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WldAnimal:hello. I'm thinking of buying an Olympus digital camera for diving, but my biggest hesitation is that I do not see an option for adding any external flashes. Am I missing them?
WldAnimal:I'm probbaly going to buy a olympus digital camera, but doesn't seem like its worth all the extra money to buy the housing and strobe.
Unless someone can tell me that the strobes are not as expensive as I think.
WldAnimal:Ya, but I saw toward the cheap side when I see the 3.3megapixel reefmaster with strobe for only $600. Even though I would like to take down a higher quality olympus camera.
Yes you can add external flashes/strobes to all the housed Olympus digital cameras. I will however advise that if you intend to add an external strobe you should choose the camera carefully - if it is a full auto camera (no Manual shooting mode) then whether you can reap the full benefits of the external strobe is questionable.I'm thinking of buying an Olympus digital camera for diving, but my biggest hesitation is that I do not see an option for adding any external flashes. Am I missing them?
Get the Oly!! I went the cheap route with the Reefmaster and got the 3.1 MP and had fun with it and learned to take UW phtos with it but when I got the Oly 5050 it was like going from driving a pick-up to getting behind the wheel of a BMW.WldAnimal:Ya, but I saw toward the cheap side when I see the 3.3megapixel reefmaster with strobe for only $600. Even though I would like to take down a higher quality olympus camera.
calypsonick:Get the Oly!! I went the cheap route with the Reefmaster and got the 3.1 MP and had fun with it and learned to take UW phtos with it but when I got the Oly 5050 it was like going from driving a pick-up to getting behind the wheel of a BMW.
Things you can't do with a Reefmaster:
1. Control any settings - it is a point and shoot. Oly 5050 lets you modify many parameters to include aperture, shutter speed, film speed, sharpness, contrast, EV, and many more.
2. Although the Reefmaster strobes are nice for shots in the 1-3 meter range they cannot be adjusted. They fire at the same intensity. I found them to be too bright even with the diffusers and had to rig up some additional cloth diffusers especially for macro work. The internal flash on the Oly can be adjusted to different intensities and is quite powerful up to 1 meter.
3. You can get the macro lenses for Reefmaster which allow you to get as close as 6-8 inches from you subject but any closer and you are out of focus. The Oly 5050 allows you to get as close as 1 inch and this makes a big difference for all those little critters that are out there. I had many a frustrated day with the Reefmaster trying to get close to nudibranchs, shrimp and small fish because they often came out blurry.
Take a look at my gallery on SB to see what the Oly 5050 allows you to do with just the internal flash. I am saving up to get an external strobe.
http://www.scubaboard.com/gallery/showgallery.php/cat/500/ppuser/9874
So, in brief, spend a bit more now and save up for a nice external strobe that will allow you more control with your shots. Also, with an Oly 5050 you will have a nice camera to take great shots with above water too!!
I hope that helps with your decision.
Nick