Lewis Churnick
Registered
The SeaFrogs housing for Olympus TG5 also works for TG6. The only significant difference I am aware of between the Olympus PT-058/9 is the clear back is now translucent.
However after using both Olympus PT-058 and SeaFrogs there are some differences I'd like to point out that are not in the description...
Here are some of my observations comparing SeaFrogs TG5 housing to Olympus PT-058 and a few notes, having both TG-5/TG-6;
1) SeaFrogs; lower price, easy to get outside USA
2) SeaFrogs has double o-ring seal compared to Olympus single o-ring
3) SeaFrogs has threads for both 52mm & 67mm external lenses. Had to use a 52-67mm adapter ring on PT-058 for my 67mm supermacro & wide lenses.
NOTE: I did much searching before purchasing a FantaSea UCL-09F 12x supermacro lens (found no info on adding lenses to TG-5 at that time in 2017). After no success I gave up on the lens. Later I found a diver using a similar 15x supermacro lens successfully. I tried mine again. I found the Accessory settings with Telephoto (TCON) to adjust the macro focal point farther from the camera to account for lens length. It worked, my tiny critter photos improved significantly... BUT you can't use TCON in Microscope Mode in the TG-5, only in Macro (fish) Mode. Same is true in the TG-6, TCON is turned off when you access Microscope setting. Bummer.
ANOTHER TG CAMERA NOTE: While microscope mode is truly exceptional be aware the Manual Zoom is mechanical optical zoom while the Super-Zoom function (when flash button changes function) is essentially merely a digital crop. While it does give you a better view of your tiny subject it does not truly give a 'bigger' photo. Using the supermacro lens with ACC TCON setting improved depth of field and image size in Macro setting.
4) Larger SeaFrogs lens port matters when I learned that having light shining too close to lens port causes heating of the glass, consequently the Olympus PT-058 port fogs for the remainder of the dive. SeaFrogs is less susceptible but still this can happen. Suggest turning your light off between photos or move it away from the lens port.
5) The flash port on the SeaFrogs housing is not useable as a flash, only for triggering a strobe if you purchase the triggering sensor separately. Sales descriptions do not point this out. Olympus housing has a diffuser over a functional flash port. If you are after a dusk shot of mating Mandarine Fish a flash is important if you use a video light instead of strobe. It could be possible to compensate low light conditions in A (aperture) Mode but you then must set all settings manually and auto-focus may have difficulty catching the very quick moving Mandarines mating.
6) SeaFrogs housing is larger, more bulky. But not horribly so.
7) 1 month into use the return spring for the SeaFrogs zoom lever broke. IMHO this is a significant failure. The housing can still be used if you are careful to line up the camera zoom lever during insertion AND remember to manually reset the housing zoom lever to neutral each use. If you forget the lever stays to the side causing the camera zoom motor to continue humming. There is a dealer in Hong Kong that sells replacements (SeaFrogs.hk) No response from SeaFrogs.cc factory. My repair is as yet unresolved.
8) PT-058 has a clear back (PT-059 changed to translucent). I liked clear when on the 2nd day I placed the desiccant pack improperly causing a slow flood. I could see the water level rising inside.That was the day I truly praised the TG-5 waterproof feature. It gave me a warning on screen "beyond maximum rated depth" yet kept shooting while I slowly adjusted to a shallower depth, then the warning message stopped. I rinsed the camera & housing thoroughly, cleaned, lubed & reset the o-ring. Next use it was fine and no trouble since. I counted my blessings. On a good note, the water inside the case cleared the fog from the inside of the lens port, restoring clear photos.
9) SeaFrogs housing is all black, not clear. It has an electronic flood sensor with battery which will eventually die. Replacement can be purchased from Hong Kong.
10) I have taken photos & video of electric clams with both TG-5 & TG-6. With the 5 in Oly housing no issue. The 6 in SF housing would not record the electric light pulses across the clam membrane. I haven't yet figured out why.
11) The SeaFrogs Mode knob does not catch traction well on the camera knob. Must press to one side for mode change. Fortunately the TG-6 can access Microscope setting in Macro Mode submenu.
I hope some readers find this review useful. I own both housings and both camera models discussed. I have not been compensated by any company for this review, and it is based on facts from my direct personal experience. I find precious little helpful commentary on this topic. Perhaps more will come in time.
