vicp
Contributor
Does anyone here use or has used/seen the Ikelite housing for the Lumix TZ10/ZS7?
Most of the posters here that use the ZS7 underwater seem to use the OEM (Panasonic DMW-MCTZ10) housing. I have not been able to find anyone using the Ikelite. Is this because the Ikelite is fairly new, more expensive, or is there some other reason?
I was about to buy the OEM housing, but it went on backorder at B&H (others seem to charge substantially more) and am now considering the Ikelite (not really interested in the 10Bar maybe at some other time for a more upscale camera).
The Ikelite is rated to 200 while the OEM is 130. Is the Ikelite better built/sealed? While some may argue that 130 is the recreational limit, doing deco/cave one can get close to or exceed these limits, even if only rarely. It is good to have the extra headroom.
The Ikelite can be serviced/repaired in Indiana at Ikelite. Answers to technical issues are a phone call away. What is the service/repair/parts chain for the OEM? It has been suggested that this may be a throw-away housing in the case of any serious issue.
Anything else that one should be aware of between these 2 housings (internal flash shadow, adaptability of accessories, etc.) that may make either a better value?
Ikelite owners (especially w/TZ10/ZS7 housings) please chime in!
Thanks
Most of the posters here that use the ZS7 underwater seem to use the OEM (Panasonic DMW-MCTZ10) housing. I have not been able to find anyone using the Ikelite. Is this because the Ikelite is fairly new, more expensive, or is there some other reason?
I was about to buy the OEM housing, but it went on backorder at B&H (others seem to charge substantially more) and am now considering the Ikelite (not really interested in the 10Bar maybe at some other time for a more upscale camera).
The Ikelite is rated to 200 while the OEM is 130. Is the Ikelite better built/sealed? While some may argue that 130 is the recreational limit, doing deco/cave one can get close to or exceed these limits, even if only rarely. It is good to have the extra headroom.
The Ikelite can be serviced/repaired in Indiana at Ikelite. Answers to technical issues are a phone call away. What is the service/repair/parts chain for the OEM? It has been suggested that this may be a throw-away housing in the case of any serious issue.
Anything else that one should be aware of between these 2 housings (internal flash shadow, adaptability of accessories, etc.) that may make either a better value?
Ikelite owners (especially w/TZ10/ZS7 housings) please chime in!
Thanks