Changing from C-7070 to E-330: What lenses?

[AbyssalPlains]

Hi all!

My C-7070 died after taking a little moisture (from rain, not from flooding) and I decided it's time to go DSLR. I have set my eyes on the E-330 but would love to get some input on which lenses you would recommend. Should I go with the Zuikos or is it worth looking at other brands (don't know which ones fit and are good)? Obviously, I want to get away with as few lenses as possible for both topside and u/w use. U/w I am primarily interested in macro (super close-up), topside I do exclusively nature, primarily landscape and close-up/macro. To finally have a telephoto option would be nice, too. Do I need separate lenses for topside vs. u/w use? If not, which ones do people recommend that work in both environments? What about external lenses that go on the outside of the housing? Is that only for point-and-shoots? I was thinking of getting the Ikelite housing, probably with Ikelite DS 125 strobes, unless there are better options. How can I make sure which ports will fit which lenses? Sorry for this onslaught of questions, I'm only beginning to get my arms around this....

Thanks to all for your help!!

 

[Reefwalker]

I am shooting with the E-330 and am using the 50mm macro primarily, it is a very sharp lens with lots of detail. I also shoot with the 35mm macro, though not as often. My housing also takes the 14-45mm zoom lens which is ok for wider angle stuff, but doesn't focus close enough at the 45mm end of things.
I shoot the 50-150mm lens on land and find it is adequate, though I am sure some of the higher quality Zuiko zooms are even better.
I have seen a couple of divers using the Sigma 105mm macro lens, but I prefer the 50mm with an add-on 'wet' close-up lens to get the same magnification as the 105mm and still be able to remove it underwater.
Heres a couple of pics taken with the 50mm -

 

[DesertEagle]

If you can afford it, the 7-14 Zuiko is a superb optic.

 

[jlyle]

You need three lenses for u/w: macro, general, wide angle. For topside, you can use those three plus a telephoto. Buy the best glass you can afford.

I have
a Sigma 105mm for macro ($),
the Zuiko 14-54mm (note, that's NOT the 14-45 kit lens) ($) for general purpose, and
a Zuiko 7-14 mm for wide ($$$).

For above water, I added the Zuiko 50-200mm ($).

IMHO, you should buy housings, ports, etc. from reefphoto.com; they have the information you need and good prices. B&H Photo Video for lenses.

 

[SeaYoda]

...I have
a Sigma 105mm for macro ($),
the Zuiko 14-54mm (note, that's NOT the 14-45 kit lens) ($) for general purpose, and
a Zuiko 7-14 mm for wide ($$$)...

You have the Ike housing don't you?
Are you using the 5" dome port with the 14-54, any shortcomings?
Are you changing ports for those three lenses for u/w use?

 

[AbyssalPlains]

I am shooting with the E-330 and am using the 50mm macro primarily, it is a very sharp lens with lots of detail. I also shoot with the 35mm macro, though not as often. My housing also takes the 14-45mm zoom lens which is ok for wider angle stuff, but doesn't focus close enough at the 45mm end of things.
I shoot the 50-150mm lens on land and find it is adequate, though I am sure some of the higher quality Zuiko zooms are even better.
I have seen a couple of divers using the Sigma 105mm macro lens, but I prefer the 50mm with an add-on 'wet' close-up lens to get the same magnification as the 105mm and still be able to remove it underwater.
Heres a couple of pics taken with the 50mm -

50-mm plus wet add-on lens sounds like a great idea. How much do those wet ones (haha...) run? The pictures you posted are stunning - did you take those with the 50mm alone or with the wet one added? I want to do real close-up macro topside, so I wonder whether the Sigma 100 would be more suitable for that? From what it sounds like, it seems like one has to decide before the dive what too shoot. The 7-14 wide-angle is tempting, but currently way out of range for me financially, so I guess I'll have to make do with the 14-54 Zuiko. It sounds like I should get that one no matter what. Since I have never used a dSLR rig and external strobes before AND I'll be taking the first steps with that at a new location (Florida Keys), I was also wondering whether it may be a good idea to start out with one strobe. On the other hand, I would hate to find out this is totally inadequate and then I'm stuck on my trip. What are your thoughts on this?

Thanks again,
Daniel

 

[jlyle]

You have the Ike housing don't you?
Are you using the 5" dome port with the 14-54, any shortcomings?
Are you changing ports for those three lenses for u/w use?

Yes, I have the Ike housing.

I use the 6" dome port for the 14-54 - no shortcoming and no diopters are necessary.

I have the 8" dome port for the 7-14 or the 14-54 - two different port bodies.

The Sigma uses a flat port.

 

[SeaYoda]

Thanks jlyle.

Thanks pteranodon for letting me hijack your thread.

 

[SuPrBuGmAn]

I currently use an E1 and E330, but neither have been housed for UW usage yet. Although my tax return should be here in a week, in which case the E330 will be getting dived!

I bought my first dSLR(E500) a year an a half ago. The 14-45 is OK, but not wonderfull. The 14-54, which I don't own, but have shot for a day, is much better and focuses quite closely for a normal zoom(still not macro - but makes for a great all around lense). The 11-22 is a fantastic lense for about half the price as the 7-14, its weather sealed, but not quite as wide - although its faster. I use it more than any other lense in my bag. I also have the 50, which is awesome, but I don't use it nearly enough on dry land. The 8 fisheye is a fun lense on land as long as you don't go bananas with it, I'd imagine its even more fun UW.

I had the 40-150 for several months, its a gem of a kit lense and very sharp. The 50-200 is a bit longer, weathersealed, faster, and a bit sharper. I'll be picking the 50-200 up shortly, just trying to figure if I want to wait on the newly designed one or pick up the existing version. The 40-150 is no slouch, so if money is a factor while starting out, I'd pick up the 40-150 in a kit package for dryland usage. I also have the Sigma 55-200, which is cheap and light, but not crazy sharp wide open, and has a bit of a warm cast to it - fine for goofing around on land.

I think if I had all the money in the world, my UW kit would consists of:
Zuiko 8mm Fisheye
Zuiko 7-14mm
Zuiko 14-54mm(or perhaps the 12-60mm that was just announced, if it focuses closely)
Zuiko 50mm
Sigma 105mm

 

[Reefwalker]

50-mm plus wet add-on lens sounds like a great idea. How much do those wet ones (haha...) run? The pictures you posted are stunning - did you take those with the 50mm alone or with the wet one added? I want to do real close-up macro topside, so I wonder whether the Sigma 100 would be more suitable for that? From what it sounds like, it seems like one has to decide before the dive what too shoot. The 7-14 wide-angle is tempting, but currently way out of range for me financially, so I guess I'll have to make do with the 14-54 Zuiko. It sounds like I should get that one no matter what. Since I have never used a dSLR rig and external strobes before AND I'll be taking the first steps with that at a new location (Florida Keys), I was also wondering whether it may be a good idea to start out with one strobe. On the other hand, I would hate to find out this is totally inadequate and then I'm stuck on my trip. What are your thoughts on this?

Thanks again,
Daniel

Hi Daniel
The pics I posted were both taken with the 50mm macro lens, the nudi was just the 50mm lens, the pygmy seahorse was taken with the 50mm and add-on wet lens.
I would go the Sigma 100mm lens for topside macro, the extra magnification will be excellent.
I always figure two strobes are better than one, but you can still get excellent shots with one strobe. It will certainly make you think a little more about correct strobe placement, than when you have two strobes.