Olympus XZ-1 and my 1st dive with it: A few questions.

[Cyrill Hauser]

I've been browsing this forum quite a bit and recently bought the Olympus XZ-1, along with the PT-050 UW-Case and an Inon Wide Angle Lens.
Now I've been "dry-testing" the camera quite a bit and really like it. I'll be diving Mauritius in March and would like to ask a few questions before I'll get my 1st dive done with my new equipment

1. I plan on taking quite a few videos, too. Sooooo, what settings should I use best for the Video function? Having read a few posts here, is the best option to set it on "C", put it on manual focus and do the manual white balance on each depth with a whitecard? Or should I use the underwater pre-set mode and lock the autofocus? What I_REALLY_ want to avoid is video footage that is blurry because the Camera does a lot of focus shifts...

2. Pictures! As I was given to understand, I should always pop out the Flash before putting it into the Case, right? I don't use any strobes or light, so I only depend on Area lights and/or Flash. Any tricks/hints you can give me?

3. General Tips with my setup? What are the Do's and Dont's? It's my 2nd time using an UW Camera. Tried it out in Palau with a 8-year old Sony Cybershot and loved it. That's why I bought the OLY XZ-1 now hehe.

4. I'm quite unhappy with the ESP-Mode. I'm always using Centered-Mode now and think I get better results... Anything I'll regret that way?

5. Wide Angle. I've never used it before. What do I need to know about it? Should I first try foto/video without it or go straight from the start?

It'd be very nice to get some feedback from you experienced guys. I'm an amateur and would like to make the best of it

Cheers
Cyrill

 

[herbdb]

Do a thread search for XZ-1 and you will find some advise. I just received my camera and have not used it yet. Going to Bonaire in two weeks. The reviews that I have read said that the housing did not allow much light from the built in flash. I would try it with the diffuser and see if you agree.

On my last camera, I preferred to use the wide angle lens full time. I found that even shooting close subjects, I liked the way the subjects were framed. Try it both ways and see what you like.

I'll post my impressions and results after I get a chance to try it. Let us know how it worked for you.

 

[cardog]

I've been browsing this forum quite a bit and recently bought the Olympus XZ-1, along with the PT-050 UW-Case and an Inon Wide Angle Lens.
Now I've been "dry-testing" the camera quite a bit and really like it. I'll be diving Mauritius in March and would like to ask a few questions before I'll get my 1st dive done with my new equipment

1. I plan on taking quite a few videos, too. Sooooo, what settings should I use best for the Video function? Having read a few posts here, is the best option to set it on "C", put it on manual focus and do the manual white balance on each depth with a whitecard? Or should I use the underwater pre-set mode and lock the autofocus? What I_REALLY_ want to avoid is video footage that is blurry because the Camera does a lot of focus shifts...

2. Pictures! As I was given to understand, I should always pop out the Flash before putting it into the Case, right? I don't use any strobes or light, so I only depend on Area lights and/or Flash. Any tricks/hints you can give me?

3. General Tips with my setup? What are the Do's and Dont's? It's my 2nd time using an UW Camera. Tried it out in Palau with a 8-year old Sony Cybershot and loved it. That's why I bought the OLY XZ-1 now hehe.

4. I'm quite unhappy with the ESP-Mode. I'm always using Centered-Mode now and think I get better results... Anything I'll regret that way?

5. Wide Angle. I've never used it before. What do I need to know about it? Should I first try foto/video without it or go straight from the start?

It'd be very nice to get some feedback from you experienced guys. I'm an amateur and would like to make the best of it

Cheers
Cyrill

You can't use manual focus with the camera in the housing. The internal flash works fine for macro but you will not be able to use your wide angle lens unless you buy yourself a strobe or two.