Macro dive photography using Olympus Tough and Ring Light 1500

If you use an Olympus Tough camera with the PT-059 housing, the Ring Light 1500 is a great choice for underwater photography. It’s easy to use and provides powerful lighting for your shots. Here’s why it’s ideal for Olympus Tough users:

Direct Mounting, No Stepping Ring Needed

The Ring Light 1500 has an M52 thread, which fits perfectly on the PT-059 housing. This means you don’t need any extra adapters, just mount it and go. It’s simple, quick, and secure every time.

Bright, Natural Lighting for Stunning Shots

The Ring Light 1500 gives off 1500 lumens of bright light, helping you capture clear, macro underwater photos. It has a Color Rendering Index (CRI) of RA80 and a Color Temperature (CCT) of 5700K, producing natural colors and avoiding the color distortions common in underwater photography.

Long Battery Life for Extended Shoots

The Ring Light 1500 lasts up to 85 minutes at full brightness, giving you plenty of time to shoot. It also charges quickly, only 2 hours to go from empty to full, so you’re always ready for the next dive.

Easy Control with Stepless Dimming

You can easily adjust the light with the stepless dimming knob to get the perfect lighting for your macro shots. When capturing tiny details or close-up subjects, you can control the light intensity for optimal results. Plus, the 3-color light indication helps you track your light levels.

Built for Depth and Durability

With a depth rating of 60 meters, the Ring Light 1500 is built to handle deep dives. It’s also lightweight: 271g on land and just 110g underwater. The design and weight also means no extra buoyancy arms are needed, offering a simple and streamlined setup for your shoots.

Flash Trigger and Focus Function

For advanced setups, the Ring Light 1500 offers manual flash of max 1800 lumen and a focus assist function that give you more control over your lighting.
The manual flash trigger allows the light to sync with your camera’s flash, but it’s not TTL (Through The Lens) controlled. Instead, it works in manual flash mode, meaning you can adjust the light output manually. This gives you full control over the light intensity, making it perfect for photographers who want to fine-tune their lighting for different underwater situations.
The ''focus assist function/ auto-off'' is a helpful feature, especially when working with an external strobe. It has an auto/off setting, and when set to auto/off, it helps illuminate the subject, making it easier to focus in low-light conditions. This function is particularly useful when you’re pairing the Ring Light 1500 with an external strobe, as it provides additional lighting to ensure you get the sharpest focus on your subject.
With these manual control features, you can adjust both your lighting and focus precisely to get the perfect shot every time.

Difference Between Ring Light 1500 and Ring Light 3000

Here’s a quick look at the differences between the Ring Light 1500 and Ring Light 3000:

  • Brightness: The Ring Light 3000 offers 1800 lumens and 3000 lumen in strobe mode, almost double the brightness of the 1500's, 1800 lumens strobe mode. The 3000 is better for system cameras, especially when you need more light for fast shutter speeds or small apertures.
  • Battery Life: The Ring Light 1500 lasts up to 85 minutes at full brightness, while the 3000 lasts 70 minutes due to its higher brightness.
  • Depth Rating: The Ring Light 3000 can go to 100 meters, while the Ring Light 1500 is rated to 60 meters. The 3000 is better for deep-water dives.
  • Weight: The Ring Light 3000 is heavier, at 410g on land, compared to the 1500’s 271g.
  • Size: The Ring Light 3000 is slightly larger, so it might be less portable than the Ring Light 1500.
  • Additional Feature – Red Light Support: The Ring Light 3000 also supports red light mode, which is ideal for night diving or observing marine life without startling it. The Ring Light 1500 does not offer red light support.

Key Considerations:

  • The Ring Light 3000 is a great option for system cameras needing more light for tricky shots, especially in low-light conditions or when using fast shutter speeds and small apertures.
  • The Ring Light 1500 is perfect for Olympus Tough users who want a simple, compact light with great performance for macro dives.

Summary:

  • If you need extra light for more advanced setups, especially with mirrorless cameras, the Ring Light 3000 is the better choice.
  • If you're using an Olympus Tough camera, the Ring Light 1500 offers an easy-to-use solution with enough power for most underwater macro shoots.

Conclusion

The Ring Light 1500 is the perfect choice for Olympus Tough users. It’s simple to use, mounts directly to your PT-059 housing with no need for extra adapters, and delivers powerful, natural lighting for your underwater shots. If you're looking for an easy-to-use, reliable macro light for your Olympus Tough camera, the Ring Light 1500 is the best choice.