E300 Underwater - first dives

[rcolman]

I just completed my first four dives with an E300 in an Ikelite housing. Initial photos can be found at: http://photos.divebums.com/view_album.php?set_albumName=BritishColumbia.

Water clarity was poor and this impacts the images, but I am generally pleased with both picture quality and performance compared to my C-5060. However, it is a BIG package to take into the water and this takes some getting used to.

Incidentally, the first thing I did was upgrage the lense from the stock 14-45 kit lense to the 14-54 zoom. This was important because the f/3.5 kit lense was too dim compared to the 2.8, and the 14-54 focuses to 8" instead of the 12+" of the kit lense.

Is anyone out there shooting underwater behind a dome port? I still do not quite have the hang of how focusing works?

Rick Colman

 

[ReyeR]

Congratulations, I think you are the first on ScubaBoard to post pictures taken with the E-300 underwater.

How did you find its performance? Focus speed? And using the viewfinder underwater?

There are a few four-thirds users on DD.net - ask your question there. Here is a current thread: http://www.digitaldiver.net/yabbse/index.php?board=2;action=display;threadid=14548

 

[rcolman]

How did you find its performance? Focus speed? And using the viewfinder underwater?
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Based on 100+ dives with the C5060 in Oly housing vs. 6 dives with e300 in Ikelite housing:

* I can now do fish photography (no significant shutter lag and multiple fast shots)

* no out of focus pictures (focus priority shooting available) autofocus much faster than 5060.

* prefer viewfinder to monitor screen (surprise!!)

HOWEVER, no beach diving with this rig. It is too big and heavy to drag through the surf.

Rick colman

 

[CA Diver]

Great Shots. You have me chomping at the bit.


I just ordered the Olympus housing for my E-300. This will definitely be a learning experience. I had a C-3040, and the shutter delay made for great shots of a fish tail. I'm going to start with the standard lens, but it seems no one has the "zoom extender ring" in stock so I'm not sure how things will work to start.

Just the thought of bringing an $800 camera and a $1,300 housing on a beach dive makes me shudder. I'll save it for boat dives or dives from the stairs at Casino Point in Catalina.

 

[rcolman]

I'm going to start with the standard lens, but it seems no one has the "zoom extender ring" in stock so I'm not sure how things will work to start.

Not sure what you mean by this? According to Ikelite (if that is the enclosure that you are using) the standard 14-45mm lense requires a +4 diopter to work in the dome port.

Also, have discovered a minor problem with the dome port. At 14mm, a couple of edges of the dome port shade are visible at the extreme corners of the image. So, need to either remove the shade, cut it down a bit, or something ...

And yes, way too big for beach dives unless it is truly "lake laguna" conditions.

Rick Colman

 

[CA Diver]

Rich:

I am using the Olympus PT-E01 housing from Olympus. It arrives tomorrow so I will post after that on the fit. I will not get it into the water until at least the weekend and maybe longer as I have gotten very busy at work.

 

[CA Diver]

Got the new toy today. I just could not picture how the Zoom ring was going to work prior to getting the housing. Now that I have it and put it together I can't wait to dive with it.

A word of advice:

Regardless of what the tech at Olympus says prior to purchase you do not need to buy the "REPLACEMENT ZOOm RING" This truly a replacement part and the lens housing comes with this part. You only need to buy the camera housing and the lens housing.

After previously using a C-3040 and an Olympus PT-10 housing the most noticable aspect of this housing is its weight. WOW I will be able to leave a few pounds out of the Weight belt.

I can't wait to get some underwater shots.

 

[rcolman]

Got the new toy today. I just could not picture how the Zoom ring was going to work prior to getting the housing. Now that I have it and put it together I can't wait to dive with it.

I ALMOST bought a PT-E01, but they could not deliver one in time for my trip in early August. I would like to see it and compare to my Ikelite 6853. What are you doing for strobes?

Also, I am local in orange county. Let's get together and dive the rigs! contact me if you can get away.

Rick Colman