Suggestions on XZ-2 + PT-054 Housing

[Picsnapr]

Hi all,
I found just two old threads about the XZ-2 used underwater. As of now I can get a used (recently bought) XZ-2 for a good price, and seeing the PT-054 casing also as low as $326, I'm getting tempted towards it.

How's the experience of others with this setup? Also, do you know if any other casings are available for XZ-2 (except the expensive ikelite )?

Thanks in advance...
Mithun.

 

[Wisnu]

Not XZ-2, few years ago I bought XZ-1 with PT-050 housing for my daughter. She was quite happy with the performance; read here her experience scuba diving, Melati D. Tulamben - 2011 and what she got with the camera.

 

[5teve]

I'm new to u/w photography and bought an xz-2 and housing earlier in the year. I have just got a used strobe (manual) to try out in the next few weeks, but I was impressed, being an 'amateur' Pictures can be seen here.. XZ-2 Images random assortment - not picked for quality.. just speed of assembling a catalogue for you to see
Taken only with internal flash (diffuser used also) - its first outing - shot RAW only and white balance corrected (as no filters were used) in lightroom.

I'm only about 40 dives into my experience.. hence the shots are good for me.. but not so good for more experienced users..

Steve

 

[Picsnapr]

Wow, not bad at all, Steve!
However, many of my friends online and a few articles, convinced me not to get this setup. So instead, I've now got a Canon S120 with an ikelite housing.
Yet to use it in a dive... Hopefully this weekend!

 

[5teve]

Thanks! The big advantage for me was that I got the camera for 'free' via a credit card points scheme.. so investment was minimal. I looked at the RX100 and the G16, but the housing options were a little pricey.. whereas the olympus housing was a steal and seems pretty good quality. I believe the sony isnt good for macro (mind you nor am I!) due to its sensor size.. the xz2 is quite forgiving for amateur divers with its smaller sensor and larger DOF.

I admit there wasnt too many opinions on the setup when i bought it.. but i'm pretty happy.. and I'm an above ground DSLR user. Good luck with your dives.. and hope to see some pictures soon..

Steve

 

[fbk]

I had a XZ-1 with the Olympus housing and external strobe, it was a really nice compact setup for the money. Then I decided to get into video, which was awful on the Olympus so I sold it, I believe the XZ2 isn't much better. But they are very similar cameras and for photos the XZ1 in manual mode was excellent, you use the dial controls for shutter speed and aperture, the housing was really nice to handle with M67 threaded port for adding on lenses if you choose.

 

[DazedAndConfuzed]

PT-054 seems to have a single o-ring. I'm wary of single o-ring housings, since my panny P&S housing, which has a single o-ring, has flooded twice. My old oly with 2 o-ring, has only flooded once (due to battery explosion while in rinse tank, pushing the o-rings out).