After a month of prowling through several forums, Wetpixel being one, I have received a tremendous amount of input regarding my search for a new camera...after looking at non SLR cameras, the Sony V3, the Oly C-8080, and the Canon G6, I finally decided that they all have good points but ultimately will not give me the versatility that i am looking for, as a relatively new ( but eager ) photographer who has spent the past two years fiddling around with a point and shoot and frustrated at the lack of available range...I belive that I have decided on the Nikon D70, and hope that i can pick the original up cheaper, now that everyone is holding their breath waiting for the D70s...
It might be initially awkward to learn how to look into an optical viewfinder instead of the LCD, and parting with the novelty of being able to shoot those little Quick Time Videos of my nephew getting certified will be difficult , but I am finished with producing substandard photos of the amazing things that I see while diving...
I have a Sea and Sea YS90DX that I would like to use if at all possible as I have almost doubled what I originally set out to spend...I am looking at getting a housing that allows for the use of two strobes, figuring that i will be adding a second down the line...I will probably buy the camera body with the 18-70mm lens, ( seems like a good lens to start with and later I can add the 12-24 WA and the 105 Macro, or at least it has been suggested...)
So here is the question...Do I go with the Ikelite housing, or throw down the extra 500 bucks and get the Aquatica set up?? ( the Aquatica D70) I see both mentioned frequently in here, and know that our community tends to practice alot of "brand loyalty" and since I have no working knowledge of either I would love some input...will the Sea and Sea strobe be OK in conjunction with a modeling light ...do I need to exchange my current set up Ultralight Arms for the boyant arms?..since the Ultralight set-up is new in box, the dealer that I am working with is letting me trade them across for what I need to close the deal , so I can replace them without alot of additional expense if needed...
Do I need to spring for a couple of 1GB cards, or will a couple of 512MB get me started?
What I heard is that ...with the Aquatica, I can buy one dome( which I am told is the correct port for the 18-70mm lens) and later add one macro port, and then just add extension rings and zoom gears as needed depending on which lenses I buy next...whereas the Ikelite might require not only the extension rings but potentially different domes depending on which lens I have...spend a little more now but save in the long run?
Also, I understand that the Aquatica housing is rated tp a greater depth (I have not proceeded to trimix yet but it is on my calendar and then I might exceed that 200 ft. barrier). I also heard that the buttons and controls of the Aquatica are , for lack of a better word, more sturdy and solid.Also, that fogging is less likely in a aluminum housing because aluminum conducts heat whereas polycarbonate insulates it...and finally, that polycarbonate contracts under pressure at depth, (regular use at 100 feet or more ) therefore creating stress on the housing ,superficial cracks and a general ageing .
OK, so that's what I heard... and have come to you guys for your sage advice (pro and con) so that I will wind up with a product that I will be happy with, and that will grow with me as I gain experience...I will look forward to your responses...thanks...Kyle
