Olympus TG-5 and TG-6 Underwater Settings

The Olympus TG-5 and TG-6 are two of the most popular compact cameras currently on the market for underwater photographers. They are notable for their amazing durability, waterproofing down to 50 ft without a housing, beautiful image quality, and impressive macro capability. Because the TG-6 was a somewhat superficial upgrade from the TG-5, there are relatively few differences between the cameras. Therefor, we decided to combine our settings articles for both cameras so with a few notable differences mentioned for each camera.

Although the TG-6 and TG-5 produce great image quality for their price point, they are a middle to lower end compact camera so they do not offer full manual control. Many people couldn’t care less as long as they get good results, whereas others might find this frustrating. It is possible to get great results underwater, but some types of underwater photography can require weird tricks and work arounds. That being said, you can get as idiot proof and as complicated as you want with the TG-5 and TG-6. 

Be sure to check out our review of the Olympus TG-6 and our review of the Olympus TG-5

Let’s Take a Look at that Mode Dial

The mode dial is the most important tool when it comes to taking photos with this camera underwater. The modes in the mode dial decide how much control you have over your photography underwater. 

Let’s take a look at the modes: 

• Auto: Auto mode gives the camera full control over your photos. Although you will get better results in modes that give you more control, if you just want to point and shoot, this mode works great. Take a look at the next section for your settings, and if anything is grey on your menu then you can ignore it. 

• P mode: Program mode selects both the aperture and shutter speed for you. It is very similar to automatic mode, but automatic mode goes a step further by choosing the ideal mode as well. 

• A mode: Aperture priority mode gives you the most control over your Olympus TG-6. This is the mode you want to shoot to get the best results out of your camera. Check out our section on aperture priority mode. 

• C1/C2 mode: Custom modes can be set so that you can quickly get to pre-defined settings in case you need to switch between different shooting situations like macro and wide angle. You can assign custom settings by going into the menu and then click shooting menu 1.

• Movie mode: Movie mode is the main mode for shooting video on the Olympus TG-5 and it is also available in the Olympus TG-6. However, with the Olympus TG-6 you can record video in every mode. 

• Underwater modes: Underwater modes are a good option if you are snorkeling and don’t have a flash or strobe. However, we don’t recommend using these modes if you are scuba diving or using a strobe. 

• Microscope mode: This mode is a favorite among underwater photographers. It allows you to focus close to your subject and capture amazing macro photos. We highly recommend using this mode to shoot macro. On the Olympus TG-6 you can also shoot macro in other modes by using supermacro autofocus. On the Olympus TG-5 you need to be in microscope mode to take macro photos. 

• Scene mode: The camera applies custom settings for different scenes. We don’t recommend using these modes underwater. 

Set Once and Forget About It

So lets get to it! First, as with every camera there are certain settings that you just need to set once and you can forget about it. If any of the following settings are grey, this is because the camera is on a certain mode in the mode dial where these settings don’t apply. If you want to stay in that mode, then feel free to ignore those settings.

Press the Menu Button. Select custom menu:

• A: 

o AF Illuminator off – it won’t help much if your camera is in a housing

o MF Assist: Off – we’re taking underwater photos

• B: 

o Live View Boost: On when shooting with a flash or strobe. Off when shooting without a flash or strobe. This helps you see the screen when shooting with a flash. 

o Flicker reduction: Auto if you’re shooting topside as well, off if underwater.

o Displayed Grid: your choice – it puts a grid on your screen for composition

• C: 

o Exposure shift: Keep default

o ISO-Auto set. Change these settings if you are shooting wide angle and want a darker background and less ambient light in shutter priority mode. Upper limit/Default: Upper limit set to 400, Default 100. Lowest S/S Setting: 1/160. 

o Noise Filter: Standard if shooting JPEG, Off if shooting RAW

o Noise Reduction: Auto if shooting JPEG, Off if shooting RAW

• D:

o Exposure comp + flash comp: Off

o Flash+WB: WB Auto

• E:

o WB: Auto if shooting with a strobe or flash. If you’re snorkeling or shooting without a strobe or flash, then please see our snorkeling section. 

o WB Auto Keep Warm Color: Your choice. If you like warmer (more red and orange) photos, then keep it on. If you want normal Auto White Balance, then turn it off.

o Color Space: sRGB, unless you’re into serious photo editing. In that case, check out our article on color management. 

• F: I don’t worry about this

• G: I don’t worry about this

• H: Choose the amount of time before the camera sleeps. Otherwise, I don’t worry about this. 

Press Menu, Select Setup Menu: 

• Card setup: Select format to erase all data on your card. Warning: if you press “format” then you will lose everything on the card. 

• Set your time zone and time as necessary

• Set your language

• I keep monitor brightness at the default 0

• Rec View is how long the picture is displayed after shooting. I keep this at 0.5 sec

• Wi-Fi Settings: I don’t use this. 

