Ikelite housing or DC38 for canon s95

[Tamiae]

Hi there, I have a Canon S95 and would like to hear from those of you who've used either the ikelite or canon housing for this camera... Any thoughts, reviews would be appreciated. Thanks!

[below sea level]

I use the Ikelite and am more than happy with it.

I don't know if the quality of the Canon housings have improved over the years, but last time I looked at one closely it made me nervous. I guess it depends how deep you're planning on taking it.

[Bent C]

I use the Ikelite and am more than happy with it.

I don't know if the quality of the Canon housings have improved over the years, but last time I looked at one closely it made me nervous. I guess it depends how deep you're planning on taking it.

I have done around 60 dives with my Canon housing, several of them to around 30-35 meters, and have experienced no problems with the housing.

/Bent C

[hbg4]

Anyone have info on size/dimensions comparison between the two? :confused:

[PatW]

I use a similar camera, the G11. The Ikelite housing is quite good. It is easy to handle and easy to maintain.

I have heard of some leakage problems with the Canon housings. Those can be found with a simple test. Just take the housing sans camera and submerge (prefereably in the bottom of your or a friend's pool for some time (hopefully hours). You can put a high tech leak detector into the housing.... it is grape koolaid powder. The powder is white when dry and purple when wet. I have heard the leak problems with canon housings have been caused by not quite properly sanded places where the housing fits together.

I know that Gilligan used a G10 and Canon housing for years. He takes great photos. So the Canon housings are perfectly usuable if you don't get one of the leaky ones that comes out. I don't know if the leak problem is still there with the newer housings.

The Ike housing for the S95 is not that expensive by the way. You can check their web site.

[kuma1720]

The Ikelite is more than double in price. I am also debating between the two and am siding with the Canon.

I have an older Canon case and it has worked flawless over the past 4 years. Quality is also very good since it is manufactured in Japan and not in China. My only concern is adapting a light and tray in the future.

[timbir]

Apart from the quality of the housings which I am familiar with, has anyone experience with using the Ikelite without a strobe? Ie can you use the internal flash? I know the Canon comes with a good flash diffuser. Also can you use a fiber optic cable attached to the Ikelite housing when using a non Ikelite strobe. Thank

[below sea level]

Also can you use a fiber optic cable attached to the Ikelite housing when using a non Ikelite strobe. Thank

I attach the fibre optic cable to the front of the Ikelite housing with duct tape. This completely blocks the camera's flash while still setting off the external strobe.