Canon XT and 50mm f/1.8 II
I’m seeing underwater housings for Canons and Nikons that run around $250 or so. Some can withstand about 130 ft. What’s wrong with those ?
really? damn, last I looked was a couple years ago, so they may have come down since.
Maybe I’ll pick up one too. :giggle:
I’ve also seen some that are just vinyl pouches that supposedly encompass the camera for underwater use – but… yeah right LOL
$25 though!
Thanks for the suggestions.
I don’t know about that. I’d rather spend a little more money now instead of a lot more later.
Where and how much did you pick it up for?
I was trying to decide between the XT and the XTi, but I can’t find the XTI w/ lens for less than $629, and it seems like few places still sell the XT.
Damn. That’s a steal.
B&H photo is the shit. Their NYC store is gigantic but since its run by Hasidim don’t plan on shopping there on a saturday.
Neil, you’re probably referring to P&S cameras. Those underwater casings can be found in that price range. The ones in the $2K range that James was probably referring to are for (D)SLRs. I haven’t seen any of those that are under $1K that look 100% reliable. That was a while ago so things may have changed since then though.
Looks like the price for the 50mm f1.8 II went up a bit on BHphoto.com (I recommend that site also). Actually, it looks like most lenses in general have gone up a tad in price in the last 6 months everywhere.
perhaps the increased cost of transport has affected prices…
Those are some nice pics from that 50mm…i should throw mine back on and see what I can do. What I know it can’t do is automotive shots…well it just makes it super inconvenient being limited to essentially 80mm (1.6x sensor crop).
N FUL FX
Entry with room for improvement? or entry that’s going to make you upgrade the body to use more lenses?
Canon’s 10d and 20d are cheap as hell now in the used market… rebel’s have always been cheap - even new. All take pretty much the exact same pictures with a little difference in noise levels at higher ISO and ruggedness. (20d is better build then an XT for instance)
Nikon’s D50, D70/s, D80 are also cheap as paper right now with the release of the D40, D40x, D60 and the planned release of the D90. The D300/D3 release made everyone who could throw their older double digit D’s in the garbage cus they thought they needed the crazy features of a D300… So pick a good deal up from one of those guys ;).
Budget is important, but I’ll tell you a few Nikon choices as it’s more what I know then Canon/Olympus/Sony etc.
Nikon D40/D40x/D60 don’t have autofocus motors in the body, so you can’t use non-AFS lenses… Unfortunate seeing as a lot of AF-D lenses are insanely good, and much cheaper to the AF-S versions…
If you want to stay low priced, check out a D50 6.1mp with a 55-200 VR telephoto(250~), 18-55(~50) wide to standard, and a 50mm 1.8 prime(100~). The 50 wont work on the D40/x/60, autofocus anyways. That will cover your day to day stuff. If you find yourself needing more reach, look at the 70-300 VR - for the price you get an amazing reach, razor sharp lens, and the VR actually works… 70-300 VR’s go for about $600, 18-55’s are kit lenses with D50’s… 18-70’s are similar to the 55’s only they have a minor increase in speed (4.5 at the long end over 5.6) and have a metal mount as opposed to plastic, as well as are built a little more solid. The 55 is sharper, however.
If you’re interested in macro (close up) work, a dedicated lens will be easier to use then messing with macro reversal rings (5$ used?) or extension tubes ($150, Kenko 3 pieces). For Macro you have a few choices, but they’re a little up there in price… 55 2.8 AF-D Micro’s are about 400-500, if you can find one. The 60mm replaced it for about 400, - and Nikon just made a brand new 60mm Nanocoated one which is about 600. Having a longer prime (135~) will cost more, but allows you to get further from the subject… If you want to shoot bugs and stuff, having a longer macro is a better idea as it allows the bug some privacy…
When you get into higher end gear, you’ll get higher priced - but better quality… 80-200 2.8 AF-D work great, as well as Sigma versions of most Nikon’s… 70-200 Sigma, 50-150, 18-50… All 2.8’s… Great lenses. Look at Sigma stuff as well…
And Nikon’s flash system is also very good, SB600/800/SU-800’s work together for wireless control, D70/D80’s have built in flash controllers that let you shoot remote…
Well uhhh… ask if you need any help in the Nikon side, I’m sure mr. Jay can help you more on Canon.
Hahah… yeah… i almost made that mistake when i was in nyc… good thing i had some time on friday to go shopping…
Thanks codeblack! 
[QUOTE=codeblack;1867019]
And Nikon’s flash system is also very good, SB600/800/SU-800’s work together for wireless control, D70/D80’s have built in flash controllers that let you shoot remote…[/QUOTE]
That is the one glaring thing that Nikon has over Canon in my opinion. Their remote flash capability is great and I wish I had it with my Canon gear.
[QUOTE=Ive;1866991]Neil, you’re probably referring to P&S cameras. Those underwater casings can be found in that price range. The ones in the $2K range that James was probably referring to are for (D)SLRs. I haven’t seen any of those that are under $1K that look 100% reliable. That was a while ago so things may have changed since then though.
[/QUOTE]
Ive, yeah you’re right. I was just referring to P&S because the DSLRs are way out of my price range for the moment. Just looking for something for the wife.
IntegraVSR-
i really like the first pic w/ the moss/lichen on the branches looks really cool
Thanks, I can send you the full size of it if you want it. Just let me know your email, it’s really big.