considering Oly 5050, 4000, 4040

[cobra]

okay, i know that this question has been brought up fairly regularly, but... i'm looking at purchasing one of these cameras with their related oly housing and am looking for some feedback. i already have a sony p1 w/housing for underwater with a YX DS90 -- but i want something that allows me more manual control, and eventually addon lens would be great also.

my questions are:

how useful/necessary are the 'my modes' settings for underwater? eg does the fact that the 4040 doesn't have them constitue a major disadvantage?

how does the new placement of controls in the 5050 change the ease of use compared to previous models?

how accessible are the manual controls on the 5050? how does one focus manually?

other than pixel size, f stop and depth possibilities of the housings, what points would you feel the most important in deciding for or against one of these configurations and why?

and are replacement o-rings available for the housings?

thanks in advance for any feedback

 

[Dee]

cobra once bubbled...
my questions are:

how useful/necessary are the 'my modes' settings for underwater? eg does the fact that the 4040 doesn't have them constitue a major disadvantage?

The 4040 has one custom setting. I use it for basic underwater and the regular camera setting for land use. It's so easy to change settings that I don't consider it a disadvantage not to have more than one. And I seldom change more than f/stops and shutter speeds underwater.

how does the new placement of controls in the 5050 change the ease of use compared to previous models?

The reports so far is the controls on the 5050 are very comfortable and easy to use. Even the jogging (?) wheel on the left side.

how accessible are the manual controls on the 5050? how does one focus manually?

Can't say, I haven't actually used one.

other than pixel size, f stop and depth possibilities of the housings, what points would you feel the most important in deciding for or against one of these configurations and why?

As an owner of a 4040, the supermacro feature was the only thing that really made me think of upgrading to the 5050. That's not enough for me. But if I was a first time buyer, the 5050 would seem to have everything I need. The 5MP, clear PT-015 housing and it's features, and strobe choices would be advantages.

and are replacement o-rings available for the housings?

Yes. The o-rings on the door, the PT-015 has two, are user replaceable. It's always a good idea to have spares!

 

[sparky30]

I have a 5050 with a PT-015..
The controls (including the jog wheel) are really easy to use under water. I don't notice any difference when I use it on land or water.. That's a good thing.. Let's me concentrate on taking pictures and diving instead of fighting with a housing..
As for manual focus.. You can use it, but you have to use the buttons on the back of the camera to adjust it.. When you use manual focus, a portion of the LCD is enlarged/enhanced so you can tell when things are in focus.. It works, but I am not sure why you would want to use it.. The Autofocus is excellent above and blow water.. Its fast, and there are several different modes..(spot, ESP, etc..) Even for super macro stuff I would leave it on automatic.

 

[cobra]

as i look, i'm mostly hesitating between the 4000 and the 5050...

 

[Dee]

cobra once bubbled...
as i look, i'm mostly hesitating between the 4000 and the 5050...

Between those two, I'd go with the 5050. It has so many more useful features than the 4000 for not that much more money.

 

[cobra]

yes, i'd prefer to. though the price difference is almost double... and knowing that i'm aiming to replace the system make me wonder if i shouldn't keep the budget down as much as possible.

 

[Noodlefish]

I'm in a similar boat (if you'll ignore the pun) and was looking at the c50 zoom rather than the oly 5050. Anyone had any experience with it?

 

[Dee]

cobra once bubbled...
yes, i'd prefer to. though the price difference is almost double... and knowing that i'm aiming to replace the system make me wonder if i shouldn't keep the budget down as much as possible.

I didn't realize there was a big $$ difference. If you know you will be replaceing it, it's go the cheaper route. In fact, I know of a used C-4040 that's for sale if you're interested. That would be a good way to go too.

 

[ReyeR]

Hah, cobra, you're here too...

What are you going to replace it with?

Maybe with the C5050 you won't need to...... at least for a while.

 

[cobra]

to dee --
yes, i could be interested in a used 4040. i don't know if you'd prefer to post the info here or contact me at parisgal_at_mail.com

to reyer--
my next step, camera wise, will be out of the consumer range for the D60 or one if it's cousins. would really like to get away from the shutter lag time, i'd like the cleaner optics and more choices of interchangable lenses. if money was no object, that's what i'd be doing now. unfortunately i haven't won the lottery yet