E300 seriously into Underwater photography

[raycsk]

The latest firmware 1.3 includes 2 scene modes for underwater photography.

With its own underwater casing, a variety lens cases for different ZD lens. Also the added option of flash casing, bracket and cables, this makes E300 pretty hard to beat in terms of adaptability and flexibility for underwater photography.

[ysk]

Originally Posted by raycsk The latest firmware 1.3 includes 2 scene modes for underwater photography. With its own underwater casing, a variety lens cases for different ZD lens. Also the added option of flash casing, bracket and cables, this makes E300 pretty hard to beat in terms of adaptability and flexibility for underwater photography.

i can't find the uw scene mode after installing 1.3. is yours ok?

[tao]

Originally Posted by raycsk The latest firmware 1.3 includes 2 scene modes for underwater photography. With its own underwater casing, a variety lens cases for different ZD lens. Also the added option of flash casing, bracket and cables, this makes E300 pretty hard to beat in terms of adaptability and flexibility for underwater photography.

All that UW accessories for the E-300 makes me think that it is the kit for UW photography in Olympus' E-system lineup.

Do you guys think that an updated or more up-spec E-300 will appear soon? ie. same body geometry but with all the new features.

And I noticed that on Olympus' website, the E-300 is placed above E-500. Does that means that in their product lineup, the E-300 is considered more highend?

[raycsk]

Originally Posted by tao All that UW accessories for the E-300 makes me think that it is the kit for UW photography in Olympus' E-system lineup. Do you guys think that an updated or more up-spec E-300 will appear soon? ie. same body geometry but with all the new features. And I noticed that on Olympus' website, the E-300 is placed above E-500. Does that means that in their product lineup, the E-300 is considered more highend?

Guess you're somewhat right. At present no other DSLR has such a comprehensive accessories. Most of them rely on 3rd party makers such as Inos, Ikelite...

[raycsk]

Originally Posted by ysk i can't find the uw scene mode after installing 1.3. is yours ok?

Have yet to check. I read details about the updates from the website when I was doing me firmware upgrade

[kktan]

Originally Posted by ysk i can't find the uw scene mode after installing 1.3. is yours ok?

It's inside the MENU on the camera.

1) Press MENU

2) Go to Tool 2

3) Scroll down to the very last setting before the FIRMWARE to turn OFF or ON the UW scene.

Hope this help.

[bariq]

Originally Posted by kktan It's inside the MENU on the camera. 1) Press MENU 2) Go to Tool 2 3) Scroll down to the very last setting before the FIRMWARE to turn OFF or ON the UW scene. Hope this help.

one more point to this list

4) After 1-3, go scuba diving with ray

[ysk]

Originally Posted by bariq one more point to this list 4) After 1-3, go scuba diving with ray

thanks.. will do.. now counting down for my maldives trip in end oct..

[kktan]

Originally Posted by ysk thanks.. will do.. now counting down for my maldives trip in end oct..

WOW!!! Going Maldives for diving.

Maybe our friend Mr. Hitman can recommend you guys some secret spots to dive. Remember to post some pics after your trip.

[Hitman]

Originally Posted by kktan WOW!!! Going Maldives for diving. Maybe our friend Mr. Hitman can recommend you guys some secret spots to dive. Remember to post some pics after your trip.

Yes, yes.... Maldives is a divers' paradise!! It's the Manta Ray season now and I'll be joining our Marine Biologist next week for a dive

Our Marine Biologist uses the Oly 8080 with the under water housing and a strobe. Damn powerful, and the pics from the Oly 8080 is

ysk - Which resort you visiting?

[kktan]

Originally Posted by Hitman Yes, yes.... Maldives is a divers' paradise!! It's the Manta Ray season now and I'll be joining our Marine Biologist next week for a dive Our Marine Biologist uses the Oly 8080 with the under water housing and a strobe. Damn powerful, and the pics from the Oly 8080 is ysk - Which resort you visiting?

Yo Mr. Hitman,

Post more beautiful pictures of Maldives after your trip, okie???

[Hitman]

Originally Posted by kktan Yo Mr. Hitman, Post more beautiful pictures of Maldives after your trip, okie???

Sure

[hammer_400]

Originally Posted by Hitman Our Marine Biologist uses the Oly 8080 with the under water housing and a strobe. Damn powerful, and the pics from the Oly 8080 is

tempt him with the e300..hehe.... and the WHOLE lot of underwater accesories.. 11-22mm, fisheye, ttl flash...hehe

[Mikefellh]

Originally Posted by ysk i can't find the uw scene mode after installing 1.3. is yours ok?

After you turn on the UW mode in the menu, the two extra scene modes are NOT in the SCENE section of the dial...the UW modes actually replace the Night and Sports modes...if you turn on the Control Panel (press the Info button), you will see that instead of the Night and Sports icons you would see in those modes, they've been replaced with fish icons.

Now all you need is the UW case.

Personally though, I'd still use the PASM modes...I don't like being restricted by the scene modes, although I might look to see what defaults a scene mode choses, and maybe adjust some of those same settings in the PASM mode.

[ysk]

Originally Posted by Hitman ... ysk - Which resort you visiting?

will be doing LOB..

[chancy]

Hello Mikefellh,

Thank you for clear explanation and for sharing possible underwater shooting techniques over and above those provided in-camera.

On a recent photo outing, I came to learn from a fellow enthusiast the same techniques you mentioned, by using scene mode parameter settings as a starting point as I've never quite ventured into other fields of photography beyond candid.

Cheers,

[Hitman]

Originally Posted by hammer_400 tempt him with the e300..hehe.... and the WHOLE lot of underwater accesories.. 11-22mm, fisheye, ttl flash...hehe

If I had been involved with the budgeting and purchasing process, I would have surely INSIST on the E-300 underwater accessories!! But they wanted the money to be better spent on research equipment leh...

[Hitman]

Originally Posted by ysk will be doing LOB..

I see... But do let me know if you need any assistance k... I'm sure you'll enjoy Maldives

[tao]

Originally Posted by Hitman If I had been involved with the budgeting and purchasing process, I would have surely INSIST on the E-300 underwater accessories!! But they wanted the money to be better spent on research equipment leh...

Hmmm... but an E-300 with all the UW gear is a research equipment!

[raycsk]

Originally Posted by tao Hmmm... but an E-300 with all the UW gear is a research equipment!

Well I wouldn't go as far as classifying it as research equipment. But comparing to the likes of the other DSLR makes it packs quite a comprehensive range.

However I strongly feel that using an underwater strobe would be much better for capturing natural marine colours compared to the FL-36 or 50 with underwater casing.