sp-350

[Larry C]

Yes, and yes. The firmware is available on the Oly website. It updates the battery charge indicator so that if you're using the lower voltage aa's (2.4v, compared to 3.0-3.3 for the CRV-3's), the low battery light doesn't come on after the first 10 or 15 minutes. If you're using the CRV-3's it's not an issue. There is also a huge variation in the quality of rechargeable aa's. There have been long threads on many camera related sites such as this one and Wetpixel on just which batteries to use. (Voltage, rechargeability and charge longevity being the factors). Honestly, I bought an R-CRV-3 locally when I bought my camera-and probably not an especially great one, and I typically get about 2+ hours of continuous use. That works out to 2 dives and a viewing session plus some topside camera use. If you can't find batteries locally, Thomas Distributing is often cited as a source for quality batteries and chargers on the internet.

 

[DesertEagle]

I'm going to pick up some NimH AAs and will test them in my SP-310 (firmware upgraded).

Today my PT-030 housing and 1 GB xD type H card came. I ordered from B&H on Friday. They are quick!

RAW files take around 5 seconds. JPEG SHQ store very quickly. Nothing feels sluggish.

The housing seems a little better made and designed than the Canon ones. I like the dual latches.

 

[Larry C]

The housing is pretty low maintenance and works well. Be sure to service the bulkhead fitting for the strobe ouput regularly though to avoid thread corrosion. After leaving mine capped for a few weeks I had a hard time getting it off to mount the cable.

 

[shark.byte.usa]

I've pretty much decided to get a sp-350, thanks to this thread and the price of an oly housing vs and Ike, I'm a newb and just want a starter camera/housing, I've been looking at the refurbs on ebay from olympusauctions, maybe trying to save a few bucks and not have to hassle with a mail in rebate, which I always forget to send in. I cannot believe I keep getting outbid, these people are paying more than online retail for a refurb with less warranty ( + sales tax regardless of state ). I just don't get it? Maybe I'll give it one more shot then order from buydig and B&H (housing), unless someone knows of a better price online than $195 (after mail-in headache).

Garrett

 

[Larry C]

Go for it before they drop the rebate. The original price was $399 and they sold for $300+ pretty much everywhere until recently. Just plan on doing the rebate and get it done the minute the thing shows up.

 

[shark.byte.usa]

Go for it before they drop the rebate. The original price was $399 and they sold for $300+ pretty much everywhere until recently. ...

The Oly rebate offer is good until 6/30/06 (postmarked by 7/30/06). I was looking at the ads last sunday and it was on sale at a brick and mortar store for $249+tax after rebate, so $195 probably is the best I can do, just thought I'd ask around before pulling the trigger.

... Just plan on doing the rebate and get it done the minute the thing shows up.

In a perfect world I was reading this thread and realized I hadn't mailed in my $30 rebate on my satellite radio receiver, which has been sitting in front of my face for over a month, I missed the deadline by 3 days...:11doh: Yes, I'm the guy the manufacturer's are counting on

 

[LindaBluedolphin]

oh Guru Larry, I have a stupid question about the download fix (you may not know the answer and it might just be rehtorical)....

If they (Olympus) knows a fix is required, and it appears the camera is flying off the shelf (I have been to 4 different stores and called 2 other strictly camera stores) none have it....why didn't Olympus fix the bug on the next production batch?

I sort of want to see the camera in person and play with it before I commit to funds, but when I do decide to buy it will be online, just haven't decided to commit yet.

 

[Larry C]

Often manufacturers update new units and Oly probably has, but generally there's a lot of shelf stock. For instance, they also have online updates for the Olympus Master software that comes with the camera. I went to update and found I already had the newest CD. The Oly website may have a serial # after which a change occurred or you can always find out from a service facility. Mfg's will send out svc. bulletins that say "from mfg. date XX/05-YY/06, serial #-00002468". Personally, I haven't bothered because I use the CRV-3's which have higher voltage to begin with and you don't need the update. I did all my fumbling around with store stock at Best Buy. I'm sure with the lowered prices and the rebate, the things are flying off shelves, and it may well be that when the stock is gone at the warehouse, Oly starts sending out an SP-360 or something like that (the SP-310 turned into an SP-320 with feature upgrades).
BTW, I'm by no means any sort of guru. I just happened to be about the first one to take a chance on grabbing one of these things with an UW housing, so I've stumbled around making mistakes longer than others-hence knowing what doesn't work.

 

[LindaBluedolphin]

Larry, you may not be a Guru, but you have been most helpful in this thread (and the other 350 thread that cropped up), I really do appreciate all the information you have provided, thank you so much!

 

[Cudabait]

SP-350 = Note in Bottle......

Well, Larry, here's a good one for you......

With all the interest I had and put into the use of my SP-350 and the new PT-030 housing, I had comforatbly shot lots & lots of topside pics, including a wedding (which I saved to disc) Now comes the good part...two weeks ago LaCuda and I made a quick trip to Isla Mujeres to do four days of diving. SP-350 included. First day we did two shallow dives (terrible with ripping current) Did not take the camera. Second day was a wreck dive and deep reef. Decided to take the camera. Big mistake! Got to ther wreck site, 85fsw, current was ripping, no down line to the wreck. Divers rolled off boat on the upcurrent side of wreck to make quick descent. Boat operator dragged his feet in handing me the camera from fresh water container. Took camera and put the lanyard around my wrist. Began descent into really strong current, finding myself on the downstream side of the hulk. Streamlined my profile by putting arms at side and finned like heck to get to the bottom. Blew though 1000 lbs air just to get to the bottom. I usually have 1200-1500 left after a dive. Decided to set up to take some pics. Guess what....yep...the SP-350 was gone!! Anyway in a 3+ knot current it was long gone, being slightly negative. Good side is I did not have the strobe attached. As it turned out, this wreck "C-58" was a good dive as far as marine life went. It was covered with large grouper, snapper, tropicals, etc. Super photo op. There were five or six very large eagle rays swimming in formation holding in the current...additionally numerous southern rays also there.

The second dive on a 60fsw reef was as bad as the first two. The dive leaders spent the last half of dives leading groups INTO the current. By design this shortens the dives. LaCuda and I tired of this charade, along with a jet pilot and his wife from Witchita Falls, Tx. We simply finished our own profiles, shot an SMB and waitied for the boat to get us. That ended their diving at Isla. LaCuda and I are through with diving on Isla Mujeres..it was not our first but it was the last. The little island is a great inexpensive place to enjoy the village atmospehere without getting killed by a gaggle of tourists and motorcycles, etc.

So, my SP-350 is now a note in a bottle...some where between Contoy and Cuba in the Gulf Stream. By now imploded and about the size of a hard boiled egg.

Now, how's that for a good Oly SP-350 story?

Now the good news! I've already replaced the camera and housing and have done the firmware update! At least I had the old Sealife digital along to finish the trip.

Larry, is there some firmware I can download that will clone the new camera I just got??

Regards,