Wet lenses - any experience with Olympus E-PL1 and housing?

I've searched (a little) but not seen any field reports. Does anyone have experience to report using a wet close-up lens with the Olympus E-PL1 and 14-42 kit lens and housing system (PT-EP01 housing, adapter, and PTMC-01 lens)? I am interested in both image quality and underwater usability. The clip-on adapter looks a little dodgy. Any feedback much appreciated, TIA

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/3878...Macro_Lens.html

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/6931...ns_Adapter.html

You may want to read my review of this camera and housing combo which contains images taken with the 67 mm macro lens adapter and an Inon M-67-165 close-up lens which is more powerful than the Olympus C/U lens.

Phil Rudin

http://fourthirdsphoto.com/ep-1-and-pt-ep01.php

http://reefphoto.com/index.php?main_page=p...b6453cfd7c1815d

Phil - Thanks a lot for the info, most helpful. I will have to read up a bit to determine the right diopter for me. How do you find the clip-on housing adapter in practice? Robert

I've got the adapter and inon macro lens as well. Used it for the first time on Belize Aggressor III in early March. Was my first ever macro attempt, really was different but great fun to try something new. Was really pleased with the results as well. In practice the only odd thing and something I'm not quite sure yet how to remedy was how to secure the adapter/lens to the kit when not in use. The cord on the adapter is rather thin and I wasn't too keen on having it drop off into the abyss. I ended up just dropping the loop over my Sola 600 on the right arm of the tray and then just so I had contact with it would always wrap my pinky through and around it so I knew it was there. Other than that it works quickly and easily on and off. It can be a bit of a PITA to get off in a hurry because of the little latches on the sides of the adapter. Would love to hear how others secure the setup to their kit!

Here are a couple macro examples:

Nice shots! These are the kind of scenes I come across most often so I may just get the Inon lens. I like the fish peeking out of the coral, but especially the transparent shrimp - what is your lighting setup for that shot?

Bump on this - the link did not work. Leaving for trip soon and want to get the best setup for macro on E-PM1 + Housing (well, best low cost setup).

You may want to read my review of this camera and housing combo which contains images taken with the 67 mm macro lens adapter and an Inon M-67-165 close-up lens which is more powerful than the Olympus C/U lens.

 

Phil Rudin

 

http://fourthirdsphoto.com/ep-1-and-pt-ep01.php

 

http://reefphoto.com/index.php?main_page=p...b6453cfd7c1815d

I use exactly the same setup: Olympus E-PL1 in Olympus housing, with a single Inon UCL-165 lens

in the Oly adapter.

About the usability: I like the setup for its extreme convenience; the adapter fits snug onto my housing

and snaps on/off with great ease. Typically I leave the lens on the port during the dive; if I take it off,

the length of the (thin, but very strong) tether loop of the adapter is just enough to let me drape the

adapter+lens over my right wrist, so it does not drag along coral etc when I'm taking photos.

About which lens (or lenses) to use, I found this comparison on Inon's website very useful:

Inon's comparison of one/two wet macro lenses

For the type of images I have been able to get using this setup, you can check out my recent

trip report from Ambon (macro destination): Trip report+pix, Ambon, Apr 2012

Cheers,

Ajay.