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Bonaire Photography & Videography: Question for Oly SP 350 users
Bonaire Talk: Bonaire Photography & Videography: Archives: Archives 2006- 2007: Archives 2006-08-01 to 2007-12-31: Question for Oly SP 350 users
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Anthony Conforti (BonaireTalker - Post #18) on Wednesday, June 27, 2007 - 9:58 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

After reading all of the reviews and seeing the results, I have decided to get my hands on the Olympus SP350 for a 2nd underwater unit. (my girlfriend needs to use her camera and I don't want to hog it)
My question is this: What are my options with housings if I want this to work as a TTL system? Will the Olympus housing support TTL or do I have to break the bank with Ikelite? Any and all input would be greatly appreciated.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ron Gould (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #952) on Thursday, June 28, 2007 - 10:09 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

The Oly PT030 will not support TTL...

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ron Myers (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #477) on Thursday, June 28, 2007 - 10:24 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Take a look at this link. I have not used this (I went with Ikelite) but it gets great reviews at Digital Divers Network, an underwater photo web site.
http://www.heinrichsweikamp.net/blitz/indexe.htm

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Anthony Conforti (BonaireTalker - Post #19) on Thursday, June 28, 2007 - 12:17 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Ron,

Thanks for your input. I did more research after I sent my message out and found something that said the Oly housing would not comply with TTL. I also saw your link in another thread and did check that out. Does that adapter go with the Oly housing to make it TTL capable? I was a little confused with the link since it didnt really say what it attached to.
Thanks again..I am looking forward to shooting with this new camera. I, along with the dive shop photographer, were pleasantly surprised at the quality that I got with the SeaLife DC600 on my trip to Bonaire recently.
Oh, on that note, I have to figure out how to put the pics on here since I saved them at maximum resolution when I shot them.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ron Myers (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #478) on Thursday, June 28, 2007 - 12:53 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Try posting your question at this site; these people have all the answers.
http://www.digitaldiver.net/
The Olympus SP350 comes with a hot shoe, the problem is to get that to a strobe. The bulkhead comes with the Ike housing. A bulkhead and the Heinrich adapter have to be installed into the Oly PT030. Best of luck, it's a great camera.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Bruce (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #272) on Thursday, June 28, 2007 - 3:57 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Anthony, what strobe are you using. If it's an Ikelite you can use a TTL controller that you point at your onboard flash and it sync's with the strobe. I have used both the TTL and manual controllers and prefer the manual by far. I use the Oly housing and after a few hundred dives with it I've had no issues whatsoever. I like it because you can remove the camera easier. The Ike has to attach the camera base to a bracket before installing the camera, but it is a more durable looking housing. Good luck!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Anthony Conforti (BonaireTalker - Post #20) on Thursday, June 28, 2007 - 5:51 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Bruce,

Since this is going to be my 2nd camera system (girlfriend will use the 1st) I don't have a strobe for it yet. I am piecing this thing together before I decide to go on my next diving trip. Having said that, I have a bunch of options. I am now considering ditching the TTL adaptability option, so I picked up the Oly housing. I found out that Reef Photo in Fla. can put an adapter for TTL on it for $250, but I figure I can use that money for an extra lense or something.
I got a reply from Olympus today stating that their new strobe is compatible and that it mounts directly to the cold shoe on top of the housing and has some sort of sensor that reads the camera flash then fires the strobe. Sounds a little strange to me with no cables, etc. Any thoughts out there?
Since I am going to be doing the slave strobe thing now, any recommendations on strobes out there?

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By herman mowery (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #644) on Thursday, June 28, 2007 - 7:34 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Inon makes several strobes that have a simulated ttl that do a good job and do not require an electrical connection. Instead of an electrical connection, they use a fiber cable to fire the strobe. They are also fairly compact.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Anthony Conforti (BonaireTalker - Post #21) on Friday, June 29, 2007 - 4:47 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

First of all, thanks to all for your input. Now, a little less technical of a question. Do you get more battery time with the CR-V3 batteries, or the rechargeable NiMH batteries? I like that it takes both and even the regular AA batteries in case everything else isn't charged up.

Thanks again. I just got the camera today and have been playing around with it and getting used to it. Should be fun underwater.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By herman mowery (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #645) on Friday, June 29, 2007 - 7:26 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Well, if the CR-3Vs I found are typical- around 1600mHr, you can get about 50% more time out of a set of NiMH AAs. 2600mHrs are common and 2700s are becoming more so. You will want to go with rechargeables reguardless. I can get over 3x 1 hr dives with my 5050 on 2600mHr NiMHs but since I always change batteries after 2 dives, they give me plenty of time.

