Choosing Between Manufacturer's Case to Ikalite

[jundebandre]

Hi Guys,

I'm new to U/W photography, Just wondering, If i buy a case between OEM compared to other manufacturer (say.. Ikalite.. etc) what's the pros and cons? i'm getting hook up with this and might consided also to buy some strobes soon. what do you likely to recommend to start with? budget wise minimum (reasonable for a beginner diver/ photographer). but considered to upgrader and further my skills on this... hope to hear from you guys...

 

[diver-hloc]

1st... its Ikelite... :bsmilie:

2nd... its also very necessary for you to tell us what camera model you plan to use and of course... ur budget. :think:

Most time...
* 3rd party casing has better built and could be used at deeper depth (60m when compared to 40m normally).
* 3rd party casing also handles better and could use 3rd party wet-lens without modification or adapter.
* 3rd party casing are nearly always more expensive... from $200+ for Canon S90/95 to $450-$500+ for Canon G series PnS camera when compared with Canon OEM casing.

As for Strobe... go for Sea&Sea or Inon if you are using PnS camera. And if you are using a camera with a hotshoe and inside a Ikelite casing... then its advisable to use their own ikelite 'substrobe'.

 

[jundebandre]

1st... its Ikelite... :bsmilie:

2nd... its also very necessary for you to tell us what camera model you plan to use and of course... ur budget. :think:

Most time...
* 3rd party casing has better built and could be used at deeper depth (60m when compared to 40m normally).
* 3rd party casing also handles better and could use 3rd party wet-lens without modification or adapter.
* 3rd party casing are nearly always more expensive... from $200+ for Canon S90/95 to $450-$500+ for Canon G series PnS camera when compared with Canon OEM casing.

As for Strobe... go for Sea&Sea or Inon if you are using PnS camera. And if you are using a camera with a hotshoe and inside a Ikelite casing... then its advisable to use their own ikelite 'substrobe'.

Thanks for the reply,

for the budget, as i said, if it's reasonable price then i'll go for it. should be somewhere, 1300 below, if possible includes the casing and the strobe... any other recommendations for other third party brand? i'm still checking which camera to go, either G series or the new olympus XZ1.. with the above budget, is it possible to grab all packages (camera, case, and strobe)? if so, any recommended shop in sg? thanks

 

[diver-hloc]

Thanks for the reply,

for the budget, as i said, if it's reasonable price then i'll go for it. should be somewhere, 1300 below, if possible includes the casing and the strobe... any other recommendations for other third party brand? i'm still checking which camera to go, either G series or the new olympus XZ1.. with the above budget, is it possible to grab all packages (camera, case, and strobe)? if so, any recommended shop in sg? thanks

Q: $1300SGD and below for camera, case and strobe...
A: Very hard... but still possible. But something have to 'give'. May it be a less good Camera, Strobe... or casing. Do understand that beside this 3 main item... you'll still need things like Arms (to position and hold your Strobe), Tray+Handle (to connect your Arms to the base of the camera casing), fiber optic cable to trigger the strobe... and all this cost $$$.

Q: Recommend Shop
A: Locally...
http://www.scubacam.com.sg/ - best overall shop. But may not be the cheapest.
http://www.diversoutfitter.com/ - new comer... certain item is cheaper.
http://www.oceanicfocus.com/catalog/index.php - Ikelite seller.. but near impossible to get them by email.

Personal Recommendation....

* Canon S95 or Olympus XZ-1, both with OEM casing = $800-$900 depending on package.
* mid end Sea&Sea strobe = $650++ not sure which model since I use Inon, then Ikelite only.
* ScubaCam OEM 'Sea Gadget' brand Arms and Tray + Fiber Optic cable = $250-$300

 

[jundebandre]

Thanks diver-hloc.. really great help.... i guess my budget is too low considering the accessories which i think would be a necessity if i get the package.. i need to add somewhere another 1000 i guess for a better gear set up? form the above sites, do they give you package set up? as i see it now, it's individually sold..

 

[diver-hloc]

Thanks diver-hloc.. really great help.... i guess my budget is too low considering the accessories which i think would be a necessity if i get the package.. i need to add somewhere another 1000 i guess for a better gear set up? form the above sites, do they give you package set up? as i see it now, it's individually sold..

They do sell whole package... just ask them about it. The most common package is Canon camera (S95 or G12) with Ikelite casing. If you are also buying a Strobe from the same shop... demand a discount due to your 'large' purchase.

