Sealife Micro 2.0 Pro 5000 vs Olympus TG5/Sea & Sea ys-d2 Strobe

[BCC]

I'm a returning diver with 15 recent dives and I'd like to ask your advice on the two finalist choices in still/video cameras I'm considering.

I'm planning on doing 25 dives in the Keys a year, plus a week diving vacation each winter somewhere more exotic and I'd like a camera to record my trips.

I have several hobbies and honestly don't think it's likely I'll be much more than a casual photographer, so a somewhat ease of use is a concern.

I like the Sealife Micro 2.0 pro 5000 for

• Simplicity
• No housing to worry about!
• Buy from my dive shop and it's a complete package
• Lights support still and video
• Controls seem almost idiot (me) proof
• Good quality video/average stills

I like the Olympus TG4/ Sea & Sea Strobe for

• Versatility of camera
• Better underwater stills
• Housing seems high quality
• Strobe
• Super macro
• Exceptional wide angle with extra lens

I realize I would have to get a video light if I end up wanting to take video deeper with the Olympus. And then there is the issue that the Sealife is $1400 and fully kitted the Olympus is over $2k.

I don't think I can make a bad choice here. I don't care about 4K video, I don't currently think I need RAW and I don't like to excessively experiment,....but I do like quality pics and I would hate to buy twice.

Thanks for any thoughts.

 

[Skeptic14]

My current setup is a tg-4, pt-056 housing, ys-03, ys-d2 and uwl-04 lens. I'm happy with the rig, it has it's limitations but it has overall served me well. I have never used a sealife camera so I can't compare, but you mentioned ease of use and not wanting to excessively tinker so fwiw, I just put my rig together this afternoon in preparation for a dive tomorrow and it took a couple hours, granted I take my time. I changed out a few o-rings and greased, charged all the strobe batteries and camera, assembled the arms and attached the WAL and then did my usual test firings to ensure f/o cables were working, strobes firing etc.

I believe with a sealife there is less of that to worry about, just something to keep in mind.

 

[deeper thoughts]

My current setup is a tg-4, pt-056 housing, ys-03, ys-d2 and uwl-04 lens. I'm happy with the rig, it has it's limitations but it has overall served me well. I have never used a sealife camera so I can't compare, but you mentioned ease of use and not wanting to excessively tinker so fwiw, I just put my rig together this afternoon in preparation for a dive tomorrow and it took a couple hours, granted I take my time. I changed out a few o-rings and greased, charged all the strobe batteries and camera, assembled the arms and attached the WAL and then did my usual test firings to ensure f/o cables were working, strobes firing etc.

I believe with a sealife there is less of that to worry about, just something to keep in mind.

I just ordered from backscatter the inon wide angle lens(uwl h100 28m67 type 2) Pretty interested to see how it handles Moray wide angle closeups

 

[KeithG]

If all you want is happy snaps, and are willing to stay shallow, then start by just buying the TG alone. Use it a bit and then decide if you need to spend more money for housing, lights, tray, arms, lens, ...

On a recent trip one of the divers had spent a lot of money on a system, but then had no idea how to use it. Looking at their pictures or videos made me cringe since everything was greeny blue (or maybe bluey green?).

 

[Skeptic14]

As giffenk points out, incrementally buying uw photo gear is a good idea; you can start with as few accessories as you want and add more over time if necessary for your use.

 

[BCC]

If all you want is happy snaps, and are willing to stay shallow, then start by just buying the TG alone. Use it a bit and then decide if you need to spend more money for housing, lights, tray, arms, lens, ...

On a recent trip one of the divers had spent a lot of money on a system, but then had no idea how to use it. Looking at their pictures or videos made me cringe since everything was greeny blue (or maybe bluey green?).

I won't be staying too shallow. If I get the TG, it would be with the housing. At that point, both cameras could go deeper than me.

I hope to do more than happy snaps. My diving skills are returning nicely. I find I spend most of recent dives barely moving and examining the reefs and marine life close up. I would like to be able to record what I see in a way that communicates well the beauty of what I see. And while I very much admire those with highly developed creative skills with cameras, I'm realistic enough to understand those skills will take more time than I have available, because of job, family and other time commitments. Perhaps I am being unrealistic.