Which housing/strobe for Oly e330

[dvleemin 1]

Hi,

I have an Oly e330 and now I'm starting to look at getting a housing and strobe for it. So I'm looking for some advice with that.

 

The research I've done shows that there are 4 housings out there:

 

Olympus

Ikelite

Fantasea

10bar

 

Fantasea and 10bar are the same apparently though, so that leaves 3 choices.

 

So now I'm trying to figure out the benefits of each one.

 

What I'm really not sure about is how this all works with strobes. For example I know that Ikelite strobes will work with the Ikelite housing, but what about Sea and Sea strobes? What does the Olympus housing work with for strobes? I do know that I want a set up that I can use TTL, so I think that will have an impact.

 

So here's what I think I need to consider:

- total cost (with strobe - housing cost along isn't enough)

- quality

- we don't do tech diving so down to 200' is good enough

- what controls it can operate

- availability and cost of ports

 

So any you could provide would be greatly appreciated.

 

Thanks,

 

Darryl

[Ryan 48]

This scubaboard user tried out[ the fantasea e330 housing, you might contact him for more info:

http://scubaboard.com/showthread.php?t=185368

 

The best answers to your pricing questions will come from a retailer, there are several that sponsor this site.

 

The ikelite housing only offers ttl with Ikelite strobes, but a cable that will trigger your Sea & Sea strobes is available. You'll need to set their power manually.

 

Athena makes a TTL Conversion circuit for the PT-E02 that converts Olympus' proprietary bulkhead to 2 female nikonos connectors. They also make a really nice tray & handle set for this housing.

 

Click Here for More Info

[Atlaua 0]

This scubaboard user tried out[ the fantasea e330 housing, you might contact him for more info:

 

 

And I'm thrilled that he did. He couldn't get it to give hiim the full range with his 14-54 lens. But I saw that thread and figured out that there might be a slightly used housing available. I just bought it .

 

James

[Atlaua 0]

So now I'm trying to figure out the benefits of each one.

 

I just got the Fantasea housing so I've been doing a lot of research on this.

 

The Ikelite probably has the best name as far as quality housings are concernd. They are also the most expensive. I found a great review of the Oly housing here: http://www.letsgodigital.org/html/review/u...ldives_EN1.html.

 

What I'm really not sure about is how this all works with strobes. For example I know that Ikelite strobes will work with the Ikelite housing, but what about Sea and Sea strobes? What does the Olympus housing work with for strobes? I do know that I want a set up that I can use TTL, so I think that will have an impact.

 

If you want TTL with the Ikelite you'll have to go with their strobes. If you want ttl-with the Oly or Fantasea the you'll go with the Oly flash unit, FL-50 with a flash housing. If your ok with manual then there are more options. You can't use a slave flash because you can't open the built in flash.

 

- total cost (with strobe - housing cost along isn't enough)

 

The Fantasea is without a doubt the cheapest option. It comes with a port for the kit lens for about the same price as the Oly with no port and hundreds less than the Ikelite with no port.

 

 

James

[TomR1 5]

First, the Olympus housing requires an Athena TTL converter to use a non-Olympus strobe and the Olympus strobes SUCK!. My wife has an INON z-240 with the Athena converter. Ryan Canon of Reef Photo set it up. It is a very small, light, compact rig compared to the others. SO....If a small, light SINGLE strobe setup that handles like a digicam is what you want the Olympus/INON/Athena setup is the way to go.

 

However......

 

You plan a dual strobe setup with a big dome to shoot wide angle with Oly's 7-14 WA lens then Ikelite is the way to go. Coupled with Ike DS-125's you will better control of exposure in ttl mode due to Ike's excellent ttl capabilities.

 

Tom