Olympus E-3

Decided to upgrade from my 400D and in the process of researching various cameras I settled for the E-3 for a number of reasons. Not much of a problem since I hadn't invested in an UW housing for the Canon yet...

However, would very much like to get this under water this summer, and would like some input.

So far, from what I can tell, the only housing options that are available are Ikelite and Nexus. I'm leaning towards Ikelite there as it seems a fair bit easier to get service etc for that worldwide (I live in Sweden). However, would like to hear some opinions regarding Nexus before I decide - provided anyone has experience of their housings.

I guess I shouldn't hold my breath waiting for a S&S option...

As for lenses, I've pretty much decided on getting both the 7-14 mm and the 8 mm fisheye as they'd complement each other nicely (the 7-14 mm is very expensive but also very good on land). Any suggestions for which one to get first?

(I will also get the 50 mm macro by the way.)

Also, in case anyone is interested, initial impressions of the E-3 are way positive. The camera is built like a tank and definitely feels more sturdy than the EOS 40D. Weather sealing is very nice, and in-house IS works like a charm. IQ is very good with the new 12-60 lens (which by the way is excellent as a walkaround), and the only areas where it struggles a bit are really heavy contrast situations especially when aimed fairly straight towards a strong light source (eg the sun). Flare control is not one of the strengths of the lens.

Ergonomics, handling, menus etc are all top notch and I was up running and experimenting with manual mode, different AF settings and so on in twenty minutes. Still, it's packed with features so I guess it'll take a month or so to get the most out of the camera.

I have been told that Nexus is now taking orders for the E-3 housing (they had stopped for a time) and that a review of the housing will be coming at Letsgodigital.org. I have both the 8 mm and the 7 to 14 zoom. The fisheye is a great lens but requires a greater skill level just as a 100 mm macro over a 50 macro. In addition the 7 to 14 zoom requires an extension and gear in addition to the dome port. With the Iklite you will need two different domes and with the Nexus the same dome can be used by adding the extender for the zoom. The Nexus housing will also allow for use of fiber optics to fire some (Inon z-240, D-2000s) strobes as well and the use of existing ports for the Olympus DSLR housings.

If you already own Iklite ports and/or strobes that will be the least expensive way to go.

Phil Rudin

Thanks Phil!

Don't own any Ikelite yet. Is the Nexus fibre optics only or does sync cord work as well?

I will definitely get the 7-14 mm no matter what, so figured I might as well shell out for a port as well. The FE is intriguing for the kind of wreck photography that it allows. It's also a fair bit cheaper to start out with that.

Ike recommends the 6" for 7-14 (or rather they don't have the typical "recommended sign" with the 8"). Does that mean I can expect little to no vignetting with the 6"? I guess you're using an Oly port?

The E-3 Nexus housing will have wired and optical strobe ports.

I use the Athena 220 mm dome port for the 7 to 14 zoom with the extension tube. Six inches is a bit small but I got good results with the Olympus dome, the Athena dome is awesome.

Phil

Phil, I didn't know the 220 was shipping yet. Are the corners sharp on the 7-14 with it?

Hey Guys,

I don't want to hijack the thread but I just got off of Ebay and found a bunch of new lenses designed for the 4/3 system by Sigma. In particular ia a 105mm macro, f2.8 lens for about $400. I can imagine this being a super lens for macro with a 2x teleconverter on it. Any thoughts?

Yes, to Roger C.

At 105 mm the sigma lens is a 210 mm in 35 mm terms. With the T/C it would be 420 mm or so which is not good for U/W work.

The down side to the Sigma lens is slower AF than the Olympus lenses and it has a switch on the lens to move between AF and manual focus with a gear. No housing or port is made which allows you to switch AF and manual. This is a big downside to me.

Phil Rudin

Nexus does sound good, but I'm a bit concerned regarding shipping etc. If I go with Ikelite I could easily pick everything up from B&H when I go to NY later this year, which will save me tons of money in shipping and taxes.

Is the Oly port 6"? Ikelite usually recommends the 8" when there's risk of vignetting don't they? For the 7-14 there's no such recommendation, and it's a specifically designed port for the lens.

As for macro, the Zuiko 50mm macro surely is the best option for most situations, isn't it? 100 mm FF equivalent, very compact and really fast with f/2.

With the 7-14, vignetting is not a problem as far as I know even with the 6" ike dome, but the corners get mushy and distorted, due to spherical aberration from the dome. I've had the problem with the 8" ike dome and the small athena dome, I'm hoping the bigger athena dome does better. Many zooms and rectilinear wide lenses have this problem.

The 50mm oly lens is stunning. It's a beautiful lens. You won't want to use the sigma once you try it, and if you want more power you can add the 1.4 or 2.0 teleconverters. An f2 lens, it will focus very well even in dark water.

"The 50mm oly lens is stunning. It's a beautiful lens. You won't want to use the sigma once you try it, and if you want more power you can add the 1.4 or 2.0 teleconverters. An f2 lens, it will focus very well even in dark water."

Does anyone know if I can use it with my current oly flat port PPE-05

According to Marine photo(Japanese magazine), Nexus E-3's Spec as follows.

Dimensons: W330mmXD125mmXH125mm

Weight: 2,022g(with grip)

Depth Rating:75m

You can see some photos with E-3.

http://www.marine-p.com/cgi_bin/sn_diary/s...amp;next_page=0

Okinawa Japan

Yoko

Does anyone know if I can use it with my current oly flat port PPE-05

HI,Gray

Nexus offers port adapters for Olympus port and Nexus M-5 port.

Yoko

I have been diving with the camera and housing at Christmas in Dahab. I hope that in one month my review will be online at LetsGoDigital.

as Yoko Qna said, there is an adapter to use the Olympus ports. This was the rig I used!

If I understood Gary's post correctly he was asking whether he can use the 50 mm macro with the flat port for the 14-42. They are very similar size wise, but there's a specific port for the macro so I wouldn't bet on it.

So... If I do want to go for the Nexus housing, what would be the best way of getting it (I live in Sweden)?

In Europe this will be: Ocean Optic (UK) and Engin Aygun (Turkey).

UK-Germany also makes a housing. They also have portadapters for Olympus, Inon and Athena. The prototype housing will be on Das Boot in two weeks

To answer Gary's question, yes you can use the 14 to 42 zoom port.

Phil

To answer Gary's question, yes you can use the 14 to 42 zoom port.

 

Phil

Although I`d like to chime in for the INON port here as it allows you to use the INON wet lenses for more Macro when you really need it.

The Inon macro port is a great tool and works well with the 165 C/U lens. With the magnetic focusing ring you can switch between AF and manual by just turning the ring. If extension is added for the X1.4 & X2 tele converter's you don't need a different gear for each combination of port lengths. It also works very well without the magnetic ring if you shoot only in AF.

Phil Rudin

Okay so I'm trying to get there on the cheap and it doesn't look good. Although Ryan has sent me a quote for an arm with a wet lens mount to move in front of the port that should work out.

Does the Athena or Inon ports allow more than just 1 or two specific lenses? It seems the Oly ports are pretty specific to a couple of lens choices.

HI,

I read an article about Nexus E-3 in the underwater photographic magazine below.

Yoko