Hello all,

Not quite sure where to post this as I shoot video on a compact, but I guess it doesn't really matter.

For macro / supermacro, I currently use the following diopters: Inon UCL-165 (+6) and Nauticam CMC1 - I also have an AOI UCL-09 (+12.5) but leave it home since I got the CMC-1

However, I'm starting to get a little frustrated with the contrast/image quality on the Inon - focusing with the CMC-1 is night-and-day, much more light/contrast, sensor is happy and my focus peaking points are happy.
The Inon is also quite soft in the wider range, very soft corners.

Would you have recommendation on +6 to +10 diopters offering a better image quality than the Inon, especially more light/contrast. I'm also interested in a good MOD and depth of field (crucial for video, as smaller subjects swing in and out of focus). The +6 was very flexible for this.

I've found the old AOI Fantasea UCL-05LF +6 which is supposed to be quite good (the design is identical to the UCL-09), and the Kraken KRL08S (+6, but more rare, bulkier and more expensive)

Another option is the CMC2, which I've tested before and loved, but I'm not sure it's a good idea to go up to +10.

Any suggestions?

Thanks a bunch!

Have a look on AOI website. They have a new +6 called UCL-05N. The UCL-09 is discontinued but I have seen a review claiming good things for the UCL-09PRO. I haven't used either. Nor do I know how the new +6 UCL-05N differs from the discontinued +6 UCL-05L, but would like someone to get them and do an unbiased review!

I think the Kraken maybe is made by Weefine (WFL08S).

52 minutes ago, bghazzal said:

Hello all,

Not quite sure where to post this as I shoot video on a compact, but I guess it doesn't really matter.

For macro / supermacro, I currently use the following diopters: Inon UCL-165 (+6) and Nauticam CMC1 - I also have an AOI UCL-09 (+12.5) but leave it home since I got the CMC-1

However, I'm starting to get a little frustrated with the contrast/image quality on the Inon - focusing with the CMC-1 is night-and-day, much more light/contrast, sensor is happy and my focus peaking points are happy.
The Inon is also quite soft in the wider range, very soft corners.

Would you have recommendation on +6 to +10 diopters offering a better image quality than the Inon, especially more light/contrast. I'm also interested in a good MOD and depth of field (crucial for video, as smaller subjects swing in and out of focus). The +6 was very flexible for this.

I've found the old AOI Fantasea UCL-05LF +6 which is supposed to be quite good (the design is identical to the UCL-09), and the Kraken KRL08S (+6, but more rare, bulkier and more expensive)

Another option is the CMC2, which I've tested before and loved, but I'm not sure it's a good idea to go up to +10.

Any suggestions?

Thanks a bunch!

Marelux have a +5 they have just released recently haven't used it of course but could be decent quality. You could ask Phil Rudin if he has tried it?

1 hour ago, John E said:

Have a look on AOI website. They have a new +6 called UCL-05N. The UCL-09 is discontinued but I have seen a review claiming good things for the UCL-09PRO. I haven't used either. Nor do I know how the new +6 UCL-05N differs from the discontinued +6 UCL-05L, but would like someone to get them and do an unbiased review!

I think the Kraken maybe is made by Weefine (WFL08S).

Interesting thanks - the UCL-05N looks identical to the AOI Fantasea UCL-05LF +6

Comparing the specs the lens, are similar but the new one is lighter
This is the former AOI Fantasea UCL-05LF https://www.uwphotographyguide.com/fantasea-aio-ucl-macro-lens-review
and the new AOI UCL-05 https://www.aoi-uw.com/products/wet-lenses/aoi-ucl-05n.html

Here is a review comparing the Inon UCL165 to the old AOI Fantasea UCL-05LF
https://simonmustoe.blog/review-of-fantasea-ucl-05lf-6-macro-lens/

I have the UCL-09 which I like, but it's a +12.5, and I just use the CMC1 +15 instead now.
The Pro series is very nice, but I think the first one is +12.5, so not what I'm after.

Kraken and Weefine used to share factories, but have split and developed their own product lines, lights for example. Design is still similar, but specs vary.

36 minutes ago, Chris Ross said:

Marelux have a +5 they have just released recently haven't used it of course but could be decent quality. You could ask Phil Rudin if he has tried it?

Thanks Chris, I'll look into it!

Edited June 9Jun 9 by bghazzal

If you need +18.5, the AOI UCL-90PRO is tack sharp.

I only have access to low resolution unedited jpgs at the moment.

But that in and of itself speaks fathoms..

Edited June 9Jun 9 by hedonist222

10 hours ago, Chris Ross said:

Marelux have a +5 they have just released recently haven't used it of course but could be decent quality. You could ask Phil Rudin if he has tried it?

The new Marelux Macroview MV-5 ($229.00 US) is on the way to me now. I will however be out of the US until August 2nd so will not have it in the water until after that date. This is a new design as Marelux is constantly improving product and I don't know at this time if the design will carry over to the current +10 and +15 which I have used. The new +5 has a max magnification of X2.

Flabellina sp. with eggs taken today on the house reef at Scuba Seraya Resort, Bali Indonesia. Sony A7R V, Sigma 105mm macro, Marelux housing, two Marelux Apollo S strobes and Marelux +10 C/U lens, ISO100, F/22, 1/250th sec.

Edited June 9Jun 9 by Phil Rudin