The Secret to Underwater Photography with Olympus and Panasonic Camera

By Jean Rydberg

The RC1 TTL Receiver for Olympus and Panasonic Cameras attaches to almost any Ikelite DS-series underwater strobe and provides TTL operation with a wide variety of Olympus and Panasonic cameras like the super popular Olympus Tough TG-6. Check this link for compatibility.

The RC1 is useful for Ikelite housings as well as those by Nauticam, Aquapazza, Isotta, Recsea, Olympus and others.

So what does it do?

Basically you’re giving your camera a remote control for your underwater strobe. Just turn the strobe on and the camera will tell it how much to fire for perfect exposure on each photo.

Ikelite RC1 TTL Receiver for Olympus and Panasonic Housings

Ikelite DS strobes with RC1 converters can be used with almost any manufacturer's underwater housing including the PT-059 for Olympus TG-5 and TG-6 cameras.

Better photos aren’t the only advantage to the RC1

It also extends the battery life of your camera because the flash doesn’t use as much energy in this special flash mode. You will be able to take more pictures, faster. This is particularly important if you’re shooting a quick moving subject like a turtle and want to get a few shots off before it swims away.

The RC1 can provide accurate strobe exposure even in sunny conditions and when shooting wide angle. When you're shooting a fast moving subject like a turtle you don't have enough time to adjust strobe power dials. © 2022 Caitlin Hale

Using the RC1

It's really easy to attach the RC1 to your strobe and start shooting with camera-controlled strobe exposure. The RC1 works great with the DS51 II as well as our professional series of strobes including the DS160 II, DS161, DS162, and DS230 strobes.

Remove the protector cap from the RC1.
Remove the bulkhead cap from the strobe.
Align the contacts between the RC1 plug and strobe bulkhead. Turn the retaining ring clockwise until it stops.
Push one end of your fiber optic cord into the receiving end on the RC1.
Push the other end of the fiber optic cord into the port on your housing.
Set the camera to RC Flash (Olympus) or Wireless Flash (Panasonic).
Turn the strobe on to TTL.
Take a photo.

Ikelite RC1 TTL Receiver for Olympus and Panasonic attached to DS51 Underwater Strobe

The RC1 can stay attached to your strobe through the week of diving unless your strobe has an older nickel-plated brass bulkhead like the silver-colored one shown in this photo. In that case you should remove the RC1 each evening to wipe down and lubricate the threads. This will prevent the two different metals from seizing together.

That's all there is to it. You will need two RC1 TTL Receivers and two fiber optic cords if you plan to shoot dual strobes.

Have fun shooting your system with the RC1 TTL Receiver. Shoot us an email via ikelite@ikelite.com if you have any questions about how to set up your system or how to get better shots.

Happy shooting!

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Jean Rydberg, daughter of Ike Brigham, became President & CEO of Ikelite in 2006. Prior to that, she wisely pursued a degree in Astronomy & Astrophysics to prepare herself for the challenges of running a technology-driven manufacturing business with global distribution. Jean fully embraces the need to travel outside of her hometown of Indianapolis to experience good diving. She believes that any camera is capable of amazing results in the right hands, and anyone can become a great photographer given the right advice. When she's not working she's spending time with her husband, cats, and two daughters (though not necessarily in that order).