I have just started using a Nauticam MFO-3 mounted with a flip adapter with a Nikon Z8 and Nikon Z 105mm f/2.8 VR S Macro Lens and found that it worked surprisingly well.

 

The best testament to just how well it performed was during two blackwater dives of West Palm Beach, FL. Blackwater photography, as some of you know can be in creditably challenging. For me, the greatest test came when we found a small paper nautilus on the second night. Although the little sucker never stop moving except to rest on one diver’s fingertip, I came away with more than a five dozen tack sharp images with just a handful of throwaways where the focus didn’t nail.

 

More I shoot with this lens, the more I like.

Those look pretty sharp to me!

I am using the MFO-3 with a Z8/105mm in an Aquatica housing on a flip holder. It works better than I thought it would. As others said, it is like having two very different lenses on the same dive. I sold my Nikon 60mm micro lens since the IQ of the 105 + MFO-3 is better, and it is more convenient.

I've now been using the MFO-3 with the Sony 100mm macro on the A7SIII for video, and it works great.

I was warned that it could cause issues with the lens stabilisation when shooting video, so I turned OSS off on the 100mm and haven't seen any weirdness in the footage. Haven't tried it with OSS on, if anyone has a chance to do it without losing a dive, would love to know.

It's a fantastic tool, mainly because, as others have pointed out, Sony doesn't have a solid 50/60mm macro lens with workable AF.
It's also a great option for people like me who primarily shoot macro and supermacro with a default 90mm or 100mm lens, but occasionally want access to a more medium field of view, rather than use a wider lens and use diopters for occasional macro.

Combined with a snappy lens like the Sony 100mm, video AF works great, even on an ageing system like the A7SIII, and image quality is excellent. I'm using primarily in blackwater like situations (shore-based bonfire dives), and it's much more practical than the 100mm, basically the ideal baseline fov. Reduced minimum focus distance is also very nice!

The main downside so far is the overall length. The 100mm port + MFO-3 combination becomes something of a canon-like contraption...
That's probably less of an issue for stills with powerful strobe lighting, but for our weaker video lights it means longer, more outstretched arms to get the light where it's needed.
And this outstretched lighting position is an issue when a BW subject decides to come close to the glass, which is fine focus wise but requires serious light repositioning...

The other downside is protecting that large front element. The Nauticam rubber cap seems to have been designed to get lost underwater, and is just not practical as is. I have my MFO-3 mounted on a triple flip and currently keep a large neoprene pouch over it.
I think there have also been a few 3D-printed caps with lanyards floating around.

cheers

Edited 7 hours ago7 hr by bghazzal

3 hours ago, bghazzal said:

It's a fantastic tool, mainly because, as others have pointed out, Sony doesn't have a solid 50/60mm macro lens with workable AF.

Well it does. But depends a bit on the skill of the photographer I suppose.

But don't take my word - check out Alex Mustard's clip on "Curved Ports". He is quite a fan of the Sony 50 macro - especially behind a dome - as am I.

50 minutes ago, dentrock said:

Well it does. But depends a bit on the skill of the photographer I suppose.

But don't take my word - check out Alex Mustard's clip on "Curved Ports". He is quite a fan of the Sony 50 macro - especially behind a dome - as am I.

Do keep in mind that I only shoot video - AF on the 50mm AF might be workeable for stills, but not really for video, unless shooting manual on static subjects.
Video AF is a different beast altogether. Super slow AF aquisition is a no-go, even with backbutton focus for "manual AF", as you need it to snap back into focus as quickly as possible.

I use MFO-3 wit Sony 100mm GM on A7R5 (I am a little bit late to the party). It is a great extension of capability with o.k. IQ (MFO-3 sits an a single flip mount, can easily be switched in and out).

If someone is out for the ultimate IQ, the Sony 20-70mm f/4 G lens behind Zen 170 domeport is still better for intemediate focal length, but who, except puristic professionals who are out for just this single shot, would be willing to lug lens, extension and domeport arounf half of the world for this seldom used focal lengths?

Since I have MFO-3, the DP170-N120 stays at home. Sony 20-70mm f/4 and Tamron 50-300mm I take with me, but for over the water; I think I need soon a second body, A7R5 is sitting all the time in the Nauticam housing and over the water photography is rudimentary)...

Wolfgang