Canon EOS Digital Rebel (300D)
Manufacturer: Canon Type: Camera (DSLR) Year introduced: 2003 Resolution: 6.3 megapixels
Overview
The Canon EOS Digital Rebel (also known as the EOS 300D) was the first digital SLR priced under $1,000, a milestone that made DSLR-based underwater photography financially accessible to a much wider audience when it launched in 2003. At 6.3 megapixels with Canon’s APS-C sensor, it offered image quality comparable to the Nikon D100 at a fraction of the cost.
The Digital Rebel was also the first Canon camera to use the EF-S lens mount, introduced alongside the Canon 18-55mm EF-S kit lens ([1]). For the underwater photography market, the affordable price point meant that the total cost of a housed DSLR system dropped significantly, opening the door to enthusiasts who had previously been limited to compact cameras.
A key technical challenge was achieving E-TTL flash metering compatibility underwater. Aquatica was the first to crack the E-TTL code with their I.C.U. (Illumination Control Unit), a microprocessor bridge that converted Canon’s E-TTL signal for use with standard TTL strobes ([2], [3]). Ikelite later developed their own E-TTL converter, which was used with the DS-125 and DS-50 strobes ([4]).
Housings
- Aquatica A300 — Featured E-TTL capability via the I.C.U. system. Announced December 2003 for early 2004 delivery. Reviewed by Herb Ko with testing in the Similan Islands, Thailand. ([5], [6], [7])
- Ikelite Digital Rebel Housing — Preproduction reviewed at DEMA 2003 using a new smaller mold. Later received E-TTL converter. Spring-loaded button flushing holes. Reviewed by Jay Treat. ([8], [9], [10])
- Jonah Canon 300D Housing — Distributed by Ocean Brite, $1,745 housing only. ([11])
- Ocean Brite/Equinox Canon 300D Housing — Budget option with fixed dome port at $1,099. ([12], [13])
Reviews & Discussion
- [14] — DEMA 2003 preview
- [15] — Herb Ko review from Similan Islands
- [16] — E-TTL converter for Ikelite housings
- [17] — E-TTL integration details
Timeline
- 2003-09: Canon announces the Digital Rebel (300D) — first sub-$1,000 DSLR ([18])
- 2003-10: Ikelite shows preproduction 300D housing at DEMA 2003 ([19])
- 2003-12: Aquatica A300 housing announced for early 2004 delivery ([20])
- 2004-02: Ocean Brite/Equinox budget housing announced at $1,099 ([21])
- 2004-03: Aquatica I.C.U. E-TTL bridge announced; Ikelite 300D reviewed by Jay Treat ([22], [23])
- 2004-07: Aquatica A300 reviewed by Herb Ko in Similan Islands; Jonah 300D housing announced ([24], [25])
- 2004-09: Ikelite announces E-TTL converter for Canon housings ([26])
References
Sources
- Wetpixel article, Oct 22, 2003: Ikelite 300d Digital Rebel Housing Preproduction ↩
- Wetpixel article, Mar 8, 2004: Pentaxs Optio43wr Watertight Digicam ↩
- Wetpixel article, Mar 26, 2004: Ikelite D70 Housing Prototype ↩
- Wetpixel article, Sep 6, 2004: Ikelite Does Canon Ettl ↩
- Wetpixel article, Dec 2, 2003: Aquatica A300 Digital Rebel Housing ↩
- Wetpixel article, Apr 1, 2004: Aquatica A300 Housing First Look1 ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jul 29, 2004: Aquatica A300 Housing Review ↩
- Wetpixel article, Oct 22, 2003: Ikelite 300d Digital Rebel Housing Preproduction ↩
- Wetpixel article, Mar 11, 2004: Digideep Potw Offline ↩
- Wetpixel article, Sep 6, 2004: Ikelite Does Canon Ettl ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jul 28, 2004: Oceanbrite Announces Jonah 300d Package Availability ↩
- Wetpixel article, Feb 19, 2004: Ocean Brite And Equinox Housings ↩
- Wetpixel article, Mar 15, 2004: Aquatica D70 Housing Prototype ↩
- Ikelite 300D Digital Rebel Housing Preproduction (article) ↩
- Aquatica A300 Housing Review (article) ↩
- Ikelite Does Canon E-TTL (article) ↩
- Ikelite 300D Housing with E-TTL Converter (article) ↩
- Wetpixel article, Sep 30, 2003: Ikelites Digital Rebel Housing ↩
- Wetpixel article, Oct 22, 2003: Ikelite 300d Digital Rebel Housing Preproduction ↩
- Wetpixel article, Dec 2, 2003: Aquatica A300 Digital Rebel Housing ↩
- Wetpixel article, Feb 19, 2004: Ocean Brite And Equinox Housings ↩
- Wetpixel article, Mar 8, 2004: Pentaxs Optio43wr Watertight Digicam ↩
- Wetpixel article, Mar 11, 2004: Digideep Potw Offline ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jul 29, 2004: Aquatica A300 Housing Review ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jul 28, 2004: Oceanbrite Announces Jonah 300d Package Availability ↩
- Wetpixel article, Sep 6, 2004: Ikelite Does Canon Ettl ↩
- Ikelite’s Digital Rebel Housing (article) ↩
- Ikelite 300D Preproduction (article) ↩
- Aquatica A300 Housing (article) ↩
- Aquatica I.C.U. (article) ↩
- Aquatica A300 Review (article) ↩
- Ikelite E-TTL (article) ↩
- Jonah 300D (article) ↩