Angle lens. I bought an Ikelite DS-160 for wider angle and more power, but now I feel that I could really use two of them, cause often one is just not enough. I think that if You are mainly interested of macro photography, then 51 should be good enough, but for wide angle photography I would go for the DS-160.

Hope to see You'r results here on WP soon

Karel

Hi Kushie!

 

I have a Canon P&S in Ikelite housing and I often use it with the additional Wide Angle lens. I bought an Ikelite DS-160 for wider angle and more power, but now I feel that I could really use two of them, cause often one is just not enough. I think that if You are mainly interested of macro photography, then 51 should be good enough, but for wide angle photography I would go for the DS-160.

 

Hope to see You'r results here on WP soon

 

Karel

Thanks Karel, I'm looking for a strobe for general photography, not specifically macro. Sounds like you agree with what I'm thinking about going with the DS160. Thanks for your input.

pls note.....ikelite housing and strobe are weightily........OEM housing and S&S may is yr choice. For me 2 Ds-51 is better than 1 Ds160. U can start with 1 strobe and upgrade later.

pls note.....ikelite housing and strobe are weightily........OEM housing and S&S may is yr choice. For me 2 Ds-51 is better than 1 Ds160. U can start with 1 strobe and upgrade later.

Humm, I didn't look closely to their weight. I was also considering one of the Inon strobes, they seem to be more compact. Although I'm not sure about them, since they pulled out of the US.

Humm, I didn't look closely to their weight. I was also considering one of the Inon strobes, they seem to be more compact. Although I'm not sure about them, since they pulled out of the US.

Housing approx 1lbs, camera 5.3oz, strobe 2.75lbs. So looks the whole thing would weigh just under 4lbs. Is that heavy for a P&S set up??

Humm, I didn't look closely to their weight. I was also considering one of the Inon strobes, they seem to be more compact. Although I'm not sure about them, since they pulled out of the US.

Inon did not pull out the US, they just ceased using their previous US distributor, Inon America (a third party, despite the name). Now US dealers get their Inon stuff directly from Inon in Japan.

I really like the specs of the Inon strobes better than pretty much anything else out there.

The downside to the Canon SD series is, with the exception of the SD990is, there is no manual mode. And even with the SD990, the manual mode is limited. There is no true aperture control to get creative with DOF, instead there is an internet ND filter that flips into place to stop things down when needed. You only get to choose between two aperture settings. You can still take some great shots, but it's more limiting than a true manual control of the aperture.

The S90 looks like a real contender, but the housings aren't shipping yet.

Inon did not pull out the US, they just ceased using their previous US distributor, Inon America (a third party, despite the name). Now US dealers get their Inon stuff directly from Inon in Japan.

 

I really like the specs of the Inon strobes better than pretty much anything else out there.

 

The downside to the Canon SD series is, with the exception of the SD990is, there is no manual mode. And even with the SD990, the manual mode is limited. There is no true aperture control to get creative with DOF, instead there is an internet ND filter that flips into place to stop things down when needed. You only get to choose between two aperture settings. You can still take some great shots, but it's more limiting than a true manual control of the aperture.

 

The S90 looks like a real contender, but the housings aren't shipping yet.

Thats a good point about no manual mode on the SDs. That is not something I am using now, but with a strobe I can see where I would want more control over the exposure after I get experience using it.

This is a tough decision on what equipment to buy.... I guess I'm back to considering the S&S DX1200HD. It appears to have easy to control white balance, ISO and EV settings, but not shutter and aperture. More research I guess.....