Stop me before I buy again...

[reubencahn]

2 hours ago, Chris Ross said:

Sounds like you would really benefit from an accessory viewfinder on your housing, the new Nauticam viewfinders are designed for the bigger viewfinders on new mirrorless cameras and make a bigger difference UW than a newer viewfinders makes on land.

I use a Subal GS180, their straight enhanced viewfinder.  I'm assuming I'll get a compatible enhanced viewfinder whatever I do.  But I still think starting with a bigger, brighter viewfinder is preferable.

 

1 hour ago, humu9679 said:

@reubencahn The early DSLRs almost required use of a accessory viewfinder, but have you considered shooting without one? The live view features of most current mirrorless cameras are pretty good. Does your wife shoot using the viewfinder or the monitor?

 

She has a Nauticam 45 degree viewfinder.  I just asked her and she never shoots with the screen. I've never considered  using the screen.

[Architeuthis]

7 hours ago, reubencahn said:

I use a Subal GS180, their straight enhanced viewfinder.  I'm assuming I'll get a compatible enhanced viewfinder whatever I do.  But I still think starting with a bigger, brighter viewfinder is preferable.

 

 

She has a Nauticam 45 degree viewfinder.  I just asked her and she never shoots with the screen. I've never considered  using the screen.

I was using the screen for the first two years of UW-photopgraphy with EM5II and was happy. Then I switched to EM1II with 45° viewfinder and it was a revelation. Now A7R5 with 45° viewfinder and I had to use the screen again for the last two diving holidays (end of 2024), since the viewfinder was broken and at Nauticam for repair (water inbrake, repair still under warranty) - I was surprised that it is possibe to make UW photos without viewfinder, but no comparison (especially close to the surface where due to high ambient light, I was not able to see much on the screen)...

 

As the others write, nothing exists for FF that is comparable to Canon 8-15mm on MFT or Tokina 10-17mm on APS-C. I am not sure that the heavy and expensive Nauticam FCP is a real substitute (maybe for the Tokina): I know of people who take both FCP and WACP with them (maybe because FCP is said to be good only at f/13 and more?)...

 

=> the A7R5 is a phantastic camera (DR, Megapixels (and optical sharpness) for cropping, AF), but a high optical quality zoom fisheye, e.g. 15-35mm f/4, is really missing...

 

 

Wolfgang

 

 

Edited 8 hours ago by Architeuthis

[TimG]

I'm with Wolfgang on the 45-degree finder. I've been using one on my Subal ND500 housing since 2008 and would never leave home without it. Arguably the best "investment" I've made on my housing.

 

As I've written elsewhere, Nauticam reckon the Nikkor 24-50mm and WWL-C are the way to go for wide-angle on FF. I have no personal experience though.