I've posted this topic at other forum, unfortunately as of today, no response yet .. so, let try here - hope somebody can give me some advise.

Actually, I am not sure if I really want to move from what I have now. I am a vacation diver; 3 – 5 dive trips within the region every year ; total 60 – 80 dives. I can’t claim as a photographer; I take UW pictures as this is only thing I can take to show to my friends and relative. So, my expectation is not high. But the worst thing of UW photography is always push you to move and empty your pocket.

I bought my first UW camera was Olympus C5000UZ + OEM housing in 2004, no strobe, then 2 year later upgrade to Oly SP-550 + OEM housing + SL960D strobe; used in pool only before I sold it to my friend as I disappointed with this camera. Then I bought SP-350, OEM housing + Epoque ES230DS; quite happy with the performance although battery eater and very slow.

As you see I am Oly fans until I have no choice to purchase Canon G9, OEM housing, Inon UCL165M67 and Inon D2000 type 3 in 2007. G9 was a great camera, shame oly. My daughter loves this camera and used it most of the time; and poor dad have to use the “old” SP-350. So, does make sense if I am thinking to upgrade my gear, right !
For topsite activities, I am currently using Oly E-620 with various lenses incl. macro 25 mm + the very powerfull flash Metz 58AF-1 + small FL-20.

I understood moving to DSLR is not only about big money to spend but it will change the way you’re diving, travelling and other more change. I am trying to explore all the possibilities of my next upgrade; cost is always an issue. Always nice to have a very compact system and if possible I would like to optimize what I have now.

Here are some options in my head.

1. Forget Oly, go with canon G11, OEM housing and Inon S2000 strobe w/ FO cable; approx. USD 1500 incl. tray and arms. The most compact option.
2. Same as option 1, but with third party housing and Inon Z240 + synch. Cable. Sure I’ll spend more than USD 2000.
3. Get PT-06 w/ standard port for the E-620. Buy PFL-01 UW housing for FL-20. Total cost approx. USD 2000 inc. tray and arm. I can use all my 14-42, macro 25 mm and pancake lenses. I’ll get full TTL flash but very small power.
4. Keep the E-620 for topsite; buy the new E-PL1 + PT-EP01 + PFL-01. Total cost less than USD 2000 incl. tray and arm. I can use all my 14-42, macro 25 mm and pancake lenses. I’ll get full TTL flash but very small power.
5. Same as option 3 above but with UW housing for Metz 58AF-1, instead of FL-20. I know BS kinetic manufacture UW housing Metz. No idea about the cost; can be very expensive as the housing is made of carbon fibre. I’ve sent e-mail to BS kinetic; no response yet. With GN58 topsite; not sure underwater but I guess can reach 5 m. Should be suficient for WA.
6. Same as option 4 above but with UW housing for Metz 58AF-1, instead of FL-20.

Any suggestion or better options ?

Yes, so many choices.

Here's another - Canon S90, FIX housing, S2000 strobe with F/O cable comes in at under USD2000. Option to expand with W/A or macro wet lenses.

Have a look here http://wetpixel.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=33984

Righto - the S90 is basically the same sensor and has controls for both Aperture and SS - all it is lacking is a hotshoe. So you won't be able to do a TTL wire connected flash - only optically fired.

Cheers
James

i think you'd be happiest with a solid compact system. this means the ability to add wide and macro conversion lenses. with the G11 its the primary issue, for wide lenses at least. the s90 triumphs in this fashion. I second Balrog's suggestion but if you wanna save $$ get the ikelite housing. it won't be as slick as the FIX, but its also far cheaper at $300. has a 67mm screw thread on the front to fit standard conversion lenses, and has a fiber optic strobe connection.

i just did a bit of research on this for a friend and can hazard to say the s90 is possibly the best compact UW option today. its got the G11's sensor which is much better than most compacts, full manual exposure control, and fantastic ergonomics with that front control ring.

Oh, I think the EPL1 is going to run rings around the s90/G11 cameras. The Panasonic GF-1 does already. Better, bigger sensor, better interchangeable lenses, much faster performance, on and on.

Here's another option; Pana GF-1, use all your lenses, but you may want one of the kits ones anyway. Buy a 10Bar aluminum housing with 2 ports for $1000, add in a new S&S YS-01 S&S strobe - TTL with fiber optics, and arms. You'll be at, about the $2k mark with the same size sensor as the E620, with DSLR performance, interchangeable lenses (both Oly & Pana) and HD video. All aluminum housing, semi dome port & fixed 20mm port; 200' depth rating. An expandable system too. You can hook up your Oly or Pan strobe to the included bulkhead too.

