Canon G9 housing- Canon or Ikelite for newbie

[John63]

If you are still thinking of the Ikelite housing, have you thought about buying from overseas.


I bought some kit from oceanic Focus in Singapore and they were much cheaper than UK (although the exchange rate was more favourable when I bought my kit).

Currently they are advertising the Ikelite G9 housing at US $600 ( about 400 quid so 120 quid cheaper than cameras underwater website) but they also have an add on their site as follows:


"Email us or Call us for Promotion Price. Limited Period while stock last. "


so you might be able to get a very good deal.


A link to their site is:

:.:..Oceanic Focus...Singapore's one stop underwater photography equipment...Underwater Strobe, Underwater housing, Inon, Canon, Olympus, Nikon, Ikelite, You name it!!....


Hope this helps, John

[macstinator]

Does anyone know if a G10 fits in a G9 Canon housing?

My G9 failed to survive being run over by a car the other day.

[John63]

Does anyone know if a G10 fits in a G9 Canon housing?

My G9 failed to survive being run over by a car the other day.

I 'm not 100% certain but I don't thaink that it will


Both Canon and Ikelite have different model numbers for their G9 & G10 housings. Additionally, the Ikelite housings have the control knobs located in different plces for the G9 & G10.


Doesn't look too promising for you


Cheers, John

[mark2]

i have ikelite housing , ikelite 50 strobe( cant remember full title) on arm short port , inon wide angle lens and an explorer box to put it all in i am willing to sell pm me if interested

[kjackoj]

Hi,

There's a lot of good advice here. I've just bought a G9 but as yet haven't bought the housing, however it will be an Ikelite. Having said that I've taking underwater pics for 13 years and I know what i want from the camera set up.
In your circs', there is only one option really, buy the canon housing, try it out and if you get in to UWP, then in a couple years, when the G14 or 15 will probably be out, but one as part of an Ikelite deal with strobes.

Why Canon/ Because it costs half the price of the Ikelite.

Hope this helps.

Jacko.

[buchhawk]

Does anyone know if a G10 fits in a G9 Canon housing?

My G9 failed to survive being run over by a car the other day.

Hope you wasn't taking a photo at the time

[Steven]

i have ikelite housing , ikelite 50 strobe( cant remember full title) on arm short port , inon wide angle lens and an explorer box to put it all in i am willing to sell pm me if interested

and a camera too????

not that I can buy second hand tho!!

[uwila]

I have divedwith the canon housing and it works really well although because it's so compact there have been comments about it's risk of condesation, something to do with the heat of the camera operating in such a small space.

I have a G9 and the Canon Housing and have never had problems with condensation. I always load the camera on land, preferably in an air-conditioned room (the air is so very much drier). You can only get condensation if there is water vapour inside the housing, so avoid that and you'll never have a problem. If you must open the housing on the boat, then gel sachets are the way to avoid this problem.

Given that you are unsure about the benefit of spending tons of cash, get the Canon housing. It's a no-brainer.
At worst you can waste the cost now less any 2nd hand value (possibly very little, but still > zero)
At best, you can end up with exactly the rig that suits at the lowest cost.

The only downside I have found with the Canon housing is that the long 'snout' renders the internal flash almost useless. The diffuser helps. With an external strobe, you get a great outfit at a reasonable cost - especially as you don't have to spend 1000's just to get going.

Cheers, Chris

[pies]

Bought the Ikelite, with flat port, WA lense Ultralite arms and DS 125 strobe. Previously had a Sony and Sony housing, then Sony and Ikelite housing, no external strobe.

Spent a fair amount of time looking at what I wanted prior to splashing out.

G9 is fantastic, really changed my diving, happy pootling about in 0-20m if there is any subject material about.....!!

Only thing I would add is the video capability on G9 is very, very good as well. TTL with Ikelite is extremely useful, no messing about with optical cables and masking. Considered the canon housing, but also looked at adding strobes, and much happier with Ikelite integrated system and robustness of the housing, controls and handles - it is fairly bulletproof and I like the synch cord setup. also, all controls you would use on the surface are to hand on the Ikelite.

Only pains in the ass I see with the Ikelite is the size and weight (with 2 DS125s it would be intrusive as you move around on land) and remember to take the lens cover off before getting in the water or it will not come off and tether the flash diffuser on the DS125- sods law dictates if it is not tethered, it won't be there at the end of the dive. Also, I wouldn't be very happy using the Ikelite without the strobe, as it results in shadowing, so it is full rig or not bothering. Canon housing better for taking on hols or for casual shots. Or you could go for a lighter strobe e.g. Inon or Sea&Sea, then you are back to optical cables again. There are plenty of superb shots taken with that setup:

Canon G9 Underwater Photo Gallery Just another Swiss in Australia

Still enjoying messing around with the settings, but images here:

Diving - a set on Flickr

will add some video sometime this week.

PS G9 and G10 housings not interchangeable. Also some debate about the lense on the G10 and vignetting. G9 is proven.

Whichever housing you get, can thoroughly recommend Lightroom as a developing tool.
You can do a DIY wideangle lense addition for the Canon housing as well, involving 3 screws, a conversion ring and a bit of fettling. They are also sold ready made.

[ashgreendiver]

Pies:

When I bought the G9 and housing I was told (Cam UW) that a wide angle option was not available. I really like the set-up (w strobe) but would like wide angle capability. Could you provide more info on this??