Looking to upgrade to a mirrorless camera - any advice?

[Snoobles]

HI! I have been an underwater photo enthusiast for about 8 years. Generally I have always used Canon point and shoot cameras ranging from basic to higher end. I really don't want to go Slr because I like having a fairly small setup (even though I have a Nikon SLR). My current camera setup is a Canon S100 , Canon case, with a Sola 800 light and a Sea and Sea YS-D1 with a +7 bluewater macro lens.

What I have heard about mirrorless cameras response time lends me to think that would be a good option. Though I can't seem to find answers on if there is a good middle of the road option lens wise so I don't have to be limited to wide angle vs macro on a dive (like a good lens that allows both, with maybe a wet mounted macro flip lens).

I would really like to get a camera that is still fairly small, and a case that allows for wet mounted lenses without an adapter. Not having to use Velcro to connect to the strobe is a plus. I want to buy a wide angle lens this year or next and my current setup won't really allow for it. Plus my camera seems to be getting to the point where I have dove with it too much and the response time is slowing. Having only ever owned Nikons or Canons leaves me unfamiliar with other manufacturers.

Budget for camera and case I would say is $1000 since I may have to repurchase a macro lens.

Heading to Raja Ampat in December, so any advice is appreciated.


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[bvanant]

$1000 is not a lot for any kind of housed system. You can get an EM-5 and Oly housing for $1300 or so (list price is twice that but you still need to add lenses. You can use the 12-50 lens and get both reasonable wide and reasonable macro on a single dive. Sounds more like you should be looking at something like a P&S system but even there getting to $1000 will be very tough.
Bill

 

[jzipfel]

I've not used it, but the Olympus TG4 with housing might meet your needs. Seems to get pretty good reviews and it shoots RAW for PP.

tg-4 housing | B&H Photo Video

 

[Snoobles]

Thank you all. I did go by a local photoshop and they said for the price, and so as not to have to change out lenses between Macro and Wide angle I should consider the Canon G7X. Any thoughts on how that model compares to some of the mirrorless cameras, or just if folks like that model? Trying to gauge if getting a mirrorless is the correct call.


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[tamas970]

1k$ is a tight budget for any mirrorless systems that's not completely obsolete. The E-Pl5-6-7 would fit in with their respective Olympus housings but you'll also need at least one strobe & arm system which doubles the budget.

 

[JackConnick]

You aren't going to get there with a Mirrorless system for $1000, although there are some good sale prices starting in November.

I'd take a look at the Fantasea Sony Rx100III for the Sony RX100II compact over the G7X (review here). The camera is a little tiny bit older and that combo should be around $1100-1200.

Other than that, as the other poster said the Olympus TG-4 is an amazing camera and we have a complete set with a Sea & Sea strobe for $998. Lots of people really like them. I have a TG-4 review here.

Raja is amazing!

 

[Manneca]

If you want to upgrade, I'd look at sensor size. The larger the sensor, all other things being equal, the better picture you will get. I got an Oly E-PL5 (there are newer models out there). It's been a struggle, but I'm finally getting good with it. I'd like to house my dslr, but it's just too much of a hassle to carry all that on a trip. I have the Oly housing and two strobes. I just bought the 60mm macro lens which I do like. I have the lens that came with the body (17-42? I think). I started with a diopter for that lens, but i really don't use it much since I got the 60 mm macro since all I want to photograph is tiny stuff.

You might be able to get a used system for your price, but for the Oly E-PL5 or successor it will be much more than $1000. I'd suggest that you think about how long you might use the system and calculate a per year cost to make the decision.

 

[Snoobles]

Thanks all. I already have a YS-D1 strobe and a Sola 800 light and arms, so the $1k is just the camera and housing. I will definitely look at the options proposed above. Thanks for the recommendations and keep them coming!


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