Jack

Except for shutter lag, it is fairly slow compared to most dSLRs, at least according to this chart OTH, I shot with P&S that were alot slower than those numbers

Thanks balrog, james and Undertow
Yes, you're right i should also consider S90 IF I want to keep compact. I look at G11 since I already have G9 and quite happy up to certain degree.
Until recently, I never considered bulky and complicated DSLR system. I always believe compact system would be suitable for a vacation diver like me. I don't have to pay extra for overweight; and I don't have to spend too much time for maintenance things.
I can shoot beautiful nudibranch and slow moving critters without major problem with my compact system.
But, different story if I want to take fast actions. As example, on my last trip to lembeh - Not very easy to shoot yawning frogfish and practically fail when I tried to shoot them catching a prey - if not too early, the prey already inside.

Although I include S2000 strobe in option 1; but actually I'am not really sure if FO is the best option; after my difficulties to shoot mandarin fishes mating when 5 divers with their camera surrounding small acrophora. Mostly overexposure (my strobe triggered othe strobe) or totally black as mt strobe was triggered by other strobe just before I push the button.
These are the reason why now i am thinking to go step further.

Jack, thanks a lot
EPL1 came to my mind after I visited your website and read your post and comment re. Oly PEN EPL1.
I do not consider Panasonic simply I don't know this product at all, never use it and not very popular here. In fact, there's only 2 cameras in my life - Olympus and Canon.
I'll read more detail.

Anyway; can i interprete the GF-1 + 10 bar is better than EPL1 + PT-EP01. Price wise EPL1+PT-EP01 is cheaper and no need to change the port. I assume its standard port can be used for 14-42, 35 mm and pancake. And if I need extra macro or WA I can add wet lens. Am I correct ?

I am still waiting the answer from BS kinetic for the housing for metz. I love if i can optimize my other equipment and not to maintain too many products.
This is the reason why also looking to use my E-620 not just for topside.

Regards
Wisnu

if you want to shoot action, then you need to consider how much $$$ you want it. i started out several years ago with a Canon s60 but got tired of fish tails (or less). spent more than i'd like to add up on housing, ports, flashes, etc. for Canon 20D. can take pictures of fish - yes. are my nudibranch photos any better than a compact with decent flash - good question? do i carry on or check another 25# of housings/ ports/ etc. - yes.

recently replaced the s60 (which died) with an s90 for my wife to photograph the grandkids. is it better than the s60? - yes. Is it any good for action photos? - no.

my recommendation for moving up is to look at an Olympus SLR with Olympus housing and an optically triggered Inon. Or look for a used system. The only problem with a used system is that it's unlikely to be TTL which i think is really important for somebody like you (and me) that do a limited number of dives - manual flash for fish and macro sucks.

as attractive as the Olympus EP-2 and Panasonic are for size, they still don't have the focus speed of an SLR

Panasonic has the focus speed of an avarage DSLR!!

I am a vacation diver; 3 – 5 dive trips within the region every year ; total 60 – 80 dives.

It sounds to me as if you could easily become a serious shooter on 80 dives a year, if your camera went on all of them!

If you are more interested in the occasional great shot than a procession of OK shots, I'd go for a camera with the maximum of manual control, and a housing that lets you use manual control easily ie probably a DSLR.

If you want to document a trip with snapshots, a smaller camera is going to interfere less with the pleasure of diving (taking an SLR is photography, not diving!).

Tim

There's arguments towards all these directions.

But the fact that you have an E620 system leads me to feel that you should house it and get either an Oly UFL-2 strobe, as it is integrated into their system with software that allows 2 way communication, or with a Sea & Sea strobe, as they are more powerful. You should put the money saved towards ports and lenses. Consider some Athena ports for their quality and versatility.

That system is pretty light, virtually weightless in the water and very easy to handle.
Unless you really want something smaller.

As to your specific questions, the Oly is lighter, the 10Bar is a bit smaller. Having interchangeable ports is a big factor, the semi dome for the 14-45 give much better wide angle than the flat port on the Oly, even with a wet add on. Both should do macro and fish portrait type shots well.

Jack

Note I am a dealer, but I do sell housings for all the cameras under discussion.

Heh. I could almost draw a flowchart for this decision matrix. I have used Oly compacts, Nikonos and now housed DSLR. But this is where I think you are in deciding what to get.

- Easiest thing for you to do is house your 620. It's a great camera, I'd pair it with a couple of Inon z240s

IF you don't want to house your 620, then:

- IF you want a small, compact system, stick with your G9 or upgrade to a G11, they are still the best P&S for now.
- IF you don't mind spending just about as much money as an entry-level DSLR system, but want compact with quality go with a new 4/3 system; however, they aren't THAT much more compact than a DSLR.
- IF you decide to go DSLR and you want the most flexibility in accessories, lenses, ports, strobes, etc, you have to go either Nikon or Canon. Your Oly 620 is a nice camera, but limited in options.

Honestly, after I went full housed DSLR with two strobes, there isn't any way on this earth I would be satisfied with either a P&S or 4/3 setup. After all, once you are down with the fishies my DSLR is close to weightless anyway

- IF money is not a problem AND you want the most flexibility and quality of photos, I think the Nikon DX DSLRs are superb for U/W because of their exceptional low-noise/high ISO capability and for no other reason than the combo of a Tok 10-17 and a Macro lense is just stunning. Of course Canons are great too.


p.s. After re-reading your post, the only other thing I would say is whatever you decide, get LOTS of flashpower. Ultimately, when you are at 80 ft. and trying to light the reef for a fisheye lens and get that split with the blue-sea and a diver silhouetted against a sunbeam, you CAN'T do that if you don't have two pretty powerful strobes.

