Which housing/strobe for Oly e330

[dvleemin]

Hi,
I have an Oly e330 and now I'm starting to look at getting a housing and strobe for it. So I'm looking for some advice with that.

The research I've done shows that there are 4 housings out there:

Olympus
Ikelite
Fantasea
10bar

So now I'm trying to figure out the benefits of each one.

What I'm really not sure about is how this all works with strobes. For example I know that Ikelite strobes will work with the Ikelite housing, but what about Sea and Sea strobes? What does the Olympus housing work with for strobes? I do know that I want a set up that I can use TTL, so I think that will have an impact.

So here's what I think I need to consider:
- total cost (with strobe - housing cost along isn't enough)
- quality
- we don't do tech diving so down to 200' is good enough
- what controls it can operate
- availability and cost of ports

So any you could provide would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Darryl

 

[dvleemin]

In doing some more research, I came across something that said that the fantasea and 10bar housings are made in China by the same company, and are identical housings. . . so that really makes it a choice between 3 housings . . .

 

[jlyle]

Yes, you have three choices. If you want TTL, you will need a converter with the Oly or 10Bar housings. The Ikelite housing comes with Oly TTL built in when connected to Ikelite strobes.

I have the Ike housing and love it. One great feature is the ability to control strobe output by simply pushing buttons on the back of the housing. Another plus for Ikelite is the ability to use lens ports without diopters.

The Oly housing is smaller, if that's an issue.

 

[dvleemin]

Thanks for the reply.

So with the Ikelite housing, I can only use Ikelite strobes (if I want true ttl)?

Darryl

 

[Reefwalker]

I have a review of the 10Bar housing with the E-330 Olympus at http://wetpixel.com/i.php/full/olympus-evolt-e-330-dslr-and-10bar-housing-review/
This was written in June 2006 and I have now conducted around 150 dives with the housing and am very happy with it.

 

[Reefwalker]

sorry pressed send twice !!!

 

[jlyle]

Thanks for the reply.

So with the Ikelite housing, I can only use Ikelite strobes (if I want true ttl)?

Darryl

For true TTL you need a converter. I guess you could add a converter to the Ike housing to use other strobes...but, IMHO, you would be better off selling your existing strobes and going with the DS-125s.