davephdv 0 Posted December 13, 2009 14-45 is not very wide. Do they have a port coming for the 7 - 14? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
underexposed 0 Posted December 13, 2009 14-45 is not very wide. Do they have a port coming for the 7 - 14? I tried the 7-14mm in Japan a couple of months ago and it was nice but much bigger around on the end then where it connects to the body so it might be tough to do. May have to wait for a different WAL for the camera. I'm no expert but if you go to the 10Bar site you can find their e-mail and ask them the question. Might have to find a good wet WAL if that is possible. Maybe a port where the end comes off like Ikelite does could work??? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
underexposed 0 Posted December 29, 2009 I got my new housing. It looks like an excellent build and nicer then the early pictures they sent me. $1,100 for the housing, 20mm port, 14-45mm port and a macro wet lens. They provide a nice bag to carry everything that will also double nicely as a camera bag when out with multiple lens's. I've had it in the pool and should have it on a dive on the first. I still need to mount it to my tray before then. I have the 45mm macro lens as well and have asked them to make a port for that as well. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JackConnick 76 Posted December 29, 2009 Yeah, just got my first one. Pretty nice. They are very slowly ramping up production. But now it'll be Chinese New Year and everything will stop. The two I have are sold. There is an extension tube for the 45mm that works with the 20mm port, again hard to get yet. Jack Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
underexposed 0 Posted December 29, 2009 Yeah, just got my first one. Pretty nice. They are very slowly ramping up production. But now it'll be Chinese New Year and everything will stop. The two I have are sold. There is an extension tube for the 45mm that works with the 20mm port, again hard to get yet. Jack Good to hear. The 45 has me excited. I'll be plenty busy with what I have for now so I can wait a while. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cavefish 0 Posted December 31, 2009 @Mark: Looking forward to a full review! I'm quite curious to know about how it handles underwater (ergonomics & functionality of the buttons, ease of use, balance, etc). As soon as there's a wide angle (8mm) and macro (45mm) solution I'd definitely want one of these. With a lot of luck I might see & handle one myself at the Boot watersports fair in Düsseldorf/Germany next month... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
underexposed 0 Posted December 31, 2009 @Mark: Looking forward to a full review! I'm quite curious to know about how it handles underwater (ergonomics & functionality of the buttons, ease of use, balance, etc). As soon as there's a wide angle (8mm) and macro (45mm) solution I'd definitely want one of these. With a lot of luck I might see & handle one myself at the Boot watersports fair in Düsseldorf/Germany next month... 2 dives so far and still getting the hang of it. After playing with it on the surface I was expecting the worst but I'm quickly getting used to it. The first dive my strobe didn't work but on dive 2 it did. Here are two samples from the dives last year. I've still got a lot of playing to do but like how it feels so far. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ryan 57 Posted January 5, 2010 I want a GF1 housing, but I'm not really thrilled with the 10bar option. We started machining this morning If it works out, we might offer this as a commercial product, but this is a one off for the time being. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
underexposed 0 Posted January 7, 2010 (edited) I got my 45mm macro lens and it seems to fit into the 14-45mm dome port. If this works underwater I'll be very happy. I should know in a few days. Edited January 7, 2010 by underexposed Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
underexposed 0 Posted January 7, 2010 I want a GF1 housing, but I'm not really thrilled with the 10bar option. We started machining this morning If it works out, we might offer this as a commercial product, but this is a one off for the time being. Cool, I hope it turns out. Please keep us updated, I have a friend getting the GF1 and I'm sure he'll want to check out all the options. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
