14 replies to this topic

[linder]

Hi guys!
 

I have been searching around the forums and there are so many good threads however my problem is that there is almost too much information. I've been shooting underwater for about 5 years and being a real geek when it comes to my hobbies I think I am learning to take some decent shots, both wide-angle and macro. I've been using a canon G9 compact with a Sea&Sea YS01 strobe but on a recent deep dive chasing hammerheads in Egypt I managed to flood my strobe. I also turn 30 this April and have decided to gift myself a new set-up, both camera and strobe(s).

 

I need your help though. I am looking for a versatile Micro 4/3 system with one or two strobes and lenses and ports which allows me to shoot both macro and wide-angle (I realize that I probably won't be able to shoot both WA and Macro on the same dive when I switch away from the compact camera system). I've been looking at the Olympus cameras mostly due to the fact that their own housings seem quite reasonable price-wise but the set-up can be any brand really. 

So a versatile camera + housing + lens (lenses?) and port(s) + one or two strobes and I am looking to pay no more than 3500 euro / 4000 USD (cheaper is of course better, this is my absolute max!). I live in Sweden so finding a dealer within the EU means no import taxes or customs fees which are quite high if i buy from the US. 

 

Any advice is very greatly appreciated!

 

I have attached a recent shot so that you can see what sort of skill level I am today shooting with my G9 (the picture is overexposed but what the heck).

 

Many thanks!

Martin 

 

 

[Ronyx]

That is a realy nice image. Rather than over exposed I feel the contrast could be dialed back. Nevertheless, still an excellent photograph.

Since your looking for 4/3 system there are better people to advise you here. However, the Olympus OMD-EM5 seems to be quite positively reviewed.

[linder]

That is a realy nice image. Rather than over exposed I feel the contrast could be dialed back. Nevertheless, still an excellent photograph.

Since your looking for 4/3 system there are better people to advise you here. However, the Olympus OMD-EM5 seems to be quite positively reviewed.

Thank you so much for the kind words, point taken regarding the contrast.

[chris_l]

Look at this deal
http://opticaloceans...gear-combo.html

That is a great camera at an amazing price. I have the epl2 and have been very happy with it.
Your next purchase should be the 9-18 or the 60mm depending on which you prefer.

[Kenr]

Look at this deal
http://opticaloceans...gear-combo.html

That is a great camera at an amazing price. I have the epl2 and have been very happy with it.
Your next purchase should be the 9-18 or the 60mm depending on which you prefer.

that is a great deal. However the OM-D is more versatile. The OM-D with a Nauticam housing the port for the 12-50, will run you $3,300. That will leave you with enough to by a tray, focus light and one strobe and maybe a diopter. With the 12-50 you will be able to do semi wide to macro all with one lens. Later you could add the 60mm and a 8mm fisheye.

Thanks for the tip on the e-pm1. I just bought one of them, I may have gotten one of the last. This will make a great backup for my OM-D.

Edited by Kenr, 20 March 2013 - 01:09 PM.

[Steve Williams]

Backscatter recently updated there review of Point & Shoots and Mirrorless cameras.  I thought Jim and Sterling did a great job describing the pros and cons of the different systems.

 

It can be found here.

 

Cheers,

Steve

[linder]

Thanks a lot for all the replies. Getting more and more interested in the OM-D...

[linder]

So, I'm still torn between getting the E-PL5 with a Oly housing and 60mm macro lens plus 9-18mm lens + ZEN WA-100 dome port as opposed t o getting the OM-D with kit 12 - 50 lens (same money). I understand the benefit of building up the OM-D system over time it just seems I get so much more if I go PL5 (both great WA and great Macro lens plus dome port). 

Could anyone give me an idea how wide the 12 mm OM-D kit lens will be with the standard Nauticam port compared to lets say the Canon S95 (which I use now) 28mm with Fantasea BigEye dome?

[oskar]

Interesting, how is your price breakdown on these two alternatives?   If there was more low-cost alternative to the Zen glass domes for Olympus, that e-pl5 setup could be a real bargain, or am i missing something?

 

/O

[ChrigelKarrer]

linder,

are you sure that you would like to go the micro 4/3 way?
You are used to have the advantage of a compact camera with zoom and macro and there are some newer models giving you a nice boost in image quality and HD video also.
Without any question, the Olympus is a very popular camera, priced very attractive and have a very good image quality.

But keep in mind that you run in two problems using a camera with interchangeable lenses:
1° often you have the wrong lens mounted

2° you need to buy at least 2 lenses, a macro and a wide angle or fish eye including the 2 ports for the lenses (and a zoom lens for land use)

3° even if the Olympus is small, the housing is considerable bigger than a Sony RX100, a G12 or S100 in a FIX or RecSea housing

For traveling , a compact camera in a Patima or Fix Fisheye / RecSea housing and 2 Inon S-200 strobes is hard to beat for weight and size reasons and the image quality is more than good.

 

I take a lot of land pictures with my Galaxy III phone. Why? Because i have it always with me ....
I love to go taking pictures with my D800 and all the fancy lenses i have, but this is a planned excursion, while often i encounter situations worth a picture when the D800 is at home.

 

Consider in your shopping list 2 strobes, the gain in image quality with a second strobe is most of the time worth the price for it.

 

Chris

[lufik]

I am in very similar position myslef. My compact camera is dead and micro43 seems to be great upgrade. I already have EPL5 and I love this camera, my DSLR collects dust since I own it.

I went through my UW pictures and realized I am not in need of macro capabilities, so I am looking at wide angle options. I went throug galleries, tried search functionality of this forum and google, but have not come across any samples from Olympus 9-18 behind nauticam 4' wideangle port. Could anybody share samples showing CFWA capabilities of this combination or share his experience?

[Eddcar]

Would you try mirrorless APS-C camera like NEX?  The housing for it is not expensive and a set under USD4000 should be possible.  I don't have info to say M4/3 would be worser than APS-C sensor but judging from pixel density it seems that the noise control and color could be better on APS-C sensor.  Correct me if I'm wrong

 

Thanks!

[linder]

Thank you all for the great advice. Ended up blowing my budget and getting the OMD, Nauti housing with 12-50, austrian zoom gear, Subsee +5, and dual z-240. Also got the mount to add my gopro on the rig. Sould be quite capable Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

Edited by linder, 28 April 2013 - 01:43 AM.

[Steve Williams]

Congrats on the new setup! When do we get to see pictures?

 

Cheers,

Steve

[linder]

Thanks Steve! Will post some pics of the rig as soon as everything arrives .