I was recently able to get my Z8 in the water for the first time and enjoyed using it, and enjoyed using the WWL-C with the 24-50. I shot it in the f11 - f13 range and did not get much opportunity to experiment with any wider apertures and effects on image detail, softness, etc. I recall from the "old" days a discussion of the "best" aperture range when using the water-contact lenses, but was wondering if anyone has done any recent testing with the WWL-1 and WWL-C or has any experience/opinions on best aperture range with these lenses? Especially if used with a Nikkor Z...

I thought i should ask before I go and try to reinvent the wheel?

Edited Wednesday at 07:34 PM5 days by JohnD

In the "old" days there was more than just a discussion, at least for the WWL-1. This test was shown on the Nauticam site, no idea which lens they used behind it. f/8 to f/11 always worked well for me on MFT.

The 14-42mm is an Olympus M 4/3 lens with an Olympus M4/3 camera. The 7-14mm M 4/3 lens needed a larger than 180mm port to really work well. A 200 or 230mm dome with proper extension.

That looks vaguely familiar. I have this memory of using the WWL-1 around f11 on M43 and that is the aperture where I started with the WWL-C that I am using with the Nikon. If I can, I will try some test shots at wider apertures, but sometimes on dive trips conditions aren't right to make any meaningful comparisons. I am sort of guessing I could go to f8 before things get too soft, but don't know.

While I don't have a graph to share, I do have plenty of experience with the WWL-1 on a FF rig. (WWL-C will be reasonably similar). From what I've seen, f/13 or f/11 delivers edge-to-edge sharpness and high quality DoF. That said, I frequently use f/8 if I need a little more light for an image. For me personally, I find this acceptable with the exception of perhaps a wreck interior where I want high corner sharpness in an easily recognizable scene. I've been successful as wide as f/5.6 and even f/4 where center sharpness is required with now real corner detail in a blue water situation. I find DoF becomes a larger concern than corner sharpness at the wider apertures on a FF body.

Remember, mileage will vary based on the specific situation and personal expectations. For me, I find the wet contact lenses offer a quality blend of zoom range and sharp images. Hope this helps.

Edited Saturday at 10:52 PM1 day by ChipBPhoto

Thanks Chip, I appreciate the info. Kind of what I expected from prior WWL use but that was on M43. From my limited experience with this version so far, f11-13 seems about right and I will try some shots at f8 when i get to dive it again in a week. I might try it more open, but doubt I will be happy with DOF and edges.

4 hours ago, JohnD said:

Thanks Chip, I appreciate the info. Kind of what I expected from prior WWL use but that was on M43. From my limited experience with this version so far, f11-13 seems about right and I will try some shots at f8 when i get to dive it again in a week. I might try it more open, but doubt I will be happy with DOF and edges.

m43 and APS-C tends to be much more forgiving than FF in relation to f-stop. The crop sensors can use wider apertures where as FF, especially high MP sensors FF, are much more finicky. Then again, it is much easier to get DoF separation with a FF. It’s all about learning the strengths and quirks of the tool and adapting to various situations.

4 hours ago, JohnD said:

Thanks Chip, I appreciate the info. Kind of what I expected from prior WWL use but that was on M43. From my limited experience with this version so far, f11-13 seems about right and I will try some shots at f8 when i get to dive it again in a week. I might try it more open, but doubt I will be happy with DOF and edges.

Best course of action - suck it and see. Everyone's standards are different and it would help you a lot I think to take 5 minutes of the dive to shoot a subject - even the sandy bottom at f5.6 through to 13 to give you an idea of what's possible. A flat surface is good as you're not wondering if the corner blur is due to aperture shot or if it's significantly closer to the camera.

Friends,

I've only been an APS-C camera owner and shooter over 25 years of digital. I truly have never understood all the obsession with corner sharpness. If that's what you're looking at as THE important element in your image I just don't get it, but that's just me.....

