krukster86
Contributor
As the title states, I recently acquired a TG-5 that was bundled with an Ikelite housing for a good deal (at the time, the Olympus dive housing was unavailable everywhere). Previously, I have been shooting primarily video with GoPro since 2011 (Hero2 and Hero3+BE) with a Locline arm tray, illuminated by a SOLA 2000 video light (and sometimes a 1200 dive light). Additionally, I also have been shooting with a DSLR on land since 2013. As I progressed with my photography skill set on land, I quickly saw the limitations of the GoPro, since it really is a black box (literally with the Hero3+BE!), especially when it comes to macro subjects.
This led me to the TG-5. I have an appropriate Locline arm tray coming in the mail to re-use my SOLA video lights, and I have been watching Backscatter’s guide to shooting microscope mode with a video light (I will use the SOLA 2000). I have a dive trip to Turks & Caicos coming up in August, which will be my first time using this setup, so I welcome any tips and recommendations. My plan is to use the “cheat sheet” settings from Backscatter and just see what happens. I want to enjoy the dives instead of getting flummoxed with adjusting camera settings constantly.
My apartment complex has a small salt water pool on-site. I would think it would be a good idea to practice handling the camera and doing some macro test shots on some sinkable items that I can use as subjects.
Some beginner questions:
This led me to the TG-5. I have an appropriate Locline arm tray coming in the mail to re-use my SOLA video lights, and I have been watching Backscatter’s guide to shooting microscope mode with a video light (I will use the SOLA 2000). I have a dive trip to Turks & Caicos coming up in August, which will be my first time using this setup, so I welcome any tips and recommendations. My plan is to use the “cheat sheet” settings from Backscatter and just see what happens. I want to enjoy the dives instead of getting flummoxed with adjusting camera settings constantly.
My apartment complex has a small salt water pool on-site. I would think it would be a good idea to practice handling the camera and doing some macro test shots on some sinkable items that I can use as subjects.
Some beginner questions:
- Should I leave a desiccant packet in the housing for moisture? With the GoPro, I found that if I install the camera in the housing in an air conditioned room and leave the camera off until I am ready to enter the water, I had zero fogging issues. I planned to do the same with this camera.
- Do you typically leave the camera on throughout the dive and let it “go to sleep” when not in use? I am wondering what works best to maximize battery life.
- I would like to get into a routine for maintenance/inspection on the housing after each dive day. What do you guys typically do for maintenance?
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