)Can't for the life of me find any answers on this one. Know the CMC performs well (also running an s35 sensor so crop improves clarify AFAIK), but ideally want something I can use if I end up grabbing the 90mm G. Anyone used the SMC series optics on the 28-60 kit?

Cheers!

The Nauticam port charts at one time included some references to using SMC and CMC diopters on the same lens and the CMC-1 lens was slightly more powerful than SMC-1. The CMC was designed around compacts which tend to have shorter focal lengths so need more power to achieve similar magnifications. I expect this is why Nauticam recommends the CMC-1 with the 28-60.

I'm sure the SMC-1 would work, just giving slightly less magnification than the CMC-1. The port chart shows that you get 0.9x magnification but the working distance is between 55-80mm. This means it won't focus except in that very narrow band. I expect it could be a little frustrating to use compared to a proper macro lens. If you are talking about a s35 sensor, assume you are shooting video - I imagine it could be tough to position the rig particularly if you are using a tripod for macro video.

You would actually get 1:1 with the 90mm so would be filling the frame with a subject about 25mm across - so I would be asking the question if you need that sort of magnification before deciding what you want to do, which of course depends on what subjects you have in mind. That's more magnification than you would get with the 28-60/CMC combo. The 90mm on an s35 is equivalent to a 135mm lens so you may be needing to back off to far with larger subjects.

I have tested both with 28-60 for stills. I have used CMC-1 and CMC-2 as well as stacking both, CMC-1 plus CMC-1 & 2. Regarding SMC, it depends on using the old SMC-1 & 2 or the new SMC-3. 1 & 2 are very thick which cause slight corner issues with both 28-60 and 90mm with 26-60 being more noticeable. CMC-1/2 and SMC-3 are about half as thick. If you intend to own both 28-60 and 90mm then the SMC-3 will be the better choice because it will work better with the 90mm lenses.

If you intend to buy a 90mm read my review for the Tamron 90mm F/2.8 macro for Sony FE in issue #142 of uwpmag.com I owned the Sony for about tens years now and found the upsides of the Tamron to be better than those of the Sony 90mm macro. Also the savings on the Tamron will offset the higher cost of the SMC-3 over the CMC's.