Redang Island July '09 with Lumix LX3

Hi Everyone,

Just got back from another short trip to Redang Island in Malaysia. Here are some of the shots to share. All images were taken with my Lumix LX3, Twin Inon Z240, UWL100 Achromat + Dome Unit and 10Bar Housing. This is my 2nd try with the setup. All constructive comments and criticisms are welcome... Happy Viewing!

Ed.

Diver & The Reef...

Ed.

Mermaid Divers...

Ed.

Last Batch! Da Reefs & Da Sun...

Thanks for viewing!

Ed.

Great stuff, as always. No more G10? Doesn't matter though, you still get results..

Great stuff, as always. No more G10? Doesn't matter though, you still get results..

Thanks Drew, you have always been very supportive and I sincerely appreciate it...

G10 gone... Really like my new toy. Hehe...

Ed.

Nice results from new setup, congratulation!

Very nice shots! I've just got the LX3 and 10bar housing, but haven't dicided on WA lens yet. Is that the Inon UWL100 + Inon dome port M67, that screws directly onto the 10bar housing, or is adaptors needed? Is it the UWL100 type 1 or type 2?

Thanks.

Jan

Thanks Drew, you have always been very supportive and I sincerely appreciate it...

G10 gone... Really like my new toy. Hehe...

 

Ed.

Hey Ed,

Great images as always; you really show what can be done with a P&S.

I'm curious though why you got rid of the G10 and switched to the LX-3, there would seem to be no real advantage except possibly the wider lens.

Thanks fellas...

Jan - Yup! I'm using the Inon UWL100 Achromat Type 2 + Dome Unit, that screw directly onto the housing port (no adapter needed).

Loftus - Now, that's really good question. Hmm... This is going to be long...

Basically, both are really good cameras, each have their pros and cons. I have a very strong passion for diving, especially UWP. I enjoy shooting the small critters and the colorful reefs. In short, I want a camera that can give me both...

The G10 has a default of 28mm, but UW it becomes 30+mm and since I'm using the OEM housing, I can't attached any WA lenses so I ended modifying the dome unit to fit the OEM housing (for my Fak-fak trip). I was pretty unhappy with my Canon during my Maldives trip, last year. Imaging shooting Mantas & Whale Sharks with a 30+mm camera (UW), total frustration. No doubt, the Canon G series has fantastic macro capability, but when it comes to WA, nothing to shout about. Even with a third party housing, changing of port is required (to a shorter port, limiting the zoom function). Basically, to gain certain thing, I have to sacrifice the other.

The LX3 really fulfilled my needs, I can shoot macros and WA with the same camera. The LX3 has a default of 24mm and with the Inon UWL100 + Dome Unit, I'm getting around 18-20mm and that's probably the widest you can get from a compact camera now, wished I had it during both my Maldives & Fak-fak trip.

However, the macro capability of LX3, can't compare to the G10. At the same time, I feel that the market will be going for a wider and wider lens (looking at the the trend now). When the lens get wider, I foresee the zoom function being reduced (just like the G9 to G10).

The thing I like about the G10 is the macro capability and faster focusing. However, I believe Lumix(Panasonic) has the R&D and technology in improving their products. Moreover, they are using Leica lenses (everyone knows the quality). I realized is that images from G10 tend to be sharper than the LX3 on the cameras LCD, but when uploaded onto a computer, images from LX3 are sharper. Like I said earlier, Gain some, Loose some!

That's the reason I switched and anyway, I've always like the challenge of trying out something new. Just like diving, it feels great to be the first few to explore a new site and then tell others about it. Hehe...

I strongly believe, Lumix is going be a force to be reckon with, in the near future. Just check out their technology: http://www.dpreview.com/news/0903/09030316...xgh1handson.asp

Ed.

*Anyway, it's just my personal opinion. I think both cameras are fantastic, just that I find the Lumix LX3 fits me more.

Thanks fellas...

 

Jan - Yup! I'm using the Inon UWL100 Achromat Type 2 + Dome Unit, that screw directly onto the housing port (no adapter needed).

Loftus - Now, that's really good question. Hmm... This is going to be long...

 

Basically, both are really good cameras, each have their pros and cons. I have a very strong passion for diving, especially UWP. I enjoy shooting the small critters and the colorful reefs. In short, I want a camera that can give me both...

The G10 has a default of 28mm, but UW it becomes 30+mm and since I'm using the OEM housing, I can't attached any WA lenses so I ended modifying the dome unit to fit the OEM housing (for my Fak-fak trip). I was pretty unhappy with my Canon during my Maldives trip, last year. Imaging shooting Mantas & Whale Sharks with a 30+mm camera (UW), total frustration. No doubt, the Canon G series has fantastic macro capability, but when it comes to WA, nothing to shout about. Even with a third party housing, changing of port is required (to a shorter port, limiting the zoom function). Basically, to gain certain thing, I have to sacrifice the other.

 

The LX3 really fulfilled my needs, I can shoot macros and WA with the same camera. The LX3 has a default of 24mm and with the Inon UWL100 + Dome Unit, I'm getting around 18-20mm and that's probably the widest you can get from a compact camera now, wished I had it during both my Maldives & Fak-fak trip.

However, the macro capability of LX3, can't compare to the G10. At the same time, I feel that the market will be going for a wider and wider lens (looking at the the trend now). When the lens get wider, I foresee the zoom function being reduced (just like the G9 to G10).

