Olympus E-PM2 announced for October; underwater housing?

[gustele]

I saw that the Olympus E-PM2 is announced. I am considering e new camera and housing as a successor to my S&S DX-1G and have decided for the E-PM1. Seeing that the new E-PM2 uses the same chip as the Olympus OM-D I would like to wait for this new camera.
Does anybody know if an underwater housing will be made for this camera? Or is a touch screen with most of the camera functions not compatible with an underwater housing?

 

[PHIL RUDIN]

E-PL5 yes on the housing, E-PM2 not looking that way.

Phil

 

[PhilW]

This is good news because I think the E-PL5 will be an excellent UW camera. I hope there will be a Nauticam housing!!

Edward?

 

[gert7to3]

The rear button and control dial layout is different on the E-PM2 vs. the E-PM1. You'll be sol regarding the current housing. Also keep in mind that when Oly produces follow-on cameras, housing production goes away pretty fast. And replacement parts like "o" rings disappear too.

Here's a review: Olympus PEN E-PM2 Compact System Camera - Hands-On Preview

 

[JackConnick]

Nothing from Oly or probably from Nauticam for the PM-2. I talked to LC Ng at 10Bar last night and tried to see if he was interested, but I kinda doubt it.
I think there will be a lot more support for the E-PL5, but I think the higher-end manufacturers may skip it, and continue to build their support for the OMD.

I actually liked the PM-1 quite a bit, and if you're looking for a bargain the PM1 and PT-EP06 tops my list.

Jack

 

[gustele]

Thanks Jack. I had looked at the estimated price for the E-PM2 and E-PL5. Quite high, so I decided to go with the E-PM1 with the PT-E06 housing. It topped my list also but then I saw that the successor was announced.
I have one question though: I love macro photography and I cannot find anything on a macro option on the E-PM1 itself (closest focussing distance?). And the PT-E06 housing has no 67mm threading for add-on macro lenses. Does anyone have experience with macro photography and the E-PM1 in the PT-E06 housing? What are the options?

 

[gert7to3]

Gustele,

There are two housings for this camera. The PT-EP06L housing has a 67mm threaded bezel which can accept macro and wide angle adapter lenses. This housing costs about $100 more unfortunately. It has 4 LED focusing/illumination lights.

The 14-42mm (II) kit lens has a close focusing distance of 25 cm/9.8" with a magnification ratio of: 0.19x / 1:53 (0.38x / 1:2.6 35mm equivalent)

 

[JackConnick]

You just need the macro adapter and lens for the PT-EP06. The PT-EP06L is $799 and the lights are a joke on it.

Jack

 

[Hania]

The rear button and control dial layout is different on the E-PM2 vs. the E-PM1. You'll be sol regarding the current housing. Also keep in mind that when Oly produces follow-on cameras, housing production goes away pretty fast. And replacement parts like "o" rings disappear too.

Here's a review: Olympus PEN E-PM2 Compact System Camera - Hands-On Preview

Hi peeps (will put an introduction post up later today), I was looking for info on the epm2 as well and came across this thread, while you may be right for some manufacturers I actually spoke with olympus about the epm1 because I am being bought a camera and housing for my 40th and I wanted something that would be good to use above water as well, they will continue to support the epm1 and housing for 5 years from October when it was discontinued (so all the way to 2017), this includes the housing o-rings and servicing. They also informed me that the housing can still be sent to them for servicing over that period, and the first 2 years are free except o-rings if they need replacing.

I hope this handy bit of info clears up any mis-guided opinions about Olympus as a manufacturer.

 

[tamas970]

I am still more convinced about waiting for a Nauticam or 10bar housing for my e-pl5... If we look at the e-pl3 options over here in Europe, the 10bar housing is not even more expensive than the EP05L.

10bar with flat port: 700EUR:
Neuheiten - 10Bar HS-DC-Op-EPL3 (Olympus E-PL3) - Aditech | Advanced Diving Technology

Oly PT-EP05L: 690EUR:
Olympus PT-EP05L Unterwassergehäuse (V6300510E000) Preisvergleich | geizhals.eu EU

OTOH, Once I want to check out the HMS St Istvan in Croatia (lies 65m deep - too deep for Oly housings).

...
I hope this handy bit of info clears up any mis-guided opinions about Olympus as a manufacturer.