New Diver - New Camera

[Terp Diver]

After months of research I have finally purchased the Oly C5060. I am looking forward to my first dive with it and I am wading through the multitude of choices. Ikelite or Oly housing, DS50 or DS125 strobe, type of strobe connection (slave, ev manual, TTL sync). By the way, what does "TTL" mean. As you can guess not only am I a novice diver but also a novice photographer. As I am not related to anyone named Gates or Trump, money is an issue but not the only issue. I am a gear hound in all my hobbies and am not afriad to spend a bit more if the extra $$$$ can be justified.

Any and all suggestions as to how to put together my underwater package would be greatly appreciated. After that help any help in how to take great underwater photos will be my next post.

Thanks.

 

[jlyle]

If $$$ is no object, go with the Ikelite housing, ultra light arms and two Ikelite DS-125 strobes = the most bang for the buck.

TTL = through the lens exposure. The camera meters the light through the lens and quenches the flash at the right time to control exposure. With TTL connection to your strobe(s), the camera does the work for you. TTL is almost "point and shoot." After using TTL for a while, most uw photographers I know have gone to full manual control.

 

[SuPrBuGmAn]

The Oly and Ike housings both allow TTL strobe control.

I have an Oly housing that flooded on my first trip, its supposed to get to Oly today and they are going to check it out and repair the camera. I'll be purchasing the Ike housing soon, which I should have done in the first place... DS125 is a great strobe if you can afford it, go with it.

Damn, the prices on getting these things rigged up all the way are expensive!

Welcome to the Board, by the way.

 

[pennypue]

With TTL connection to your strobe(s), the camera does the work for you. TTL is almost "point and shoot." After using TTL for a while, most uw photographers I know have gone to full manual control.

Hi jlyle,
Can you tell me why go full manual? And I am guessing this means they are no longer using the TTL? Are they able to get a better exposure once they get more experience and are able to handle manual?

 

[scububa]

After months of research I have finally purchased the Oly C5060. <snip>
Thanks.

I have been looking at the 5060, also. Would you share where you picked yours up and the cost?

Does anyone have any thoughts on starting out learning to use it underwater shallow and without strobes? Is this a waste of time (for picture quality and equipment learning) ? As pointed out and you all know, setting everything up gets expensive. Also, I figure there is a learning curve just handling the camera. I am interested the experienced feedback on if there is any merit in doing it in stages?

Thanks,
Jim

 

[SuPrBuGmAn]

I picked mine up at http://www.17photo.com for a fair price.

 

[Terp Diver]

I have been looking at the 5060, also. Would you share where you picked yours up and the cost?

Does anyone have any thoughts on starting out learning to use it underwater shallow and without strobes? Is this a waste of time (for picture quality and equipment learning) ? As pointed out and you all know, setting everything up gets expensive. Also, I figure there is a learning curve just handling the camera. I am interested the experienced feedback on if there is any merit in doing it in stages?

Thanks,
Jim

I went through B & H photo online at www.bhphotovideo.com. The are highly rated as an online camera shop and my experience so far with them was great. I got the camera in 2 days. I paid $499.95 for the camera, $89.95 for a 1GB card, and $39.95 for the 2 year olympus warrenty ext.. After months of searching there price was very fair amongst the "reputable" on-line dealers.

 

[David B]

Makes me cry when I see the prices you guys in the USA are paying for your gear. An Ikelite housing for my 5050 is $740 and the DS-125 strobe is $1,300 in the UK. No wonder the UK is known as Treasure Island by manufacturers around the world. I haven't bought these things yet and I'm seriously thinking of getting a flight over to New York and buying the gear there. It will still work out cheaper than buying it in the UK.

David

 

[jlyle]

Hi jlyle,
Can you tell me why go full manual? And I am guessing this means they are no longer using the TTL? Are they able to get a better exposure once they get more experience and are able to handle manual?

You can get better pictures using manual than relying on the camera's little brain. Plus, it's more fun to shoot manual. If you click on one of the links below, you will find a lot of my pictures.

 

[pennypue]

You can get better pictures using manual than relying on the camera's little brain. Plus, it's more fun to shoot manual. If you click on one of the links below, you will find a lot of my pictures.

Wonderful links, thankyou!!! The pictures were awesome. Since I've just barely begun diving I find it daunting that you know what all these critters are!!! I'm wondering if I should first learn WHAT I'm looking at, before I photograph it!! I'm off to browse your other links!!!! Got to love that free therapy........

When I finally start shooting, should I just start full manual?