13 hours ago, StanS said:

If your friend wants to be able to use RC mode it may only work with an Oly/OM lens. Manuals for the Backscatter strobes state that an Oly/OM lens is required and while I didn't see the AOI manual address this you may want to find this out if you are considering the Panasonic lens. If they plan to only shoot in manual then obviously not a consideration.

Interesting, I suppose that RC mode only has the relevance with camera body, seems I need try the lens before making the order. Thanks for the suggestion.

I have been shooting the 30 for blackwater and out of laziness I left the 45 on. WAY WAY more PITA with a lot fewer keepers. To keep it simplest, the AOI with the 30 macro lens and the Kraken add on wide angle lens on a flip adapter. To shoot really tiny things, add the extension ring and shoot the 60 with a CMC or similar. But to be really simple just the 30 and one Kraken/AOI wet wide angle.

Bill

with the 30 last night

Bill

10 hours ago, flowdesign said:

Honestly, I can’t even imagine trying to chase blackwater critters with a 90mm — that thing would make it impossible.😆

Yes, it was an immediate regret 🤣 Never again...

The Panasonic 30mm lens is very underrated, fundamentally because it reaches its maximum magnification practically on the port glass. But actually, for many situations, in my opinion, it is excellent. All reports say that its AF is snappier compared to its 45mm and 90mm macro cousins. If you then need greater magnification, you can always compensate with a light diopter.