Ikelite also does have a housing for the E620.

Jack

I got to play with the Oly PEN E-PL1 camera and underwater housing yesterday.

The camera seemed to achieve auto-focus a little faster than most compact camera's I've used, but much slower than my dSLRs.

The Olympus housing supports only the micro four thirds 14-42mm lens and the 9-18mm lens. There are no port changes (flat port only) and currently no wet lens support from Olympus.

Ok, had a long meeting with Olympus this afternoon.

The camera is awesome, but is very "dumbed down" out of the box. It has some great features, many of which are more easily accessible from their Super Control Panel. It works much better after a good tune-up.

Auto focus is very reasonable, and can be sped up by limiting some of it's perimeters that you don't use uw. The kit lens that ships with it, is ok, and will work for a variety of shots. It close focuses to about 4", better uw, but it will need a 2x macro diopter. The 9-18 is better, but still an f4 lens. I think that this camera would benefit from some better quality lenses - the Oly 17mm is awesome, but is not compatible with the housing, it will vignette. I think I might look at some of the Panasonic or Sigma offerings. Like the Zeiss 45mm macro. I've asked them to try to see what other lenses will fit the housing and they said they would. Be prepared with your biggest c.c. Good glass costs cash.

A couple of cool things. Two "My Modes", switch the whole camera around at a flick of a button. A programmable function button. One button movies and this is really cool - it will continuously auto focus while filming - something that the DSLRs can't do in video mode.

It's a budget housing, no doubt, but still quite functional. They were after a price point and I think hit it. The package for $1200 street price is awesome for the quality it will do, but it's best for macro and wideangle. All functions are accessible, it's compact and easy to handle. I have to question adding in the electronic viewfinder, we'll have to see how usable it is uw.

Ship dates are still up in the air a bit. Some cameras may get here earlier for pre-orders, but housings and most of the line probably won't hit until late March.

But all-in-all I think Oly has a real winner.

Jack

PS if any of you have specific questions or features you want me to look at, please post, and I'll try.

Guys . thanks for all nice responses


"The Olympus housing supports only the micro four thirds 14-42mm lens and the 9-18mm lens. There are no port changes (flat port only) and currently no wet lens support from Olympus."

So, I can't use my existing lens with PEN E-PL1 + PT-EP01; neither use my Inon M67 wet lens.
If this the case, the DSLR way seem more interesting.
Money is always an issue, don't want to spend too much (yes , it is relative) and can't go diving; considering what I have now, so I will stick with Oly.
Now, let see PT-06 with standard port - I assume I can use my 14-42 mm or macro 35 mm; isn't it ?

I just get a reply from BS Kinetic - they have UW housing for Metz 58AF-1, not cheap, more than Euro 700 incl. synch. cord.
I will assume with this money I will get the most powerful strobe underwater w/ true TTL for E-620. I'll check more detail with them;
With either Oly SP-350 or G9, I always shoot in full manual mode (camera & strobe) - typically for macro only.
For topsite, I am quite happy with the accuracy and power of Metz AF58-1. I believe I'll get some benefit w/ TTL underwater,
I want to hear if anybody use Metz AF58-1 or FL50R for UW. I think both very similar but Metz is more powerful.
I assume, with such high power of metz (GN58 air) I don't need dual strobe for underwater; as it will give more power than two Z240.
To minimize shadow on macro shot, probably i can pair with with my FL-20.
Please let me know if these are silly assumptions.

There is support for 67mm lenses using the Oly macro attachment.

Once again a housed strobe doesn't have a wide enough beam angle. Read what I and others have written you. The Oly UFL-2 works in RC mode giving 2 way communication. Nobody uses the PT-E06 with a hardwired strobe much at all, in fact Oly doesn't even stock the hotshoe connectors anymore.

The 35mm will work with the PT-E05, but not the best lens, the 50mm is much better.

Jack

There is an extensive report on the E-620 and PT-06, flashes and lenses at http://www.uwpmag.com look at issue 53 the latest one.

I am the same as you and dive about the same amount. Accepted the realisation that I will never match it with Alex Mustard.

I bought the E-520/PT-05 + standard port and 50mm macro and all up it cost me about $US2000 excluding flashes as they go on from system to system. This was a year ago and things change fast. I am very happy with results from my set up and it is so much smaller than most DSLR's I see on trips.

I am sure you will be happy with whatever way you go. If I was doing it today I would most probably go Pana GF-1 with new Inon housing and SnS flashes as they seem better made than the S2000 which is a great strobe too, I couldn't afford a pair of Z240's which I believe is the bees knees.

Reasons even easier to travel with and appears to produce outstanding images.

Sorry this is late haven't been here for a while.