Canon G9 housing- Canon or Ikelite for newbie

[torydiver]

Hi and merry x-mas everyone on Y.D.
Been looking for a camera and with the help of Y.D. forums I have settled for the Canon G9 as best option for me.
Newbie to underwater photography but was wondering which housing is best suited to my needs with this camera.
From the forum replies I understand that a housing such as Ikelite is far more robust and versatile in comparison to the canon housing BUT it is quiet a pricey piece of kit compared to the canon housing. (Looking to keep my budget down)
What I need to know is: Is it worth the difference in price between the housings for a newbie photographer? Should I buy the canon housing, mess about for a while and get a basic grasp of underwater photography, or should I hold off and save for the Ikelite housing?
Advice and Opinions most welcome,
Seasons greetings,
torydiver

[triplefin]

An ikelite housing is a serious investment money wise. I think you should be absolutley sure that underwater photography is 'your thing' before you buy one.

[torydiver]

Thanks triplefin
Only a beginner to UWP, so I dont know if I would really get benifit of Ikelite housing. Not sure how far I want to progress in UWP, Just looking to get started with a reasonable camera/housing combination.

[mcroson]

The cannon housing is fine for upto 40 mtrs it's a great under water setup and easy to to do manual white balance with, if u need any advice on setps let mw know.

[PeeBee]

I have the Ikelite housing with the flat port adapter for the wide angle lens, it's that last bit that made me choose ikelite over the canon housing.
Plus points, Ikelite with adapter port (more money) will take WA lenses but be prepared to spend another £1000 if you want fish eye and you can't change it underwater.
Downside, the ikelite weighs twice as much as the canon housing so could impact your weight allowance.
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.

So if you don't think you are ready to spend the money on wide angle and fish eye lenses and are unlikely to go beyond 40(ish) metres then I would buy the canon housing.

My 2p

[torydiver]

cheers mcroson,
Rarely venture past 40 mtrs so canon housing should be fine for me. Price difference seems too much for me as I am only starting off in UWP. I dont believe I would get full benifit of Ikelite housing for some time yet.
Recently saw a thread on the forums that questioned the reliability/integrity of the canon housing for the G9 (leaked despite having no add ons/strobes etc)
Anybody any experience good or bad of canon housing for G9?
torydiver

[torydiver]

I have the Ikelite housing with the flat port adapter for the wide angle lens, it's that last bit that made me choose ikelite over the canon housing.
Plus points, Ikelite with adapter port (more money) will take WA lenses but be prepared to spend another £1000 if you want fish eye and you can't change it underwater.
Downside, the ikelite weighs twice as much as the canon housing so could impact your weight allowance.
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.

So if you don't think you are ready to spend the money on wide angle and fish eye lenses and are unlikely to go beyond 40(ish) metres then I would buy the canon housing.

My 2p

Thanks PeeBee,
Nice to gat sound advice from folks with experience of G9 and canon housing.
Advice much appreciated,
torydiver

[Scuttler]

I have the G9 and the Cannon housing.

The housing is fine. My only criticism is that it's too easy to change the dial settings accidentally when diving. This has happened to me on a few occasions only for me to to find out when I try to download the pics only to find they're not in RAW format because I've inadvertantly knocked the camera into auto mode!

I've not seen or used the Ikelite so cannot comment on it.

If you've not got the budget for the Ikelite and you're not even sure you want to do more than dabble in UWP then stick with the Cannon housing. At least you'll be taking pics sooner and if it's not your bag then you've not blown a fortune.

[Rod]

I have found the Canon housing is fine for underwater use without too many limitations.
Not had any problems with condensation but I do always pop a silica gel bag in the housing with the camera and only open it in the room rather than on the boat if possible.
Until you are ready to go DSLR I would say stick with the Canon housing.

[hammerheads]

I have a G7 with a Canon Housing and its a great bit of kit my only complaint is that its not easy getting a good fit with my Epoque strobe on the housing I beleive the Ikelite is much better for that due to its shape