underexposed 0 Posted January 13, 2010 Here's another shot from the camera. I'm still figuring it out but liking it more each dive. The 45mm Macro fits in the dome port nicely so no need for anything else for macro shots. This was taken with the Leica DG MACRO-ELMARIT 45mm F2.8 ASPH MEGA O.I.S. lens. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dendronepthya 0 Posted January 13, 2010 Hello, all, I'm very new to underwater photography and recently purchased a GF-1 and the 10Bar housing. I'm curious to see how you have handled the lighting. I am thinking about using two Inon S2000 strobes. I have to admit having not seen an underwater setup in person, it is somewhat difficult to see how everything is connected together. My hope is that once it is in my hands, it will be an intuitive thing to assemble the arms and strobes. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
underexposed 0 Posted January 14, 2010 Hello, all, I'm very new to underwater photography and recently purchased a GF-1 and the 10Bar housing. I'm curious to see how you have handled the lighting. I am thinking about using two Inon S2000 strobes. I have to admit having not seen an underwater setup in person, it is somewhat difficult to see how everything is connected together. My hope is that once it is in my hands, it will be an intuitive thing to assemble the arms and strobes. Most start wit ha tray. The tray is a plate that the camera mounts to and it has 1 or 2 arms that go up on the sides of the camera. The strobe/strobes attach to the arms. Then you have to getthe camera to tell the strobes to fire and there are a few ways to do that. I have an Ikelite strobe from my old setup and am using that wit ha slave sensor that looks at the camera flash to tell the strobe what to do. Wired TTL is the best way to go if you can find compatible strobes. If you do please post your setup. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cavefish 0 Posted January 14, 2010 Hello Mark, thanks a lot for keeping us up to date with info & pics! Good to hear the 45mm macro fits in the 14-45mm zoom port. Does the zoom port allow manual focussing of the macro lens? Have you tried filming? I'd like to know whether the auto-focus gets too loud when filming (due to sound amplification by the housing), thus ruining the videoclips' audio? Thanks, Thierry Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MikeO 5 Posted January 14, 2010 This is an interesting camera, but I'd have to wait until the side angle options were better sorted . . . Mike Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Deep6 7 Posted January 14, 2010 This is an interesting camera, but I'd have to wait until the side angle options were better sorted . . . Mike "the side angle options were better sorted " ?Que? Bob Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
underexposed 0 Posted January 14, 2010 "the side angle options were better sorted "?Que? Bob Maybe he means WAL options. I do not have the 7-14 so can't tell you. There might be a wet WAL for the 20mm port. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
underexposed 0 Posted January 14, 2010 Hello Mark, thanks a lot for keeping us up to date with info & pics! Good to hear the 45mm macro fits in the 14-45mm zoom port. Does the zoom port allow manual focussing of the macro lens? Have you tried filming? I'd like to know whether the auto-focus gets too loud when filming (due to sound amplification by the housing), thus ruining the videoclips' audio?Thanks, Thierry You're welcome, yes and yes. I guess if there was a port for the 14-140 with it's silent focusing that would be the best option for video. Sound is not all that important to my video as it is mostly breathing and computers beeping and I think I'd just leave it out with BG music or something. From a volume standpoint it was not as loud as my breathing which I find surprising. I noticed it right away but then just became BG noise after a minute or so. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MikeO 5 Posted January 15, 2010 "the side angle options were better sorted "?Que? Bob Yes, WIDE angle -- hit the wrong key . . . 14-45 not wide enough IMHO. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cavefish 0 Posted January 15, 2010 (edited) I'm waiting for an underwater wide-angle solution too. So far there's only Panasonic's G Vario 7-14mm, which is really nice but rather expensive & relatively big and AFAIK still port-less. Hopefully there'll be two more options soon: Olympus has announced a 9-18mm and Panasonic an 8mm fisheye. The 8mm with a (compact) dome-port could be quite something. Edited January 15, 2010 by cavefish Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
