Olympus 765 and UW photography?

[Bobbin-along]

I've tried rifling through the posts but since the search function doesn't like anything with less that four characters searching is tedius.

I own an Olympus C-765 which has served us extremely well for surface photos. Now I have to make a decision whether or not it's worth the 450$ for the underwater housing or to buy something that is more appropriate for underwater work. Does anyone have experience with this camera for uw photgraphy? Will it work well, or will others be more appropriate?

For the most part I'm a green photographer but sometimes there are things I just would love to take a shot of (most are non-moving items, or move so slow they might as well be non-moving). I have a budget of 700$ for this little endeavor and want to make the best use of my money. I dive in the PNW and have yet gone anywhere warm and tropical.

 

[Doug B]

I've got two C750's, and two PT-18 housings. I love the setup.


I'm no photo expert - by any measure, but for dark or backlit subjects, I use the built in flash a lot, and shoot in "sports" mode so the flash fires with every shot.

But, when it's nice and bright, I turn the flash off, and take the photo... or several photos with the flash on and off... and sort out the best photo later at home on the computer.

The video works very well...although don't bother turning the sound recording on... not much sound gets thru the case and recorded by the camera...

I haven't repaired (or had to repair) any of my buttons yet. I have installed new o-rings in one housing, but mostly because the original had some very small sand grains on it. I cleaned the o-ring up later, and will reuse it again. It's sitting in a clean bag, lubed with the special grease right now.

Sure, you can spend more.... but I don't think there's anything much better than the 750 (or 765) series camera in the oem housing....for a non-professional photographer.

 

[mddolson]

I have a C750 and my buddy has a C765 both with Ikelite housings.
I'd suggest a 1/2 diopter wide angle lens.


Mike D

 

[Randy-S]

I have used my c-765 on a lot of warm water dives. I thought it was easy to use and enjoyed it a lot.

Here are some Bahamas pics

Here our a couple of pics i took with no strobe.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v349/ranran/Bahama diving/BahamasDiving2005098.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v349/ranran/Bahama diving/BahamasDiving2005090.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v349/ranran/Bahama diving/BahamasDiving2005086.jpg

coz

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v349/ranran/Cozumel Diving/DivingCozumelNov04132.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v349/ranran/Cozumel Diving/DivingCozumelNov04129.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v349/ranran/Cozumel Diving/DivingCozumelNov04098.jpg

 

[Randy-S]

However i never used it in the PNW and i live and dive here also. i would think a strobe would be a must.
If you are interested in trying it out i have the housing for the c-765 but i lost the camera on our last trip to Mexico. that was a big bummer because i lost my cavern dive pics.

 

[Bobbin-along]

Thanks for the info everyone, and lovely shots too. Randy-S, I'm thinking I'd like to take you up on the borrowing the housing for a weekend so I can see just exactly if it's over my head or not.

 

[Randy-S]

I live in vancouver wa next to Portland OR. if you are near by you can take it for a spin. If you are not close check this out.
http://www.scubaboard.com/showthread.php?t=178863

i will give you a home town discount