I've been shooting SLRs on land since the late 70s and now DSLRs. Originally, I shot Nikon and now shoot Canon 7D and 5D2.... mostly I do nature, wildlife, and fine arts stuff. I've shot professionally (on land) on and off over the years.....
I have tried several solutions over the years for underwater - short of SLR housings that I could never afford. I had a couple of Sea & Sea Motormarine (original and II) film cameras.... More recently, a Canon SD500 with Ikelite Housing and AF35 strobes and a Canon S90 with Ikelite and AF35s. I was never happy with any of them.... UW photography never "took off" for me mostly due to the inadequate and limiting equipment I had.....
A couple of months ago, I was seriously considering taking the plunge and house my Canon 7D or 5D2. While researching "all that", I came across the PEN cameras..... Prior to that, I never gave Olympus much thought -- played with an OM2 in the 80s -- that's it. I always considered them 2nd tier to Nikon and Canon.
Everything I read about these new PEN 4/3 cameras seemed too good to be true..... Large sensors, SLR-like fast focusing, little shutter lag, excellent interchangeable glass, full manual, TTL flash, HD video -- and the kicker (my 7D has all the previous features) -- physically small so housings are not astronomically expensive.....
Skeptically, I ordered a PL2 with Oly housing, 14-42 II, Zen dome, and a pair of S&S YS-110a strobes. Total investment: Under $3k. Less than a decent housing and port for my 7D, let alone strobes. I've dove them several times now and have most SOPs figured out..... I'm extremely happy with the choice. I look forward to wringing out this system in the coming months and seeing what kinds of results I can come up with.....
As far as IQ goes.... I did some informal testing (on land) with my 7D/Canon 24-105L and the PL2 with 14-42 II -- I'd say the Oly gives the somewhat larger APS-C sensor 7D a run for its money. I can see a difference at 200% mag and at stupid-high ISO settings... but at ISO 200 and realistic magnifications, IQ is indistinguishable. Head and shoulders above the tiny sensors on P&S cameras like the S90.
Handling-wise.... I think the "SLR-like fast focusing and little shutter lag" often said about the PL2 is somewhat of an exaggeration.... My 7d focuses noticeably faster and has zero shutter lag. The PL2, however, is extremely fast for a contrast-based AF system and faster than the 7D in Live View, which is a fairer comparison. Compared to my previous S-90 and SD500, its night and day. I missed shots with those cameras all the time... not so far with the PL2.... If I were shooting a football or BBall game, I would not choose the PL2 over the 7D by any means.... However, as far as UW goes, I beleive the PL2 is plenty fast enough and MUCH faster than any P&S.
I have about a dozen dives planned this coming weekend..... will come back and discuss further....
IMHO, Olympus hit a home run with these little cameras.......
If UW PEN is a passing fad...... then I'm a moron.... This is here to stay, IMHO.
I have tried several solutions over the years for underwater - short of SLR housings that I could never afford. I had a couple of Sea & Sea Motormarine (original and II) film cameras.... More recently, a Canon SD500 with Ikelite Housing and AF35 strobes and a Canon S90 with Ikelite and AF35s. I was never happy with any of them.... UW photography never "took off" for me mostly due to the inadequate and limiting equipment I had.....
A couple of months ago, I was seriously considering taking the plunge and house my Canon 7D or 5D2. While researching "all that", I came across the PEN cameras..... Prior to that, I never gave Olympus much thought -- played with an OM2 in the 80s -- that's it. I always considered them 2nd tier to Nikon and Canon.
Everything I read about these new PEN 4/3 cameras seemed too good to be true..... Large sensors, SLR-like fast focusing, little shutter lag, excellent interchangeable glass, full manual, TTL flash, HD video -- and the kicker (my 7D has all the previous features) -- physically small so housings are not astronomically expensive.....
Skeptically, I ordered a PL2 with Oly housing, 14-42 II, Zen dome, and a pair of S&S YS-110a strobes. Total investment: Under $3k. Less than a decent housing and port for my 7D, let alone strobes. I've dove them several times now and have most SOPs figured out..... I'm extremely happy with the choice. I look forward to wringing out this system in the coming months and seeing what kinds of results I can come up with.....
As far as IQ goes.... I did some informal testing (on land) with my 7D/Canon 24-105L and the PL2 with 14-42 II -- I'd say the Oly gives the somewhat larger APS-C sensor 7D a run for its money. I can see a difference at 200% mag and at stupid-high ISO settings... but at ISO 200 and realistic magnifications, IQ is indistinguishable. Head and shoulders above the tiny sensors on P&S cameras like the S90.
Handling-wise.... I think the "SLR-like fast focusing and little shutter lag" often said about the PL2 is somewhat of an exaggeration.... My 7d focuses noticeably faster and has zero shutter lag. The PL2, however, is extremely fast for a contrast-based AF system and faster than the 7D in Live View, which is a fairer comparison. Compared to my previous S-90 and SD500, its night and day. I missed shots with those cameras all the time... not so far with the PL2.... If I were shooting a football or BBall game, I would not choose the PL2 over the 7D by any means.... However, as far as UW goes, I beleive the PL2 is plenty fast enough and MUCH faster than any P&S.
I have about a dozen dives planned this coming weekend..... will come back and discuss further....
IMHO, Olympus hit a home run with these little cameras.......
If UW PEN is a passing fad...... then I'm a moron.... This is here to stay, IMHO.
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ROFL!! Here you go: 
