Decided on a new micro 4/3 setup now need help deciding on which camera?

[kstokell 4]

I have an EM1 and EM10 both in Nauticam (vacuum valves essential!) and I bought the EM1 with the 12-50 and 60mm macro lens as 80% of local dive sites are macro. The 12-50 fits snugly in the 65 macro port and you don't need a zoom gear as it can be assigned to the left and right buttons on the camera. You could use this with an Inon UWL 100 wet lens and the CMC which gives better magnification than the 43 macro mode. Don't waste money on the dedicated Nauticam port 77. The 60mm macro lens is my go to lens and can do small fish portraits too. I have the Oly 8mm and Pana 7-14 but have only just got ports for them to photograph the Grey Nurse sharks at Nelson Bay Australia. (Awesome dive with 20 to 40 sharks in one dive site!) The 8mm was too wide but good for video and the 7-14 was pretty good (my wife had that lens).

I would start with the 12-50 as general and top side lens and the 60 macro lens if that's 85% of your dives. You could also mount the RX100 on top of the housing with its wet wide lens and you'll have best of both worlds.

I also bought a Panasonic G7 for top side use for its 4K abilities and for 25fps in camera Timelapse videos (Oly only 5fps in 4K and only 10-15 fps in HD). If I was buying a set up now I would go for Oanasonic GX8 with Pana 45 or 30mm macro (both have IS for 4K macro video) Nauticam housing and use the 14-42 with an Inon wet lens for 100deg wide angle. Would come I a lot cheaper than the options you have now and you get the benefits of 4K that Olympus steadfastly refuse to fit to their new cameras i.e. The Pen F which is more expensive than the Panas and also EM5 and EM1!!

 

Thanks for the feedback Griff I did consider the 12-50 but I judged that it would not be wide enough for me, that's I went for the 9-18 instead although it seems from feedback I've had it's a little soft in the corners. Like you, the majority of my dive sites, about 85%, are macro, so the wide angle option is of secondary importance to me.

 

I'm a little confused about adding a +2 diopter to the 9-18mm to "sharpen the corners", I'm sure it will do this but at the cost of increasing the focal length and thus reducing max angle of view, which is not what I want, ideally I would like a slightly wider lens, not narrower. As it is the 9-18mm offers me a diagonal angle of view of 100° - 62° , I would have preferred the 114° - 75° offered by the 7-14mm Panasonic but that is more expensive and also requires a larger dome port, hence my choice of the 9-18mm.

Edited February 18, 2016 by kstokell

[Griff 23]

You'll enjoy the set up you plan to get. Too many people place too much emphasis on soft corners but if you plan to enhance the main subject by blurring the back ground then it does not matter anyway. The 60mm is a great lens and is close enough so I don't use my CMC a great deal. I mainly use it for shallow depth of field effect photos and occasional super macro.

[BengalBoy 2]

I purchased the "HowShot" carbon fiber arms for my EM-1 rig. About 1/2 the cost of comparable Nauticam carbon fiber arms. http://wetpixel.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=56593&hl=

[thetrickster 328]

Another couple of quick question for you guys, I have requested two "Nauticam Carbon Fiber Float Arms (60mm x 200mm)" to hopefully make the rig more or less neutral in the water, being carbon fiber are these float arms fragile, and if so is there a better solution, also is this enough flotation or will I need more?

 

I've got 2x 60x200mm and 2x 60x300mm for my GH4 rig and its perfect. However I wait my to be neutral. For stills you might want a little bit of neg to help with macro shots.

 

The Nauticam carbon arms, I've been super happy with, had them a couple of years now and they hold up very well to the bashing they get. There were issues at the very beginning with them taking on water, but that has been resolved.

 

I would recommend getting the shackle clamps to go on your arms, so you can clip them together with 120mm bolt snaps - makes carrying and keeping it all together on the boat so much easier - can post a photo to example.

 

Glad you are getting your list slowly finalised

[kstokell 4]

 

I've got 2x 60x200mm and 2x 60x300mm for my GH4 rig and its perfect. However I wait my to be neutral. For stills you might want a little bit of neg to help with macro shots.

