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What is the opinion of the IKELIGHT vs SEA&SEA housings for the Digital rebel with zoom 18-55??? 15-58??? somewhere in there.
One is twice the price of the other . Have you had problems with the cheaper (if you can call $1300 cheaper how about less expensive) IKELIGHT?
I do not want to spend a fortune more but don't want to spend less and be totally disappointed.
HELP
Ira
As a dealer and avid user for both companies, I can tell you the comparison between the two is like apples and oranges.
First, the Ikelite is all polycarbonate as opposed to the Sea and Sea which is Aluminum and polycarbonate. The mechanical controls are a big difference.
The sea and sea uses knobs which make direct contact with the camera, and the slippage is minimal. The controls on the Ikelite require much more precise handling and you must be sure the knobs are in the exact proper position for the controls to work. This is much harder to use w/o looking at the controls. The sea and sea is easier to make adjustments on without taking your eye off the subjct.
Next, the optics on the ports of the Sea and Sea are of higher quality. They produce sharper images w/o the softened corners.
One big difference with the materials is the Ikelite will be much mroe bouyant in the water and will be sitting well above your head if you let go (quite annoying).
The price difference between the two is not significant considering the total cost and such a package. If you are going to make the investment, consider the overall picture.
If you have any further questions, send me an email and Id be happy to help you out.
Don't forget the Aquatica housing! It's about $400 more than the Ikelite, metal and slightly smaller in all dimensions. We were planning to buy the Ike housing, but after using the Aquatica on a dive with a photo outfit last week we changed our minds and went for it.
I did forget to mention the Aquatica housing as well as the Subal housing. Id recommend the Sea and Sea or the Subal out of the four. Sea and Sea being the mid level and Subal being the high end. Both are well worth the costs. However, Sea and Sea is very easy to deal with and they have excellent customer/dealer support, which I feel is key in order for me to do business with them. Ikelite has great support as well, but I think the extra $$$ for the others are well worth it.
One reason you may want to hold off for a few months on your purchase is to see what is coming down the piep for the 10D and Rebel Housing. Pretty cool to say the least...
I'd vouch for Aquatica......Had one for a couple months and absolutely love it. Bullet proof. Looked at and chose over Ike. Ike only has a 6" dome, Aquatica has 8". I have heard there may be some differences, but don't quote me.......Aquatica's port system is bayonet type, I really like that versus the clips Ike uses. Ike's bulkhead is on the back, my concern is it gets in the way unless you find a way to route it correctly.
Sea & Sea and Ike were a bit too big for me as I travel some. The Ike D70 housing is a monster, same with the Rebel (IMHO). Sea & Sea worries me since they got out of the US market and left it all to Tusa. Although I saw a S&S D70 housing this weekend and it looked very nice. S&S ports will also be significantly more than Aquatica ports which, while acrylic, are rated very highly.
Buy Subal if money is no object.
I doubt you could go wrong buying any of these housing, just need to choose based on your priorities.
If money is the main priority, then Ike, Aquatica, S&S and Subal, in that order.
If quality, then (IMHO) Subal, Aquatica, Ike/S&S in that order.
If customer service/access to manufacturer, then Ike, Aquatica, S&S and Subal (simply geographically and based on my and others' experiences). H20 phtot pro seems to have insight on dealing with S&S, but since they left the market, that concerns me.
As for waiting for the 10D, why? the new 10-22 lens can't be used with the 10D, only the soon to be out 20D and the Rebel (and the rebel can be "hacked" to regain many of the 10D functions - no endorsement, just sharing facts)
As for TTL, most people I know shoot all manual strobes , and even those that go to, for example, Steven Frink's photo school, are shooting manual by day 2 (even those with S2s giving real ttl)
I owned a 10 d and wanted to buy the ikelight housing I waited and waited than I could not wait any longer so about 6 months ago I bought the Sea & sea. Its great. I have no complaints... The one thing I will say and I am not kidding is Canon just came out with a 20d... But you are going to have to wait a while for a housing for it.
Here's a review I put together of the Ikelite Rebel housing after my trip to Truk. Email me at the address on the review of I can answer any questions.
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Housing for digital rebel
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It's about $400 more than the Ikelite, metal and slightly smaller in all dimensions. We were planning to buy the Ike housing, but after using the Aquatica on a dive with a photo outfit last week we changed our minds and went for it.
