Upgrade or a Package

[jgheaton]

I have a Canon A620 and WP-DC90 housing. I have had good success with photos over the last few years. I have come to the point where I would like to add some strobes to my configuration. In the future I plan to upgrade my camera and housing probably to a G10 and a Patima housing. However first would like to start with the Strobes.

Think I have settled on the Inon S-2000 with a focus light and Fisheye FIX Tray, Ultralight arms and Inon Optical Digital Cable. The setup will run me around $ 1100 but will be able to use most of the components with my potential future camera.

My dilemma is this. Should I follow this route or rather go with a Package like the Sealife DC 1000 Maxx Package.

I understand the strobes are not even comparable, but it would seem that there are benefits to a complete package inclusive of wide angle lens, dual flashes, 10mp camera with underwater correction.

This seems like a great way to experience strobes, wide angle etc all neatly packaged.

Any advice would be welcome.

Thanks
John

[gustele]

This is a tough question so my guess is that in the end you have to make the choice yourself.
Just my thoughts:
The Inon strobe will serve you for many many years. I don't have personal experience with this strobe (I am using the Sea&Sea YS-110), but looking at the specs this is a worthwile investment also for your next camera. It is a S-TTL flash which means that, if your next camera supports it, will make your life easier when using the flash.
Your camera is a few years old but not yet outdated. With 7.1 Megapixels it is more than sufficient to make good quality prints. Combined with a strobe you will get far better color in your pictures than you are currently used to. The DC1000 is a rather new model but is not supporting RAW-mode. Personaly I would go for a camera upgrade that supports RAW-mode because it gives you far more flexibility in editing afterwards.
A wide angle lens is a nice addition. I am using the wide angle lens on almost every dive to take pictures of the reef or my fellow divers. When using the wide angle lens I normally don't use the strobe for two reasons; the wider angle of view is not completely covered by the strobe unless I use the diffuser and the chances of getting unacceptable backscatter is considerably greater. Your current camera and housing doesn't seem to support a wide angle lens because of vignetting that will occur so if you currently have the feeling that you miss a wide angle lens then the DC1000 Maxx will be the better option.

So in conclusion: if you are still happy with your current camera and like shooting macro then I would go for your current setup with the Inon strobe. Gaining experience in working with a strobe puts you in a better position to decide on your later camera upgrade. Two strobes is maybe a little too much coming from no strobe. If you feel that you have outgrown your current camera the Sealife DC1000 Maxx package would be a good choice. I have used the Sealife DC500 with 1 Sealife strobe in the past and were always very pleased with the results. You can re-use the strobes with another camera if you outgrow the DC1000 but they will never match the Inon strobe.

[jgheaton]

gustele, thanks for the advice, think I will be going with the Inon strobe as I do hope at some stage to upgrade to a Canon G10.

Again thanks
Cheers John

[alcina]

I think going with the Inon is a good choice :)

Have fun!

[AndyT]

Strobes are your bet upgrade option for now, good choice !

By the time you have squeezed the most out of your current camera with the strobes you may find that want a dSLR anyway.

[Jim Ernst]

I think going with the Inon is a good choice :)

Have fun!

Take Alcina's advice..... You can't go wrong doing so!

[jgheaton]

Thanks to everyone. I decided to go with the YS110a Strobe in place of the S-2000. I am going to use Ultralight components for the arms etc. Based on the cost of the parts for the S-2000 at the end of the day there was only $80 difference between the YS110a and the S-2000. For upgrade it seems the YS110a has a few more options as well as a few more features.

Thanks again, hope to post some shots when I go diving.