Underwater Settings for Beginners and “Auto Lovers”

Many people purchase the TG-6 and TG-5 with the intention of using it as a “point and shoot” camera. It does excel in this regard. Here are some quick settings if you just want to use the camera as an automatic camera. 

For the most basic shooting settings: 

• Turn the mode dial to Auto

• Press “OK” and select the settings below

• WB Auto

• Auto Focus

• 4:3

• LF for high quality JPEG photos. RAW if you want to edit your photos in lightroom or photoshop. LF+RAW if you want to share quick JPEGs and have the option of editing later.

• 4K 30p for the highest quality video (in the TG-6)

• S-IS ON

• Flash auto. If you want to use a strobe, it is better to be in “P” mode

• Flash +/-: keep it at 0

• Single

• ESP

• Accessory off

For Program mode (best choice with a strobe):

• Turn the mode dial to P mode

• Press “OK” and select the settings below

• Vivid picture profile (retains reds better). This only applies if you are shooting JPEG.

• ISO 200. You can select ISO auto if your images are coming out too dark

• WB Auto

• AF for normal photos, AFS (supermacro) for macro photos. AF supermacro can only be used on the TG-6. Zoom all the way in when using AFS (supermacro).

• 4:3

• LF for high quality JPEG photos. RAW if you want to edit your photos in lightroom or photoshop. LF+RAW if you want to share quick JPEGs and have the option of editing later.

• 4K 30p for high quality 4K video

• S-IS ON

• Flash mode depends on your strobe. Select “fill in” for most strobes. Use “RC flash” with the RC1 TTL converter and a DS strobe

• Flash +/-: 0

• Single frame shooting

• Spot with a strobe, ESP without

• Face priority off

• ACC OFF 

The Best Underwater Settings for More Advanced Shooters

There’s no doubt that the automatic modes in the Olympus TG-5 and Olympus TG-6 are going to get excellent results. However, you will get the very best results in A mode (aperture priority) and microscope mode for macro. These are our two favorite modes for these cameras so here are the settings we use in these modes: 

Recommended settings for Aperture Priority Mode: 

• Turn the mode dial to A mode

• Press “OK” and select the settings below

• Vivid picture profile (retains reds better). This only applies to your JPEG file.

• ISO 100 when shooting in clear tropical water. ISO 200 - ISO 400 when shooting in darker water. Check out our top tips for shooting with the TG-5 and TG-6 for suggestions for using Auto ISO. 

• WB Auto

• AF (autofocus) mode. AFS (supermacro) for macro photos. AF supermacro can only be used on the TG-6. Zoom all the way in when using AFS (supermacro).

• 4:3

• LF for high quality JPEG photos. RAW if you want to edit your photos in lightroom or photoshop. LF+RAW if you want to share quick JPEGs and have the option of editing later.

• 4K 30p for high quality 4k video

• S-IS On

• Flash mode depends on your strobe. Select “fill in” for most strobes. Use “RC flash” with the RC1 TTL converter and a DS strobe

• Flash +/-: 0

• Single frame shooting

• Spot with a strobe, ESP without

• Face priority off

• ACC OFF 

• Use the dial on the top to set your aperture. The camera will automatically set your shutter speed, and your ISO if you are in auto ISO. The higher your f-stop number is, the more of your image will be in focus.

Recommended Settings for Microscope Mode:

As we mentioned before, we recommend microscope mode for shooting photos of anything smaller than a tangerine. On the Olympus TG-6 you do not need to use microscope mode because you can use AF supermacro in any mode. In fact, we recommend doing this. To use microscope mode or AF supermacro, make sure you zoom the camera all the way in first: 

• Turn the mode dial to microscope mode

• Choose the microscope

• Zoom all the way in

• Vivid picture profile (retains reds better). This only applies to your JPEG file.

• ISO 100 when shooting in clear tropical water. ISO 200 - ISO 400 when shooting in darker water. Check out our top tips for shooting with the TG-5 and TG-6 for suggestions for using Auto ISO. 

• WB Auto

• AF (autofocus) mode

• 4:3

• LF for high quality JPEG photos. RAW if you want to edit your photos in lightroom or photoshop. LF+RAW if you want to share quick JPEGs and have the option of editing later.

• 4K 30p for high quality 4k video

• S-IS On

• Flash mode depends on your strobe. Select “fill in” for most strobes. Use “RC flash” with the RC1 TTL converter and a DS strobe

• Flash +/-: 0

• Single frame shooting

• Spot with a strobe, ESP without

• Face priority off

• ACC OFF 

The Best Settings for Snorkelers Using the Olympus TG-5 and Olympus TG-6

The Olympus TG-5 and TG-6 are two top choices as waterproof cameras that can be used for snorkeling. We suggest these settings with the consideration that snorkelers do not often use underwater housings with the TG-6 and TG-5 or strobes. If you have a housing and strobe then we still recommend the previous settings. 

