just got an Olympus 1010 and PT-042 housing for upcoming trip
Previously used basic Coolpix and Fantasea housing.

seems like the attached lens cap, would be a hassle to remove for shots and interfere floating while attached when diving. Same with the LCD hood--

comments appreciated!

thank you
Nell

Install the LCD hood. it really helps! I took my lens cap off, and only use it when not using the camera. Ron

Nell,

I have been contemplating getting the 1010 and the PT-042 housing.

Question- where did you get your housing?
Was it thru Olympus?


Regards

Thanks Ron-- I will leave the LCD hood on--
any additional info regarding O ring (tips not in the instructions) would be appreciated too since Fantasea does not have one

Spicy Mad--I bought both through Amazon (camera was$228, housing was $192--also got 2Gb D card for $30 and Neoprene case for $12) everything arrived promptly

Nell Do you recall the vendor that you purchased thru via Amazon?

Also- is there a strobe that one can use for this setup?

I need to make a decision quickly. I was leaning toward the SW 1030 as it is waterproof out of the box down to 30 ft. Seems like that would be a great camera to have and could function as a spare to our land based camera. Though the 1010 has almost twice the zoom which would be important under water :-).

At this rate I may end up renting a camera for the week we are there.

Regards,
-PM

Spicy Mad.. why do you feel twice the zoom is important underwater?? In my experience and readings, you only zoom underwater if you absolutely have to. Best uw to be as close as possible to the subject . When you are far from your subject uw you get a lot of noise in he picture from the little bitties in the water between the camera and the ouseing

oops between the camera and the subject. sorry

the vendor for the camera was electronics expo (exponj.com)
and the vendor for the underwater housing was Ace photo and digital (acephotodigital.com)

don't know about the strobe as I wanted a point and shoot without
having to deal with the strobe attachment

also, I do not plan to use a zoom underwater but get as close as I can...as Denise pointed out

Thanks Nell et al.

I have opted for the Stylus 1030 sw, with housing, strobe and arm.

Points taken re: the need to be close to the subject.

My thoughts were that the zoom on the 1010 might be nice when one wasn't able to get so close to the subject- eagle ray in the distance for example....and for land use.

Spicy, when one uses zoom, they limit the amount of light that can get into the lens. The F stop is affected, and the picture will come out dark every time. If you get close get closer and then take the shot. Zoom(under water) is a No No... Ron