I currently have an Oly 4040 and pt 010 housing. I really like the camera but since the 5050 has be given rave reviews and the current price drop I am considering buying this camera for a back up. Do you think that would be a wise thing to do or just wait until the 4040 dies and move on the the latest model? I don't get out to dive alot due to my location but if I did do you think this wouild be a wise investment and would I be able to get a housing for it later on or will that be discontinued. I do have a sea & sea ys90 dx strobe if that matters.
Thanks,
Wendy
Why not just house the 5050 and keep the 4040 as a backup? The housings are inexpensive enough and who knows how long they'll be around. I'm planning to buy a point-and-shoot in a plastic housing as a backup for my Nexus/D100 setup. The D100 had a total shutter failure (replaced under Nikon warranty) on my last trip, to Thailand. Thanks to my generous colleagues, I was able to use or share their rigs on a several dives, so all was not completely lost. Still, I wish I'd had a backup of my own.
Then would you recommend the pt 015 housing with all of the flooding issues or an ikelight housing? Do you think the 5050 will give me more than the 4040? Will the pt 015 be available down the rosd or would I have to buy it now?
Thanks,
Wendy
I went from a 3040 to a 5050. Then back to the 3040 for a month or so when my PT-015 flooded. I missed my 5050 but not enough to hurry to replace it.
I like the 5050's additional pixels when cropping wide-angle pics. I also like the 5050 slave mode. And even more, I like the hot shoe on the 5050, which I now use with the new Ikelite TTL housing.
But I still have my 3040. And if my 5050 went missing I'd go back to the 3040 until I could see a clear path to good SLR.
Suggestion: If you don't have an INON wide angle lens, get one. IMO this will provide a wider range of capabilities and fun than in going from a 4040 to a 5050.
That is a great idea! With a wal would I need 2 strobes? I don't know much about using this lens...can it be removed underwater? Can you shoot macro with it on or is it strictly wide angle? I am totally ignorant on how to use a wal and its functions besides "wide angle shots"
Thanks,
Wendy
The Inon WAL can be removed and replaced underwater. But it can/should only be used for wide angle because if you zoom through it you will get a lot of blurring in the corners.
As for strobes, one good strobe with 100 degrees of coverage will work e.g. Ikelite DS 125 with diffuser in place. But two strobes are better.
For sample pics taken with one strobe see Group 1 at the following URL.
