Oly C-8080 and Flash

[AggieDad]

Everyone,

Thank you again for all of your advice. I think I have decided to go with the Oly C-8080 I have just two more questions. First, how does the Oly housing (PT-023) compare to the Ikelite. I have heard the Ikelite has a greater depth rating and that it is more rugged but is it worth $200 more ??? Has anyone had problems with the Oly housings ????

Also, those of you that have either housing, does the TTL connector (the cable that runs from the camera's hot shoe to the housing bulk head) come with the housing or is that a seperate purchase ???

Bob

It is a seperate purchase. I have not bought the connection converter from the place in Germany but I will later. Ikelite is definitely more rugged. I really don't think the depth rating is that important because I don't go that deep to take pictures. Like someone said here, If it is going to flood it will be shallow. I have not had any problems with the Oly housing yet. I have a YS90A flash with no connection cord. I just set it to go off when it senses the onboard flash. Not the best way but at my stage of experience it works. It is a good camera and way beyond my brain cells but I am catching up.

 

[divinman]

I have only about 10 dives on the new 8080 ike DS125 rig and I like it for the most part. Focus is slow and frustrating but when it gets there, the camera can take some great shots. You really need to know how cameras work to fully take advanage of this setup. I think the 7070 is the better option for those looking to just point and fire.

I am running the TTL bulkhead to the DS125 and it works very well. Sure beats having to shoot, adjust, shoot, move strobe......

Terry

 

[Taniwha]

Has anyone had problems with the Oly housings ????

I have the Oly PT-24 housing that is made for the C60. I have taken it down as far as 94' and had absolutely no problems with it.

Cheers,
Doug

 

[AUTiger]

If the extra $200 dollars is not a financial issue, and you're just looking for a mental justification, spend the money and buy the Ike housing. The construction and the TTL option are worth the extra money. Although the Oly housing is nice, handle the Ike and you'll see what you're getting for your extra $200. You'll also get MUCH better customer service if you have issues. Ikelite's customer service is wonderful.

Avoid the Oly flash like the plague. Its not worth the cost of the housing and flash for its very limited capabilities.

David

 

[coach_izzy]

If the extra $200 dollars is not a financial issue, and you're just looking for a mental justification, spend the money and buy the Ike housing. The construction and the TTL option are worth the extra money. Although the Oly housing is nice, handle the Ike and you'll see what you're getting for your extra $200. You'll also get MUCH better customer service if you have issues. Ikelite's customer service is wonderful.

Avoid the Oly flash like the plague. Its not worth the cost of the housing and flash for its very limited capabilities.

David

I second the opinion. The extra money is a good investment and well worth it.

 

[BobArnold8265]

Thanks once again. I wish I could get my hands on some of these housings but no one around me sells them. I find it difficult to buy things I can't touch first !!!! Money is also a factor. I hate the thought of spending the extra money if both housings work well. I don't dive beyond 130 feet so depth should not be an issue. I guess the basic questions are which housing is more likely to leak and which is likely to last the longest ???

Now one more question. What kind of strobe connector does the Oly housing use ??? I know the Ikelite uses an Ikelite connector and that they sell cables that will work with most strobes (some TTL others not). I've never seen any kind of a spec on the Oly housing. Does it also accept a Ikelite style strobe cable ???

 

[AUTiger]

Which is more likely to leak? I like the single large O-ring on the Ike. I think that the Oly uses two thinner o-rings like on previous models. With the Ike, you can easily see if the o-ring is properly seated. Most likely, if you flood the camera, it will be due to user error - you'll leave a hair in the seal, or you'll not notice when the seal jumps out of the track, or (as my friend did), you'll do something random like catch a corner of the dessicant pack in the seal. In all of these cases, the user is to blame.

As far as which will last the longest, I think that the Ike will be the winner. Having had both (for the Oly 5060), the Oly housing seemed more "disposable", while I could foresee sending the Ike back to Indianapolis (where Ike is located) for servicing every 12-24 months.

With the Oly, you'll have to use a slave sensor for the strobe. This is much less desirable than TTL. Only the Oly flash (do not buy) can be connected to the Oly housing. There are people who will modify your housing to accept a TTL cord for another vendor. If you're planning that, you might as well go Ike (although I'm not sure what you would have to do to connect a non-Ike strobe).

If you look back on the many threads on Ike vs. Oly, I don't recall a single instance where people have recommended the Oly over the Ike, except when the cost difference was a big issue.

David