 

The Nauticam carbon arms, I've been super happy with, had them a couple of years now and they hold up very well to the bashing they get. There were issues at the very beginning with them taking on water, but that has been resolved.

 

I would recommend getting the shackle clamps to go on your arms, so you can clip them together with 120mm bolt snaps - makes carrying and keeping it all together on the boat so much easier - can post a photo to example.

 

Glad you are getting your list slowly finalised

 

Can you post a photo of the shackle clamps and 120mm bolt, and perhaps a link to where I can get them?

 

Thanks,

Kevin

Edited February 19, 2016 by kstokell

[tursiops 81]

I have two of the 200mmx90mm Nauticam carbon fiber arms to balance out my rig, which is a NA-EM10, 12-50mm lens and macro port, CMC-1 on a flip mount, two YS-D1s, a couple of focus/video lights, and tray/arms/clamps. I switched to the extra-long clamps between the float arms and the outer arms (also 200mm) so that they could collapse better for carrying. I use the shackle-clamps between the float arms and the tray balls, with a homemade braided paracord strap (with a clear plastic bit of PVC tubing over it) between the shackles for carrying. The damn thing is heavy out of the water!

[kstokell 4]

I have two of the 200mmx90mm Nauticam carbon fiber arms to balance out my rig, which is a NA-EM10, 12-50mm lens and macro port, CMC-1 on a flip mount, two YS-D1s, a couple of focus/video lights, and tray/arms/clamps. I switched to the extra-long clamps between the float arms and the outer arms (also 200mm) so that they could collapse better for carrying. I use the shackle-clamps between the float arms and the tray balls, with a homemade braided paracord strap (with a clear plastic bit of PVC tubing over it) between the shackles for carrying. The damn thing is heavy out of the water!

 

Do you have a picture of the rig?

[tursiops 81]

 

Do you have a picture of the rig?

A picture of the carrying strap and shackle-clamps is at http://wetpixel.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=57093&do=findComment&comment=368973.

I don't have a picture of the entire rig assembled, sorry, and it is all packed away for a trip tomorrow. I'll try and take one Sunday and post it.

[kstokell 4]

A picture of the carrying strap and shackle-clamps is at http://wetpixel.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=57093&do=findComment&comment=368973.

I don't have a picture of the entire rig assembled, sorry, and it is all packed away for a trip tomorrow. I'll try and take one Sunday and post it.

 

Thanks, I've got those on my list.

[thetrickster 328]

 

Can you post a photo of the shackle clamps and 120mm bolt, and perhaps a link to where I can get them?

Here you go.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[thetrickster 328]

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[kstokell 4]

So I've finally placed my order ! Just wanted to thank everyone for all their input!

 

I'm really excited about getting the new gear and I'm sure I will be back on this site requesting all sorts of help in how to get the best results out of it all.

 

Here is the final list of what I ordered, just in case anyone else is thinking of doing a similar upgrade and needs an idea of what is required!

 

By the way the total cost ended up at $7,641.24 !

 

Thanks again to everyone and "I'll be back" !

 

Kevin

 

1 x Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark II Black, Body

1 x Olympus Lens 60mm Macro M.Zuiko

1 x Olympus Lens 9-18mm M.Zuiko

1 x nau-17809 Nauticam Housing for Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark II Housing

1 x nau-36163 Nauticam Macro Port 65 for Oly 60mm Macro

1 x nau-36149 Nauticam Focus Gear for Olympus 60mm M.Zuiko

1 x nau-36137 Nauticam 4" wide angle port for Oly 9-18 and Sony 18-55

1 x nau-36143 Nauticam Zoom Gear for Olympus 14-42mm and 9-18mm Lens

1 x nau-32205 Nauticam Mirrorless Viewfinder, 45°

1 x nau-25612 Nauticam M16 Vacuum Valve

2 x SS-03117 Sea&Sea YS-D2 Strobe

2 x Fiber Optic Cable - Sea & Sea to Nauticam Housing

1 x nau-71208 Nauticam Flexitray - Adjustable Right Handle II

1 x nau-71207 Nauticam Flexitray II with Left Handle

2 x nau-71311 Nauticam Mounting ball for Easitray/Flexitray

1 x nau-25200 Nauticam Compact/MIL Housing Shutter Release Extension

2 x nau-72203 Nauticam arm 5-inch

2 x nau-72211 Nauticam Carbon Fiber Float Arm (60mm x 200mm)

