C-8080: Ikelite vs. Olympus housing

[alouw]

Need some advice on which housing to get... I think I know the board's response based on the "Oly PT-027 vs. Ikelite Housing" thread but I was hoping someone could add some color to the comments regarding "Use in rough conditions" and "includes tray" on http://www.camerasunderwater.co.uk/i...c8080test.html.

Some criteria to consider:

• My diving skills: Novice/beginner;

• Likely to do only a handful of dives/year so finding it hard to justify going all the way with strobes, etc -- I think it's going to be just housing.

• Will be doing some drift diving in Rangiroa and not sure if that's considered "rough conditions"

• Like the appeal of a smaller unit with flash, but if it's "going to flood" then I really shouldn't even consider the PT023, right?

Thanks

[JarredK]

Can't comment on the housing for the C-8080 (I have the C-7070 with Ikelite housing/strobe), but I am going to Rangiroa in about two weeks. When are you going?

[ReyeR]

Ikelite housings are definitely much more robust and will take more of a beating than OEM ones. But if you look after your equipment then OEM housings will do the job. I've done more than 150++ dives with my Olympus PT-015 and its held up well. Most of these are Sydney shore dives with very rough entries and exits.

Was there any reason why you were looking at a C8080? Have you considered a smaller setup, like an Olympus C7070, Fuji F810, Canon A95 or even a Sony P150, all of which come with OEM housings? Since you are un-likely to purchase a strobe, a tray/handle isn't a necessary feature. You can always add one later if you change your mind. Also, all these cameras have full manual control so you will get the full benefit of adding a strobe if you do so. What would be important to me, considering you have no plans of adding a strobe, would be to make sure that whatever housing you get that it allows you to use the camera's built-in flash underwater.

Just my 2c.

[alouw]

Can't comment on the housing for the C-8080 (I have the C-7070 with Ikelite housing/strobe), but I am going to Rangiroa in about two weeks. When are you going?

Two weeks? That's awesome!

We're going in late September / early October -- we went to FP for our honeymoon a few years ago and it has completely messed with our heads. Very excited to go back -- please tell us how your diving experiences go and with which DS you ended up choosing!

[alouw]

Ikelite housings are definitely much more robust and will take more of a beating than OEM ones. But if you look after your equipment then OEM housings will do the job. I've done more than 150++ dives with my Olympus PT-015 and its held up well. Most of these are Sydney shore dives with very rough entries and exits.

Was there any reason why you were looking at a C8080? Have you considered a smaller setup, like an Olympus C7070, Fuji F810, Canon A95 or even a Sony P150, all of which come with OEM housings? Since you are un-likely to purchase a strobe, a tray/handle isn't a necessary feature. You can always add one later if you change your mind. Also, all these cameras have full manual control so you will get the full benefit of adding a strobe if you do so. What would be important to me, considering you have no plans of adding a strobe, would be to make sure that whatever housing you get that it allows you to use the camera's built-in flash underwater.

Just my 2c.

Thanks for the insight! I couldn't really fathom how current would cause a problem that's supposed to be good for 30+ m depth, so your story about taking care of your housing is reassuring.

The C8080 has an OEM housing (Olympus PT-023.. or at least, I think that's what you mean by OEM) hence my dilemma. I've had the C8080 for a little while, so taking it underwater is really an independent decision. Besides -- I'm hoping that I can get a pic that I won't be embarrassed of, print it big, and hang it somewhere.

Thanks again!

[artusor]

I have the 8080 with the Olympus housing. I only have 4 dives with the camera so I certainly do not qualify as an expert, but, I had no problems at all with the Olympus housing. From my understanding of the Ike housing it is much more expensive, has a deeper depth limit and will allow ttl with non Olympus flashes.

If you plan on using it a lot its probably worth going for the Ike. If not, the Olympus should work fine. In either case its probably not a bad idea to have equipment insurance.

[JarredK]

Two weeks? That's awesome!

We're going in late September / early October -- we went to FP for our honeymoon a few years ago and it has completely messed with our heads. Very excited to go back -- please tell us how your diving experiences go and with which DS you ended up choosing!

I'm also going for my honeymoon We're so excited that we already booked with our dive shops. We're going with Raphael and Moorea Blue Diving in Moorea (staying at the Sheraton), Bora Diving (next to Hotel Bora Bora) in Bora Bora (staying at Hotel Bora Bora), and Six Passengers in Rangiroa (staying at Kia Ora).

Any tips or honeymoon suggestions appreciated.

[Ishie]

I will always recommend the Ikelite housings above the Oly housings, though my only experience has been with the 5060, PT-020. Oly housing flooded on dive four. Ikelite housing has approximately 35 dives without the hint of a problem. It's far more robust, the camera screws into it, there's no plastic to strip, there's ONE simple o-ring that costs 5-6 dollars to replaces vs. the 20-25$ it takes to replace the Oly double o-rings, which seem more likely to slip (which is what happened to mine).

[deputydan1]

I have the ike housing for my 8080...so far, it's been great....just bigger that what i was originally use to....but i hear it's actually smaller than the old pt-023.

I got the ike after reading a lot about there here...as well as from others at the scuba show, my LDS, etc...

For me, it's great...really tough....good for those sometimes rough beaches in So Cali...

Good luck!

-dan
ps> tahiti is awesome!!! loved the mantas and sharks!

[fatsuki]

I have the Oly PT-023 housing. I've used it on probably 45 dives without a problem. I haven't had to replace the o-rings yet, but I have a backup set (each was $9.95). Personally, I think the double o-rings give an added level of protection against flooding. I also have a Sea and Sea strobe. It's not TTL, but it still works great. I've used the camera without an external strobe (just used the built-in flash) and have had great results.

Jeni