OM-TG-7 beginner set up advice

[justindaniels]

Hello,
I have been trying to decide between adding lights and increasing capability of my gopro vs switching to more dedicated photo ability and getting the OM-TG-7 and think I have landed on doing more photos.
Looking at the options, I would do probably 90% photos with occasional videos. Most of the photos would be reef fish with some macro and some larger animals that we happen across.
Next planned dive trip is Fiji in December so have time to practice a little and get the kit set up. We are planning Cocos in 2027 so would probably add a second probe and wide angle lens by then for expecting larger animal photos.

Here is what I currently have and am looking for any suggestions. This is close to max budget, but if higher value but near cost would be able to switch things out. I wasn't sure if the fiber optics and housing/lights would work or if I would need another. The housing and arms is something it was hard to find many recommendations on. Will the fiber optic cable need an adapter or should I be getting a different type of cable planning?
Anything necessary that I am missing for starting or anything not necessary? Any suggestion for swapping out items keeping budget in mind? Thanks in advance

The OM-TG-7 camera with the PT-059 housing with backup battery and charger.
Inon S220 S-TTL Strobe: Inon S220 S-TTL Underwater Strobe
Inon optical D strobe cable: Inon Optical D Strobe Cable
Inon Z adapter 1 " ball for inon strobes: Inon Z Adapter MV 1-inch Ball Adapter for Inon Strobes
Ikelite action tray Ii with left handle: Ikelite Action Tray II with Left Handle for Compact Housings
Ultralight base adapter for ikelite slr release handle: Ultralight Base Adapter for NEW Ikelite SLR Release Handle
3 Ultralight New style clamp with 1/4-28 thread: Ultralight New Style Clamp with 1/4-28 thread
Ultralight 3" double ball arm segment: Ultralight 3 inch double ball arm segment
Ultralight 6" double ball rod arm segment: Ultralight 6-inch Double Ball Rod Arm Segment

 

[kdlv]

Wow, that looks like a serious setup. I switched from GoPro to TG7 for photos mostly and... honestly I rarely miss the video stability of the GoPro. Depends on your buoyancy mostly. Some videos turn out to be fantastic. Some are rubbish, especially those in strong currents.

My setup is just the OM7 and a video light that I use my wide angle torch for. I had the objective to get a setup that is slim, light and easy to carry around in all diving conditions, without having to think about it too much. TG7 and its case bundle is much bigger than an action cam, but still compact enough not to worry about it in waves, tides, currents or other less-than-ideal conditions , especially if you spend the time to consider securing it properly to you bcd/wing.

It's a hit & miss configuration. Some shots are amazing, some are crap, but most are pretty good. If I can spend the time on a subject, usually I don't need extra lights and strobes.

Key question is "What you are trying to achieve?". If you are after good image quality memories, then TG7 with some extra lights is just enough. If you are after very high quality photos for exhibitions... then that's beyond my expertise. There are experienced pro photographers and plenty of wannabe influencers that are highly opinionated.

Inon 220 is amazing, do you really need all the hassle with handle bars for a point and shoot, or would you prefer to have it mounted on the case directly?

 

[justindaniels]

Definitely just a hobby vacation diver that likes to take pictures of fish! Not looking at be a pro or anything. Maybe print off a vacation photo book for our coffee table or small prints for the wall if any good enough.

I had thought about doing strobe with a flex arm or short arms off housing and could still be an option, not at all decided on using the tray with handle. Thought about doing that with the one side so I couldn't eventually add the second handle for a second strobe or video with idea of future dives doing larger pelagic animals in the photos and add some flexibility but would love to hear opinions with pros and cons experienced with both.

 

[Beth3141]

Hello,
I have been trying to decide between adding lights and increasing capability of my gopro vs switching to more dedicated photo ability and getting the OM-TG-7 and think I have landed on doing more photos.
Looking at the options, I would do probably 90% photos with occasional videos.

I recently switched from a GoPro to the TG-7 and am really happy with the TG-7. I'm just photographing memories, so not a serious photographer.

If I understand correctly, your list is what you plan on buying. To keep things as simple as possible, I bought the Ultralight arms (a 5" & 8") and clamps and use the Backscatter Mini Flash 2. Figured I could always add another strobe, but I'm happy with what I'm getting with a single strobe and find the Mini Flash easy to adjust on the fly. Then again, it's the only strobe I've ever used and may not be as powerful as the strobes you are considering.

