First Pix with E-PL1 and questions

[aquarius55]

This is my first post. Recently had a chance to test out new E-PL1 system in Olympus housing, snorkeling with manatees in Crystal River, FL. I used the Oly 9-18 wide angle lens with the stock port. I did not use my strobe. I realize that the forum recommends the Zen dome port, but I'm trying to stay on budget. I've learned a lot from this forum and have a few questions.

I thought it would be good to use the Continuous Auto-Focus setting, but have my doubts as some of pix are not in focus and camera goes in and out of focus in videos. Do most people use Single Auto-Focus?

Also, is the "Wide-Angle fish setting" basically just a color correction adjusting toward the blue?

Thanks in advance for any replies - counting the days till Palau & Philippines at the end of March!!!!!!

 

[under water]

I don't think there is enough contrast underwater to successfully use continuous autofocus. I use single auto focus at the beginning of a shot. I have found that if I try to re-focus during a shot, it more than likely will go out of focus rather than in focus. I don't believe this is unique to the E-PL1 though.
I don't use the underwater settings. Either do manual white balance or use auto WB.
I think you meant the Zen dome rather than the Athena dome? It is a better match for the m4/3 lenses.
You should get better results with a strobe but at this shallow depth auto white balance and/or shooting RAW should allow you to get really good results.

 

[aquarius55]

Thanks, Frank. Yes, I did mean the Zen port - SORRY! Thanks for the advice - from now on it's Single Auto-Focus and no "Fish" settings. I assume that I need to go back into the "gear" menu and turn off the underwater settings?

 

[Puffer Fish]

Thanks, Frank. Yes, I did mean the Zen port - SORRY! Thanks for the advice - from now on it's Single Auto-Focus and no "Fish" settings. I assume that I need to go back into the "gear" menu and turn off the underwater settings?

Make sure you shoot in raw... you can fix any white balance issues later.

 

[PHIL RUDIN]

Regarding your original questions 55, I like S-AF and find that C-AF does not lock on as well even on subjects that are moving. I have never used the W/A or macro U/W settings and prefer to shoot in manual mode with auto white balance and TTL or manual flash. I shoot RAW files and make white balance changes in LIGHTROOM.

Regarding the Olympus 9-18 zoom this is a great lens for its cost and understanding your need to stay on a budget itcan be used with the kit lens. At some point you will want to add the ZEN Underwater dome which can also be used with the 14-42 zoom.
The link to the ZEN website below shows the difference between the stock port and the ZEN port at the 9 mm (widest) end of the range.

I like you manatee stuff, wonderful animals.

Welcome to zenunderwater.com!

Phil Rudin

Our next workshop.

 

[deeper thoughts]

Thanks, Frank. Yes, I did mean the Zen port - SORRY! Thanks for the advice - from now on it's Single Auto-Focus and no "Fish" settings. I assume that I need to go back into the "gear" menu and turn off the underwater settings?

You have to be in P setting to get out of the macro/wide angle options.(Not sure if this comes up in any other settings)

 

[aquarius55]

Thanks to everyone for your quick replies and help!