Last week we've returned from a safari around Sinai, Egypt. Seen some lovely wrecks, and bunch of fellow divers.
Anyway I used my E-Pl1 and 10bar housing, and one YS110 strobe, 60% of pics were made with 9-18mm, @9mm.
First I had some leakage right on the second dive (first dive was a case-only check dive), not a disastrous leakage but still, I thought the main O-rings failed so I changed them to spare ones, next dive leakage again... about 8-10ml of water in the housing after 20 min. of diving. I pointed the dome downwards and continued the dive without pushing the buttons
I was very disappointed and tried to track down the problem. It seemed that there is a failing small o-ring (possibly improperly installed) at the menu select button, the metal parts started to corrode... after 2 dives, so I disassembled that button, checked both rings then greased 'em and installed them back, cleaned the metal parts... Next check dive without e-pl1, the housing seemed good, I pushed all buttons like crazy @ 38-40m... Rest of the dives were uneventful, no leakage...
The housing is quite good, except this minor flaw...
The dome port with 9-18 @9mm has medium distortion at the picture corners, but I can live with that, no distortion detected with 14-42. Moreover with 9-18 I had to tape the front inscriptions of the lens, as front lighting causes reflection artifacts (especially in silhuette type photos), these can really ruin your wide angle shots. (Or some can use an anti reflection screw in filter, or make one)
I liked the flash button, if i don't wanted to use my external flash I just pushed the lever on the housing and there is no need to turn my external flash off, and use the modelling light as a backup light, in wrecks etc.
Here are some shots of the trip, made exclusevely with E-PL1, 10bar housings and 14-42 kit and 9-18mm micro Zuiko and S&S YS 110 strobe.
North Safari-98.jpg | Flickr - Photo Sharing!
Cheers