humu9679

Aloha and welcome @PomInOz !

Aloha and welcome @Rinjani

As we contend with multiple variables, we are doomed to live in a tangle of equipment. So much simpler if we limit what we do. I have a dive buddy who takes only an Olympus TG and a dive light. He looks for the tiniest things. Simple system and actually pretty versatile. I do wish for a new version with a larger sensor and bit more in the way of manual controls. I use a DPV pretty regularly, and I hate hauling it in and out of the water for mostly shore diving. I’ve mounted an Olympus TG, on top of which I’ve mounted a GoPro, plus strobes or video lights. Really unwieldy until you’re in the water, and then you have to repeat the process. Lately, I’ve just gone with an action camera and a single 10k lumen video light while using a DPV. For stills and no DPV, it’s a subject matter decision for me. Macro or wide? Here in Hawaii where I live, shooting fisheye means you won’t have many chances at very skittish wildlife. I’ve lately come around to thinking that a kit lens and wet optics may be the best solution to shooting a variety of things.

Aloha and welcome Fred!

That’s a wonderful niche project. If your budget prioritizes image quality, how about the the Fuji GF series? https://www.nauticam.com/products/na-gfx100ii-housing-for-fujifilm-gfx100ii-camera

Aloha and welcome @Airintheocean

This very topic pops up frequently, and here’s a recent thread on it:

Aloha and welcome Alexey! Just a thought: full frame camera and lenses are great, but if you’re planning to travel, you might consider smaller sensor cameras as the lenses (and ports) are oftentimes much smaller. Unless you really need the large file sizes, you might find that APS-c or M43 will suit your needs. More to think about, yes, but we are here to help you spend your money. Best, Craig

Wow!

Aloha neighbor!

Aloha and welcome @blobsthediver

Aloha and welcome @Francy1505

I was about to add that the Backscatter's HF series is small, great battery life, and that you may use high speed sync with the right flash triggers. Great for macro, and some have used it pretty successfully on larger subjects (see Phil Rudin and Dave Hicks forays into using these flashes). The OM-1 ii I believe already has an x-sync speed of 1/250th, which puts it right up there with most. A couple of other things to note - again, lens size! Many APS-c lenses are sized right for their systems, but oftentimes the lenses are large which happens with Canons and Nikons. It’s like hauling around full frame cameras with their added size and weight. Also, I was thinking about your desire to have a monitor. They are nice to look at, and I like having one to shoot video topside, but have you considered just composing on the standard screen? I have also tried using 45 and 90 degree viewfinders - great in some instances - but again, these add bulk and, in my view, are a throwback to film and DSLR days when live view was horrible.

What TimG said. I’m a Sony shooter now, but rue the day I gave up my Olympus in a fit of sensor envy. Sony is great for topside photography, too, but all in all, if I had to rebuild my system, I’d go Olym, er, OM Systems. Just have a look at the 8mm Panny or Olympus fisheyes and the 60mm macro, and you will marvel at their size. Good stuff, too! OM System ticks all your boxes I’m sure, except maybe the monitor? The Panasonics will do that. Focusing and such aren’t as good in m43 versus the current Sonys, Canons and Nikons.

Aloha and welcome @Deemoo

Agree with all the above. I started with Canon FD series (F-1, T90, new F-1), then various iterations of the EOS series (EOS-1), DSLRs like the 6D/7D. The newer cameras, especially crop sensors, are smaller, lighter and faster. The lenses can be similar in size to the old EF lenses if you shoot full frame but can be very small if you opt for smaller sensors like those you find with micro-fourthirds. Autofocus and the ability to track subjects is a game changer. Amazing dynamic range is also a thing. Size and weight for travel is a thing. You’ll be able to make nice photos with the old 7D but you’ll be missing out of seriously excellent tech.

Aloha and welcome @Russell

Aloha and welcome Nir!

I quite like Tamron lenses for topside photography. Lightweight, very sharp and good value.

Lauren - Can you take apart the plug? There may be a very tiny screw and also the o-ring is likely holding the insertion end together. When the two halves are apart, you will likely have to bend the cable to fit the channels within the plug. — Craig

Aloha and welcome @gnarliest_gnome You're going to like the interchangeable lens OM cameras. Nice photos with the TG!

Aloha and welcome @HugzzPictures !

I’m also not sure about the video lights for still photos. You might consider just getting one strobe to start out. The Atoms sound great, but you can also do all right with used Inon z240s/330s, Retras or something similar. The wide angle wet lens is a must.

Very cool Dave! That’s how I clean my suckers, too.