Recommendations for New Olympus Setup

[SethDove]

If you're using a C5050 with success I personally think the E-PM1 will do wonders for you; it's a huge step up. And at $500 for the camera, lens, zoom gear, and housing it's a steal. I have an E-M5 but was never going to spend what the housing costs for it. Just too much to spend when I don't do it for a living. I've also owned an E-PM1 for a while, and it's a fine camera--the most basic mirrorless model from Olympus...but again: quite a leap forward from the C5050.

 

[Onewolf]

If you're using a C5050 with success I personally think the E-PM1 will do wonders for you; it's a huge step up. And at $500 for the camera, lens, zoom gear, and housing it's a steal. I have an E-M5 but was never going to spend what the housing costs for it. Just too much to spend when I don't do it for a living. I've also owned an E-PM1 for a while, and it's a fine camera--the most basic mirrorless model from Olympus...but again: quite a leap forward from the C5050.

I agree with this assessment. My UW camera systems have progressed from Olympus C3040 in a L&M Tetra housing to an Olympus C5050 in a L&M Tetra housing to a Canon G10 in a FIX/Fisheye housing to a Canon T2i in a Nauticam housing. I recently got the PM-1 system 'deal' as a backup UW system and also because I wanted to experiment with a mirrorless SLR above water. So far the camera has been great and would be a huge upgrade from the C5050.

 

[reo]

I also have the PM-1, and it's really good. Instead of getting the M5 and underwater housing for $2100, get the PM-1 with housing and zoom gear for $500, and use the rest of the money for good lighting or a Zen Dome and a 9-18 mm wide angle zoom.

Ron

 

[chris196]

I agree. Get the EPM1. Take the saved money and buy the Zen dome for the 9-18. Get the 9-18, 60mm macro. Now you can use 3 different lens (14-42, 9-18, 60) all in the same port. Very versatile setup and you never have to change a port. This is what I do with an epl2. Absolutely love it.
I like the fact that the olympus housing is plastic. I'm not going deeper than 40m. It's very easy to use, very ergonomic and it's light. I can carry all this equipment along with an inon D2000, tray & arms in a carry on backpack. I also use an ipad with photogene app (very powerful). Again, all in the backpack. My travel profile is so small for the quality of pictures I'm getting.

BTW, I also own an em5 as my land camera(I ditched my nikon D7000). Fantastic camera, just not sure if I'll house it. I really do love the setup of what I have now. If olympus ever does a fire sale on the epl5 like the epm1, that will be my upgrade path.

 

[johnnyseko]

I'm following this thread while I wait for my EPM1 to arrive.....appears I'm going to dump a whole bunch more money into this setup! :doh:

 

[tamas970]

I'm following this thread while I wait for my EPM1 to arrive.....appears I'm going to dump a whole bunch more money into this setup! :doh:

Everything is relative... You saved ~2k$ compared to a DSLR or OM-D setup.

 

[TheTrickster]

EPM1 with a housing for 500$ - what a mega bargain! From your current setup you will notice a massive jump in resolution, speed and quality.

Been very impressed with my EPL3 and Olympus housing - I have 3 ports for it and I have no issues changing the port - quick and easy.

$500 for a EPM1 - go get one now! If I wasn't half way around the world I would jump on one. Mega deal.


Regards

Rich.

 

[johnnyseko]

Everything is relative... You saved ~2k$ compared to a DSLR or OM-D setup.

Yes, I'm pretty excited!

 

[Aggie Diver]

Can someone tell me, on the PT EP-06 housing, what sort of mounting / screw options does it have underneath?

Does it have a tripod screw mount?

Bonus question: would I be able to use an Ikelite tray I already have to mount this to it?

Thanks in advance.

AD

 

[Headers]

lol I have an e-pl1 set up i would sell . . .but seriously look at the epl5. Its pretty much the same as the OMD (same sensor, processor etc..) but without the mini-view screen and a different stabilization mechanism. Its substantially cheaper than the omd as well. I just bought the epl5 and I leave for Bonaire tomorrow to test it out!