Another one bites the dust!!!

Well, today I finally took the plunge and moved from prosumer to DSLR. I just picked up a new Canon 300D and next week I will get the Aquatica A300 I already ordered!

I bought a Coolpix 5400 last year, but it proved a little difficult and expensive to get a decent housing, so I made my mind and moved into DSLR.

Although I have been involved with u/w photo for six years (first with a Nik V and then with a Coolpix in Ike housing), I am completely new to the SLR world, so I would like to ask for some advice:

• * First, would the lens included in the kit (18-55mm) produce decent u/w pictures, or should I definitively get an additional lens? I am more interested in wide angle than macro, however since I just got the camera and housing I don't wnat to have a huge "financial hangover" unless it is really necessary. :roll: Also, since I am just starting with the SLR, am I going to complicate my life trying to learn the camera and lenses at the same time?

* Second, I know the ICU in the A300 works ok with Sea&Sea and Ikelite strobes. Does anybody know if it would also work with the Inon Z220? The idea of TTL is great, but those Inon strobes are tiny, which make them great for travelling

Your help would be very much appreciated :wink:

I have seen some people get excellent results with the kit lens on the Rebel. It focuses reasonably close and is a decent wide angle despite the crop factor. I think you could spend a lot of time right away getting to know your camera with this lens. You can also use it for close focus wide angle work reasonably well.

I think a more important addition would be a good strobe. Do you have a strobe that will work with this camera? You didn't mention any strobes in your post. Assuming you don't have one, you won't be able to use the internal strobe with the Aquatica housing (and why would you) so you will need something that will work with your housing. The aquatica housing doesn't seem to have any TTL circuitry for the DRebel so you will need to control your strobes manually. I actually like this approach. This is best accomplished with one of the digital strobes by Ikelite, Sea and Sea or Inon. I prefer the Ikelite DS125. But I would definately buy one (or two) of these before I consider additional lenses. There is no single piece of equipment that can improve your photos more than a proper strobe.

Then after that I would reccomend getting a macro lens with flat port. I have purchased a macro lens to go with my D70 when the housing is available. I think macro is a great way to learn because composition and exposure are easier to experiment with underwater. Ultimately, I'd like to do more WA too. But I think really focusing in on mostly static subjects with pleanty of strobe power due to close distance to subject will be the best teacher in terms of mastering apertures and shutter speeds, strobe power and composition. I think trying to learn this while shooting fast moving subjects will only hinder my development.

Something to think about.

The aquatica housing doesn't seem to have any TTL circuitry for the DRebel

Actually, it does, which is the ICU that beto referred to in his post. I thought I read in a past post that the ICU was being tested with Inons.

As for lenses, if you've got the kit lens, why not get comfortable with that for a while? You'll have enough to learn without worrying about having too many lenses to choose from. Once you're comfortable with the setup, I'd suggest a macro lens, either 50mm or 100mm, or a 15mm fisheye.

Hope this helps.

Tom

The Aquatica ICU does accomplish TTL.

The Inon's are being tested but the Sea and Sea and Ikelites will TTL with the ICU.

My understanding is Ikelite is apparently working on something similiar but have not got it figured out yet.

I got the following info out of Blake at Aquatica the other day regarding their housing and TTL.

Hi Crispin,

So far it will work with the ikelite ds-50 and 125,also the sea and sea ys 60,90 and 120,we are now working on the Inon strobes.The older strobes do not work as they can not recycle fast enough.

Thank you,

Blake

I think I'm going to manage with manual for the time being with the DS125 next on the shopping list!

When I mailed Aquatica, they only said they'd tested it with the ds-125. According to Crispin's email, it sounds like they've done some more testing since then.

The e.mail from Blake was on the 1st April.

My housing is being shipped today, can't wait. woooohoooo.