New to the board, but looking for some thoughts. Digital seems to be the way to go, but what to buy? I am looking for something a little more than basic but not quite true professional yet.

After reading numerous poor reviews of the Nikon 5000, I decided on the Canon G2 with Ikelite housing and Ikelite DS125 strobe. It seems easier to use, but sacrifices a million pixels from the Nikon. Then I thought about waiting for the Canon D60 and someone to make a better housing - have to consider the cost on that one. I won't be using it until next September, though.

Wait for something better to come along (seems like it always does), or buy the Canon G2 now and get familiar with it for the first plunge? The other problem is I'll be moving somewhere it won't be possible to buy (or exchange) this equipment easily. Is there a better digital camera and housing coming along soon?

I am experienced with the Nikonos V and looking for a digital I can grow into, eventually giving up film all together. Seems like you'd have to buy a new one every year just to keep up, however.

Any advice would be appreciated!

i was in the same position 6 months ago , digital does move extreamly fast , but the housing manufacturers like iklite etc seem to pick the best cameras to make housings for. you souldn't go off this but think about the amount of commitment towards that 1 camera .
Also have a look at this site and decide what you want from the camera :-
/www.dpreview.com/reviews
i decided to go for the G2+ ikelite + DS125
i used it for the first time 3 weeks ago , i've still a lot of learning to do but the potential is in the camera and can't wait to use it again. on land it is also fantastic. it is so easy to use and undestand you'll only need a short time with the camera.
the CP 5000 is the choice of the minute slightly more compact than the G2 and with the "5000", it's a hard choice !!
for myself i chose correctly !
you have to decide , the G2 is a cheaper option both camera and housing.
personally i would hold out the next best camera is out there !!!!!

Buying uw photo equipment is a bit like buying a pc. There are new and better camera models anounced every month and when you look at the price you've paid for your stuff you'll probably start crying some weeks later !

The Nikonos V is a stable system that has been used for many years now. It was ok to start small and buy additional equipment later on, because the basic system never changed.
Please do not expect the same for a digital uw camera + housing + add on stuff, i.e. if you buy a digicam now, there will be a better model with a better housing, better lenses and better strobes available some weeks later.
Your Equipment will definitly be out of date 3 years later


Sabine

As you have used the Nikon(os), you might want to stay with this brand. When we decided on a housing we changed our mind from a SONY F505 to a Nikon Coolpix 990 and did not regret it. As a newbie I trusted in the advice of Uwe Kiehl from UK-Germany. He is a true Nikon fan and pointed out a variety of benefits in underwater photography with a Nikon. The most understandable to me till now is that you can utilize a bigger variety of strobes than with other cameras, because like in normal underwater photography many manufacturers support the NIKONOS PLUG and the NIKON TTL-Protocol. As digital strobes from Ikelite and Sea&Sea are still the minority and you may want to use your Nikonos Substrobes I personally recommend to buy a Nikon. They make very good pictures, too. After finally figuring out how to do it, I can also say that the TTL has proven to be very reliable (even without a digital substrobe).

If you want to "slip into" digital underwater photography you really should consider the Coolpix 5000. I think James Wiseman has not made that bad experience with it so far. If you want to wait till September and do not care about money you might also take the Nikon D100 into account. But my personal equipment strategy is now to wait for the next megapixel generation after Canon D60 and Nikon D100 which also utilizes new CCD technologies, like the X3 sensor.

If you’d like to get a quick overview on everything what’s digital and waiting to get wet,
I invite you to visit our online directory at

:cool: http://www.digideep.com :cool:

Best regardz .oOo. Andi