I just ordered the hot/cold shoe adapter to mount my GoPro to the OM housing with 2 additional arms and clamps for my video light. I'd like the option of video for schooling fish and big critters. The only thing I'm not happy with is the Backscatter double-armed tray. The foam grips lasted about 35 dives; now have bare metal. I wish I had ordered a tray with firm grippers on the handles.

Enjoy the setup you decide on!

 

[justindaniels]

Oh that's a good idea, I could add the adapter and bring my GoPro with me for when I want some wide angle video! Thanks for sharing your experience!

 

[BFRedrocks]

This is what I have (two strobes and arms not shown) and honestly, I'm looking to sell it because it's just a bit too "automatic" for me. I like the manual control I get with my mirrorless setup more, but the TG-7 is certainly more compact. I just wish I could figure it out better.

 

[hdtran]

I (used to) use a TG-4: I started with the camera, housing, tray, single strobe on one side (back in 2016...). I use the Sea&Sea tray and the YS-03 strobe (in 2016, I got TG-4, housing, tray, strobe/arm for a bit over $900). Your choice of Inon strobe and tray is perfectly good.

I'd say that 25 % of my photos are about 1 foot away, 50% within 3 feet, and the remaining are farther out. Anything farther than 3 feet or so, the strobe really won't do much for you. Having the arm helps you get your strobe far enough away to reduce backscatter. Practice aiming the strobe away from the target, so the edge of the strobe illuminates the target. I found that helpful.

After a while, I added a focus light: I got the Neo Fix mini focus light with a cold shoe mount that fits on the housing's cold shoe. That was actually a huge help for me! The focus light helps me see, it helps the camera focus, and on night dives, it's bright enough to be a primary dive light. It's really nice because it has a broad pattern (no hot spots). The strobe will do the primary illumination for your photos anyway.

I do take a few videos. The TG-4 is adequate for video (and your TG-7 will be fine), but you'll find that your gopro can take much wider angle videos. I've seen folks use a cold shoe mount, and mount their gopro right on top of their TG housing. I think I'd rather focus on enjoying the dive than in attempting to take the perfect photo or video . Here are a few videos that I took using the TG-4 in 2022. (I'm pretty sure with today's software, you can do some white balance corrections on the day time videos).

night-dive-video

turtle-swim-by

eagle-ray-swim-by

So, my opinion: You've got a great set up.

I'd say the one additional thing in going from a gopro to the OM-System Tough camera: Shoot in raw mode, and do your white balance and adjustments on a computer. I am still using Lightroom (standalone legacy perpetual license, v6.14 or something, no longer supported). Take a clinic or a workshop--I did that, it really helped me. Here's a photo of the same octopus that was in the night dive video, with focus light and strobe, and no adjustments (just cropping):

night-dive-octopus-photo

p.s. I took advantage of the Memorial Day sales, and bought a TG-7 and PT-059 to replace my defunct TG-4 and now obsolete PT-056 housing... I'm keeping my Sea&Sea tray, YS-03 strobe, and focus light. Now, I've got to figure out a whole new set of menu structures, and a new software workflow--my version of Lightroom won't read the TG-7 ORF files...

 

[Wobbegong_th]

Looking from your setup, I had some suggestion.


Skip Ikelite tray & handle. Go for other brand that give you 2 handles that can be disassembly for packing.
(Ikelite tray & handle is difficult to take apart)

I'm Ikelite housing user for Oly M4/3, but I use other brand tray & handle. Mine is from a brand called "SUPE" like this.

Depend on where you live, there are a many Chinese-made handle & tray to choose from.
But if you're using 2 handles, you might also need a trigger on the right handle
Example of Right Handle Trigger

You might also need this item for connecting fiberoptic cable to housing
Fiber Optic Adaptor
or
another fiberoptic Adaptor

 

[Blackcrusader]

My setup is DIY tray and handles. Two Big Blue Video lights as can be used for both video and photos.

My old Hero 4 Black with Arkon Go Pro Mount. I might get the DJI Action video camera later on. TG6 video is excellent as well.

I get excellent macro from the TG6 and use landscape mode 16 x 9 for wider shots.

Already a good thread here with photos and videos.

Thread 'TG photos, Show us what you shot.'

Mar 22, 2021

A couple from Curacao I don't think I've posted before. From a TG-5 no housing or strobe.

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[Blackcrusader]

Getting hand held super macro video like this on a TG camera takes lots of practice. Any movement is amplified in super macro.