Seeking advice on Oly5060, Ike Housing & Strobe

Hi,

I'm in the process of selecting a new UW system as an upgrade from a Point & Shoot digital. I've decided on the Olympus C5060 for the camera and I'm almost sure I'll go with the Ikelite housing. At this point, I'm trying to figure out the best strobe configuration.

I've read alot about the Ikelite's ability to use the Olympus TTL functionality. I've also been told (and experienced first hand with a rented C-3030) that having manual control of the strobe is critical to getting optimal results in some situations. Is there a configuration that will allow me to do both with the Ikelite housing and the DS 50 Strobe. I know Ike has a manual controller, it's just not clear to me if it will work with the TTL sync cord or if I need a slave sensor to be able to use the manual controller.

Hopefully, this isn't a really stupid question. This is turning into quite a research project. I hope to have everything in hand in time for an early May trip to Turks & Caicos. Thanks for anything you can share!

Ed McDonald

Addition of the EV Manual Controller prevents access to the Olympus TTL which proves to be very fine underwater. The SubStrobe DS-125 allows use of its manual settings or Olympus TTL on the same dive. DS-50 would only give full manual power or TTL.

ike,

Thanks for your feedback.

To confirm... if I buy the DS-50 and the EV Controller I can chose between TTL or full manual control but not during a single dive. Whichever configuration I choose must be set up topside. Am I understanding correctly?

If I take this approach, I assume that I still get the advantage of the hard-wired connection even in manual mode. I don't need the Slave Sensor too - right?

This might actually be the best choice for me as I'm not sure the 4 manual settings on the DS-125 will be flexible enough for real manual control when I want it.

Can you list for me the appropriate sync cord part numbers I will need if I go with the Ike 5060 housing and the DS-50 strobe and I want to shoot sometimes using TTL and other times using full manual control with the EV controller?

Thanks! I feel like I'm almost there

Ed

Re "I feel like I'm almost there."

Maybe where you want to be but IMO not where you should be. Specifically, I don't think a manual controller for the SD 50 makes a lot sense ... it's like having 10 speeds forward on a VW i.e. lots of control over too little power.

Instead I think you should be thinking DS 125 with TTL as your primary shooting mode and switching to manual mode on the DS 125, on the fly, if you have a situation where you think you can do better than Ikelite/Olympus TTL which is very good.

For more on why I like Ikelite/Olympus TTL see the following URL.

http://www.splashdowndivers.com/photo_gall...olympus_ttl.htm

Thanks Peter!

This is exactly the type of advice I needed. I didn't realize how dramatic a difference the Ikelite/Olympus TTL made. I took a Digital UW Photo course last August and the instructor really stressed manual aperature and strobe control. I guess I was focusing too much on that. As usual... a little knowledge is a dangerous thing.

Ed

Ike concurs with Peter's analysis although DS-50 with diffuser should be satisfactory with Olympus TTL if budgetary constraints are a factor............

I've decided on the Olympus C5060 for the camera and I'm almost sure I'll go with the Ikelite housing.

Why not the Olympus C-7070WZ ?

Re: "Why not the Olympus C-7070WZ ?"

From what I could find a housing for the 7070 won't be available until summer. We have an Aggressor trip in Turks & Caicos scheduled in early May and I wanted the new rig before then.

At this point, the camera is on the way, so it's too late now I just need to make up my mind and order the housing, etc. Actually, at this point it's just down to deciding how much I can spend on accessories... WAL, Macro, case, etc.

I have a 5060 setup and when I use it with my DS125, it gives excellent TTL results. You can also setup some custom "MY MODE" settings that will allow you to go to manual in a heart beat underwater and you can then bracket your shots with the power settings on the strobe, ot aperature & shutter speed.

Joe Belanger

Thanks to everyone who offered guidance & advice. My Ike housing, DS125 and Dome Port are ordered and on the way. The 5060 is already here and I've started learning my way around the camera.

Now if it will just stop snowing here in New England, I'll get a chance to jump in the water and practice a little before our trip.

Ed McDonald