While your playing with the camera, learn to use it in manual mode, it's a little more complex but it's by far the best mode to use underwater.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Anthony Conforti (BonaireTalker - Post #22) on Friday, June 29, 2007 - 7:33 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Herman,

Thanks for your input. From what I have been hearing around the diving/photography community, NiMH rechargeable's are the way to go. I presently use rechargeables for our other strobe and really like them.
Thanks for the info about manual. I will definitely work on that when playing around with it and I will also have to figure out what kind of settings I want for "my settings" as well. I have heard a couple different strategies from Cathy Churchs' site and also from Sue Drafahl as well. I will have to figure out which way I want to go.

Thanks again.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ron Myers (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #480) on Friday, June 29, 2007 - 7:49 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

I used this for batteries with my SP 350.
http://thomasdistributing.com/shop/moby-power-2300-plus-crv3-rechargeable-lithium-battery-charger-kitbrincludes-1-crv3-rechargeable-lithium-battery-p-660.html?SP_id=&osCsid=f2bc53062a2aa5094ee007e3ea1a61c9
If you use Nimh batteries, be sure to go the Olympus web site and update the firmware for your camera. Check for V1.3 and the low battery issue.
http://www.olympusamerica.com/cpg_section/cpg_support_downloads.asp?id=1188&os=w

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By herman mowery (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #646) on Friday, June 29, 2007 - 9:13 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

The CR-v3 rechargeable batteries Ron listed are a good choice but kind of expensive compaired to NiMhs. Esp if you already have them for your strobe, one less battery and charger to deal with.

Manual gives you so much more control over the photo, esp if your using a strobe. I routinely shoot the same shot at a fairly slow shutter speed then at a high one. The foreground stays pretty much the same but the background goes from light blue to dark black. The photos are basically the same shot but they look totally different.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Angie Ohlson (BonaireTalker - Post #25) on Sunday, November 11, 2007 - 7:11 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

questions to anyone that has upgraded firmware on the SP-350. I wanted to update for battery issues/etc. My local camera shops would advise against upgrades as it can mess up the original programing. Anyone with issues??

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ron Myers (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #525) on Sunday, November 11, 2007 - 7:49 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

I did the Olympus upgrade for the AA Nimh rechargeable batteries and had no problems at all. With out the upgrade the same batteries showed "lo bat" after very few shots. I use the camera with the 2 1/2" screen on full time, so battery life is an issue. That is why I went to the rechargeable CR 3V type. Those have been perfect for me, with absolutely no problems.

Possibly check with another camera shop, or Olympus directly, for another opinion about this issue.

(Message edited by grunt on November 11, 2007)

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ron Gould (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1166) on Sunday, November 11, 2007 - 9:45 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

When underwater I leave the camera on (sleep mode)all the time. I use Energizer(Lithium)AA batteries and only have to open the housing once a week to replace the batteries(300 frames). The less times you open the housing the less chance of flooding your camera. We have 3 SP350's in the family and they all perform the same way. With rechargables, you have to change power supply every couple day's, and when they run out of power there is no warning!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Angie Ohlson (BonaireTalker - Post #26) on Monday, November 12, 2007 - 10:49 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Thanks, I use both rechargables and Lithium type batteries, with the Inon Z-240 strobe I just purchased, and enviro issues I would prefer to use rechargables.. I will do the upgrade and cross fingers all goes o.k. thanks.. Where did you find CV3 rechargables? I have been looking locally I have only found 2700/AA's

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ron Myers (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #526) on Monday, November 12, 2007 - 11:19 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Charger here, I also bought one extra battery.

http://thomasdistributing.com/shop/product_info.php?cPath=147_149_324&products_id=660&SP_id=&osCsid=7f07876c27978353a565dbe4e9346f2f

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Angie Ohlson (BonaireTalker - Post #30) on Monday, November 12, 2007 - 9:45 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Anthony,

you can get a bulkhead adapter for the oly PT-030. Athena makes one check out www.reefphoto.com. With the Ike housing you loose some of the button options hence reason why I chose the oly housing - they have the conversion kits about 250.00 or so. I chose the Inon Z240 with fiber optics for the oly housing. you can always ask ?? before you commit to anything Ryan and they crew are very good in answering questions as they are also divers...

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Eddy Wong (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #2) on Thursday, February 28, 2008 - 9:17 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

I would recommend the PT-030 housing with the Heinrichs Weikamp bulkhead, which allows you to do full TTL. This is the setting that I have. You can get the bulkhead installed at reefphoto.com

For rechargeable batteries I'd recommend the Targus CRV3 1700 mAh. You can get them from Amazon:

http://astore.amazon.com/yellowtangsof-20/

Also checkout my listmania and my blog:
http://www.amazon.com/My-Underwater-Camera-Setup/lm/R1ZMRB73K0S0FK/ref=cm_lm_pdp_title_full
http://purpleink.us/blogs

You'll find plenty written on the SP-350 on these ...


Eddy.

 


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