Oly SP-350 housing? pt-030 or Ike 6132.35?

[OzeDiver]

Hi, I just ordered an
Olympus SP-350 - $310.75
RCR-V3 & Charger - $43.07
1GB H-Type xD Card $58.74
TOTAL=$412.56 USD


cameras seems to be slightly more expensive down here in OZ then they are in the states.

Well here's my question should I spend te extra money ($500 USD) on an Ikelite 6132.35 housing or will the cheaper Oly PT-030 suffice($225 USD)? This is my first camera and am only new to diving and UW photography. I may considering getting a strobe(s) later on if i need them so don't really want to be limited to the oly flashes in housings.
So Besides the TTL conversion circuitry and depth rating (130ft vs 200ft). Are there any other major Pros and Cons to either housing. Macro & Wide Angle lens might be an option in the future too.

Thanks for any help!
Jordan

 

[RocketMan]

I also just bought a SP-350 (been playing with it for about 3 days and yes it was cheaper here alright) and have the same housing dilemma as you. This isn't my first camera, but it will be the first one I will use underwater. I plan on working with the camera top side to get all its idiosyncrasies figured out before using it underwater. Currently I'm leaning toward getting the Ikelite housing. I believe it is worth the extra cost because to me it seems that the Ikelite offers more options for later. Also, I can't seem to make up my mind on which strobe to buy, but that will be later. I’ve got to learn to crawl first. Anyway, I'll be interested to see what other replies/suggestions you get from those with more experience with the SP-350. Good luck with your UW photography and good diving.

 

[oly5050user]

I also just bought a SP-350 (been playing with it for about 3 days and yes it was cheaper here alright) and have the same housing dilemma as you. This isn't my first camera, but it will be the first one I will use underwater. I plan on working with the camera top side to get all its idiosyncrasies figured out before using it underwater. Currently I'm leaning toward getting the Ikelite housing. I believe it is worth the extra cost because to me it seems that the Ikelite offers more options for later. Also, I can't seem to make up my mind on which strobe to buy, but that will be later. I’ve got to learn to crawl first. Anyway, I'll be interested to see what other replies/suggestions you get from those with more experience with the SP-350. Good luck with your UW photography and good diving.

you get what you pay for..Go with the Ikelite,better made and has ttl ready circuit to go with their strobes..

 

[dbak]

FWIW - I went with the PT-030... took some decent pics with it in Cozumel and Grand Cayman last month, but after seeing them, I decided I needed a strobe. I found the FL-01 and PFL-01 housing... the only thing I don't like is having to spend even more for the tray and arm than I paid for the strobe and housing combined. I do like the fact that using these together, the included cable for the strobe works great with the underwater housings.

I'm in the process of building a DIY tray and arm... we'll see if I can still build things like I used to...

If anyone's interested, the pics are posted at: http://dbakapril2006.shutterfly.com/

They've not been corrected at all... I haven't had time to play with them yet. Last disclaimer... first time with the camera, and first time shooting underwater, but I think they came out fairly well!

 

[OzeDiver]

yea i think i will probably go with the ike...but can do other strobes work with the ikelite TTL conversion circuitry? and in your pics dbak did you use manual white balance?

 

[dbak]

I wanted to see what the camera did on its own, so I left it completely auto. Now that I've taken more shots with it, I'll start going manual with it.

 

[Eileentk]

I brought my SP-350 and the PT-030 housing less than a month ago and took them with me to Fiji along with my "older" Reefmaster camera, housing and digital strobe. Ended up using my new Olympus almost exclusively. Even without the strobe the pictures were way better than what I could get with the Reefmaster (even with either the wideangle lens or the 3X macro lens). I'm still learning my way with the SP 350 and the only problems that I had were getting the focus exactly right when I was zooming in on the small stuff. For my money, it wasn't worth getting the Ikelite housing. Eventually I will go TTL with this camera but when I do, I'll probably get one of the Heinrichcamp converters (pricey but may be worth it).