1 x nau-25311 Nauticam Ball Mount for Cold Shoe

4 x nau-72501 Nauticam clamp

1 x nau-72503 Nauticam Standard Clamp - Long

2 x nau-72502 Nauticam Multi Purpose Clamp with Shackel

1 x nau-25411 Nauticam Lanyard - 18cm w/ snap hooks

1 x Cetacea Cloth coil/bungee lanyard Red

2 x BAT-K-KJ17MCA 4BA Panasonic Eneloop AA Batteries - 4pack with Charger

1 x BAT-BK-3MCCA8B A Panasonic Eneloop AA Batteries - 8-pack

[EspenB 15]

Should consider Eneloop PRO batteries.

[BengalBoy 2]

Would consider Olympus UFL-3 strobes to take advantage of Olympus "RC" flash software. TTL perfection every shot! Won't work with Sea & Sea..

[thetrickster 328]

Just as a side about the FlexiTray - get the 'FlexiTray II W' - its the same but comes with a tripod hole on the bottom.

 

As to batteries most of the newer rechargeable are the same tech as Eneloop, like the Energizer's etc

[kstokell 4]

Would consider Olympus UFL-3 strobes to take advantage of Olympus "RC" flash software. TTL perfection every shot! Won't work with Sea & Sea..

 

Are you saying that TTL won't work on my setup?

[kstokell 4]

I've just found out according to the "YS-D2 Slave function compatibility chart" that the EM5 mk2 does not support "DS-TTLⅡ" but does support "SlaveTTL", is this a big problem?

 

It seems the EM1 supports both, is this a good reason to switch from the EM5 mk2 to the EM1?

[New England Diver 0]

I'm looking at an EM10 mk2 for a trip to Socorro in May and find it difficult to decide between the WWL-1, OLY 9-18 or the PAN 7-14 for wide angle.

The 7-14 OLY pro would be my first choice, but the cost is just too high for me and the required SLR size glass dome somewhat negates the benifit of an OMD for travel. Really hoping someone can point a novice in the right direction.

 

Thanks for the help

[kstokell 4]

I'm looking at an EM10 mk2 for a trip to Socorro in May and find it difficult to decide between the WWL-1, OLY 9-18 or the PAN 7-14 for wide angle.

The 7-14 OLY pro would be my first choice, but the cost is just too high for me and the required SLR size glass dome somewhat negates the benifit of an OMD for travel. Really hoping someone can point a novice in the right direction.

 

Thanks for the help

 

I had exactly the same decision and because of the following reasons choose the Oly 9-18:

 

- the Pan 7-14 was my first choice, but the price and size on the dome took it off my list, as you say I want a small rig which is why I went with a micro 4/3 system

- I also looked at the WWL-1, but this is a large quite expensive (when added to the cost of the internal lens and port) wet lens, and although versatile, I'm not sure I would want have to remove it underwater, and hang it on my BCD!

- Wide angle for me is not the highest priority so I decided to compromise a little and get the 9-18mm, this lens has a has a reasonable 100% angle of view at the wide end, which is perfect for sharks, turtles, etc

 

I suppose it depends what you want to shoot in the end, as I live in Curacao we get a lot more small stuff than big stuff, I may get a 8mm fisheye lens to add to my collection at sometime in the future if I think I need it!

Edited February 27, 2016 by kstokell

[New England Diver 0]

Thank you the reply.

I fully admit that selecting a new camera is more than bewildering for someone looking to be more serous in underwater photography.

My orginal thought was to purchase an RX2 but moved to the EM10 because the controls are to me, what a camera should have.