For whole package purchase... best talk to ScubaCam... since they have the largest selection of brands and Underwater Photography item available in S'pore. But a reminder, ScubaCam don't always has the best price... but for expertise on U/W Photography equipment setup... they're the best around.

Just make sure you buy something in the end... if not, they won't answer your email next time... :bsmilie:

 

[Photosmart]

[URL="http://www.oceanicfocus.com/catalog/index.php[/URL] - Ikelite seller.. but near impossible to get them by email.

Personal Recommendation....

* Canon S95 or Olympus XZ-1, both with OEM casing = $800-$900 depending on package.
* mid end Sea&Sea strobe = $650++ not sure which model since I use Inon, then Ikelite only.
* ScubaCam OEM 'Sea Gadget' brand Arms and Tray + Fiber Optic cable = $250-$300

Is it fair for you to make such a comment about Oceanic Focus ? Every inquire emails are replied almost within the same day.

Or are u referring to yourself that belong to the type that asked alot but never buy a single.

 

[diver-hloc]

(

Is it fair for you to make such a comment about Oceanic Focus ? Every inquire emails are replied almost within the same day.

Or are u referring to yourself that belong to the type that asked alot but never buy a single.

I email... my friend email... both face the same problem. They could be busy, they might not feel its worthwhile to answer my question... but I call it as I see it...

My only question was do they have the Ikelite flat port for Canon 100mm f2.8 L lens and how much are they selling it for...No answer for 3 days, I sent another one... again, no answer. Could be they think I'm a rival company checking their price out... but as a would be customer, that's NOT my problem... another shop answered my email with a day, I did the order and collected my parts.

If you work for them... or ARE them... do your best to answer your email. This industry is rather small and word of mouth is important... the very reason why another shop seems to be recommended more often... here, and at local Scuba Forum.

My recommendations are base on my own personal experience with those shops... I neither work for them or is paid by them... so at the same time... do I need to cover up for them.

The above is my personal view and ClubSNAP (the Forum and ower) is in no way involved in anyway.

 

[antacid]

maybe the emails got sucked into the spam folder?

 

[diver-hloc]

Could be the case for them, but I do also check my spam folder because I don't get lots of them... never the less, I didn't get a reply nor did my friend, looking to get Ultralight parts...

Do note that in no way.... had I said not to contect or buy from them... but mainly pointed out that in my own experience, its hard to get them by email.

 

[Simon]

ClubSNAP forums is for its members to participate, share its experiences in photography, equipments etc.

If you feel that the comment against you or your company by the poster is unfair, rectify with the the poster, it could just be a misunderstanding.

There are no reason for us to remove or hide this thread for now.

Is it fair for you to make such a comment about Oceanic Focus ? Every inquire emails are replied almost within the same day.

Or are u referring to yourself that belong to the type that asked alot but never buy a single.

 

[ed9119]

Is it fair for you to make such a comment about Oceanic Focus ? Every inquire emails are replied almost within the same day.

Or are u referring to yourself that belong to the type that asked alot but never buy a single.

The last time I checked, this is a community of about 154,000 gear consumers ..... and moderators are consumers too with every right to give feedback (BOTH positive and need-to-do-better ones) on their experiences .... NOBODY is condemming any establishment...... sheeezzzeeee


Quote "Or are u referring to yourself that belong to the type that asked alot but never buy a single"
oooohhhh you punch the potential customer below the belt with this comment ...... SO WHAT ??? thats part and parcel of business and service.... to help potential clients decide on a purchasing decision.

So HOW would you treat the 'type' that 'asks alot but never buy a single' ? Us CONSUMERS would very much like to know

HOW do you think a certain bible-verse camera shop in Funan IT Mall survive SO MANY YEARS constantly selling at slightly higher prices compared to other shops ? Their service level also sometimes slip-up and cork-up too but the goodwill is, by and large, maintained and growing ...

Businesses should just take note of the occassional slip in service and take feedback positively and graciously ..... nobody is expecting ANY shop to be perfect and faultless ...... cork-ups and missed communications will occur from time to time........ just be more careful in future to ensure clients stay happy ..... and keep returning to the shop ....

 

[Photosmart]

(


I email... my friend email... both face the same problem. They could be busy, they might not feel its worthwhile to answer my question... but I call it as I see it...

My only question was do they have the Ikelite flat port for Canon 100mm f2.8 L lens and how much are they selling it for...No answer for 3 days, I sent another one... again, no answer. Could be they think I'm a rival company checking their price out... but as a would be customer, that's NOT my problem... another shop answered my email with a day, I did the order and collected my parts.

