Olympus OM-D E-M5

[KarenW 0]

Hi all... looks like I'm going to make the jump to this versatile underwater rig after seeing my friend use one recently in Fiji. Totally blown away with the quality.

 

So I'm now going to sell my D300/Seatool combo which has served me well for the past 5 years. The weight for travelling has finally convinced me.

 

I do have a question regarding the straight or 45deg viewfinder that is available for the Nauticam housing. Is anyone using these? If so, how are you finding them? I've been using the straight Inon on my Seatool and found for my aging eyes it worked well... I didn't have to use corrective lens in my mask.

 

Thanks in advance - Karen from Cocos (Keeling) Islands

[divingdoc 2]

Six months ago, I changed from a D200 in a Subal housing to the OM-5 in a Nauticam housing. I have shot the 45 degree Inon viewfinder in an Ikelite housing and the straight Subal sport viewfinder with my Subal housing. I feel strongly that these viewfinders were necessary for the older, non live-view digital SLRS.,,,for shooters like me with old eyes.

 

However, I would recommend against buying any viewfinder for the OM-5 in the Nauticam housing for these reasons:

 

1) These viewfinders are very large for this small of a housing.

2) I feel they are not necessary because: 1) I find myself shooting in the "live view" mode more and more; 2) The live view viewfinder is really large, compared to the D300 and D200 view screens; and 3) More importantly, the automatic focusing mechanism has been very sharp. I find myself not worrying about having to actually visually confirm that I have focus.

3) Both of these viewfinders are made to be added to the Nauticam housing very easily by the user if you want it later. This is not true of the Subal or the Ikelite housings--these must be added by someone who knows what they're doing. I would try it first and see if you feel you really need it. You can always buy it and add it yourself later.

 

If you need a viewfinder added, I would go with the straight one. The advantage of the 45 deg viewfinder is that you can get really low for macro. The big disadvantage is that when you're following any fish that's moving, it will be hard and un natural with the 45 deg viewfinders. I never got used to shooting pelagics with a 45 deg viewfinder. I'd settle for having to get on my stomach for the macro shots in order to not miss the exciting pelagic shots.

 

 

 

[KarenW 0]

Six months ago, I changed from a D200 in a Subal housing to the OM-5 in a Nauticam housing. I have shot the 45 degree Inon viewfinder in an Ikelite housing and the straight Subal sport viewfinder with my Subal housing. I feel strongly that these viewfinders were necessary for the older, non live-view digital SLRS.,,,for shooters like me with old eyes.

 

However, I would recommend against buying any viewfinder for the OM-5 in the Nauticam housing for these reasons:

 

1) These viewfinders are very large for this small of a housing.

2) I feel they are not necessary because: 1) I find myself shooting in the "live view" mode more and more; 2) The live view viewfinder is really large, compared to the D300 and D200 view screens; and 3) More importantly, the automatic focusing mechanism has been very sharp. I find myself not worrying about having to actually visually confirm that I have focus.

3) Both of these viewfinders are made to be added to the Nauticam housing very easily by the user if you want it later. This is not true of the Subal or the Ikelite housings--these must be added by someone who knows what they're doing. I would try it first and see if you feel you really need it. You can always buy it and add it yourself later.

 

If you need a viewfinder added, I would go with the straight one. The advantage of the 45 deg viewfinder is that you can get really low for macro. The big disadvantage is that when you're following any fish that's moving, it will be hard and un natural with the 45 deg viewfinders. I never got used to shooting pelagics with a 45 deg viewfinder. I'd settle for having to get on my stomach for the macro shots in order to not miss the exciting pelagic shots.

 

 

 

Thank you so much for your input. I didn't realise just how expensive the viewfinders were… nearly as much as the housing!! Alex also recommended trying without the viewfinder before making the purchase.. Wise suggestion and I will certainly do this.

 

Next question… where do you purchase the "cheaper" zoom gear for the 12-50 and 60mm port?? I think this is the one:

 

http://www.unterwasserkamera.at/shop/catalog/Dome---Planport/Zoom-Gear-for-HUGYFOT--NAUTICAM--OLYMPUS/-5404-5474.html

 

And if I am correct, then this is the one for the 60mm port? Cheers - Karen

 

 

Cheers - Karen

 

 

 

Edited November 15, 2013 by KarenW

[Phil Rudin 461]

Hi Karen,

 

The gear you have a link to works off the zoom gear in the housing so the Nauticam 12-50, 60mm macro or 45mm with 20mm extension ports will all work with this gear.

 

I use the Nauticam 45 degree viewfinder with my NA-EM5 housing all the time. It is easy to remove and reinstall when you travel and it makes a huge difference if you only use the viewfinder like I do. I agree that you should try the housing without it. Keep in mind that you will also need the replacement rear LCD window that supports the viewfinder, also user installable.

 

Phil Rudin

[KarenW 0]

Hi Karen,

 

The gear you have a link to works off the zoom gear in the housing so the Nauticam 12-50, 60mm macro or 45mm with 20mm extension ports will all work with this gear.

 

I use the Nauticam 45 degree viewfinder with my NA-EM5 housing all the time. It is easy to remove and reinstall when you travel and it makes a huge difference if you only use the viewfinder like I do. I agree that you should try the housing without it. Keep in mind that you will also need the replacement rear LCD window that supports the viewfinder, also user installable.

 

Phil Rudin

Thank you so much Phil.

 

Appreciate the confirmation, so armed with all the info it appears to be time to make the final decision and go purchase! I'm pleased to hear the viewfinder and replacement LCD is "user" friendly. Hope some nice person will see the need to purchase the D300 rig quickly!

 

Cheers - Karen

 

[IMW 0]

Hello

 

Thought someone may like to know I have put my OMD-EM5 together with two lenses and the Nauticam housing, tray etc for sale in the classifieds.

