UK-GERMANY E-3 housing for Olympus E-3
A review by Helge Suess
The Test
The test configuration includes the first available housing of the new series, a dome port, an Inon macro port with UK-Oly adapter and a UK-GERMANY 45° angle finder. A Hartenberger 250 strobe is used to shed some light on the topic.
Configuration for wide angle
The Zuiko 8mm fisheye lens is the best choice for wide angle pictures with E-System cameras. It is used behind the UK dome port. The strobe is attached to the top mount, arm pointing straight up. A handle mounted left hand side helps to keep the rig steady.
Configuration for macro
Macro shots are taken with the Zuiko 50mm Macro lens housed behind the Inon MRS macro port. The strobe is attached to the left side mount instead of a handle.
Test environment
All shown pictures are taken at dive sites at Wakatobi during November 2008.
The housing in detail
UK-GERMANY presents a new and innovative design. The housing for the Olympus E-3 features an electronic control for the main camera functions. This offers new opportunities in design and usability.
The Controller
The main functions have been made available through a controller handle. Two buttons each are used to set shutter speed and aperture, a fifth button on the rear controls the fn-button. Together with the two step AF and shutter release button on the front the controller allows single handed shots. The controller may be tilted in steps of 15° to allow a relaxed and ergonomic grip. The buttons on top and at the rear of the camera are accessed through conventional mechanical buttons. An emergency shutter release is provides as a fallback solution.
The controller is easily attached and detached. It is sealed as a stand-alone unit and may be detached or adjusted even while submerged. Signals are transmitted via infrared through windows in the controller mount. A microcontroller ensures fast and reliable transmission without significant delay. The controller is powered by a CR2032 battery. It is designed to last at least 3 years doing about 100 dives per year. The camera side receiver is powered by the camera battery. A spare receptacle holds the camera battery for transport. It may be optional wired to hold a second battery to extend operating time.
Controls on the housing body
A large size window in the rear lid provides a good view at the LCD. Buttons are provided for delete, info, menu and LiveView below the window. To the right there’s the cursor block, AEL, Review, IS button and the main power switch. The small LCD on top of the E-3 isn’t visible while housed. The left hand side camera buttons aren’t accessible either. They don’t provide essential functions anyway.
Mounting the camera
The camera is mounted on a tray that slides into position with a satisfying click. Two pins in the housing ensure a proper alignment of the tray. The camera side controller sits on top of the tray. It slides into the battery compartment of the camera, keeping it straight and in position. The battery slides into a receptacle on the underside of the tray. It may be replaced without un-mounting the camera. Due to the deep front part of the housing replacing the memory card can’t be done without sliding the camera out a bit.
Finder
A Galileo finder or an optional 45° angle finder may be mounted to the rear window. The angle finder shades a bit of the LCD. Tilting the camera allows full vision on the screen.
Ports
UK-Germany provides a wide range of ports covering all Zuiko lenses it makes sense to use under water. An adapter is available to use Olympus type ports (like the Inon MRS Macro port e.g.) with the housing.
Attaching accessories
Strobe mounts (T-stone) may be attached to the top and left hand side of the housing. The mount position left hand side also allows to attach a handle alternatively. The housing base features two M5 sockets for attaching e.g. a rail. The controller has M5 socket on top and bottom for small lightweight accessories like guide lights or laser pointers.
Connectors
There is an N5 bulkhead (second bulkhead optional) to connect strobes on the top left. Manual strobe control as well as TTL through TTL adaptors are available. The controller may be used remotely with an optical fibre extension. Optical strobe control as well as use of the internal strobe is not possible.
Design and quality
The housing is completely made in Europe (except electronic parts). Velvet on the inside prevents fogging. All buttons are double sealed. An optical and acoustical leak warner provides additional safety. The functional design allows easy cleaning and maintenance. The main o-ring looks weak but keeps the housing tight to a tested depth of 50m (150ft). A rim prevents water dripping in when opening the still wet housing.
The controller shows an ergonomic design. It is easily attached and detached with a large nut. It allows single handed shots while still controlling the main camera functions.
Weight
The housing itself weights only 2230g which is quite lightweight for a housing of this size. The controller adds 570g to the rig. A left hand side handle adds another 190g and the angle finder yet another 500g. The UK dome port weights approximately 1000g, the Inon MRS Macro port weights about 600g.
Handling
Assembling the rig
Mounting the camera to the tray is quite self explaining. It can’t be mounted the wrong way round. Sliding the tray with the mounted camera onto the pins in the housing takes some practising though.
Ports and housing show marks (red and green) to align them properly. The controller slides smooth into position. It may be taken off without tools. The left hand handle is mounted with two M6 screws. The two locks keep the housing tight and safe under all circumstances.
Transport
The whole rig (including strobe) results in a weight of 7 to 8 kg. Getting it into the water may be a challenging job. Folding the strobe arm so the strobe lies close to the housing helps a lot.
Under water
When submerged, the housing is slightly negative. It is easily held and operated single handed. It is well balanced and stable.
Angle finder
The 45° angle finder is what I was dreaming of. The whole image area as well as the info panel are fully visible. The large and bright view is sufficient to judge focus and image composition. You won’t fall back to a Galileo type finder after this experience, not even with a camera that has a larger image sensor (and therefore a larger finder image).
Macro
Aiming at really small objects (like pygmy sea horses) needs some training. The narrow DOF of the 50mm f2 macro is great for precise focusing. It just takes some time to frame the object when the initial focus is far off (because you’ll see only a few colour blobs). The Inon MRS port is great for manual focus. It’s a 1:1 topside experience using the magnetic wheel for setting the focus.
Wide angle
The 8mm fisheye is fun to use. Focusing is fast and precise as long as you’ve got enough light for a decent shot. It is misplaced behind the 120° WA port in theory. The resulting image quality is great though. Corner sharpness is good. Illuminating a picture with a 180° lens isn’t easy. Especially when visibility isn’t at it’s best.
Sample images
All images are taken at Wakatobi dive sites. They were taken in RAW and developed with Olympus Studio. Colour correction has been applied to present a natural view (as experienced when diving).
Helge ;-)=)
