I’d love to get your advice on the ideal Sony wide-angle solution for my setup.

I recently got a Nauticam housing for my A7C II and I’m having an absolute blast with the camera. For macro, I use the Sony 90mm and I’m very happy with it.

Where I’m less satisfied is my current wide-angle setup. I’m using the Sony 16–35mm GM II with a 180mm dome, and unfortunately, I find the combination somewhat underwhelming. It’s difficult to get close enough to the subject for the strobes to light it properly while still fitting enough of the scene into the frame. On top of that, I’m not entirely happy with the sharpness I’m getting with the 180mm dome.

So I’m considering switching to a different setup, but I’m a bit unsure which direction to take.

• WWL-1: Relatively affordable, especially since I already own the 28–60mm, and very versatile. The downside is that I really wanted to go for a dry setup and avoid something that can rattle around.

• The new fisheye: Looks absolutely amazing, but the complete setup can easily cost around $3,000. I’m also wondering how flexible it really is with 14mm.

• WACP-C: Excellent sharpness, but very expensive and heavy.

What would you choose in my situation?

I shoot a wide variety of subjects underwater, from reef structures, divers and marine life to wrecks, caves and caverns.

Thanks in advance!

I'd be waiting a bit for the Laowa 8-15 and see how it stacks up against the Sony. I'd be using either one in the 140mm dome.

Are there any confirmed rumors that this is going to happen?

45 minutes ago, Assist91 said:

Are there any confirmed rumors that this is going to happen?

If you are asking about Laowa fisheye going to happen, i have AI set up checking Chinese sites every few days. The lens has been hands on at events in China twice already.

I searched Chinese sources again through today, 3 October 2026.

The most useful new item is an article published today specifically checking the status of the AF 8–15. It says that as of Oct. 3, Laowa still has not announced either a price or an on-sale date for the AF version. It also points to continued discussion under Laowa's P&E/Bilibili material, but no credible dealer preorder or leaked launch date has emerged.

More importantly, Laowa's own current Chinese news index still lists the Sept. 8 “unreleased products” roadshow announcement as the latest AF 8–15 development. That announcement identifies the lens as AF FF II 8–15mm F2.8 and had it available for hands-on testing in Shenzhen and Qingdao. There is still no subsequent launch announcement on Laowa's site.

One slightly interesting clue is that Laowa is continuing to describe it as its “first autofocus zoom lens” rather than quietly dropping the AF project. Their July official event page had a dedicated fisheye autofocus experience area, and explicitly called the AF FF II 8–15 an unreleased lens available for shooting.

Okay, thanks. That does suggest waiting at least another month or so…

It is very much personal preference and what your subject matter is.

I have a Sony A7Rv in Isotta. I have a WWL-1B that I have only used a couple of times. I wouldn't say it rattles and the bayonet systems works well so I don't find the wet aspect inconvenient.. However, my favourite combination is the Canon 8-15mm fisheye with 1.4 teleconverter along with and the Sony 20-70mm. I think these work well as a combination. For my Isotta they even share the same port and extension.

I previously had an Olympus and I love the Olympus 8mm fisheye but find a pure fisheye not very versatile. I miss the fisheye if I just have the 130 degree WWL-1B field of view. I also found the Olympus 7-14mm (i.e. full fame equivalent of 14-28mm) too narrow at the wide end for my favourite subjects.

I prefer my housing to be as rugged and light as possible and not be too worried about carrying it around, stowing it in transit, or passing it up to someone in a boat. I also use it for snorkelling sometimes and travelling. This slightly puts me off the WACP series, but other divers seem to find them fine to handle and they are certainly top quality for professional work.

It seems the Sony 8-14mm might not work with a teleconverter (yet to be checked with non-Sony converters) but I am still tempted becasue of it's size and weight and would use APS-C mode. The Canon 8-15mm works really well and if the Laowa takes 1,4x or 2x teleconverters that also makes a great, versatile range.

i suggest you see if you can try out a WWL-1 before you decide.

Edited October 3Oct 3 by John E
Correcting WWL-1 to WWL-1B

Yes, good point — versatility is an important factor.

The focal length range of the 28–60 with the WWL-1 would cover quite a lot of situations. Also, in caves and wrecks I wouldn’t have the fisheye distortion.

I’ll see if I can find a way to try out the WWL-1. Thanks!

I use Canon 8-15mm f/4 fisheye on A7R5 (Nauticam 140mm domeport). Most of the time with 2x Sony TC. I also tested Sony 1,4x TC and Kenko Pro HD 1,4x TCs, but the images are not sharper with the 1,4x TCs compared to the Sony 2x TC. IQ of the pure fisheye w/o TC is tack sharp and better (also better compared to WACP-C). I will not switch to one of the new fisheye lenses in case they are incompatible with TCs.

I have WACP-C/Sony 28-60mm (similar to WWL-1, but no water in the optics), but use it very seldom. IQ is comparable to Canon 8-15/2x TC, but the widest diagonal angle possible is only 130°. Otherwise (e.g. close focus minimum object distance) very similar to Canon 8-15mm/2x TC.

Regarding fisheye distortion, WACP-C and Canon 8-15mm/2xTC are pretty comparable at the same AOVs (e.g. 130°). The more narrow the AOV, the less pronounced the fisheye effect gets. Therefore distortion at 180° is stronger compared to 130°, but not much difference between systems at identical AOVs.

Edited October 4Oct 4 by Architeuthis

Do you use the Canon fisheye with the TC because it’s too limited without the TC?

Unfortunately, the Canon solution isn’t an option for me. Besides the lens, I would need the TC, the Metabones adapter, the 30 mm extension ring, and the 140 mm dome. That’s simply way too expensive for me.

Would you say that a dedicated fisheye at 14 or 15 mm is too limited to cover most common wide-angle situations?

A pure 8-15mm fisheye means either 180° diagonal or circular. The application range is limited to the very wide picture. CFWA is still possible, but often critters are too shy at this very small working distance. This means it would often not be possible to make a photo, since the animal is scared away @15mm, while @30mm I can take the photo (similar to WACP-C).

On the positive side is excellent sharpness (at least with Canon fisheye and in comparison to WACP-C). I did not co a comparison by myself yet, nor did I see such a comparison: an high resolution sensors like A7R5, cropping MAY give reasonable IQ, MAYBE not far away from using the TC.

With 2x TC one gets flexibility at the cost of the circular fisheye option (that I seldom use). The flexibility is great, e.g. the application range is considerably overlapping with a true macro lens (e.g. Sony 100mm GM) +/- MFO-3 , of course at the opposite ends...

Thanks for the convincing explanations. I think this means I’ll either go for a WWL-1 or possibly consider the Laowa fisheye, if it turns out to be compatible with a TC…