I'm upgrading my underwater system from a Sony A7R IV to the new A7R VI and am considering making a fairly significant change to my wide-angle setup at the same time.

My current A7R IV system uses the Sony 16-35mm behind the Nauticam N100 180mm Optical Glass Wide Angle Port.

For the new system, I'm considering the Sony FE 28-60mm f/4-5.6 behind the Nauticam N100 Flat Port 45, with the M67 Bayonet Mount Converter II and WWL-1B wet wide-angle lens.

This seems like a very different optical approach from the 16-35/180mm dome combination I've been using, so I'd really like to hear from anyone who has experience with the 28-60 + WWL-1B on a full-frame Sony system.

In particular, how does the image quality compare with a good rectilinear wide-angle lens behind a dome, especially toward the corners? How useful is the 28-60mm zoom range with the WWL-1B, and how practical is removing and reinstalling the WWL-1B during a dive?

For anyone who has moved from a conventional wide-angle/dome setup to the WWL-1B, did you find it to be an upgrade, a tradeoff, or simply a different tool?

Thanks — I'd really appreciate hearing about firsthand experience before I finalize the new system.

The WWL-1B and most wet lenses in general use 28mm at the widest 130 degree FOV, end with the longest zooming being the Sony FE 28-70mm which zooms to 59 degrees. I reviewed WWL-1B in UWPMAG.com issue #120 and the original WWL-1 before the Sony FE 28-60mm existed in issue #114 if you care to lookup the benefits V. Sony FE 16-35mm lenses that are 107 to 63 degree and rectilinear.

If you want to save some money skip WWL and get WACP-C. You will end up there anyway... So very much sharper on both ends.

On 9/25/2026 at 8:43 PM, Bobdori82 said:

I'm upgrading my underwater system from a Sony A7R IV to the new A7R VI and am considering making a fairly significant change to my wide-angle setup at the same time.

My current A7R IV system uses the Sony 16-35mm behind the Nauticam N100 180mm Optical Glass Wide Angle Port.

For the new system, I'm considering the Sony FE 28-60mm f/4-5.6 behind the Nauticam N100 Flat Port 45, with the M67 Bayonet Mount Converter II and WWL-1B wet wide-angle lens.

This seems like a very different optical approach from the 16-35/180mm dome combination I've been using, so I'd really like to hear from anyone who has experience with the 28-60 + WWL-1B on a full-frame Sony system.

In particular, how does the image quality compare with a good rectilinear wide-angle lens behind a dome, especially toward the corners? How useful is the 28-60mm zoom range with the WWL-1B, and how practical is removing and reinstalling the WWL-1B during a dive?

For anyone who has moved from a conventional wide-angle/dome setup to the WWL-1B, did you find it to be an upgrade, a tradeoff, or simply a different tool?

Thanks — I'd really appreciate hearing about firsthand experience before I finalize the new system.

It's a fairly wide open question as the performance of 16-35 lenses in small domes varies quite widely particularly in the corners, some of the newer close focusing lenses perform much better than the older versions. In general the 16-35 lenses might be sharper in the middle and the wet optics better in the corners and the wet optics also perform better at wider F stops. If you search you will find some tests photos from various lenses in these forums. Here is one example:

The other consideration is that the WWL style optics are slightly wider about the same horizontal field as as a 13-14mm rectilinear and have some mild barrel distortion. they also will focus right down the the dome glass something that not all rectilinears can do. A final consideration is the wet optic is physically smaller making it more usable for getting in closer for CFWA type shots.

regarding removing a WWL I've seen split opinions, a few say no problem, others say they don't want to deal with removing and stowing such a large lump of glass UW.

On 9/25/2026 at 10:43 PM, Bobdori82 said:

I'm upgrading my underwater system from a Sony A7R IV to the new A7R VI and am considering making a fairly significant change to my wide-angle setup at the same time.

My current A7R IV system uses the Sony 16-35mm behind the Nauticam N100 180mm Optical Glass Wide Angle Port.

For the new system, I'm considering the Sony FE 28-60mm f/4-5.6 behind the Nauticam N100 Flat Port 45, with the M67 Bayonet Mount Converter II and WWL-1B wet wide-angle lens.

This seems like a very different optical approach from the 16-35/180mm dome combination I've been using, so I'd really like to hear from anyone who has experience with the 28-60 + WWL-1B on a full-frame Sony system.

In particular, how does the image quality compare with a good rectilinear wide-angle lens behind a dome, especially toward the corners? How useful is the 28-60mm zoom range with the WWL-1B, and how practical is removing and reinstalling the WWL-1B during a dive?

For anyone who has moved from a conventional wide-angle/dome setup to the WWL-1B, did you find it to be an upgrade, a tradeoff, or simply a different tool?

Thanks — I'd really appreciate hearing about firsthand experience before I finalize the new system.

Full disclosure. Haven't used the Sony system, but shoot full frame Nikon. Should be the "same" though. It will be much better optically inme than any wide rectilinear that comes close to its FoV behind a domeport on full frame. It is very easy to install/remove a wwl under water. Nothing I recommend, but I have even held the wwl in hand and shot with the flat port on occasion, get some kind of holder if you see yourself in that situation often. Good luck!

Edited Wednesday at 12:21 PM1 day by Christian K