 

The thing I like about the G10 is the macro capability and faster focusing. However, I believe Lumix(Panasonic) has the R&D and technology in improving their products. Moreover, they are using Leica lenses (everyone knows the quality). I realized is that images from G10 tend to be sharper than the LX3 on the cameras LCD, but when uploaded onto a computer, images from LX3 are sharper. Like I said earlier, Gain some, Loose some!

 

That's the reason I switched and anyway, I've always like the challenge of trying out something new. Just like diving, it feels great to be the first few to explore a new site and then tell others about it. Hehe...

 

I strongly believe, Lumix is going be a force to be reckon with, in the near future. Just check out their technology: http://www.dpreview.com/news/0903/09030316...xgh1handson.asp

 

Ed.

 

*Anyway, it's just my personal opinion. I think both cameras are fantastic, just that I find the Lumix LX3 fits me more.

As always Super pics Ed....like the last bath the most...

Was curious to know as i have just acquired (2nd hand) the same Inon lens with dome port for the G7 which directly screws on the short port of the Ikelite housing. I still have to zoom out up to 30% to avoid vignetting!! But have not extensively used the lens yet. The reason i got this lens with the dome port is that after some use the salt water affects the coating on wide angle lenses and then you just have to junk them as the images get really soft. With the dome the front element remans dry and one can "to some extent" get sun balls.

Do you have to zoom out too with this lens on the OEM housing? Is there any vignetting with the LX 3 ?

Here are two examples...i was experimenting and did not zoom out as much as i should have and on both i had to crop a little. One was manual WB no strobe and the other with two strobes.

Any input would help...Thanks and cheers,

Diggy

As always Super pics Ed....like the last bath the most...

 

Was curious to know as i have just acquired (2nd hand) the same Inon lens with dome port for the G7 which directly screws on the short port of the Ikelite housing. I still have to zoom out up to 30% to avoid vignetting!! But have not extensively used the lens yet. The reason i got this lens with the dome port is that after some use the salt water affects the coating on wide angle lenses and then you just have to junk them as the images get really soft. With the dome the front element remans dry and one can "to some extent" get sun balls.

 

Do you have to zoom out too with this lens on the OEM housing? Is there any vignetting with the LX 3 ?

 

Here are two examples...i was experimenting and did not zoom out as much as i should have and on both i had to crop a little. One was manual WB no strobe and the other with two strobes.

 

Any input would help...Thanks and cheers,

 

Diggy

Thanks Diggy...

If I'm correct, you are using the standard port for your set-up instead of using the shorter port. That's the reason why, you have to zoom so much to get rid of the vignetting. The shorter port will definitely solved your problem, making the Inon lens to be attached closer to your camera lens. http://ikelite.com/web_pages/5can_g7.html

As for my LX3, I just need to zoom out a lil bit. Here are a couple of sample:

Without zoom

Slight zoom

That's the advantage of LX3 because with the default of 24mm + Inon UWL100 + Dome Unit = 18-20mm, even zoomed, it is still wider than any of the G-series.

Hope the info helps.

Ed.

Thanks Ed - very good info (and again *very* nice photos). Is the 10bar housing the latest version with the shorter port (and joystick control)? Another poster mentioned that he had dificulty pressing the buttons when at depth. Do you experience the same issue with your 10bar housing?

It maybe asking a lot, but could you post a picture of your setup?

Thanks again

Jan

Thanks Diggy...

 

If I'm correct, you are using the standard port for your set-up instead of using the shorter port. That's the reason why, you have to zoom so much to get rid of the vignetting. The shorter port will definitely solved your problem, making the Inon lens to be attached closer to your camera lens. http://ikelite.com/web_pages/5can_g7.html

 

As for my LX3, I just need to zoom out a lil bit. Here are a couple of sample:

Without zoom

 

Slight zoom

 

That's the advantage of LX3 because with the default of 24mm + Inon UWL100 + Dome Unit = 18-20mm, even zoomed, it is still wider than any of the G-series.

Hope the info helps.

 

Ed.

Thanks Ed,

Using the short port..but like i said have not yet used it extensively except for one dive. Will post more once i use it a few more times.

Cheers,

Diggy

BTW the lion fish under the pier is my favourite photo

Thanks Ed - very good info (and again *very* nice photos). Is the 10bar housing the latest version with the shorter port (and joystick control)? Another poster mentioned that he had dificulty pressing the buttons when at depth. Do you experience the same issue with your 10bar housing?

 

It maybe asking a lot, but could you post a picture of your setup?

 

Thanks again

Jan

Thanks Jan!

Yup! My 10Bar housing is the newer version. I don't have such difficulty and I can only advise that you make sure that all the buttons are in the correct places. Don't really need to put all your strength when using the joystick, just need to slightly push it to the direction, you want. Unfortunately, I don't have a shot of my set-up now but will post one up when I get a chance.

Ed.

Thanks Ed,

 

Using the short port..but like i said have not yet used it extensively except for one dive. Will post more once i use it a few more times.

 

Cheers,

 

Diggy

 

BTW the lion fish under the pier is my favourite photo

No problemo, Diggy.

Try it out more and don't be afraid to experiment with it. You'll never know what the outcome will be...

Please do post more, you have some awesome shots.

Thanks again!

Ed.