If you work for them... or ARE them... do your best to answer your email. This industry is rather small and word of mouth is important... the very reason why another shop seems to be recommended more often... here, and at local Scuba Forum.

My recommendations are base on my own personal experience with those shops... I neither work for them or is paid by them... so at the same time... do I need to cover up for them.

The above is my personal view and ClubSNAP (the Forum and ower) is in no way involved in anyway.

We always welcome any constructive feedback from the member of the forum.

The poster first emailed us to inquiry on the purchase of a 10 Bar 400D housing on 9 May 2007 at 13.36hr and our email's reply to him at 00.59hr on 10 May. The poster subsequently emailed us for clarification on 10 May at 14.49hr and our reply to him at 18.36hr within the same day. We then follow up with the poster with another 3 emails to provide more clarifications and to check if any clarifications are further needed.

Last year, the poster sent multiple inquires to us and our dealers for a purchase of an Ikelite 100mm flat port. To avoid competing with our dealers, we chose not to reply to his inquiry and he subsequently bought the port from our dealer.

We have been operating this business since 2002 and we thanks many forum members for supporting us. Hope we have explained ourselves well...

 

[lovells19]

Q:

Q: Recommend Shop
A: Locally...
http://www.scubacam.com.sg/ - best overall shop. But may not be the cheapest.
http://www.diversoutfitter.com/ - new comer... certain item is cheaper.
http://www.oceanicfocus.com/catalog/index.php - Ikelite seller.. but near impossible to get them by email.

Well Which ever shop is best is subjective, not everyday is sunday for some consumer and getting bad service even from the best shop sometimes is unavoidable.

I have never encounter non-responsiveness from any of the 3 shops above and they all have been very helpful towards my enquiries.

Cheers

 

[Photosmart]

So HOW would you treat the 'type' that 'asks alot but never buy a single' ? Us CONSUMERS would very much like to know

WELL, we are consumers too and businesses are not operated with unlimited resources. The diving industry is very small and even more so for u/w photography. We have even gone to the extent to go back to the shop at midnite to sell a Sgd10 O ring to a deserving customer.

 

[diver-hloc]

Well Which ever shop is best is subjective, not everyday is sunday for some consumer and getting bad service even from the best shop sometimes is unavoidable.

I have never encounter non-responsiveness from any of the 3 shops above and they all have been very helpful towards my enquiries.

Cheers

I totally agree with you that no one could ever be 'perfect' or that mistakes and problems would NEVER occur... but it is how one handles such issue that matters. The mentioned shop could have identified him/herself, ask for a clarification of my statement... if needed, give reader an explanation or reason. And if need be, debunk my statement. But no explanation or statement was given till yesterday... not even when I've clarify my stand, and pointed out that its based on my own experience and in no way, did I said, no one should do business with them.... no explanation for close to five days, just one very 'interesting' Report a Post for me and ClubSNAP.

My recommendation list had always include the shop mentioned above, and in truth... I have no personal issue with them. As I've recommended either a Olympus XZ-1 with OEM Casing or Canon S95 with Ikelite Casing... it is only correct that I inform TS that I had problem getting them to answer my email when I wrote to them last year asking about Ikelite parts... and now that the shop had explained that they ''chose not to reply to his inquiry''...

Again... I have no personal issue with the above shop... and I've never told anyone not to do business with them. Think about it, why are they still in my ''Recommendation List'' if I'm trying to harm their business.

To Photosmart
I'm kind of glad that you have issued your statement. For at last, I know the reason why you didn't answer my email last year. Never the less... this misunderstanding would not have occurred if an explanation was given or an email last year, explaining why you couldn't answer my inquiry.

This matter is more or less at an end. I accept the above mentioned shop's explanation regarding the email and I consider the matter closed. If anyone is unable to find closure... you'll have to do what you'll will....

This thread will be kept opened till Friday Night for any other person who wishes to make more statement.

Thank you all...

 

[diver-hloc]

24hr has passed.... and now, THREAD CLOSED

 

[ed9119]

Thank you for your clarification Photosmart ..... hugely appreciated.

Yes I've known of Oceanic Focus ..... I believe you were the only dedicated store in town at that time. In fact almost all working pros with U/W assignments coming to this part of the world would have known of your store as a good source for parts then ........ getting from you then was MUCH faster than trying to get a broken or malfunctioning part shipped on short notice from the States

Your store was in Shaw Center behind Lido previously right ?

Best wishes and good business to all.... running a business in a more competitive (and web ) environment is never easy for anyone.