Upgrading to E-PL1 kit - get better WA lens or focus/video light?

[Byte Me]

OK, I'm a couple steps away from picking up a new above and underwater camera rig. All that's left is selling the old u/w rig, and one (or two ) final choices on the new kit.

I'm heavily leaning to the Oly housing, Macro adapter and Oly / Inon wet lens, Zen port for either the Panny 7-14 OR Oly 9-18. Also looking to add a focus / video light to my D2000 strobe.

So here's the question - do I get the Panny over the Oly lens, get a wider and arguably better lens

OR

Spend the ~$300+ difference in lens price on a better focus / video light. (Looking for light suggestions as well) For example, LIM Sola 1200 or Mangrove VC-2L6 vs Sola 500, Big Blue 3x5 or iTorch video.

Diving is split between Caribbean and green murky inland WI and Great Lakes.

Thanks!

 

[CheddarChick]

Man... I hate you......And what the heck..In WI you need a focus light & a WA....Have fun shopping and call me when you want to check it out in WI...

 

[under water]

Sounds like a great plan. The Sola1200 doesn't have the red LEDs, which I think is a nice feature of the Sola 600. You can use it for focusing at night without scaring the critters. I do like the higher output of the 1200. Here is a chart that compares them.
http://www.lightandmotionuk.co.uk/images/SOLA_NOV_2010_Specs.pdf

I'm not sure there is a dome yet for the Panasonic 7-14. I think you will find that the Oly 9-18 lens is not a limiting factor as you will need to stop down to 8 or higher anyway behind the dome to get decent corner sharpness.

I got the Oly lens and the Sola 600, for my E-PL1 rig so this is a little bit of "do what I did", but I would be curious to hear from others on their choices.

One good option is to get 2 of the INON LE550-W LED Video / Focus Lights. That would seem like a great way to get good coverage and redundancy.

 

[PHIL RUDIN]

The ZEN Underwater port for the Panasonic 7-14 zoom will be shown at DEMA and is ready now.

Phil Rudin

 

[Byte Me]

The ZEN Underwater port for the Panasonic 7-14 zoom will be shown at DEMA and is ready now.

Phil Rudin

Quick addition to this, I've been told the price of the 7-14 Zen port is the same $499 as the 9-18 port and the 7-14mm lens can use the 14-42 kit lens zoom gear by adding a shim so no separate zoom gear needed.