Underwater Housing and a new Diver

theEntreriCode wrote:

I've been getting into diving and am considering getting a camera rig together before I invest in my own scuba gear. Is this a mistake?

this is in part a packing question.   Are you willing to pack and lug a full set of diving gear, which starts close to 20lbs and a good portion of a checked bag?  And how do you feel about using a wetsuit countless others have peed in, or a reg that countless have breathed off?  If that makes you squeemish, easy answer.

To be a good photog, particularly with the housed SLRs, you need to have your buoyancy skills in top form, and to know how to use your equipment without thinking.  That's very hard to do with rental gear that changes every trip, or even every day with different operators.    Weighting is variable even with your own gear - this along with the BC fit are the key to effective shooting.

I shoot a Nikon D810, 750 and a Fuji XT30. Most rigs I see for the D810 would require me to be in the 3000-4000 dollar range with Dome and Strobes. If I'm doing that, I may

3-4k would be rather low end of likely.  Strobes and arms alone get toward 2.  Ports and UW specific lenses push beyond unless your current collection matches.  A lot of SLR shooters will have the macro, but not the fisheyes or UWA.

An experience vacation diver might spend the first 2-3 days (12 dives) just getting their SLR shooting well in hand.  20/year total is problematic coming from a new base experience.

You might try day rentals from the resorts to get your feet wet initially.  In a week trip, try it out on day 5.    Or 4 and 6.  Avoid on days 1-3.