sp-350

[MXGratefulDiver]

I just checked on all the modes, plus the scene settings you used. I had flash on all of them except UW2 which is designed as a quick shot with fixed focus. It is your fastest setting (like the sport setting on land) It didn't flash, which it has in the past.
I went into the camera setting and had flash on sync 1, internal+strobe.

I pressed the flash button (lightning bolt next to power) and changed it from the circled lightning setting to the auto setting. Blink, flash. Give it a try. You probably have a base setting on the flash that needs changing. Just put it in the mode you want, and push the button till you get to auto, then retry it. If it has the lightning in a circle, the flash is off. All the flash modes are explained from page 43-47 of the advanced manual CD. I printed mine and keep it with me, but be patient, with all the settings available, these things really do take a couple of months of playing with on dry land to really get comfortable with all the different things you can do in manual mode. UW macro should fire the flash all the time. Mine flashes even pointed at a bright light. Only UW wide 2 has a no flash base setting so you can take quick repetitive action pictures. Do go into camera settings and make sure the flash is set on internal + strobe. If you've messed with it, and can't get it back to base settings, there's a reset in the menu as well. Good luck and yell if you still can't get it right.

Thanks Larry ... actually, I did try what you described above, but it's like the flash button is disabled in those modes (nothing happens). I haven't had time to go through the CD yet ... I may do that on the ferry on the way over to Sechelt. Otherwise, I'll just use the camera I'm familiar with and play around with this one locally till I get it.

I've decided to leave the strobe home till I get the camera figured out ... too many variables.

Appreciate all the help ...

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

 

[Larry C]

Sounds like a good plan. Take some time really getting familiar with the settings and controls. Took me about 2 months with all the manual settings available to get comfortable. Still, some of my best pictures are ones I took on my first couple of dives using the cameras underwater presets, especially the UW Macro.
You might also drop the camera by an Oly dealer and see if there's a problem with the flash circuit or something.

 

[Cudabait]

Wow!! I have to say this has been one of the most informative and enjoyable threads I have experienced on the "board". I know within a few days I'll be back on here, if not sooner. My Sp-350 and housing just arrived...it is still in the box and I'll get it out in the morning and start playing.

I have been shooting a sealife 310 full digital for the past few years. I understand that the Sealife slave strobe/flash will work with the SP-350. Is that correct?

Also, Larry you seem to have been a pioneer with this camera. Thanks for all the contributions you have made to date.

Regards,

 

[Larry C]

NW Grateful Diver has a SL960 on his, but from his previous post, I think the only place he's successfully used it yet is at home. His link fell apart on the first dive.

 

[Cudabait]

Well, I've been playing with the Sp350 topside this morning..So far I am really impressed with the camera. As Larry has said, playtime is the key ingedient. I have been using it so far in the preset modes and have shot all the way down to supermacro. Does great. I have not looked at the advanced CD yet. Couple of questions....the camera is firing a Sealife slave flash fine, However the resulting pic looks underexposed, like maybe the camera is out of sync with the flash? Also, the flash has movable/removable handle that should allow me to position it such as to avoid shadowing while in the supermacro mode. Any help so far?? I really love this little camera!!

Regards,

 

[oly5050user]

Well, I've been playing with the Sp350 topside this morning..So far I am really impressed with the camera. As Larry has said, playtime is the key ingedient. I have been using it so far in the preset modes and have shot all the way down to supermacro. Does great. I have not looked at the advanced CD yet. Couple of questions....the camera is firing a Sealife slave flash fine, However the resulting pic looks underexposed, like maybe the camera is out of sync with the flash? Also, the flash has movable/removable handle that should allow me to position it such as to avoid shadowing while in the supermacro mode. Any help so far?? I really love this little camera!!

Regards,

camera is firing the strobe on its preflash most likely..I have very limited experience with sp350,but just ordered one for one of our instructors on an upcoming trip.Had it in my hands and it does have a hot shoe.. use it with an ike strobe ,that would be the best way to go with a ike housing so that you get true ttl exposures..

 

[MMM]

Thanks for this very interesting thread. I was on the Olympus web site and noticed that they are pointing you to the FL-36 for this camera which lists for $239...and then the underwater housing for the FL-36 is the PFL E01 which lists for a breathtaking $679! I noticed there are some pretty good deals for the FL-20 and housing if you will get reconditioned/scuffed packages etc. Does the FL-20 work OK? Have you tried the FL-36? Thanks.

Since then, I got antsy and made the mistake of watching ebay too much. I now have an Olympus FL-20, which is weaker but does TTL on its way, as well as the UW housing for it. (about $215 total incl. shipping on both items, both new).

 

[Larry C]

I've been doing open water classes the last couple of weeks, and my boat is down, so I haven't had the strobe in the water yet. I also haven't built the arm for it yet, so I was going to try hand holding it this weekend, but spent my time following around students to make sure they didn't get lost or pop to the surface. Topside, it works great. As I mentioned previously, I used it in all light conditions, both in and out of the UW housing on TTL-auto and got fabulous results.

On the slave strobe question, I suspect the strobe is indeed flashing on the preflash. Many strobes have a preflash setting. You might check and see if you can adjust it. To be sure if this is the problem, take a picture in the mirror and see if your strobe is lit.

If I were going to spend that kind of money on a strobe (FL-36/FLE-01), I think there are a lot better possibilities out there-for that money you can get a top of line S & S, Ikelite or Inon and probably the ttl circuitry too.

 

[DreamingOfScuba]

Hi,

I've just purchased my first underwater camera, I chose the Oly SP350 with housing. I'm a little nervous about using it underwater due to the horror stories about flooding etc. Just wondering if anyone has any tips for a first time user which will help me not ruin the camera?

Thanks,

 

[Larry C]

READ THE MANUAL!!!! There are very good, explicit and overly cautious directions in the user manual for the housing. I did not take the empty housing to depth as recommended, but I did soak it in a tub of water for about half an hour, push all the buttons, etc. then check for any dampness or leakage inside.
Double and triple check the o-ring under bright light. If there is a salt crystal or a little cotton fuzz or a hair on it, it WILL leak. Make sure the little strings for the lens cover and screen boot are well out of the way of the housing when you close it. Put the dessicant in seam first under the camera and make sure it's tucked well out of the way when you close the housing. Open the housing only in clean environments, and take off your gloves and wash your hands first. Don't lean over and drip on it. Before you reclose it, hold it up to bright light (like the sun or your dive light) and carefully inspect the o-ring and closing surfaces. Don't spray water on the housing to clean it. Soak it in fresh water, and carefully wipe the salt crystals off the o-ring and groove before you regrease the o-ring. Don't use anything fuzzy to grease the o-ring. Clean fingers work. Make sure the o-ring is in straight and stays in when you close it. Redo your whole procedure, including the dunk tank test EVERY time you come back from a dive trip. Cross your fingers and be prepared to buy a spare if you flood. Most UW users seem to eventually, and it's usually user error.
Have a blast taking pictures, and as the song says "Don't worry, be happy!"