S40 + DC300 Combo 2nd hand : what should I look out for?

[Swakoo]

i looking to venture into underwater photography and came across a deal to buy the above mention combo for $500

one thing xian is i have a G2 liao hahaha but no underwaterhousing...

wanna venture into it but not wanting to spend a bomb too at the same time...
wonder if this is ok?

your take on this guys?

 

[Swakoo]

anyone...?

 

[beivied]

hi swakoo,

it depends on your requirements and budget.

what are you looking for in the intended purchase?
what do you like in the S40 package?
how does your G2 compare to S40? (given that you have done the necessary to know about the other camera's specs)

I am not too sure, but if i am not wrong, 10Bar does sell underwater housings for G2, brand new about 800++. that leads to the question: your budget.

 

[Photosmart]

I am not too sure, but if i am not wrong, 10Bar does sell underwater housings for G2, brand new about 800++. that leads to the question: your budget.

10 Bar has stopped producing housing for G2 for quite a while ago.

But I do see some used housing by ikelite or 10 Bar for sale at this forum.

 

[Swakoo]

hey, thanks for answering!

i maybe a cheapo but my budget initially was $500+
so this was a dream come true...
considering i want to venture into underwater photography.. but not wanting to splurge on an equipment fully yet.. i mean.. yah i may have taken a lot of photos.. but underwater differnt. sekali buy proper one (1st hand etc) then first tdive... i lost it to the wave? haha more for trial and error

right now. got another offer came in for S50 + same housing
I think difference is he doesn't throw in the o-ring gel
and have dive for more than 30 times (in a year woah!)

Think he bought the camera/housing together last year

hmmm

my budget is there about.. and while i want to just extend my photography interest into the depths of the water... i want to do it without spending too much... first time mah


can wp dc300 housing fix a strobe?

 

[beivied]

you can fix a strobe (with a base tray) to practically any type of underwater camera housing. the only difference is if you will be using a slave strobe, or ttl strobe (right term?)

i have not used the s40 before, so cant comment much, but I understand from my friend who was using it, that the battery life is very short, and has some powersave problem underwater. after that he has changed to c5050.

for 500++, why not top up a bit to buy a second c5050 with housing, or buy a second hand housing for your g2? whyzzz was using g2/3 and with good skills, he has fabulous results for a prosumer camera waisj is an excellent example of master of c5050

just my own opinion

 

[davidlkh]

S40 uses DIGIC and S50 uses DIGIC II

Besides the 5 mp, cannot really notice difference based on mp.

But the DIGIC II processor is really better for color and power saving. Especially when you cannot really turn off the S50 or and Canon S__ underwater.

I recently played with the S70 for many dives and somehow that camera is even less power hungry than the S50.

Assuming the camera works fine inspect the DC300 for:

Cracks at the corners and angles. Look up in the light and any cracks become more visible. Do not mistake surface scratch for cracks.

Look for rust on the hinges and springs, should be NONE.

Should have no trapped sand or debry in the buttons. This can puncture the tiny o-ring.

Check main o-ring for cracks or cuts. Can take and feel with finger. If no good must buy new one, ask for discount!

Ask if can pressure test before buy the housing. Of course test without camera inside.

 

[foxwagon]

I recently played with the S70 for many dives and somehow that camera is even less power hungry than the S50.

Has Canon asked you to play with the S80 yet?

 

[Photosmart]

Used 10 Bar G2 housing for sale in this forum.

http://forums.clubsnap.org/showthread.php?t=153252

 

[davidlkh]

Has Canon asked you to play with the S80 yet?

When the S60 was new, I was lucky enough to be invited to play with it.

Then the S70 came out, but I was who knows where working or maybe diving.

I rushed into a 3 week dive trip and had 2 or 3 hours to pack for the WHOLE family. Somehow I forgot to pack my digital camera!?!?!?!

I was lucky enough that one of the guest passed me his S70 for several days to play with and really get used to it. I really like that camera and is indeed better than my S50.

I loved:
Wider angle
Less Power Hungry
Locks focus easier

I do not like:
Still cannot turn off the camera underwater
No direct wire strobe synch
Do not like the bulkier housing
Do not like the diffuser, seems to rob a lot of strobe power and still got shadow anyway

No, I have not been asked to try the S80.

 

[foxwagon]

I think all cameras which use the sliding cover to switch on and off would have this problem. Although the Olympus has many 3rd parties U/W accessories to make it an useful U/W camera, I still like the Canon S_ series as a useful gadget for land photos simply because it is slimmer.

