Another macro lover using Olympus

[Litos]

Hi,

 

I have been using for years a TG4, mostly for macro, and finally decided to get an OM1.

 

Still fighting a little with it, since I many times miss the flexibility and compact design of the TG. Arguably, I can now do some photos that were quite difficult to do with the TG, as hairy shrimps and some cyerces were the TG struggled to lock focus. 

 

Hope I can get some assistance around!

[Litos]

Here a minute hairy shrimp and a couple of cyerces taken with the old TG4 and a handheld torch

Edited January 28 by Litos

[Litos]

And here a couple of shots with the OM1 and AOI strobe

 

[Chris Ross]

5 hours ago, Litos said:

Hi,

 

I have been using for years a TG4, mostly for macro, and finally decided to get an OM1.

 

Still fighting a little with it, since I many times miss the flexibility and compact design of the TG. Arguably, I can now do some photos that were quite difficult to do with the TG, as hairy shrimps and some cyerces were the TG struggled to lock focus. 

 

Hope I can get some assistance around!

Anything specific you struggle with on the OM-1?  It will have a little less depth of field in comparison to the m43 sensor in the OM-1 and you do need to place it well.

[Litos]

I think most of the problem comes from (1) moving from a small camera -handheld TG4 with built in flash, allowing high flexibility for camera position- to a camera with tray and short arms for strobes; and (2) light control.

 

Now I have a video/led strobe (Seafrogs SF-L01), and an AOI Q1RC. 

I currently use AOI as the main strobe and the SF as focusing and fill light. I can also add strobe function to the SF, but not doing that for the moment. 

My perception is that the light I am getting is less appealing than I was getting from the TG frontal flash (in Olympus housing); probably the AOI is further away and more diffused (?) . I am thinking of using some snoot, but probably I will need a light assistant (guide or fellow diver) for effectively use of this.

 

Don't get me wrong: overall I am happy with the setup, but it is big when compared with the TG for perceived marginal benefits. I am far from the results I  am getting with the OM1 in dry photography.