However after using both Olympus PT-058 and SeaFrogs there are some differences I'd like to point out that are not in the description...
Here are some of my observations comparing SeaFrogs TG5 housing to Olympus PT-058 and a few notes, having both TG-5/TG-6;
1) SeaFrogs; lower price, easy to get outside USA
2) SeaFrogs has double o-ring seal compared to Olympus single o-ring
3) SeaFrogs has threads for both 52mm & 67mm external lenses. Had to use a 52-67mm adapter ring on PT-058 for my 67mm supermacro & wide lenses.
NOTE: I did much searching before purchasing a FantaSea UCL-09F 12x supermacro lens (found no info on adding lenses to TG-5 at that time in 2017). After no success I gave up on the lens. Later I found a diver using a similar 15x supermacro lens successfully. I tried mine again. I found the Accessory settings with Telephoto (TCON) to adjust the macro focal point farther from the camera to account for lens length. It worked, my tiny critter photos improved significantly... BUT you can't use TCON in Microscope Mode in the TG-5, only in Macro (fish) Mode. Same is true in the TG-6, TCON is turned off when you access Microscope setting. Bummer.
ANOTHER TG CAMERA NOTE: While microscope mode is truly exceptional be aware the Manual Zoom is mechanical optical zoom while the Super-Zoom function (when flash button changes function) is essentially merely a digital crop. While it does give you a better view of your tiny subject it does not truly give a 'bigger' photo. Using the supermacro lens with ACC TCON setting improved depth of field and image size in Macro setting.
4) Larger SeaFrogs lens port matters when I learned that having light shining too close to lens port causes heating of the glass, consequently the Olympus PT-058 port fogs for the remainder of the dive. SeaFrogs is less susceptible but still this can happen. Suggest turning your light off between photos or move it away from the lens port.
5) The flash port on the SeaFrogs housing is not useable as a flash, only for triggering a strobe if you purchase the triggering sensor separately. Sales descriptions do not point this out. Olympus housing has a diffuser over a functional flash port. If you are after a dusk shot of mating Mandarine Fish a flash is important if you use a video light instead of strobe. It could be possible to compensate low light conditions in A (aperture) Mode but you then must set all settings manually and auto-focus may have difficulty catching the very quick moving Mandarines mating.
6) SeaFrogs housing is larger, more bulky. But not horribly so.
7) 1 month into use the return spring for the SeaFrogs zoom lever broke. IMHO this is a significant failure. The housing can still be used if you are careful to line up the camera zoom lever during insertion AND remember to manually reset the housing zoom lever to neutral each use. If you forget the lever stays to the side causing the camera zoom motor to continue humming. There is a dealer in Hong Kong that sells replacements (SeaFrogs.hk) No response from SeaFrogs.cc factory. My repair is as yet unresolved.
8) PT-058 has a clear back (PT-059 changed to translucent). I liked clear when on the 2nd day I placed the desiccant pack improperly causing a slow flood. I could see the water level rising inside.That was the day I truly praised the TG-5 waterproof feature. It gave me a warning on screen "beyond maximum rated depth" yet kept shooting while I slowly adjusted to a shallower depth, then the warning message stopped. I rinsed the camera & housing thoroughly, cleaned, lubed & reset the o-ring. Next use it was fine and no trouble since. I counted my blessings. On a good note, the water inside the case cleared the fog from the inside of the lens port, restoring clear photos.
9) SeaFrogs housing is all black, not clear. It has an electronic flood sensor with battery which will eventually die. Replacement can be purchased from Hong Kong.
10) I have taken photos & video of electric clams with both TG-5 & TG-6. With the 5 in Oly housing no issue. The 6 in SF housing would not record the electric light pulses across the clam membrane. I haven't yet figured out why.
11) The SeaFrogs Mode knob does not catch traction well on the camera knob. Must press to one side for mode change. Fortunately the TG-6 can access Microscope setting in Macro Mode submenu.
I hope some readers find this review useful. I own both housings and both camera models discussed. I have not been compensated by any company for this review, and it is based on facts from my direct personal experience. I find precious little helpful commentary on this topic. Perhaps more will come in time.