michaeltsantos 4 Posted January 15, 2010 Dear Mark, I've been following your posts on the 10 BAR GF1 housing. I'm seriously considering getting one soon. If you don't mind, I have a few questions based on your actual experience with the unit: On the housing: -- Can you confirm full access to all camera controls? Can you control both the click and the turn of the rear control dial? Looking at the picture, I'm not sure if it can. This control is quite critical for the camera. -- Looking at the back of the housing, it seems that there are not enough buttons/levers to match those in the camera. Do some buttons control dual functions? Can the 4-way controller be easily accessed? What about the display and DOF preview buttons? Can all buttons be easily controlled? -- Is there an option to put a hot shoe mount on top of the housing? It looks quite tight but I need a place to attach a focus light. -- Have you been able to test the housing with a camera inside? Can you give feedback on the responsiveness of the controls? Can you feel the "half-click" with their shutter lever? Is the ergonomics of the housing acceptable? -- Is the camera mounted on a tray to install it in the housing? Or, is it just a "drop-in" affair? On the port: -- Looking at the picture of the port for the 14-45 kit lens, it looks like it semi-dome shaped. Is this correct? -- Is it possible to attach 67mm threaded lenses in front of this port? -- There are 2 control knobs on the port, is this for zoom and focus? Are the zoom gears included in the kit? -- What other port options will be available? I hope the upcoming 8mm fisheye can fit inside the 14-45 port! -- It is possible to order the kit without the 20mm port? This one seems a bit redundant. Other questions: -- Do you have an idea of the +/- buoyancy of the complete set-up? -- Is there space to install a flood sensor inside the housing? Please accept my sincere apologies for all these questions. I'm very excited with the potential promise of the camera. At the same time, I want to make sure this will be the right tool for me to improve my u/w photography and that it will be flexible enough to "grow" with me. Thank you very much for all your help. I really appreciate you taking the time to help me out. Best fishes, Mike Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
underexposed 0 Posted January 15, 2010 Dear Mark, I've been following your posts on the 10 BAR GF1 housing. I'm seriously considering getting one soon. If you don't mind, I have a few questions based on your actual experience with the unit: On the housing: -- Can you confirm full access to all camera controls? Can you control both the click and the turn of the rear control dial? Looking at the picture, I'm not sure if it can. This control is quite critical for the camera. -- Looking at the back of the housing, it seems that there are not enough buttons/levers to match those in the camera. Do some buttons control dual functions? Can the 4-way controller be easily accessed? What about the display and DOF preview buttons? Can all buttons be easily controlled? -- Is there an option to put a hot shoe mount on top of the housing? It looks quite tight but I need a place to attach a focus light. -- Have you been able to test the housing with a camera inside? Can you give feedback on the responsiveness of the controls? Can you feel the "half-click" with their shutter lever? Is the ergonomics of the housing acceptable? -- Is the camera mounted on a tray to install it in the housing? Or, is it just a "drop-in" affair? On the port: -- Looking at the picture of the port for the 14-45 kit lens, it looks like it semi-dome shaped. Is this correct? -- Is it possible to attach 67mm threaded lenses in front of this port? -- There are 2 control knobs on the port, is this for zoom and focus? Are the zoom gears included in the kit? -- What other port options will be available? I hope the upcoming 8mm fisheye can fit inside the 14-45 port! -- It is possible to order the kit without the 20mm port? This one seems a bit redundant. Other questions: -- Do you have an idea of the +/- buoyancy of the complete set-up? -- Is there space to install a flood sensor inside the housing? Please accept my sincere apologies for all these questions. I'm very excited with the potential promise of the camera. At the same time, I want to make sure this will be the right tool for me to improve my u/w photography and that it will be flexible enough to "grow" with me. Thank you very much for all your help. I really appreciate you taking the time to help me out. Best fishes, Mike Hi Mike, Lots of questions but I think I can answer most. It will be easier with a few pictures. I have a dive planned for the morning and after that I'll take some pics of the housing that will answer some of your questions and post the answers as best I can. Mark Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
