I have an OM-D E-M10 IV. For macro, I use the OM 60mm f2.8 macro lens and Nauticam MFO-1. I would like to get some more magnification but keep the image quality of the MFO-1. I know I could just buy a CMC-1 or CMC-2. However, I already own a Fantasea UCL-05LF close-up lens. I wonder if stacking it with the MFO-1 would give me better image quality than that close-up lens alone. Anyone have any experience stacking the MFO-1 or have any thoughts about it?

There was a thread on here specifically recommending against stacking the MFO-1 and any of the Nauticam close up lenses as they both have the air-water interfaces and would double correct.

The Fantasea lens won't have that correction, though it is quite a low power lens compared to the CMC-1 and 2 lenses. If the MFO-1 has a front thread you could try stacking and see if you like the results seeing as you already have the lens. You could even try it in a tub shooting a flat target to see what the quality was like.

can't help with MFO, but as a sidenote I also own an AOI/Fantasea UCL-05LF and a CMC-1 and stack these with no issues for supermacro.
Before getting the UCL-05LF I was stacking the CMC-1 (roughly +15) and an Inon UCL-165 (+6) - you roughly get a +20 lens, and it's workeable.

The MFO however is a really special lens, so not sure how it will behave since it's really designed for use on flat ports if I understood correctly.

@Babydiver It appears you can physically stack the MFO-1 and CMCs - but whether it works will require some testing.

Edited Monday at 05:58 PM2 days by humu9679

15 hours ago, bghazzal said:

can't help with MFO, but as a sidenote I also own an AOI/Fantasea UCL-05LF and a CMC-1 and stack these with no issues for supermacro.
Before getting the UCL-05LF I was stacking the CMC-1 (roughly +15) and an Inon UCL-165 (+6) - you roughly get a +20 lens, and it's workeable.

The MFO however is a really special lens, so not sure how it will behave since it's really designed for use on flat ports if I understood correctly.

That is great to know. If the CMC-1 works, then I can expect the MFO-1 to work. Anyhow, I will try it out.

15 hours ago, Chris Ross said:

There was a thread on here specifically recommending against stacking the MFO-1 and any of the Nauticam close up lenses as they both have the air-water interfaces and would double correct.

The Fantasea lens won't have that correction, though it is quite a low power lens compared to the CMC-1 and 2 lenses. If the MFO-1 has a front thread you could try stacking and see if you like the results seeing as you already have the lens. You could even try it in a tub shooting a flat target to see what the quality was like.

If I can get the image improvement of the MFO-1, then I might not be tempted to upgrade to the CMC-1 or 2 :). thanks.

It is interesting that you get "better" image quality with the MFO and the OLY 60. I tried that combo and couldn't really tell the difference even shooting ISO charts in the pool. Glad that it works for you.

Bill