Tray arm and strobe setup for XZ-1 + PT-050 + PTWC-01

[glina]

Hello all,

This is my first post here so I'd first like to say hello to all forum members. All the information I found posted here has been very useful for building my first UW photo setup. Thank you.

I already got the Olympus XZ-1 with PT-050 housing and PTWC-01 converter. I also have a "dry" macro +8d filter/lens to try out before I splash out on a dedicated macro converter.

One thing I'm still shopping for is a tray/arm/strobe setup to use with it.

I don't really dive a lot, perhaps 20-30 dives/year but I hope this could change. I dive during vacation time in warm waters and typically travel with a backpack, thus my gear has to be light and mobile - this is a very important point.

As a strobe, I would chose between an Inon D-2000 and S-2000. Only 1 strobe at the moment. S-2000 is the obvious choice because of its size, but perhaps the modelling light on the D-2000 could prove itself useful for shooting videos. What's your opinion?

Both of these stobes are available on offers with trays + flexarm sets and optical sync cables at around ~500 EUR total. I could go with either a Fantasea 30cm or 36cm flexarm. Would that work fine for my system or should I REALLY upgrade to a ball arm set, even if it costs and weights more?

Which optical sync cable should I use? Both packages are sold with a 10bar INON-universal cable (the one attached with a velcro) but I could upgrade. Original Inon W55 cable set for PT-050 costs twice as much - is it worth it?. Is a 10bar Inon-Sea&Sea cable also an option? Is the PT-050 compatible with Sea&Sea connectors (10bar Inon-Sea&Sea cable), or is this a completely different system? I would like a reliable and a durable solution.

Thank you very much for your answers.

 

[jdfmail]

The 'modeling light' on the D2000 would not be useful for anything other than aiming the strobe. Perhaps some use it as a focus light but I don't think it's a good idea. It's definitely not useful at all while shooting vdo.

Arms are a personal choice...I use IDAS which is similiar to INON or ULCS. Some like the flexarm...but I imagine it's due to the relatively low cost.

Optical cables are basically all the same. The INON cable has very nice attachment but not sure how imortant it all is. For the XZ-1 you need the plug to fasten the cables to the housing. The plug is included with the INON cable...you have to buy the one that includes the plug. Do a search for the specific model number. I wouldn't recommend using Velcro with this since the housing has a protruding attachment point where the plug is installed.

Very annoying that Oly chose to not include the plug with the housing since I imagine that production cost would be about a nickle.

If I were you I would get a tray with alum arms, S2000 with INON cable and plug. Don't forget a nice focus light.

 

[glina]

Thanks for your answer jdfmail. I will pretty sure get the S2000 then. If I get this in a set, the tray+arm+inon mount end up costing me only around $50. This is a good deal I recon.

I also found out that the PT-050 is compatible with Sea&Sea connectors. This means I can get a 10bar INON-Sea&Sea cable for this set, which is much cheaper than an Inon W55 set.

For a ball arm, my choice here in Switzerland is limited to either Digi&Dive (~$200 for a basic set) or Nauticam or B&J (~$300). To import a ULCS set would cost even more so I think this is not an option at the moment, and I'd rather spend that money on a second S-2000 strobe.

Another option I'm considering is a tray+arm set from Hong Kong, such as this one:
Underwater INON + tray Compact Digital Set/red colour | eBay

I'm aware that these are not genuine, but look pretty well made. This is $150 shipped, and with an additional arm+clamp+double lens holder, probably around $220.

This is still quite a bit more, so perhaps it's better to start with a simple flexarm. Are flexarms really that bad?

You mentioned a focus light - is this really useful? I never really had problems with XZ-1 misfocusing on land, even in poor light. I dived with some P&S cams (Canon S95 and some Panasonic) and they were focusing OK without a focus light.

 

[cardog]

Unless you're only shooting in crystal clear water on sunny days, you need a focus light.

 

[glina]

I'm going to Palawan, Philippines (Coron & El Nido) this December. Can I do without a focus light in this location?

 

[cardog]

I'm going to Palawan, Philippines (Coron & El Nido) this December. Can I do without a focus light in this location?

I have no idea.... You can always just use your dive light as a focus light. If you do this, make sure that you move the beam of the light out of the frame after you have focus lock.

 

[glina]

I could get this:
Unterwasserfotografie, Fantic UW-Foto AG - Fokusleuchten Set Fokuslicht/Clog Shoe-Set

I think this is a Fantasea light. Would that work fine in my setup?

 

[cardog]

I could get this:
Unterwasserfotografie, Fantic UW-Foto AG - Fokusleuchten Set Fokuslicht/Clog Shoe-Set

I think this is a Fantasea light. Would that work fine in my setup?

That would work just fine.

 

[jdfmail]

I have one of those fantasea focus lights and feel it is useless. You need something with a wider beam IMHO. Although many people use it happily. I find it difficult to get the light in the right spot and need to adjust for every pic and I feel that I don't want to add another task.

Here is another inexpensive option that I see lots of people using over here in Asia.
Scuba Diving 44 LEDs Blue Dive Light Strobe Flashlight | eBay

BTW I got this tray and arm set up

Aluminum ARM TRAY set for DUAL INON underwater strobes | eBay

Quite nice actually. If you are only going with one strobe this store on eBay has many options.

 

[TheTrickster]

BTW I got this tray and arm set up

Aluminum ARM TRAY set for DUAL INON underwater strobes | eBay

Quite nice actually. If you are only going with one strobe this store on eBay has many options.

That looks really good for the money - looked at the auction, but the photos are not working, any chance of some photos with it set up?

Thanks!!