Which port should I choose for my E-PL3 housing for using 60mm Macro?

[Wild_Diver]

I am a E-PL3 user and want to get a 60mm macro for underwater photo shooting, the problem is that the standard port for the 4 LED lights PT-EP05L is not big enough to fit in the 60mm lens, may I know what is the best solution as of this moment for using 60mm in my E-PL3 housing?

 

[TheTrickster]

The original port from the older PT-EP01 and PT-EP03 (and also the new PT-EP10) fit the PT-EP05L Housing.

Now this part is not available as a standard part, BUT is available to service centres.

I posted in a earlier thread the part number you need is: VG657900



Hope that helps.

 

[PhilW]

Thanks Rich, this is very helpful. Do you happen to know approx price?

 

[TheTrickster]

Around 200€. Which I think is pretty realisable.

 

[nudibranco]

maybe you want to consider the Zen port WA-100 which is great quality glass, allows for addon macro with the adapter and a bit of velcro, and gives you better FOV with other lenses such as the kit lens or WA lenses. A bit more expensive though...

 

[TheTrickster]

Hi Nudibrano, I have the Zen port already, but putting a decent Macro lens behind a dome seems a bit odd.?

 

[Wild_Diver]

Hi Nudibrano, I have the Zen port already, but putting a decent Macro lens behind a dome seems a bit odd.?

ya, I feel the same way, but haven't seen any new port design for the 60mm macro yet

 

[TheTrickster]

ya, I feel the same way, but haven't seen any new port design for the 60mm macro yet

You won't - the PT-EP05L is 'dead' in terms of Olympus development. Your only options are:
1. Source the above 'old' port from a PT-EP01/03/10 and fit.
2. Get someone to make a port for you

Zen Underwater have no plans to make a 60mm port, as the current Olympus housings (ex the PT-EP05L and PT-EP06L) quite happy fit the 60mm, so the market for the port would be very small.

I have a PT-EP03 Port (as mentioned in my post above) on order, hopefully be here just before xmas. With that, I can use all the lenses the E-PL5 can use.

 

[nudibranco]

""Hi Nudibrano, I have the Zen port already, but putting a decent Macro lens behind a dome seems a bit odd.?""

Why? Underwater, a well designed dome should always be better quality-wise than a flat port but you lose the FOV by about 30% with a flat so if you are trying best magnification you generally prefer a flat port (but you may be able to focus closer so...). However the 60mm has already a large focal length (even too large if you think that I have the 45mm and sometimes I wish i had less for some small fish...). I have used my zen with the 45mm to simplify my switching of ports and frankly I would have not bought the 45mm except for focus delays in the large space between the port and the lens. Instead you should have a proper distance for the longer 60mm lens and I hear the 60mm is much faster to autofocus (reason I am considering buying it).

With the zen I could just switch for the 9-18 WA lens and for the 45mm macro without changing ports. After seeing the results I never used again the flat kit port from Olympus and used the zen for the 9-18, 14-42, 45mm lenses.

 

[PHIL RUDIN]

The magnification should be about the same behind a dome you will just need to get closer. I agree that using a macro lens behind the dome will render great results, not so much if you are trying to add a closeup lens. The 60mm is much longer than the Panasonic 45 macro so hunting on the port glass should not be an issue.

Phil Rudin