OK, so I have the Canon 300D, have made up my mind about ordering the Ikelite housing + Ikelite DS-125 strobe w. manual controller.

My first question is about port selection. I currently have the 18-55 EF-S lens that came packaged with the camera. Ikelite website recommends the #5503 dome port for this lens. However, I am planning on getting the sigma 12-24mm and 50mm macro also. Will there also work within the same #5503 dome port? Or is there another port that would allow me to house 2 or 3 of these lenses?

My second question is where to purchase this gear. I am a bit confused here. Reading this site it seems as many of you guys already have your 300D housings. But when I read on other sites, it seems as these housings just shipped out a few days ago. I can't find anywhere on the internet to order the housing. I have previously bought photo equipment at BH and had success, but they list that the housing (and strobest etc) are "backordered". And I want to get in the water asap... Also, need to find a place that will ship to the USVI, which not everyone does.

All advice would be greatly appreciated!

"Ikelite housing + Ikelite DS-125 strobe w. manual controller"
Hey - Thats exactly what I got!!!

I got my housing from the local dive shop. It took them 2 weeks to get it in. I was prety happy with that.

I got the strobe and ports from B&H.

Ikelite ports are cheap so I would recomend that you just get the right port for each lens. I really doubt that you can use the same port for all 3 so your gona have to get at least 2 and after spending $4000 why not spend the extra 100 to do it right?

I had also quit a struggle until I was set on my port choice.

The Canon 50mm macro works in at least three ports (along with the Digital Rebel of course!):
Regarding Ikes listing:
#5503.50 and #5505
and because of my personal experience and the 1.6 crop factor of the Rebel in the #5505.45 (not stated on Ikes page).

I also had some thoughts about the Sigma for wideangle stuff but my guess is that it won´t fit in any Ikelite housing at all because of the big diameter.

Here is an exerpt from Ikes page:
"Maximum lens diameter is limited to 8.4cm (3.3"). The diameter for attachment of zoom or focus clamps is limited to 7.1cm (2.8")."

And here are the dimension as stated on Sigmas page:
"Dimensions: 3.4 in. (dia) x 3.9 in. (length) - 87mm (dia) x 100mm (length) "

I heard some rumors that Tokina and Tamron are also working on "very wide" zoom lenses but am not sure what specific dimensions they will actually archieve.

I just got back from my first trip to Truk Lagoon using the 300D (click for my gallery) I used the following...

Canon 18-55mm (kit) lens
Ikelite 5503 dome port for above lens with zoom gear adaptor.

Sigma DX 14mm f2.8 lens
Ikelite 5503.5 dome port for above lens.

Canon 50mm f2.5 compact macro lens.
Ikelite 5505 flat port for above lens.

The 12-24 isn't too fat for the dome ports but it is too fat for the zoom mechanism. I tried to use it for manual focus control on my Sigma 14mm but it won't work. Too bad but I suspect they're working on a solution.

Thanks guys for pointing out that the Sigma 12-24 won't work, you saved me from unpleasant surprise. I hear uwcp has the gear in stock, hoping to place order very soon!

@NLVAD
Why do you think the 12-24mm will fit and only the zoom gear wont work?

If I read the spec right Ike says no lenses bigger then 84mm and the Sigma 12-24 is 87mm "fat".

Just wondering if I missunderstood something. I would set the lens to 12mm before the dive and go for it...

You have to actually have to measure the inner diameter of the port before you say "No way." I think Ike's numbers may include space for the zoom collar, I'm not sure.

In any case, it behooves Ikelite to get some proper info together and make up a port chart for these lenses. I think the Sigma 12-24 may be popular. Ikelite was able to do a special zoom gear for the Nikon 12-24, so let's hope the Sigma works. It IS bigger though.

Cheers
James

I may have spoken too soon, I thought I had seen that the 12-24 was the same diameter as my 14mm. Actually the 12-24 is 87mm, my 14mm is 82mm. I did just stick my 14mm in the port without the zoom gear and there is some extra room, so there's a fair chance that James is right.

Doh.

If Ikelite would make larger diameter ports, this would not be a problem as ANY lens can fit in the larger ports by Nexus, Aquatica, etc. I asked Ike for a larger port opening when they were designing this new housing, but they felt it would be better to use the original one and support legacy users.

Sure would make things easier though... but I understand their reasoning - don't necessarily agree with it.

Cheers
James