Olympus 5050 - Which Housing

[jnberke]

I am looking to get an underwater digital camera and have been told the Olympus 5050 is a good choice. In terms of housings - what is the big difference (besides price) between the Olympus housing and a Light & Motion housing? The price difference is pretty huge, so there's got to be something.

Thanks

 

[Dee]

Apparently you haven't been to the Light and Motion website. The Tetra housing is metal and the Olympus PT housings are polycarbonate.

There are many other differences.

 

[Birdman]

FYI another option that people go with is the Ikelite housing.

 

[namtlar]

I almost went with the Olympus hosing, but it was suggested to me that I might consider the cost of the housing to the cost of the camera. Strictly speaking, look at the depth rating of the housing. There are no insurance companies that will cover a flooded camera, and if it floods, you now have some extra weight for your dives.

I decided on the Ikelite hosing, because of it's depth rating. I had checked out a few sites, and everything I found kept pointing back to the Ikelite, so based on that, I got it. I haven't regreted it. Access to the controls is easy, and since the housing is clear, I can actually see all of the camera controls, and how each lever is connecting with them. I've used it on about 40-45 dives now without incident.

I've just purchased the Ikelite Ds-125 substrobe, and that has added a complexity to the shots that I need to work out. I've only taken it out once, but all of the shots came out way over exposed. So if anyone has suggestions about resolving that, I'm all ears.

The following is the page where I've posted all my dive shots since I've gotten the C-5050.
http://namtlar.phpwebhosting.com

Cheers,
Robin

 

[Dee]

namtlar once bubbled...
There are no insurance companies that will cover a flooded camera, and if it floods, you now have some extra weight for your dives.

I beg your pardon? DEPP as well as H2O both have flood coverage. I've personally had 2 flood claims with DEPP and they've paid off as expected. Mine weren't camera floods but there are quite a few documented camera floods as proof.

 

[namtlar]

I stand corrected. That's great news. However, I will still stand by the assessment that I'd rather avoid floods in the first place.

 

[ssra30]

Avoid flooding in the first place in definitely desirable especially now that the C5050 won't be with us for much longer so if it floods in a year or two, you will have to buy both new camera and housing. Beside differences in depth rating, I don't know if the Tetra or Ikelite will less likely flood than the PT015 if you use it no deeper than 40M. I never paid much attention to the Tetra as I prefer the clear housing.
Personally I like the Ikelite for the bigger and easier to operate buttons, better design for the shutter release, better design of o-ring (at least for me, much much easier to clean and maintain). However this is my own preference only, other people may like or dislike it for exactly the same feature.

 

[Warren_L]

Dee once bubbled...


I beg your pardon? DEPP as well as H2O both have flood coverage. I've personally had 2 flood claims with DEPP and they've paid off as expected. Mine weren't camera floods but there are quite a few documented camera floods as proof.

Where would I go to get flood coverage? I have a c5050 with the PT-015. What are the premiums like?

 

[ssra30]

If you do google search for DEPP flood insurance, you will find the link easily.
The premium is not too bad but one catch is that you will also have to insure one set of regulator, one BCD and one more item.
For me, I insure my Oly 5050 and Ikelite DS125 strobe under flood item and my Ikelite housing, dive com, reg, BC misc under non flood item for total of about $5000 and the premium was around $US150 a year. This way I am covered for theft, misc accident etc as well. Don't add your housing under flood item as it does not get damage when flooded anyway and it will only drive the premium up if you list it under flood item.

H2O is also available for US resident. I think you get it through DAN.

 

[Dee]

DEPP

ssra has given you the same info I would. I prefer DEPP's coverage and insuring my dive gear is a good thing. Beast and I have almost $7500 worth of dive gear and cameras covered for about $200 a year. All it takes is one claim to realize the value of it. And I'm covered if I damage my rig in my own yard...alot of folks think the coverage is only away from home or during a dive trip. The peace of mind that my expensive dive gear is covered as well as my camera gear....times two!....is worth every dollar to me.