Which housing/strobe for Oly e330

Hi,

I have an Oly e330 and now I'm starting to look at getting a housing and strobe for it. So I'm looking for some advice with that.

The research I've done shows that there are 4 housings out there:

Olympus

Ikelite

Fantasea

10bar

Fantasea and 10bar are the same apparently though, so that leaves 3 choices.

So now I'm trying to figure out the benefits of each one.

What I'm really not sure about is how this all works with strobes. For example I know that Ikelite strobes will work with the Ikelite housing, but what about Sea and Sea strobes? What does the Olympus housing work with for strobes? I do know that I want a set up that I can use TTL, so I think that will have an impact.

So here's what I think I need to consider:

- total cost (with strobe - housing cost along isn't enough)

- quality

- we don't do tech diving so down to 200' is good enough

- what controls it can operate

- availability and cost of ports

So any you could provide would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Darryl

This scubaboard user tried out[ the fantasea e330 housing, you might contact him for more info:

http://scubaboard.com/showthread.php?t=185368

The best answers to your pricing questions will come from a retailer, there are several that sponsor this site.

The ikelite housing only offers ttl with Ikelite strobes, but a cable that will trigger your Sea & Sea strobes is available. You'll need to set their power manually.

Athena makes a TTL Conversion circuit for the PT-E02 that converts Olympus' proprietary bulkhead to 2 female nikonos connectors. They also make a really nice tray & handle set for this housing.

Click Here for More Info

This scubaboard user tried out[ the fantasea e330 housing, you might contact him for more info:

And I'm thrilled that he did. He couldn't get it to give hiim the full range with his 14-54 lens. But I saw that thread and figured out that there might be a slightly used housing available. I just bought it .

James

So now I'm trying to figure out the benefits of each one.

I just got the Fantasea housing so I've been doing a lot of research on this.

The Ikelite probably has the best name as far as quality housings are concernd. They are also the most expensive. I found a great review of the Oly housing here: http://www.letsgodigital.org/html/review/u...ldives_EN1.html.

What I'm really not sure about is how this all works with strobes. For example I know that Ikelite strobes will work with the Ikelite housing, but what about Sea and Sea strobes? What does the Olympus housing work with for strobes? I do know that I want a set up that I can use TTL, so I think that will have an impact.

If you want TTL with the Ikelite you'll have to go with their strobes. If you want ttl-with the Oly or Fantasea the you'll go with the Oly flash unit, FL-50 with a flash housing. If your ok with manual then there are more options. You can't use a slave flash because you can't open the built in flash.

- total cost (with strobe - housing cost along isn't enough)

The Fantasea is without a doubt the cheapest option. It comes with a port for the kit lens for about the same price as the Oly with no port and hundreds less than the Ikelite with no port.

James

First, the Olympus housing requires an Athena TTL converter to use a non-Olympus strobe and the Olympus strobes SUCK!. My wife has an INON z-240 with the Athena converter. Ryan Canon of Reef Photo set it up. It is a very small, light, compact rig compared to the others. SO....If a small, light SINGLE strobe setup that handles like a digicam is what you want the Olympus/INON/Athena setup is the way to go.

However......

You plan a dual strobe setup with a big dome to shoot wide angle with Oly's 7-14 WA lens then Ikelite is the way to go. Coupled with Ike DS-125's you will better control of exposure in ttl mode due to Ike's excellent ttl capabilities.

Tom