E-PL1 first pictures - Anilao

[DSR-3]

Just returned from a (first)trip to Anilao, Philippines. Had a great time with a group from Underwater Photography Guide. What an awesome place.

First outing with new system, and first wet-macro experience.
System is;
-Olympus PEN E-PL1 in PT-EP01 housing
-HW Digital Adapter, S&S dual sync cable to strobes
-Dual Sea & Sea YS-90TTL Strobes
-BigBlue FF1.5 focus light
-Reefnet SubSee Magnifier w/DIY mount
-DIY Loc-Line Tray & Arms, and misc hardware

I never did try to sort TTL operation, but I think it's probably do-able- at the cost of greater camera flash power and reduced battery life. The best (found early and stuck with it) settings I found was to set the camera flash to 1/64 power, and set the strobes on 1/2 or full. I could get 2 long dives at ~80 pics each before the cam battery died (aftermarket battery was less).

Anyway, I had a great time, and was very happy that I made the upgrade from my 1 strobe & P&S setup. The whole rig fit's in a Tamrac carry-on backpack, which is key for me. Also, making the Subsee mount just before leaving was the smartest thing I did. I almost blew it off (again), but it turned out to be super usefull and I would have missed it in a big way. Still lots to learn and practice with the whole setup.

Large set of pictures here.

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[PHIL RUDIN]

This is the first use of the Nikonos style five pin cord I have seen. Looks good with this port and appears it would work well with most of the ZEN ports. Very nice images as well.

Phil

 

[scipionems]

Fantastic pictures DSR 3.
Thank you for the info about Olympus E-pl1 and subsee magnifier.
Scipionems

 

[deeper thoughts]

nice pix

 

[Life Aquatic]

I'm really impressed with the pictures DSR-3 ... I'm not as intimate with my EP1 (I have a lot to learn). I'm off to Thailand in November so I want to be able to photograph the 'small stuff' properly. I'm looking at purchasing the 9-14 mm and Zen dome for the trip. My first trip out with my camera was to Curacao in January. Only had one SeaLife strobe, with the 14-42mm standard lens and flat port.

Here are a few of pics from that trip ... I would really appreciate some advise on strobe output settings for the really close up shots. I have a habit blowing the subject away.

Thanks !

 

[swee sin]

nice shot!! seem like you going to crystal blue too!!

 

[DSR-3]

Thanks for the kind words.
Yes, Crystal Blue was good, and the whole Anilao area is really awesome.

As for suggestions or advise, I'm not too qualified to offer that. I'm very seat-of-the-pants when shooting, and I have quite a few over/under exposed shots to go with the good ones (1300+ in total). A couple things I did learn & use was 1. To resist the urge to point the strobes directly at the subject, but the try to use the edges of the cone of light more.* 2. I like Manual mode best- most shots were at 1/160 shutter (max setting w/flash) for attempts at black background shots, and I kind of stuck with that and worked the f-stop & strobe pos. mostly. *A great tip I got was when Mike Bartick watched me shooting a nudi, then (after trying to explain) took my rig and pointed both strobes directly in towards the port. This lit the subject with the front edge of light, but not the background. I spent the rest of that dive and much of the remaining ones working on that type of setup.

One great thing about the new cam, was that on average my first (and sometimes only) shot was exposed well. That left only focus to screw up! I have some good exposures of fuzzy crinoid shrimp... Can't wait for next time.

 

[CheddarChick]

So you are saying you only got 160 pix before the battery died??? Man...I'm not sure I like that. But I would love to know if I could use my DS51 strobe with the Oly Pen....

 

[DSR-3]

Actually, I don't recall that the OEM battery ever died, or showed low- sorry. A new Energizer and an ebay battery that came with the cam each died at least once at the end of #2 dive, and probably less than 160 pix. I learned to change at lunch ASAP and usually the OEM batt was able to recharge in time for dives 3&4. No more cheapo batteries for me.

 

[CheddarChick]

Sweet.....So do you wish you had waited for the Pen 2 or 3???? And does anyone know if I could use my DS51 with the new Oly???