I head to Red Sea in a couple days and like last October on a Cozumel trip will attempt to "shoot different".

I take a new lowly APS-C 24 megapixel Canon R100 camera, the unbelievably sharp Canon RF-S 10-18mm IS STM lens and compact Ikelite DLM housing with 6" dome port.

I have a pair of 2,000 lumen 120 degree beam lights plus a smaller slightly narrower 1000 lumen light especially for inside the Thistlegorm and other wrecks to play with.

That's it......

I can borrow a small Inon S220 or Sea and Sea YS-03 flash from some buddies on board our liveaboard if I care to shoot something with flash, or maybe not.......

I'm becoming bored with what I've coined as: "SS" for "Shampoo Shooting" as in "lather, rinse, repeat". Been there done that for too long.

I don't mean to sound dismissive, again it's just where I'm at after decades of taking pictures.

I won't be obsessing over corner sharpness as I also crop every photo I take (well, usually) and fine tune images to my liking.

I realize most of this forum has high end talented shooters desiring top technical quality and have the means to buy top shelf gear, etc. Most (all?) are not making a living from photography as hobbyists not selling or licensing photos. Many win contests showcasing their photos and that's great !

Just thought I'd share different thoughts versus debating age old technical discussions that seem to dominate the forums (sometimes, not always......)

Keep diving, shooting and more importantly have fun :)

David Haas

Some pics shot with everything from 1" sensor compacts to APS-C dSLR even with lowly "kit" lenses......

I think corner sharpness importance depends entirely on the photo.  Where the corners or edges are blue water or sand or dark, etc., it is often unimportant, but sometimes, softness of the corners can detract from the image.  For me, I just like to know what to expect at different apertures so I can make informed choices.  But I agree we can become obsessed with the issue.  Compromises must be made sometimes, and I am not one to magnify an image to examine the corners or edges. 

Some of my questions are related to the fact that I just moved from my trusty D500 DX camera to the Z8, so am still in the honeymoon period and getting familiar with the differences.

Edited yesterday at 02:35 PM1 day by JohnD
Edited to correct pre-coffee errors.

1 hour ago, JohnD said:

I

Some of my questions are related to the fact that I just moved from my trusty D500 DX camera to the Z8, so am still in the honeymoon period and getting familiar with the differences.

Hey John, without hijacking this thread, I’d be very interested to know how you’re getting on with this. I've used a trusty D500 since 2017 and other than being able to see immediate playback in the viewfinder, I’m not sure of the advantages of the Z8 and can see some disadvantages.

It’d be an interesting thread to start if you were so inclined?

PS - These days my remaining dive buddies who shoot a mirrorless ILC camera all shoot FULL FRAME (!!!!!!) Mainly because they want to and can afford to no matter what.

I only recently went to an APS-C camera after 9 years shooting nothing underwater but 1" sensor compacts. The reasons?

Battery life and CMOS DPAF incredible AF over what I'd been shooting with. Also the improved high ISO capability whether shooting ambient light or any flash or fixed lighting.

I'm also testing myself against high f-stops so prevalent in most US shooting. Surface photography, especially creative work is 100% the opposite with isolated focus, bokeh, etc.

The only place that's seen in UW imaging is macro and also Super macro. But still......We seem obsessed with technical everything in focus more than the "feeling" of images. It kind of bums me out.......

One area isolationism is evident are contests....There's many images that make one stop, look, look again and those keep me even interested in hauling any camera set up on trips and underwater.

The "thrill of the hunt" as the saying goes......

Stay safe, dive often and have fun!

David Haas

Edited yesterday at 04:50 PM1 day by dhaas

On 6/1/2025 at 9:32 AM, TimG said:

Hey John, without hijacking this thread, I’d be very interested to know how you’re getting on with this. I've used a trusty D500 since 2017 and other than being able to see immediate playback in the viewfinder, I’m not sure of the advantages of the Z8 and can see some disadvantages.

It’d be an interesting thread to start if you were so inclined?

Done