I used the board (and calling the shops a few times...) for 3 months before my 5 week (Lembeh, Palau, Dauin) trip to research the right setup.
In the end I went with:
e-pl5.
nauticam e-pl3 housing converted for the 5 (thanks Reef Photo)
2 ys-d1 strobes
For lenses:
60mm Macro and 8mm pana. fish eye.
Overall:
Wow! Coming from an e-pl1 I saw a big improvement. The AF is lighting fast compared to the e-pl1 and the IQ is very impressive. I also think the Nauticam housing was worth it in the long run.
Findings:
Despite the urge to shoot at high F stops (f16-22) found the 60mm macro lens to have much better IQ at f stops between f8-13. While I could not get the deep black I found the trade off worth it especially if you wanted full frame pics. Overall the 60mm lens is stunning
The 8mm wide angle is a cool and neat lens. However it took me 10+ dives to get the hang of it. you do have to be super close to a subject to get any decent photos. For wide shots you also have to really work the stobes. Also if the vis has to be good-great for decent shots. I am glad I bought it but some dives I wish I had bought the 9-18mm instead. However for shooting mantas, people, and whale sharks this is THE lens.
In the end:
This is my first time with a higher end setup and I found it worth every penny. I do wish I had more controls in the long run and maybe a few finder. I guess I have caught the bug and maybe need to upgrade to the e-m1?
Here are some of my pics, love to hear your feed back:
8mm shots:
60mm:
In the end I went with:
e-pl5.
nauticam e-pl3 housing converted for the 5 (thanks Reef Photo)
2 ys-d1 strobes
For lenses:
60mm Macro and 8mm pana. fish eye.
Overall:
Wow! Coming from an e-pl1 I saw a big improvement. The AF is lighting fast compared to the e-pl1 and the IQ is very impressive. I also think the Nauticam housing was worth it in the long run.
Findings:
Despite the urge to shoot at high F stops (f16-22) found the 60mm macro lens to have much better IQ at f stops between f8-13. While I could not get the deep black I found the trade off worth it especially if you wanted full frame pics. Overall the 60mm lens is stunning
The 8mm wide angle is a cool and neat lens. However it took me 10+ dives to get the hang of it. you do have to be super close to a subject to get any decent photos. For wide shots you also have to really work the stobes. Also if the vis has to be good-great for decent shots. I am glad I bought it but some dives I wish I had bought the 9-18mm instead. However for shooting mantas, people, and whale sharks this is THE lens.
In the end:
This is my first time with a higher end setup and I found it worth every penny. I do wish I had more controls in the long run and maybe a few finder. I guess I have caught the bug and maybe need to upgrade to the e-m1?
Here are some of my pics, love to hear your feed back:
8mm shots:
60mm:
