C5050: Ike vs PT-015 no strobe?

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G

gzscuba

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Hi all,

My wife recently got me a C5050 as a present, and I'm thinking about how to build a system. I was thinking that eventually, I'd like to get an Ikelite housing with the TTL hookup to a strobe. However, I'm not really ready to sink the $1000+ on such a system. I've heard quite a bit on this board that the C5050 in the PT-015 is capable of some nice pics using only the internal flash. The Ikelite housing also has a flash diffuser, but I found a comment saying that the flash gets blocked in when the subject is close enough for macro. Is this a problem for the PT-015 as well?
I was sort of hoping to buy the Ikelite housing, use it with the internal flash until I (and my wallet) get comfortable with it. Is this a reasonable thing to do?

Thanks,
 
The PT-015 like my PT-010 has a built in flash diffuser on the front of the housing. It does not interfere with macro shots. On the contrary, macro shots will be the best shots using the built in strobe. It is in the "super macro" mode that the internal flash does not work by factory default as the lens is too close to the flash.

My personal opinion is that the prosumer cameras like your 5050 and my 4000 do not warrant the cost of an Ikelite housing. The matching Oly housing is more than adequate for the camera.

There are tray/handle/arm products available for the prosumer camera housings for you to eventually add a strobe to as well as a wide angle lens dock.
 
I agree with Gilligan. Go with the PT-015.

It is possible to force the camera to fire the flash in supermacro by putting it into "slave" mode and adjusting the intensity of the flash in steps from 1 to 10. But, you can get a lens shadow if you are too close.

The alternative is to leave the camera in "macro" and zoom in a little. The on board flash will work here, just fine. It's important to remember that you cannot be any closer than 8-inches from the subject in Macro to achieve focus!
 
I agree with Gilligan but one thing is to think of what your future idea's are the Olympus housing has been great to me and works fine for me some like the Ikelite housing and yes it can go deeper and seems to be more rugged .
 
Do you know if the sea and sea dx stay mounts correctly on the pt-020 housing?

thanks
Dave

Gilligan:
The PT-015 like my PT-010 has a built in flash diffuser on the front of the housing. It does not interfere with macro shots. On the contrary, macro shots will be the best shots using the built in strobe. It is in the "super macro" mode that the internal flash does not work by factory default as the lens is too close to the flash.

My personal opinion is that the prosumer cameras like your 5050 and my 4000 do not warrant the cost of an Ikelite housing. The matching Oly housing is more than adequate for the camera.

There are tray/handle/arm products available for the prosumer camera housings for you to eventually add a strobe to as well as a wide angle lens dock.
Click to expand...
 
I have the Oly PT015 for my 5050 and haven't had any problems with it. Most of the shots in my gallery are using internal flash only. And there are even supermacro shots out there (not in my gallery) using the internal strobe that are fabulous...I guess you just have to crop a little to get the black edge out.

I'd go for this combo and a strobe. I went for the Inon 220 instead of the 180...more power, more coverage and more manual controls. 11, I think. Those that have the 180 love it; I simply preferred the 220's differences for my needs (and the difference in price was only $30!)

And I'd spend that "extra" money on lenses :)
 
gz.... At this point you may have already made your decision. I have the Ike housing(5050 pre TTL) along with the DS-125 .... Fantastic setup...And have thought about the upgrade to the TTL chip .... plus there are a few other features that I like on the housing.

How long do you plan to be without a strobe ?? Cause I'm sure once you start you'll want the strobe to go along with it ;)

I haven’t used this housing (5050) without a strobe ...however I also have the old ike housing for the 30xx series .... I did use the internal flash on that with no problem (at least the pictures I recall prior to the strobe) ...If you put the WAL on the housing you will end up with a dark corner in the lower left side of the photo.

If you have specific questions to the Ike housing feel free to ask !!!

Scott
 
Greg - I also have the Ike. I looked carefully at the pt but decided to go for the Ike as it is much more sturdy (also bigger and bulkier though) and has greater depth limits. Also came with tray and arm. And once you buy the strobe to go with it, it just slots straight onto the arm no problem. You need to think about what sort of diving you are doing and what sort of photos you are looking to take. Both housings are fine, get the one that suits you best
 
Alcina, you answered one of my posts about cameras. I have looked at what several are using & I've decided on a 5050 w/PT-015. Now I don't know what to order for the attachments/accessories (i.e. arm, strobe, lenses, etc.) and....where to buy. Anybody have suggestions? Leaving for Cozumel soon & I'd like to get stuff ordered so I can practice with it.

Thanks,
Rhonda
 
Here are a couple of options. One is the loc-line arm and one is the ULCS arm(s). The ULCS is more expensive. These can be ordered from Yuzo in Japan. Check out his website as there are additional options to the tray setups if you want to add a lens dock.
 
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