WA option for EPL1/PT-EP01

[GMH]

Hi, I would like to move to WA shot. Understand the lumix 7-14mm has the widest view. Any problem using it on the EPL1? Any port availabe in the market now? Thanks.

 

[PHIL RUDIN]

You have three choices for excellent wide angle, 8 mm fisheye, 7-14 zoom (114 degrees on the wide end), 9-18 zoom (100 degrees on the wide end). Zen Underwater makes the ZEN WA-100 Pen Dome for the PT-E01 housing which can be used with the 14-42 and 89-18 lenses. I have used the 7-14 with an Athena adapter and the Olympus 170 mm dome port. A port for the 7-14 is being considered by ZEN Underwater and I am sure a port for the 8 mm fisheye will be develpoed by someone.

Image 9-18 at 9 mm with the ZEN WA-100 port.

Phil Rudin

 

[deeper thoughts]

You have three choices for excellent wide angle, 8 mm fisheye, 7-14 zoom (114 degrees on the wide end), 9-18 zoom (100 degrees on the wide end). Zen Underwater makes the ZEN WA-100 Pen Dome for the PT-E01 housing which can be used with the 14-42 and 89-18 lenses. I have used the 7-14 with an Athena adapter and the Olympus 170 mm dome port. A port for the 7-14 is being considered by ZEN Underwater and I am sure a port for the 8 mm fisheye will be develpoed by someone.

Image 9-18 at 9 mm with the ZEN WA-100 port.

Phil Rudin

Nice shot

 

[GMH]

Thanks Phil. I have never done WA shot. I guess shooting WA is to get close enough for the strobe to the main object and yet capture a big interesting back ground. Comparing the 9-18 mm and 7-14 mm, which one is better.

 

[PHIL RUDIN]

The idea of very wide angle lenses for U/W photography is to reduce the distance between the lens and subject. Being very close can reduce backscatter when using strobes and improves color saturation,sharpness and much more. I have used both lenses and prefer the more expensive 7-14 becuase it is what I am use to. My Olympus E-3 go to wide angle is a 7-14. Both are great lenses and ZEN will soom have a dome for the 7-14 in a few weeks. The 7-14/ZEN combo would be my first choice. I am not a big fan of fisheye lenses and will wait to see the Olympus 8 mm fisheye, I am sure a dome will be ready by then.

Phil Rudin

 

[JackConnick]

Zen Domes/Ports for the Panny 7-14 & 8mm FE as well as the 45 macro are due out towards the end of this month, although that may slip a little.

DPReview has an excellent article reviewing and comparing the 7-14 & 9-18. Basically they say the 7-14 is better, but at a much higher cost.

The 8mm FE should give the widest angle and sharpest corners, IMHO. Again, an expensive lens.

Jack

 

[GMH]

Jack thanks for the information. I guess I will wait.

 

[duskdiver]

Please guys, I am really waiting for a good WA option (especially fisheye 8mm) so please let me know if anything pops up on the market...cheers!