The subject for this month is the various configurations with the Olympus Pen E-PL2 and the E-PL3 camera systems. Our test was in Komodo in January 2012. Sue's primary tests were with the Pen E-PL3 and the U-FL2 strobes. Jack's primary tests were with the Pen E-PL2 and the Light and Motion 1200 Sola LED lights.

 

The Image above is a typical setup for the Olympus Pen E-PL3 and the U-FL2 strobes. We prefer using two three inch arms instead of one six inch so that we have more flexibility. We also use Sue's knuckles from Ultralight which allow extreme flexibility of the strobe angles. You can view images taken with this setup by going to the following link.

http://www.earthseaimages.com/jackandsuedrafahl/webshows/OlympusE_PL3_Zoom/index.html

The 45mm macro lens also fits in the same E-PL3 standard port as the 14-42mm zoom and can shoot images up to 2-1. With the addition of the 67mm screw in lens image magnification can go beyond the 2-1 magnification. The image above shows the standard port with the two lenses that work in that port. (14-42mm and 45mm macro). Samples of images shot with the 45mm macro can be seen at the following link.

http://www.earthseaimages.com/jackandsuedrafahl/webshows/OlympusE_PL3_Macro/index.html

 

The Olympus Pen E-PL2 and the Zen Fisheye port can take both the 8mm fisheye and the 45mm macro lens. This allows you to change from macro to fisheye and back without having to change ports between dives. The above images shows the Pen E-PL2, the Zen fisheye port, and the two lenses that work in that port. Sample images and video shot with the the Olympus E-PL2 and the fisheye lens can be see at the following links

http://www.earthseaimages.com/jackandsuedrafahl/webshows/PenSola1200_8mmFisheye/index.html
http://www.earthseaimages.com/Videos/SolaFisheye/SolaFisheye.html

 

The Olympus Pen E-PL2 and the Zen Macro Port allow underwater photographers to shoot up to 2-1 magnification. The 67mm screw in front mount allows the addition of underwater close up lenses and increase the magnification to beyond 2-1. The above image shows the Zen port and the close up lens. Images taken with this setup can be viewed at the following link.

http://www.earthseaimages.com/jackandsuedrafahl/webshows/PenSola1200_45mmMacro/index.html

 

The Olympus Pen E-PL2 and the standard port can accommodate the 9-18mm, 14-42mm, and the 45mm macro lens. Both zoom lens have enough room inside the port to accommodate close-up diopters from +1 to +10 to increase the close focus ability of the zoom lenses. The macro lens does work in the port but has extra space between the front of the lens and the port making close focus subjects very close to the front of the port. If you have the Zen marco port and time to switch ports we recommend changing ports. If time is short using the 45mm macro in this port will work. The image above illustrates the versatility of this system. Images taken with this setup can be viewed at the following links.

http://www.earthseaimages.com/jackandsuedrafahl/webshows/PenSola1200_14_42/index.html
http://www.earthseaimages.com/jackandsuedrafahl/webshows/PenSola1200_9_18/index.html
http://www.earthseaimages.com/Videos/SolaZoom/SolaZoom.html