. Going to Lembah and would like to shoot frogfish and larger subjects. I have an OM1 and a 60mm macro. Would like any suggestions. I am new to micro 4/3 and would like to make the best purchase. Thank you for your advice.

1 hour ago, Jeanie said:

. Going to Lembah and would like to shoot frogfish and larger subjects. I have an OM1 and a 60mm macro. Would like any suggestions. I am new to micro 4/3 and would like to make the best purchase. Thank you for your advice.

IMO the very best thing you can do for Lembeh is buy a Nauticam MFO3, I went there last September and used it quite a bit for larger subjects in combination with a 60mm macro which is what you want for smaller critters. It increases you field of view to about a 35mm lens. With this you can get both large and small subjects on the one dive. Here's my report on using at Lembeh:

and here is my trip report to Lembeh:

I used the MFO3 on the Nauticam bayonet mount and kept the lens in a cargo shorts pocket. At home in Sydney I have it mounted on a docking adapter on a float arm which works well. It's a fairly big lump but manageable.

At least out here in Australia the MFO3 is cheaper than a 30mm macro plus macro port - assuming Nauticam housing, but you have to buy bayonet adapter, bayonet ring and docking adapter. Definitely worth it for the flexibility and image quality is very nice.

After reading your posts Chris I think the MFO3 is the way to go. Can you further explain how your docking adapter on a float arm works? I just don't know how I would store it when I would be just shooting the 60mm. I do have a Nauticam housing. Thank you for your input.

1 hour ago, Jeanie said:

After reading your posts Chris I think the MFO3 is the way to go. Can you further explain how your docking adapter on a float arm works? I just don't know how I would store it when I would be just shooting the 60mm. I do have a Nauticam housing. Thank you for your input.

some pics, first the docking adapter on my float arm

second the MFO3 mounted. You have a similar adapter mounted to the port to accept the bayonet mount, line up the white marks, insert then turn till it clicks. You can see it is a big lump of glass. Roughly same size as 60mm macro port.

Honestly if you are just boat diving a quality flip adapter will be easier to use, just doesn't seem practical for me when shore diving from rocky entries, which is why I went with the bayonet.

1 hour ago, Chris Ross said:

some pics, first the docking adapter on my float arm

second the MFO3 mounted. You have a similar adapter mounted to the port to accept the bayonet mount, line up the white marks, insert then turn till it clicks. You can see it is a big lump of glass. Roughly same size as 60mm macro port.

Honestly if you are just boat diving a quality flip adapter will be easier to use, just doesn't seem practical for me when shore diving from rocky entries, which is why I went with the bayonet.

Consider to add a hood to protect the lens😄

50 minutes ago, flowdesign said:

Consider to add a hood to protect the lens😄

I do it's the neoprene bag the lens came with, it doubles up to keep the lens from drying out till I get home and soak it in fresh water. I'm planning to see if I can find a neoprene sleeve and cap that's more stream lined for longer term use

32 minutes ago, Chris Ross said:

I do it's the neoprene bag the lens came with, it doubles up to keep the lens from drying out till I get home and soak it in fresh water. I'm planning to see if I can find a neoprene sleeve and cap that's more stream lined for longer term use

Two options so far:

• You can get this M82 Filter Holder for MFO-3 from Nauticam, put a common 82mm lens cap on it or screw another UV filter.

• Try this 3D print hood as a cheaper alternative.

I just got back from a couple weeks in the Philippines. Using a 105 on a Nikon, I also took the MFO-1 and MFO-3. I have only done casual macro before and doing nothing but macro all day, every day, was an experience. Anyway, I used the MFO-3 on a flip and loved it. It is a bit heavy on land and fairly long when on the lens, but easy enough to carry around flipped off the lens.

I loved the MFO-3 as I often found critters or scenes too large for the 105 and in an instant could cut the focal length in half. For something like blackwater, I would probably just take a shorter lens, assuming I wanted to travel with he extra lens and port, and a M43 30mm port are pretty small, but otherwise, I am having a hard time envisioning diving with the 105 and not having the MFO-3

2 hours ago, JohnD said:

am having a hard time envisioning diving with the 105 and not having the MFO-3

John, why not just dive with a 60mm? I use a 105 on a D500 and like it but, for sure,it’s not the easiest to use. Are you using it on a FF body?

I'm currently debating my first M43 macro option. It seems like the 60mm will be too long for the local conditions (Vancouver Island BC) unless paired with the MFO-3, a significant cost. I do already have the port for the 60mm though.

I'm considering the 30mm Panasonic to start. I'd need a port however.

Edited 5 hours ago5 hr by Grantmac

6 hours ago, TimG said:

John, why not just dive with a 60mm? I use a 105 on a D500 and like it but, for sure,it’s not the easiest to use. Are you using it on a FF body?

Yes, this was with the Z8, so the 60mm stayed home this time. I rarely used a 105 on the D500, but on FF, the 105 with the MFO-3 is a nice combo, as it would be with the 60 on DX.

3 hours ago, Grantmac said:

I'm currently debating my first M43 macro option. It seems like the 60mm will be too long for the local conditions (Vancouver Island BC) unless paired with the MFO-3, a significant cost. I do already have the port for the 60mm though.

I'm considering the 30mm Panasonic to start. I'd need a port however.

I've used the 30mm a little around Sydney, a couple of things to note with it. First it's sharp and AF is snappy, however the practical limit for magnification is about 0.5x, the working distance is very small, it's about 25mm from the port at 0.5x, which can make approach and lighting a challenge.

I'm not sure what the subjects around Vancouver Island are like - are you thinking most of them are on the larger size?

53 minutes ago, Chris Ross said:

I've used the 30mm a little around Sydney, a couple of things to note with it. First it's sharp and AF is snappy, however the practical limit for magnification is about 0.5x, the working distance is very small, it's about 25mm from the port at 0.5x, which can make approach and lighting a challenge.

I'm not sure what the subjects around Vancouver Island are like - are you thinking most of them are on the larger size?

Nudibranche longer than 2cm up to octopus. I'm currently using the 12-50 kit lens and use almost the full range often with a UCL-165 but not the built in "macro" mode.

Unsure what I'll gain over than combo though.

Edited 35 minutes ago35 min by Grantmac