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

[Swakoo]

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..

Yah, both my friends are dive master and one has handled the casing before...
he said it was hard to use when its new so the concern when buying second hand is.. you don't know if he mishandled it in the beginning. So checking with you guys if you know of ways to look out for it.

IMHO, I'm sure they know what they are talking about hehehe

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.

I did thought of that.. cos either 3 of the option is a "dead-end" purchase option

first 2 will be just increasing my inventory of used camera that comes from same era (no significant improvement (technological wise) over my current G2

the 10bar option is like what you say, reinforcing old stuff. One thing I learn in army: Never reinforce failure.. hahaha

But on the other hand, while I have been taking pictures for a long time (still very ametuer though ahaha) I like to be on the safe side, especially so if I am going underwater to take for the first time.. thats why i thought of getting one 2nd hand option to start out first...

DSLR is way too big an option tojumpstart into.. and actually.. if SLR.. I have a 500n that I can try... hahaha but i don suppose can find casing for those .. right? or anyone has a lobang for underwaterhousing for 500n?



Yah.. but don forget, i am looking at 2nd hand option..

 

[davidlkh]

When I mean S60 with housing, I mean S60 with housing second hand.

When S80 comes out, I would think many would upgrade and get rid of their old stuff.

Both new and second hand S60 will drop in price, you know the market forces lah.

G2, S30 and S40 all use the same image processor. The photos are about the same.

The only difference is the brighter lens on G2 with slightly less distortion in the corners of the image. Both these improvements are not really pertinent underwater. Seldom take photos with max aperture opening underwater, most lenses have the best performance in the mid aperture range anyway. With all the irregular shapes underwater, the sharper corners of the photo are not noticeable anyway.

Hence G2 better than S30 and S40 is not really relevant underwater.

S45 and S50 have the DIGIC II, that is quite an improvement in color and power management. For UW it is hard to appreciate this because simply too many colors to say what is correct or not. The moment you change the lens then the whole scale of appreciation changes again.

So S60 and S70 have max wide angle of 28mm, quite an improvement over the old 35mm in G2, S30... S50. Underwater this translate to about 35mm and 50mm equivalent. Wide angle is really very useful underwater. That min focus distance has also greatly reduced with the macro function on, further improving photos.

Hence G2 to S30... S50 not that much a difference. Not something I would consider an upgrade in terms of underwater. S60 and S70 yes, because of the lens and somehow they really do save power compared to S50. The housing is also not that expensive, although it is still is basically a glorifed tupperware.

When you put G2 in the 10bar, still cannot use the wired sync. Cannot use the add on lenses internally... etc No extra features gained and you pay a premium. To me it is in the class of the Canon housing but can go 10 bar deep where most of us do not dive anyway. So you are paying a premium for something you do not use. If you are a technical diver that goes deep deep, then I can see the need for 10bar. Most of us have a max depth of 3 to 5 bar (30m - 50m depth). So are you willing to pay that much for the extra depth gained?

The wide angle underwater is really really useful. Getting as close to the subject as possible greatly improves underwater photos.

 

[kthan]

DSLR is way too big an option tojumpstart into.. and actually.. if SLR.. I have a 500n that I can try... hahaha but i don suppose can find casing for those .. right? or anyone has a lobang for underwaterhousing for 500n?

Yah.. but don forget, i am looking at 2nd hand option..

Try ebay. I have seen many housings for Nikon F90 on sale from USD 250-400. anon 500N may just pop out one day. Then u can opt for film strobes which many are discarding now.

Btw, u have to be realistic with pricing too. These housing go for USD 700 when new so u can't expect to get housing + strobes for SGD 300-500 .

If u want sturdy dc housing, look at www.ikelite.com Ikelite is coming out with a common mould for dc hoiusings and they retail at USD 300. Very solidly built. I use one and i don;t have any fogging problems common in Oly and Canon housings. They cater mainly to the Nikon DCs, Fuji F810 and F10. I am waiting to see if they will make one for Casio Exislim Z110 becos I love the specs and pricing.

Cheers
Eric

 

[foxwagon]

the 10bar option is like what you say, reinforcing old stuff. One thing I learn in army: Never reinforce failure.. hahaha

Can't help it. Army or any govt jokes....

Q : What happens when the horse dies?
A : Get another jockey.

A: Get a thicker whip.

A: Change the harness/horseshoe/horsefeed etc.

David, very detailed comparison of Canon. U sure u don't work for them? I think they should send those part timers sales staff to U before any IT/Comex.

 

[Swakoo]

hi people, i decided.. if i should relaly add on to "old-tech" i wshould up my G2 hahaha

i contacted the guy.. nice bloke.. patient with my questions and willing to explain as i know nuts abt it... will arrange to meet up with him

what else you guys reckon i should check with him?

 

[kthan]

i contacted the guy.. nice bloke..

what else you guys reckon i should check with him?

if he is gay?

sorry couldn't help it.

Err......can lower price?

again......can't help it..

 

[Swakoo]

wah lao... hahaha

yah he is willing.. but anyway will met him latetr

now the sucky thing is my G2 lens motor sems to be dying.. hmm
if buy that and replace motor.. abt $600...

 

[Swakoo]

guys... i got the housing. and i started another thread.. hope you gusy can give me pointers

http://forums.clubsnap.org/showthread.php?p=1579993#post1579993

 

[Photosmart]

Yah, both my friends are dive master and one has handled the casing before...
he said it was hard to use when its new so the concern when buying second hand is.. you don't know if he mishandled it in the beginning. So checking with you guys if you know of ways to look out for it.

IMHO, I'm sure they know what they are talking about hehehe

Now I know who is this dive master friend of yours....sure he knows what is he talking...:bsmilie:

Those who want to know..this guy uses 10 Bar housing for G5 but now use D70 in ikelite housing..:think: