2500k camera, housing, strobe what my best option

[Nicholas J. Sennett]

Hi folks
I have about 2500 dollars to spend on a decent underwater camera set up. I have been taking photos for over 25 years, but always on land, currently I have a DSLR Nikon D80 and 9 lens. So I know my way around a camera. But I am not looking far a DSLR set up as it is too large for me. Most of my photos will be macro, as I dive in poor visibility. I want good quality pictures and maybe video function.
Maybe A high end compact camera or a 4/3 with a ikelite housing and flash, any suggestion guy, thanks Nick

 

[mjh]

You are on the edge of a fully loaded compact system or a paired down M43. Remember Ikelite has decided not to make housings for the 4/3 mirrorless class of cameras.

The following are some 4/3 packages to give you some perspective. The Olympus E-PM1 might work if the $2500 includes the camera. To keep costs down we have found the 14-42mm kit lenses do fair macro when paired with good diopters.
http://opticaloceansales.com/underwater-camera-housing-packages/mirrorless-systems

For Compacts the Canon S100, Sony RX100 are very popular. With your budget you could do additional macro or wide wet lenses and/or maybe upgrade/add a second strobe. FYI Ikelite has announced a housing for the Sony RX100 around $400.
System Packages :: Compact Systems -

 

[bvanant]

Your best bet may be a used micro 4/3 system. There are quite a few nice systems for sale both here and on Wetpixel. Great bang for the buck right now for folks buying u4/3 systems since a lot of folks have recently upgraded.
Bill

 

[Nicholas J. Sennett]

Hi guys
thanks for the info, I am looking at your suggestions
cheers Nick��

 

[PatW]

Nick,

If you go to Wet Pixel classifieds, you might find a used D80 housing. If you are shooting macro, all you need is a housing, strobes, and a macro port. So it will be bigger but not that big. The D80 would be a decent camera to use or the D90. You might also find a used housing at the websites for Backscatter or Reef Photo. Of course, the thing will still be quite a bit larger a mirrorless camera. It is a thought. Of course, you might not want to lug around that much gear.

Pat

 

[tamas970]

Hi Nick,

I don't know if you have already pulled the plug...

I second the above suggestions regarding micro 4/3. I am planning the following rig:

Olympus E-PL5 (IQ as good as a nikon D90 or Canon 650D!)
9-18mm, 14-42mm
45mm+raynox 150 macro converter (this with a question mark, only if it fits the Zen WA100 semidome)

Housing: waiting for a nauty or 10bar housing (I need the gear earliest in Aug 2013...) worst case: Olympus PT-EP10.
Port: one single semidome for 9-18&14-42
Strobes: one 2nd hand YS60 or similar.

Total costs: around 2500$, just as your setup.

Hi folks
I have about 2500 dollars to spend on a decent underwater camera set up. I have been taking photos for over 25 years, but always on land, currently I have a DSLR Nikon D80 and 9 lens. So I know my way around a camera. But I am not looking far a DSLR set up as it is too large for me. Most of my photos will be macro, as I dive in poor visibility. I want good quality pictures and maybe video function.
Maybe A high end compact camera or a 4/3 with a ikelite housing and flash, any suggestion guy, thanks Nick