Help create me a wish list!

[Helen]

Hi all,

Thinking I would really like the start to take my photography on in the near future. Have so far gone for the point and shoot approach and am getting some pleasing results but I would really like to start to add on lenses, strobes etc. Prob can't afford all at once hence the post, if i create a wish list I can buy a little bit at a time when i get the money.

So... I've got a fuji F30 which I'm really happy with so dont want to change the camera.

First question is should I stick with the fuji housing or should I go for the more robust option and get the ikelite? Is the ikelite better when it comes to adding on strobes, lenses etc?

Then strobes..
What would you recommend, Initially just one but assume given that this is a wish list would be looking at getting 2 in the distant future. So what would you suggest.

Then lenses...
Really into my macro at the moment so i think a nice macro lens would be the first to buy but later on a wide angle lens as well.

Would really apreciate your suggestions/ advice. Help me spend some money

Thanks
Helen

[Jules]

I have just started playing with a wide angle lens and I am loving it. Using it for Machro too which gives some interesting effects. and in the uk using available light it drags in a lot more light.

The crab shots I posted from Mull are all using the wide angle lens but with the camera in machro mode.

I can't comment on strobes as I borrowed one once and gave up as it was too faffy for me

Jules

[Cussy]

Helen,
You're going to get a 100 different answers.....

1. Housing: Are you going deeper than 30-40m? If not, then the compactness of the Fuji is definitely a benefit, the Ike adds bulk. If you are more of a diver then a small camera is preferable. I'm even thinking of getting an F30 as my mate has one and I'd love to be able to do a little bit of video every now and then.

2. Macro: I thought the macro on the Fuji was pretty good anyway, do you really need an add-on lens? I used to have Oly's and never needed an add-on macro lens.

3. WA: A WA lens lets you get closer = less water = less back-scatter = more light = faster shutter etc etc.

4. Strobe: The strobe was the first thing I added to my set-up. Cheaper ones have less coverage and aren't much good for WA work. Something like a S&S YS-110 is something you can use with a compact and if you go DSLR will also work with one.

I suppose the important thing to think about is what sort of diving you are doing and what do you want to take photos of? I think from a basic setup if you get the strobe you will get better lighting on macro shots and can start to do effects, you can also do some balanced light scenics. A WA lets you get a lot closer to big stuff but you may have lighting trouble.

What I would say is you NEED to add things that make what you are doing better and WANT things that mean you can do new things.
HTH
Rob