[Nautilus Cairns 5]

Hi Karen

 

Trust Dieter got home OK. I have just recently purchased an OMD EM-5 with the 60mm macro lens and very recently the Nauticam housing and port for the 60mm lens. Didn't have it in time for the Soloman Island trip however.

 

I am also looking at the threads where people have purchased the Austrian gear to use other lenses like the 12-50 mm, which I also have, in this port. Didn't realise that it would also provide manual focus with the 60mm lens and port I already have until I read Phil's comments.

 

The rig got wet for the first time today...in the swimming pool!! GBR next weekend then up to PNG

 

Cheers Eden

[KarenW 0]

Someone recommended the possibility of : http://m43photo.blogspot.com.au/2012/02/samyang-75mm-f35-fisheye-lens-review.html

 

as an alternative to the 8mm Panasonic if it fits in the domes? Would anyone like to comment??

 

Cheers - Karen

[Phil Rudin 461]

It fits the fisheye domes but it has manual focus, manual aperture settings and no electronic contacts so the camera does not recognize the lens as being on the camera. I don't no of any focus or aperture gears for Olympus or Nauticam housings.

[Ryan 48]

Samyang 7.5 actually vignettes with the shortest available fisheye dome port on Nauticam housings, so we've never bothered to go through the trouble of working out gear solutions.

Edited November 27, 2013 by Ryan

[KarenW 0]

Thanks Phil & Ryan. I appreciate your quick response to my question. Cheers - Karen

[carolinepower70808 0]

Hi Everyone,

I would appreciate some help. I am trying to decide on ports for the Nauticam housing but the information is a bit conflicting. Can you put the 12-50 lens in the Macro 60 or Flat 72 ports without vignetting at the widest setting? It seems to say yes on here but the photo stores say it can/will vignette.

Thanks

 

[Deep6 7]

Hi Everyone,

I would appreciate some help. I am trying to decide on ports for the Nauticam housing but the information is a bit conflicting. Can you put the 12-50 lens in the Macro 60 or Flat 72 ports without vignetting at the widest setting? It seems to say yes on here but the photo stores say it can/will vignette.

Thanks

 

Not exactly what you asked, but you can put the Oly 12-50 & the Oly 60 macro in the Nauticam 12-50 port. That's what I use. The 60 is slightly shorter than the 12-50, so you use a little lens to subject distance at closest focus.

Bob

[markw 1]

Bob,

 

How much distance do you lose when using the 60mm macro in the 12-50mm port?

 

Thanks,

Mark

[Deep6 7]

Bob,

 

How much distance do you lose when using the 60mm macro in the 12-50mm port?

 

Thanks,

Mark

I don't have the 60 port for comparison. You may what to check the Nauticam site. I suspect not much.

Bob

[Phil Rudin 461]

According to OlympusUS the 60mm macro is 82mm and the 12-50 is 83mm. B&H shows them at 82 and 82.8 for the 12-50. Not going to make much of a difference in the 12-50 port, the 60mm macro port or the 45mm macro port with 20mm extension.

[coroander 16]

People who use the 12-50mm in the 60mm port report no vignetting even though it's 67mm instead of the 77mm diameter of the 12-50mm port. The port for the 12-50mm needs to be a few mm longer because the gears screw into the threads on the front of the lens. It's only mm, but it's reported to be the reason the 12-50mm port needs to be 77mm to prevent vignetting at the 12mm end.

[markw 1]

Thanks for the replies,

Mark

[oskar 6]

Has anyone sucessfully installed a vacuum system on the Nauticam EM-5 housing? I saw comments that Nauticam's own electronics does not fit the housing.

 

Is this still the case, or is there a solution for it now?

 

Cheers

/O

 

My apologies if this is already answered in this thread already, it's a bit long to browse...

[Phil Rudin 461]

Reef Photo has installed several in NA-EM5 housings.

[Hennyb 0]

I am having the Vacuum Leak Detector installed on my NA-EM5 Housing at Nauticam Thailand now and will be complete on Friday. Wanted it done before getting the setup wet later on this month.

 

There are some pictures of one of the first installs done by Ryan at Reef Photo on Scubaboard/Olympus Outlet.

[oskar 6]

I am having the Vacuum Leak Detector installed on my NA-EM5 Housing at Nauticam Thailand now and will be complete on Friday. Wanted it done before getting the setup wet later on this month.

 

There are some pictures of one of the first installs done by Ryan at Reef Photo on Scubaboard/Olympus Outlet.

 

Great! What is the cost? You are installing the valve and replacing the moisture detector with the vacuum leak detector I suppose (and get the manual pump)?

 

Cheers

/O

[Hennyb 0]

 

Great! What is the cost? You are installing the valve and replacing the moisture detector with the vacuum leak detector I suppose (and get the manual pump)?

 

Cheers

/O

Oskar,

Replacement of the electronics, installation of one-way valve and manual pump is around 420 USD.

[trimix125 73]

Hi,
have bought a used Nauticam / Oly combo, thanks Edmond, and ownl a Nauticam EA30 port.
Can i use the 60mm macro in this one?
Or can somebody give me the inside lenght of the 60mm macro or the 12 - 50mm port? Metric would be great ;-))
Thanks a lot,
Wolfgang

PS: the lenses are still on the way so i cannot test it, and i would like to fix the order for our february trip.

[Marcel.Ribeiro 0]

Hello, I use the PL3 in the Olympus housing with the PPO-EP01 port and the 12-50mm + 60mm lens.

Now I want to buy the Zen 9-18mm Dome and did some questions.

Does anyone know whether this port and the 12-50mm lens will fit and underwater works?

What lenses still fit into this port?

 

 

Marcel