Need help choosing setup

[Sputnikboy]

Sorry for the late answer but I was travelling, @Nemrod.

Would you rate these two fisheye lenses better than the Backscatter one mentioned earlier? They have pretty much the same price but this kind of lense definitely would help in my next destination I think.

 

[tursiops]

The TG is not really suitable for wide angle due otherwise the limited dynamic range and lack of manual control.

Disagree. The TG with the Backscatter 120-deg wide wet lens is pretty amazing. Yes, no manual control. Irritating, but not a deal-breaker. Dynamic range is an edge case; shooting into sun balls, for example.

For strobes you will want something that works with Olympus RC control such as the Backscatter MF-2 or the considerably stronger YS-D3 (for a TG or Oly camera).

Manual strobe use with the TG iw easy and quite sufficient.

You asked for an honest opinion, I am not a TG fan. But the upside is that if you get a good set of strobes they can move to a better camera rig in the future. Why do I not like the TG? No manual control, tiny sensor and lack of dynamic range. The TG is good at macro where the tiny sensor provides a huge depth of field and the microscope mode is intriguing and lack of manual control is not as limiting..

Thanks for being honest!

It is not uncommon to see the diver dumping a little water out of them.

I see a LOT of TG use by people on Reef trips, for example, as well as other trips. Once in all that time did I see a leak, and that was a string across the o-ring before closing. Dumb user error.

I think you will be very happy with the TG in the OM TG housing, you can do a lot with it.

Exactly.

On more suggestion, if wide angle is your thing, the Ikelite TG houisng has a wide angle dome port accessory that allows the use of the OM system fisheye adapter. I am quite intrigued by it.

Needless expense. Just get the OM housing and the Backscatter Wide 120-deg lens.

 

[Sputnikboy]

Thanks for chiming in Tursiops, it really seems that this camera is the best bang-for-buck I can get without breaking the bank.

If anybody has more suggestions for a solid video light to pair it up (other than the ones already mentioned), I will be grateful!

 

[grantmac]

I've picked up multiple M4/3 setups IN Nauticam housings for not much more than a TG7.
Used shopping can be very effective.