truston - camera question for you

[wade1]

I really like all your Fiji entries in the contest this past month... I noticed the oly5050 (I also have one). Where you using a strobe? And if so, which one? Lighting seems very even and not pointed like the internal flash usually turns out...

Thanks!
Wade

 

[truston]

Hi Wade,

Glad you like them! This is the first time I've ever entered any kind of photo contest, so it's nice to be appreciated... I'm flattered to make the finals!

Yes, I do use external strobes, two in fact. My setup for underwater photography is as follows:

Olympus C-5050
Light & Motion Tetra 5050 housing
2 Ikelite Substrobe MV strobes
Ultralight arms (3 joints on both sides, at camera, strobe, and elbow)

I try to use one strobe as a primary light and the other as a fill by varying their distance to the subject. Depending on distance, I'll sometimes use both equally to pump more light on the subject, or turn one away (at very close range for super macro stuff, using both strobes often results in overexposure).

If you're familiar with underwater gear, you've probably noticed my strobes are ancient. I used them with a previous film setup years ago before that camera was stolen, and when I decided to pick it up again and go digital, I had to decide between the deluxe housing and old strobes, or not-so-deluxe housing and new strobes. I chose the deluxe housing. If you're interested in the details of all that, I'll be glad to share.

- Todd

 

[wade1]

Thanks for the info!

I have a 5050 and oly housing, but no strobes just yet. I've been looking and looking and having an aggravating time of not having hotshoe direct connections. The fiber optic option seems to be a good one, but its a huge investment for the new digital strobes. Hopefully before my next trip I will find something.

 

[truston]

Hi Wade,

Yep; sounds like you're in the quandary I was in. The digital-aware strobes with optical interfaces cost a bundle, and I wanted to stick with two strobe lighting. I went for the Tetra housing as it has the hot shoe connection, the smarts to work with the strobes I already had, and will work with fancier strobes if I upgrade in the future. The initial cost was roughly the same as if I went for the Oly housing and two YS-90DX's or Ike DS-125's.

Good luck!

- Todd