I cannot imagine your frustration being without a camera, like a coffee barrista without coffee beans. My recent trip I was told a Japanese packed his video housing without the camera, although he felt the housing was lighter than usual he didnt check. Ended up DHL the camera from Japan to the dive resort.

Hopefully U'd be asked to tryout the S80 U/W & give us a review.

 

[davidlkh]

To my horror when I opened the camera bag, I found the UW casing and below it suppose to be the camera, but it was all FILM for my Nikonos.

On that trip not only did I not have my digital camera, my favorite wide angle Nikonos lens was stuck at some unknown focusing distance. The focusing knob could go round and round.

I thought it was just the simple screw that tightens the knob to the focusing stub, but it was not. Something internal had come lose. So I tried to push/twist the internal focusing lens into infinity and then shoot all shots like that and just play with the aperture. Very very annoying limitation.

Everytime I get to Sangalaki one or more of my gear will die on me. If not my own fault, some kind soul trying to help me but did not realize the gear weighs a TON, or maybe I forgot to bring the charger, or my underwater HID gets fried, or ...

 

[kthan]

Everytime I get to Sangalaki one or more of my gear will die on me. If not my own fault, some kind soul trying to help me but did not realize the gear weighs a TON, or maybe I forgot to bring the charger, or my underwater HID gets fried, or ...

not just you, david.....

had a strobe malfunctioning and and good old S&S MMII flooded.

Eric

 

[seewhy]

not just you, david.....

had a strobe malfunctioning and and good old S&S MMII flooded.

Eric

Sad to hear another flooding. Do share your experience at the flooding poll.

 

[Swakoo]

wah so many posts!!

hey guys, thanks for the tips, so many!

my initial thinking was.. to pay $ for a G2 accessories is like wasted leh... cos so old liao...
or its a wrong school of thought?

thats why thought of getting a combo for $500.. but same worry: paying that amount of money for a similiar range (timeframe) of camera like my G2.. equally silly? hmmm... what you guys think?

Thanks for the link for the 10bar one.. i'll contact him

but guys..
how much you guys think is a reasonable price? 10bar seems like a good brand
is there any life span for housing? what should i check with him, look out for when enquiring?

now i got 3 options
1) S40 + DC300
2) S50 + DC300
3) 10Bar G2 casing

Hmm seems like I should save the money and get the G2 housing.. hmm and not get stuck with too many cameras too..

i was told that the 10bar housing is quite difficult to open initially and if the owner didn't handle it well, it may have some damages now

 

[Photosmart]

i was told that the 10bar housing is quite difficult to open initially and if the owner didn't handle it well, it may have some damages now

You sure. Which friend told you ?

The problem is that these people have not even see one and not to mention use one before.

Please ask the correct person for advise..

 

[davidlkh]

1) S40 + DC300
2) S50 + DC300
3) 10Bar G2 casing

If you are going to pay so much for housing, I would rather go and get a DSLR. The lenses and lens ports etc are much better in the long run. Can really use a good camera on land too and not be limited by lens options. Even if the MP is not that high.

To me I rather not house the G2 in a 10bar. I am investing so much in old tech, no point and cannot even change the lens.

I prefer the S50 DC300, if you can afford a S60 + .... then it has a better lens than both the G2 and S50. A better lens means much better photos. Beside I really like the DIGIC II compare to DIGIC in G2.

I would think with the news of S80 before X'mas, S60 will drop in price even further.

 

[kthan]

now i got 3 options
1) S40 + DC300
2) S50 + DC300

U can get these for $500? how prices have fallen! my first C-3040 camera alone costs $1.2 k

 

[kthan]

now i got 3 options
1) S40 + DC300
2) S50 + DC300

U can get these for $500? how prices have fallen! my first C-3040 camera alone costs $1.2 k

 

[Photosmart]

If you are going to pay so much for housing, I would rather go and get a DSLR. The lenses and lens ports etc are much better in the long run. Can really use a good camera on land too and not be limited by lens options. Even if the MP is not that high.

A brand new 10 Bar housing for G2 (if you can find one) will cost abt S$850/= and an used one should be about S$400-600 depend on condition. Whereas a complete DSLR housing package including port and strobe can cost up to min S$4000/=.

I prefer the S50 DC300, if you can afford a S60 + .... then it has a better lens than both the G2 and S50. A better lens means much better photos. Beside I really like the DIGIC II compare to DIGIC in G2.

I personally have used a G2, G5, S40, S50 and S70...And G2 lens and picture quality is no far worse than S60/70. Dont forget that G2 is one of the best camera that Canon has produced. And S40 is the worse...that why Canon had the S45 soon after the S40.

These are just my personal view and comment...

McHale Song KK