Digital Rebel Housing: Sea and Sea or Aquatica?

Aquatica and Sea and Sea both make housings for the Digital Rebel. They both have eTTL. I held both of them at the Long Beach Scuba Show in May 04 and the Sea and Sea housing actually looked like it had better features. They both cost about the same.

- S and S housing looks easier to get the camera mounted and removed

- S and S housing offers a larger selection of ports

- S and S housing has a shutter-activated focus light

Questions:

1. It seems like many Wetpixel members have selected the Aquatica housing. Is this because there's more coverage/press releases of the Aquatica housing? Or maybe at the time of purchase it was the only Digital Rebel housing with TTL? Or that the Aquatica housing is better?

2. In general, across product lines, who makes a better housing, S and S or Aquatica?

3. Plastic resin vs aluminum housing? Any real pros or cons?

4. Who's more likely to have a better implementation of eTTL, S and S or Aquatica? - From what I've read, even the Aquatica eTTL control unit is still being enhanced - if they were Microsoft, this means they're fixing problems and will offer "new versions"

5. I've heard that the optics quality of ports vary by manufacturer. If this is really the case, who makes optically better ports, S and S or Aquatica?

6. Is S and S's larger port selection really a benefit? I mean do you really need more than a WA dome and a macro port?

7. Is S and S's shutter-activated focus light feature really useful and practical in real life?

Thanks. Any information would be appreciated.

They both have eTTL

No-one, sadly, has eTTL. Aquatica has a work-in-progress TTL system. My guess is that Ikelite will be the first to have a fully working system, and Aqautica will steadily improve there implementation over the coming months, but if you're going to start shooting now you're pretty much going to have to shoot manual.

That aside, I'd buy the Aquatica. It's a great housing for the price, and I came very very close to downgrading my 10D to a 300D so I could use their system.

Given that you're willing to consider a plastic housing and want TTL, consider the Ikelite as well.

I just received my A300 Friday, but haven't had the chance to get it wet yet. I could have chosen the Ike, or waited for the S & S

1. Price. Retail on the A300 is $1569. Retail on the S&S is $1995. That's almost worth a 105 mm macro lens, so not about the same, at least in my book. Deals can be had on both, I assume.

2. S&S has gotten out of the US market and left their service to Tusa. Yet to be seen how that will work out.

3. From what I am told, the S&S ports, like the housing, will be > $$ than Aquatica.

4. Aquatica's 8" dome and macro port (with extension for 105) will cover most of my shooting requirements.

5. I spoke to photogs I respect, and the majority used Aquatica.

As far as better ttl, port optics, etc. I have no clue and doubt I'd know the difference. I come from Oly 5050 land, so I've only ever shot manual strobes. Focus light - The focus light I currently used will be on all the time (mounted Q40s), which helps when the water is murkier here in Calif., so that's not an issue for me.

I'm sure the Aquatica, Ikelite and S & S housings will all be fine, just a matter of personal preference in the end.

Chris

Given the choice of Aquatica vs S&S (as a S&S owner for my D60), I'd pick Aquatica. THe larger selction of ports for S&S is fine, but they are indeed more expensive and not significantly better.

I'd say you're better off choosing between Ikelite and Aquatica than S&S and Aquatica.

I don't know how good the after-sales service is in the USA, but in the UK I have heard only bad things about S&S. From what I have heard, if something goes wrong: a) it is YOUR fault; and B) wait for a LONG time until the dealer has the spare part. Keep in mind what would happen if you need to service it (and you will).

I am very happy with my A300 and would buy it again

Thanks everybody! It looks like there are alot of happy Aquatica customers. I'll probably order one in a couple weeks.

Just put mine together last nite

A bit bigger than the other housing.... but not much....

Looking good Chris! Did you get yours with the 8" dome port and shade as well? Man, that looks like a nice compact housing.

Cheers

James

Looking good Chris! Did you get yours with the 8" dome port and shade as well? Man, that looks like a nice compact housing

Yeah, but they're out of stock currently, so Ryan gave me a 6" dome and shade to use until the 8" is in, which should be this week or so.

It is nice and compact. Although I haven't gotten it wet, I am very happy with my choice.

Chris

I can't help you with the Aquatica choice as I have never used that system before but I did use a S&S system for the first time last week in Bonaire with a 10D and was very, very impressed. I shot a 100mm, 50mm and a 15mm with the ultra wide (weitwinkel) dome S&S offers. All 3 lenses are accommodated by two ports - the ultra wide (weitwinkel)(which also fits my old 17-35) and the custom macro port(ext. ring needed to accommodate the 100). I personally like the wide angle port for only one reason - it helps my model find her location in the scene by looking at the reflection in the wider port!!! Only downer about the larger port is it makes the entire system slightly positive which can be solved by adding a little weight to the base plate. Just about every function on the camera can be reached through the button system and the quality of the housings and ports were exceptional. The clear back of the housing makes looking for early leaks very easy(I hope I just didn't just jinx myself although I doubt this beast will ever leak). The ports were clear and my images were just about as sharp as possible. The camera fit's on a base plate which slide into the housing and makes access very easy. The electronics were sturdy and built to last which is important as I have had three other housings in the past wear out on me in this department. I shoot with two strobes for wide angle and macro and shoot completely manual. I will never use TTL again simply because if the instant feedback that digital gives you. Why spend big $$ on TTL strobes and such when a quick look at you screen and adjustment solves your problems? I hope this helps you with your decision, GOOD LUCK.

Pardon my ignorance, but what exactly is the acronym TTL?

it mean Trough The Lens, and can be used in context to flash exposure being read on the film (chip) surface, it's sometime was used in reference to autofocusing or just plain light metering in the past, but now is mostly associated to the topic of flash or strobes as they are known to us.

Regards