Info on Oly C-5000

[serambin]

I own an Oly C-5000 and have used it for the past year for non-marine purposes. The housing (Olympus PT - 019) for marine use will run about $125.00 and I am considering buying one before a vacation dive late this month. While I have not been involved in marine photography much, I have photograped using high end land equipment for many years.

Here are my questions:

1. Is an Oly C-5000 worth buying a housing for?

2. Will the built in flash have any effect underwater or do I need an external strobe at once? The trip I'm taking is to the Fl keys for lobster and most shots will be in 20' or less.

3. Is the Oly housing good and what depths are realistic (and safe for the housing)?

4. Will this rig give me any special problems?

Thanks in advance.

Stan

 

[scubaPT]

1. Is an Oly C-5000 worth buying a housing for?

2. Will the built in flash have any effect underwater or do I need an external strobe at once? The trip I'm taking is to the Fl keys for lobster and most shots will be in 20' or less.

3. Is the Oly housing good and what depths are realistic (and safe for the housing)?

4. Will this rig give me any special problems?

Stan,
The C-5000 is fine for taking u/w shots. I have been using one for about a year now and have taken a few good shots that I like, nothing that compares to some of the guys on here though. I would say it is worth getting the housing unless you have the funds to spend on another camera and housing. The built in flash works fine for close in shots. I have had my housing down to 110' with no problems, the housing is rated to 130'. I don't see any special problems using this camera over any other digital camera in a comparable price range. The shutter lag is bothersome so you need to take that into consideration when taking your shots, but that is going to be a problem with most of the lower end digitals. I think as long as you are use to shooting on manual and getting close to your subjects then you should be able to get some fine shots. I have a few shots in my gallery that you can take a peek at. Hope this helps

 

[DalTexDiver]

I also have this camera and have had good luck with it so far. You will need a strobe to get any kind of color on shots further than macro distance. I use the INON D 180 (now replaced with the 2000 I think). If you decide to upgrade you can still use that strobe with different connectors.

As mentioned, the delay on digital can be challenging so coral and sponges come out great but garden eels could present a problem.

This is my first digital u/w cam so don't really have anything to compare it to but what is great is unlimited number of shots and ability to immediately see results. Gives you the chance to make sure you got that scorpion fish or turtle.

And grease the O rings before every dive and be careful leaving your camera in camera rinse tanks. Getting knocked around by other cameras will make it leak in a heartbeat.

 

[amport]

I shoot with a c-5000 and the PT 019 and internal flash. It is very hard to get better UW pictures for less when you already have the camera. Take a look at the gallerys of the people who use the same camera. If the pictures are not up to your standards be prepaired to spend a lot more cash. For $125 you can get started add a strobe later or upgrade.
Good luck.