Komodo with Olympus E-M1 MKII

[JackConnick]

Back from our Optical Ocean Sales Komodo Photo Expedition on the Damai 1.

We had 11 nights on the boat, with about 3-4 dives a day. We had a good trip but the weather was pretty bad and instead of ending at Maumere, we came back here due to very high winds. Allthough we're tired, everyone's disks are full of great photos and the DIVE Damai crew helped make the most of all our opportunities. Much more soon, here's a few photos to get started. All were taken with the new Olympus E-M1 MK2 in the Oly housing, with the 8mm FE, 60mm Macro and 12mm lenses. I used the new Saga Dive Trio diopter system for macro as well.

My initial thoughts are that the OM-D E-M1 MK2 is a great imager and a big improvement over the earlier MK1. AF in low-light is much better, and the performance is really good for macro. Battery easily lasts 3 dives, probably 4. I had some weird issues with TTL on macro with the YS-D1 strobes I was shooting - exposure would be great for 4-5 frames and them be totally over exposed for a frame. Never quite figured out what was going on.

I've put an album up of more shots from Komodo on Flickr for those interested.

I'll publish a TR soon.

Fish Eye with a Fisheye... ;-)

 

[Skeptic14]

Very cool, last shot really jumps out to me, also like the komodo dragon shots!

 

[vsc]

I had some weird issues with TTL on macro with the YS-D1 strobes I was shooting - exposure would be great for 4-5 frames and them be totally over exposed for a frame. Never quite figured out what was going on.

In your picture of the rig, it appears that the mask card was not utilized in front of the housing flash window. Did you have that part in place when you were shooting with the macro and the YS-D1?

 

[JackConnick]

No, I stuck a piece of tape in the inside over the clear window (why it's clear is a mystery, it could never be used for lighting). I also hate that card, it gets lost easily.
I'm going to be shooting the new Subal housing in the Socorros in a few weeks and am looking forward to using it.

 

[Ardy]

Hi Jack not sure if it's my monitor but the reds look almost OTT. I have noticed this on my digital camera's (all olympus) and mentioned it in another thread. This is an old film shot of mine (ignore the lack of sharpness). What do you reckon? I have never got over this, in my digital photography.

 

[JackConnick]

It may have shifted a bit when the jpgs were made and then uploaded.

 

[Deinonych]

Nice shots. What kind of floats are you using on the arms?

 

[dorsal]

I love the hawlfish. He almost has that "just take the photo" look my kid gives me.

 

[JackConnick]

Nice shots. What kind of floats are you using on the arms?

I like these medium 10Bar ones: Floats and Float Arms
They don't crush or absorb water. A little bulky, but workable.

 

[Deinonych]

I like these medium 10Bar ones: Floats and Float Arms
They don't crush or absorb water. A little bulky, but workable.

Thank you!