Wanting to switch from Canon G12 to Oly E-PL3 lens question

[Scubanomad]

I been eying the Oly E-PL3 for a while and wanting to switch, but can any of you tell me if my lens I like the Oly 7-14mm (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0007WDH3I?ie=UTF8&tag=2012cc-20&linkCode=xm2&camp=1789&creativeASIN=B0007WDH3I) will accommodate in the PT-EP05 Oly housing? (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005FUTO7A?ie=UTF8&tag=2012cc-20&linkCode=xm2&camp=1789&creativeASIN=B005FUTO7A)
thanks

[DelrayDM]

Good question. The answer might be that it does not because it is not specifically listed here (http://reefphoto.com/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=6&products_id=5479).

There appears that Zen Underwater makes a port for it (http://reefphoto.com/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=80_126_89&products_id=5071), though I don't see it on the Zen Underwater website (http://zenunderwater.com/products.php)? ? ?

[chris196]

The lense you reference is for the older 4/3 system, not micro 4/3. It can work on the camera with an adapter, but will not work in a housing. For wide angle on m4/3 you should be looking at the m4/3 specific lenses which would be the olympus 9-18, the panasonic 7-14 or the panasonic 8mm fisheye. Zen makes ports for each.
Search on this forum as someone had to modify the epl3 housing to get one of the Zen ports to fit.

Note that the olympus housing for the epl3 only lists the 14-42 as being supported.
the oly housings for the epl1/2 would also support the 9-18 in the base housing. However, most people added the Zen port to get the full view which can not be achieved behind the flat port.

[PHIL RUDIN]

The way I see it you have four great choices in micro 4/3 lenses for underwater wide angle. From Olympus the 12mm F/2 and 9-18 zoom and from Panasonic the 7-14 zoom and the 8mm fisheye. I have used all four and each has its place. I like the primes best with the 12mm topping my list, followed by the 8 fisheye, 7-14 zoom and the 9-18 for its value. You may want to checkout the latest Underwater Photography Magazine, UWPmag.com and Nauticamusa.com for my review of the Olympus 12mm and Panasonic 8mm fisheye. I know the 12mm is not as wide as the other lenses but at F/2 it is very fast to focus, has great corner sharpness and focuses very close. I also like the fact that the 12 and 8 fisheye can be used with the same dome port. I have not tested the Zen Underwater dome port for the 8 fisheye yet but I would think the 12 would work well in that port. The 9-18 and 7-14 need different ports.

Phil Rudin