My Mode settings for E-330

[AbyssalPlains]

Hi all,

Maybe this is an inappropriate question to ask, so if my fellow E-330 users feel that way just tell me and I won't be offended. I don't want to come off as someone who wants to take advantage of what others use to get the nice shots they want. However, if you are willing to share your experiences, I would appreciate your input. What do you find useful for My Mode settings?

I haven't used my E-330 much yet, mostly because I don't get to dive very often. I am going to Kauai in a week and am looking forward to further improve my uw photo skills. I am still figuring a lot of basics out and haven't used my modes at all, mostly because I find them a little intimidating and wouldn't know what to set them to? I'm using twin DS-51's btw. Underwater I shoot moderate wide angle (14mm) and macro (50 and 105mm). Thanks!

 

[jlyle]

I don't use a MyMode setting on my E-330.

With my old C-5050, I had wet mount lens adapters that allowed me to change from macro to WAL. The MyModes were presets for various lenses and very useful.

With your dslr, you select the lens before you get in the water. You only need to make a few changes to the topside settings - WB (4800), Aperture priority or Manual, EV (negative for blue backgrounds), ISO, etc. for the lens you are going to use. Do this before you get in the water. It forces you to think about what/how you are going to shoot and becomes automatic after a while.

 

[Life-Is-Good-Diver]

You can see my website here, as I only been shooting the E-330 for 3 months, and have some great shots with it.

Flickr: Photos from fltekdiver

I use the p mode, and use 5400k to match my strobes on WB, ISO at 100, I shoot my Dual DS-125's on TTL, and use the EV - for blue back grounds.

I use a 14-54mm in a 8" dome port for all my shots seen in my webpage.

It does great for close ups as well as wide angles

 

[EastEndDiver]

I have been using an E-330 for about 50 dives so far this year.I usually shoot on manual BUT I have actually tried the "scene" modes for underwater macro and it seems to work very well.I use a 50MM macro lens in an Ike housing with a flat port.I have been using one Ike DS-125 strobe I also have a DS-50 which I intend to strart using in conjunction with the DS-125.I mostly use the 50 MM lens for the type of diving I do.

On manual I usually use WB=Cloudy ( this told to me by Cathy Church) ISO=100 .For shooting close as in 3 or less feet I start with Fstop=5.6 and speed 125 I then adjust as necessary from there.Strobe and housing is set on TTL.

 

[jlyle]

On manual I usually use WB=Cloudy ( this told to me by Cathy Church)

FWIW, on the E-330, you can set white balance to 4800, matching the output of your Ikelite strobes.

 

[Life-Is-Good-Diver]

I have been using an E-330 for about 50 dives so far this year.I usually shoot on manual BUT I have actually tried the "scene" modes for underwater macro and it seems to work very well.I use a 50MM macro lens in an Ike housing with a flat port.I have been using one Ike DS-125 strobe I also have a DS-50 which I intend to strart using in conjunction with the DS-125.I mostly use the 50 MM lens for the type of diving I do.

On manual I usually use WB=Cloudy ( this told to me by Cathy Church) ISO=100 .For shooting close as in 3 or less feet I start with Fstop=5.6 and speed 125 I then adjust as necessary from there.Strobe and housing is set on TTL.

Ive used the scene mode also, and they come out nice like you said.

f-stop at 5.6 seems a good starting point, but I usalley drop the speed down to 60-100, and only use 125 if I'm after a fish thats swimming pretty hard.

 

[EastEndDiver]

I have used the WB on 4800 and it works fine .I usually use cloudy so when I shoot on surface and I forget to set the WB back it still works.I've alsways had good results with 125 for speed and sort of keep it there .

I was very suprised at the good quality pics from the scene mode.

 

[gus055]

I have a E-330 that That I got on ebay. When shooting under water in manual or aperature priority the shots are out of focus. When the camera is set to underwater in the modes the pictures are not blured they look good not great.

I have another E-330 that I got from B&H Photo. This camera will shoot good U/w photos set to manual or aperature priority. The u/w setting in the modes does a good job also. Now that I know the diff between the two cameras, I will stick with shooting u/w with the camera from B&H photo. The camera I got from ebay has been tested by olympus and they say it is in specs.

I have very little experience in photography, and I dont understand how to get the EV correct, or even how to interpet the light meter on the camera to make adjustments. Any comments.


Sorry to HI-Jack this thread.

 

[jlyle]

Gus55,

When shooting in S, A, or P mode, you can preset the EV value on the camera. For dark blue backgrounds, an EV of -2.0 gives good results. Take a picture of the water and adjust as necessary.

When shooting macro, with no blue water background, use EV = 0.0.

In manual mode, the EV works like a light meter - when you half press, the EV value will appear - adjust exposure/shutter speed to give you the value you want.

 

[EastEndDiver]

Gus that is odd about the difference in clarity between two cameras .