I have an E-PM1 in an OLY housing, and all the button pushing is more than annoying. The Nauticam housings...are well worth the money to me now that I know better....the 60mm and 8mm FE is of more interest to me, options unavailable with a compact.

[BengalBoy 2]

 

Are you saying that TTL won't work on my setup?

I don't know? I can only speak to the fact that the "RC" flash feature is a proprietary software that works with Olympus Flashes. It sends the camera's readings to the flash to give TTL metering. Its very simple to just set your Olympus camera to "RC" flash and then connect to a Olympus strobe. I use a Olympus UFL-2 which also has a telescoping beam that senses from 12mm-40mm lens to focus more narrowly or widely the flash shutter. I never took a badly exposed macro shot my first time using it in Galapagos. Its just a very nice feature that you can only take advantage of by using a Olympus strobe. The newest is the UFL-3.

[troporobo 244]

I don't know anything about S&S strobe tech, but SlaveTTL sounds like the way most strobes work with a fiber optic connection, that is, by firing off the attached flash on the camera. FWIW, this is exactly how I use my Inon strobes with an EM-5 and it works absolutely beautifully. I don't see a downside in my pictures.

 

As for the Olympus RC mode, I am glad it works for some but I gave up on it (with a UFL-2 and E-PL1) as buggy and unreliable.

[chris_l 6]

Since the 9-18 is getting a bad rap here, any of you have one you want to part with?

 

I know this is probably blasphemy, but I love being able to use my 60mm macro and 9-18 in the same port on my Pen housing. I can also use the kit lens, but I never do.

The flexibility is a huge plus to me.

 

But, my 9-18 has developed an issue where after being zoomed to around 13mm or so I get the message:

"Check status of lens"

on the camera. I then have to cycle power on the camera and bring lens back into the wider ranges

[kstokell 4]

So after a lot of deliberating I have decided to switch from the EM5 MK2 to the EM1!

 

I found it really annoying that the EM5 MK2 did not support DTTL-II, as I have got used to using this with my humble RX100 and I find being able to make small EV-compensation adjustments on the strobes really useful when shooting macro.

 

It was a close decision choosing the EM5 MK2 in the first place and this has tipped me towards the EM1, plus the additional cost of switching was only $218!

Edited March 2, 2016 by kstokell

[kstokell 4]

So my new and hopefully final list:

 

1 x Olympus OM-D E-M1 Black, Body

1 x Olympus Lens 60mm Macro M.Zuiko

1 x Olympus Lens 9-18mm M.Zuiko

1 x nau-17806 Nauticam Housing for Olympus OM-D E-M1 Housing

1 x nau-36163 Nauticam Macro Port 65 for Oly 60mm Macro

1 x nau-36149 Nauticam Focus Gear for Olympus 60mm M.Zuiko

1 x nau-36137 Nauticam 4" wide angle port for Oly 9-18 and Sony 18-55

1 x nau-36143 Nauticam Zoom Gear for Olympus 14-42mm and 9-18mm Lens

1 x nau-32205 Nauticam Mirrorless Viewfinder, 45°

1 x nau-25611 Nauticam M14 Vacuum Valve

2 x SS-03117 Sea&Sea YS-D2 Strobe

2 x Fiber Optic Cable - Sea & Sea to Nauticam Housing

2 x nau-72203 Nauticam arm 5-inch

2 x nau-72211 Nauticam Carbon Fiber Float Arm (60mm x 200mm)

1 x nau-25311 Nauticam Ball Mount for Cold Shoe

4 x nau-72501 Nauticam clamp

1 x nau-72503 Nauticam Standard Clamp - Long

2 x nau-72502 Nauticam Multi Purpose Clamp with Shackel

1 x nau-25411 Nauticam Lanyard - 18cm w/ snap hooks

1 x Cetacea Cloth coil/bungee lanyard Red

2 x BAT-K-KJ17MCA 4BA Panasonic Eneloop AA Batteries - 4pack with Charger

1 x BAT-BK-3MCCA8B A Panasonic Eneloop AA Batteries - 8-pack

Edited March 2, 2016 by kstokell