Camera Upgrade for snorkeller

[Pomacentridae 22]

Thanks for the additional comments. I did upgrade to the EPL10 and have now used it a couple of times and have found it to be a definite step up from my TG5. I've only used the 14-42mm standard lens for underwater photography although I have subsequently bought the 60mm macro lens that I use for photos of insects.
I would really interested to hear what other lenses you've used for underwater photography and how they work with the existing housing and what they give you beyond the standard lens.....thanks

Underwater I use the 14-42mm + WWL-1B and the 60mm.

The I chose the 14-42mm + WWL-1B over the 8mm fisheye due to the versatility of being able to zoom in and out. This is great for reef scenes, large animals and people. Another close choice I had was the AOI UWL-09pro which is really great optically as well. But I got the WWL-1B because of the built in buoyancy collar which I find very practical. The 8mm i find to be too wide and difficult to use as I need to get insanely close when J compose but maybe it is just me. On the plus the dome for the 8mm is very handy and compact versus the WWL-1B.

My favorite by far is the 60mm. I use it about 95% of the time. I love using it for fish portraits, quick and snappy. I don’t use the 60mm much for macro but it is a killer for macro as well.

The 14-42mm + WWL-1B i only use about 5% of the time for very specific animals and shoots with people. But I guess I just love fish portraits.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Steve Hickey 1]

Thanks - I've found the 60mm great for macro on land but sounds like its a good option underwater as well. It does feel like a quality lens  but do you not miss the zoom option you get with the 14-42mm ?

Given I've already got the 60mm lens its a low cost option to give me something different (I think the alternative port for the housing is c£200) and I also love fish portraits !! I don't think I would use the fisheye that often although the combination of the WWL-1B with the 14-42mm sounds interesting. Thanks again for your comments and for sharing some of your amazing images....

[Pomacentridae 22]

On 2/19/2023 at 1:00 AM, Steve Hickey said:

Thanks - I've found the 60mm great for macro on land but sounds like its a good option underwater as well. It does feel like a quality lens  but do you not miss the zoom option you get with the 14-42mm ? Given I've already got the 60mm lens its a low cost option to give me something different (I think the alternative port for the housing is c£200) and I also love fish portraits !! I don't think I would use the fisheye that often although the combination of the WWL-1B with the 14-42mm sounds interesting. Thanks again for your comments and for sharing some of your amazing images.... 

 

No, I don’t miss the zoom function at all. Even when I have the WWL-1B, I tend to just stick to a single focal length for the entire dive. 

I find it is easier to spot/look for shots when you work with only single focal length. Your mind is just focused on the current view angle and thinking how to frame the scene with that view angle.

If I am stuck with the 60mm and a huge animal comes a long, I shoot its interesting details, texture or patterns, working with the lens. And vice versa, when I see a small animal and have my wide lens, I go CFWA and include the animal’s habitat providing context and story.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Edited February 21 by Pomacentridae

[fruehaufsteher2 19]

11 hours ago, Pomacentridae said:

No, I don’t miss the zoom function at all. Even when I have the WWL-1B, I tend to just stick to a single focal length for the entire dive. 

Don’t agree. Having both possibilities Uw and close-up gives more freedom. 

[ChrisRoss 150]

46 minutes ago, fruehaufsteher2 said:

Don’t agree. Having both possibilities Uw and close-up gives more freedom. 

the whole argument is moot IMO, the 60mm lens is an entirely different beast with different targets that are really not possible to shoot with the 14-42 even with a close up diopter.  If you are not interested to shoot the macro targets that the 60mm macro opens up that is of course fine, you just use the lens that suits your targets.  it particularly suits some dive sites with a lot of small critters or a fish portrait lens.  The 14-42 can do large fish but the 60mm gives more reach and opens up shooting smaller species.  There really are no absolutes you just use the lens most suitable to your chosen subjects. 

[fruehaufsteher2 19]

2 hours ago, ChrisRoss said:

the whole argument is moot IMO, the 60mm lens is an entirely different beast with different targets that are really not possible to shoot with the 14-42 even with a close up diopter.  

Ok, finally I have to agree. 
 

There’s definitely a huge difference between the Macro lens and the UW to wide zoom lens. 
Having the 28-60 Sony & WACP-C in use I admit that the small objects cannot be pinned on the sensor as good as with a true macro. 
 

IMHO you have to decide before you go down whether you want to isolate a smaller object from background or have the wide picture with large DOF

[TimG 62]

1 hour ago, fruehaufsteher2 said:

IMHO you have to decide before you go down whether you want to isolate a smaller object from background or have the wide picture with large DOF

My experience in the last couple of decades is that it's wise to decide what you plan to photograph on a dive and then pick a lens accordingly.

If what you planned to shoot doesn't show up, accept the decision of the underwater gods and don't fret it. Just enjoy the dive. 

And like @Pomacentridae posts, yes, I have chosen a macro lens and eg. an eagle ray or shark has turned up. S'life, eh?