underexposed 0 Posted January 16, 2010 (edited) Hi Mike, Lots of questions but I think I can answer most. It will be easier with a few pictures. I have a dive planned for the morning and after that I'll take some pics of the housing that will answer some of your questions and post the answers as best I can. Mark OK, here we go. I've been following your posts on the 10 BAR GF1 housing. I'm seriously considering getting one soon. If you don't mind, I have a few questions based on your actual experience with the unit: On the housing: -- Can you confirm full access to all camera controls? Can you control both the click and the turn of the rear control dial? Looking at the picture, I'm not sure if it can. This control is quite critical for the camera. Yes, if you look at the yellowish rubber wheel it turns the dial and you can push it to switch between A and S settings. Then it is just a matter of turning it clockwise or counter clockwise. -- Looking at the back of the housing, it seems that there are not enough buttons/levers to match those in the camera. Do some buttons control dual functions? Can the 4-way controller be easily accessed? What about the display and DOF preview buttons? Can all buttons be easily controlled? Yes, if you look at the picture below you can see how they have made it so 1 button controls two or more camera functions by twisting it into position. It is getting to be quit simple by dive 5 and right now my biggest obstacle is not knowing the camera as well as I'd like. -- Is there an option to put a hot shoe mount on top of the housing? It looks quite tight but I need a place to attach a focus light. Not sure. If you look at the pictures below you can see that there is a hot shoe connector that can be taken out if not in use via a PJ connector. It goes up to the port on top. -- Have you been able to test the housing with a camera inside? Can you give feedback on the responsiveness of the controls? Can you feel the "half-click" with their shutter lever? Is the ergonomics of the housing acceptable? The controls all work very well. I had a small problem with the height of one button and it was resting on the camera but a quick adjustment and it works fine. Making adjustments under water is only hampered by my not knowing the menus that well yet. -- Is the camera mounted on a tray to install it in the housing? Or, is it just a "drop-in" affair? It came with no tray and I bolted it to an old Ikelite tray if mine. It works just fine but like any high end housing you need a strobe or two so some sort of tray is necessary. Mine is fairly simple and it bolts using a tripod type mount. On the port: -- Looking at the picture of the port for the 14-45 kit lens, it looks like it semi-dome shaped. Is this correct? Not sure what semi is, here is a picture of the port with the light hood off. I've done tests of squares with no measurable distortion from edge to edge. -- Is it possible to attach 67mm threaded lenses in front of this port? No but you can on the 20mm port. -- There are 2 control knobs on the port, is this for zoom and focus? Are the zoom gears included in the kit? Yes and here is what they look like on the inside. -- What other port options will be available? I hope the upcoming 8mm fisheye can fit inside the 14-45 port! Don't know and don't know. -- It is possible to order the kit without the 20mm port? This one seems a bit redundant. Not sure but the 20mm port is flat and very low profile. It is threaded to take the wet lens's and filters. I would not want to be without it. It also makes the camera much smaller and a little more negative on the dive. Other questions: -- Do you have an idea of the +/- buoyancy of the complete set-up? With my tray and strobe it is maybe 3 lbs. negative. It is noticeable for sure. I dive with no weight and the first time I jumped in I dropped very fast. I also dive with no BC so I've had to adjust my breathing to compensate for the extra weight. -- Is there space to install a flood sensor inside the housing? I'm not sure how big they are but with the clear back you have a good view of what is going on in there. Please accept my sincere apologies for all these questions. I'm very excited with the potential promise of the camera. At the same time, I want to make sure this will be the right tool for me to improve my u/w photography and that it will be flexible enough to "grow" with me. Thank you very much for all your help. I really appreciate you taking the time to help me out. I hope that helped. Edited January 16, 2010 by underexposed Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
underexposed 0 Posted January 16, 2010 Shot today in high surge. f/9, 1/40, 100 ISO and DS125. Robust Ghost Pipefish. It's not all in focus due to the f/stop but the detail is good in the back half. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
underexposed 0 Posted January 18, 2010 -- Is the camera mounted on a tray to install it in the housing? Or, is it just a "drop-in" affair? Sorry, misread this one. It is a drop in. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