Olympus TG-6:

The Olympus TG-6 has some built in underwater white balance mode in their Aperture Priority mode. Press “OK” and go to your white balance settings. Underwater: Shallow is good for most snorkeling situations. If you decide to go deeper you can use underwater: mid range or underwater: deep. Keep in mind that the camera can only go down 50ft without a housing. All other settings can be set as in aperture priority mode. You may need to turn your flash off if you don’t have a strobe, or you can use your flash to bring colors back to your macro photos.

Olympus TG-5:

The Olympus TG-5 does not have underwater white balance modes built into aperture priority mode. In this case we recommend using aperture priority mode with Auto WB. However, if you want more automatic capture, you can turn the mode dial to the underwater setting and select “underwater snapshot.” In many cases aperture priority will still be better. 

Video Settings for the Olympus TG-5 and TG-6

The Olympus TG-5 and TG-6 are excellent video cameras that can shoot some pretty spectacular 4K video! In the TG-6 you can hit the record button anytime and it will start shooting video. In the TG-5 you will need to turn the mode dial to movie mode and select record. Unfortunately, you will not be able to shoot macro video with the TG-5 like you can with the TG-6. We recommend the vivid picture profile in movie mode. Make sure M-IS is ON. Otherwise, settings will be the same as in Aperture Priority mode. 

Tips and Tricks: Getting the Most Out of Your Olympus TG-5 and TG-6

The Olympus TG-5 and TG-6 are a little less versatile than a higher end compact camera due to a lack of a full manual mode. Don't get me wrong – they take great shots in automatic and aperture priority mode. But sometimes the cameras aren’t as accurate as one would like in choosing the right aperture (for proper depth of field) or the right shutter speed/ISO (for proper exposure). Fortunately, we have our top tips and tricks…

1. Ikelite RC1 TTL Receiver for DS strobes and Olympus TG-5/TG-6

Yup, that sounds like a mouthful. But it's actually much easier to use than it sounds. The Ikelite RC1 TTL receiver is only compatible with Ikelite DS strobes (we recommend the Ikelite DS 51 for the Olympus TG-5 and TG-6), and Olympus/Panasonic cameras. This device makes it so that your strobes properly expose your photos with every shot. You won't ever have to worry about photos being blown out or too dark. It really is just point and shoot (but you still have control over your settings!). The only other items you need for this to work are your camera, an underwater housing with fiberoptic ports, and fiber optic cables. Normally DS strobes need to be triggered with sync cords but in this case, the fiber optic signal is converted and stil triggers the strobe. 

The RC1 TTL receiver will also select smaller apertures in microscope mode which is a huge benefit because it increases the depth of field in your images. So if you're looking for a way to shoot macro, properly expose your images, and get more depth of field - the RC1 TTL receiver is the way to go. 

Recommended settings with the RC1 TTL receiver in Microscope Mode:

• Picture mode - natural

• ISO 100

• Auto white balance

• 4:3 aspect ratio

• RAW format

• Still IS ON

• Flash - RC mode

• Exposure comp 0 (adjustable)

• Frame rate - single

• Meter - spot. It's extremely important to pick spot metering, not ESP.

• Face priority - off

• Accessory - off

2. For the Olympus TG-6: Use the new Super Macro Autofocus option instead of Microscope Mode

Previous renditions of the Olympus Tough line were a little annoying to shoot macro with underwater. Anytime you wanted to switch to macro, you had to turn the mode dial from Aperture Priority or Program mode to Microscope Mode. Now, all you have to do is click "ok" on the camera, selected the Super Macro Autofocus mode and you're ready to shoot macro without turning the mode dial. One less step can be the difference between getting a nice series of photos from different perspectives, and losing your subject because it took to long to switch to macro.

Moreover, microscope mode doesn't let you select your aperture value, so if you want more depth of field in your macro shots - make sure you shoot Aperture priority and use supermacro AF. This allows you to select a smaller aperture for more depth of field! 

3. Use the custom menu to set a minimum shutter speed and a maximum ISO in Auto ISO Mode.

If you find that not being able to shoot manual is very frustrating, or if you want proper underwater exposure with your wide angle photos, using the custom menu is a work around to not being able to control shutter speed. 

In order to maintain a high shutter speed while shooting wide angle, you will need to be in Auto ISO mode. Then, hit your menu button, go to custom menu "C", and select ISO-Auto set. Then you can set the upper limit of your ISO to 400 and your lower shutter speed limit to whatever you prefer. Any shutter speed from 1/125 to 1/500 should work.

Conclusion

These may seem like a lot of settings for such a little camera. But once you get in the water, you are going to find that you really only have a few settings you’ll need to manipulate throughout the dive. It’s a good idea to try not to get entrenched in your favorite settings, but to experiment with many different settings in different lighting situations. In no time you are going to capture underwater photos that replicate your mind’s eye and translate the underwater world into an artform.