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Hey everyone! I joined the forum because I was looking all over for a thread about wide-angle lenses for full frame cameras, but I couldn't find one! (correct me if I'm wrong though, and feel free to let me know: "just check some other thread". So, anyways, I just got myself a Seafrogs housing for my Sony A7V since I will be going to the Maldives for an 8 day LOB (hopefully with beautiful pelagics!). I was looking at ultra wide angle options for this trip, but I couldn't make a decision and wanted to listen to some of your opinions. As you read above, I'm on a Seafrogs housing so all the expensive Nauticam stuff won't work for me. I was initially thinking of using my Canon 8-15mm with a 2x converter (as recommended in some of the photography threads and it totally makes sense) and a Tokina converter (since the Sigma one doesn't do AF in video), but then I realized only after "putting all the converters into the cart", especially coming from a photography background, that the fisheye would be really weird / distracting on video! Although, I'm not sure if that's the case with Mantas, Whale Sharks and Nurse Sharks - and the reason I didn't refer to the reef sharks is because I think I will be using my 16-35 for the "reef-hook-dives" since I think some reach will be required there (and here, I'm really open to opinions since I've not been to the Maldives and the last time I went on a reef hook dive was in Tenggol Island in Malaysia looking for whale sharks with the 8-15mm, but it didn't really work since the whale shark was quite far). That being said, I went on to look for some ultra wide rectilinear lenses, and read some nice reviews from @Phil Rudin (nice articles there!) So, if I may ask - to shoot large stuff, like mantas, whale sharks, groups of nurse sharks would you recommend: - Canon 8-15mm fisheye with / without 2x and which lens converter would you recommend (I was going for the Tokina because it was cheaper than Metabones, but not sure about AF speed difference) and not sure how the fisheye effect will play with large stuff. - Perhaps the best way to shoot video is with rectilinear lenses and if so, I should consider ultra wide angle lenses. And if so, what do you recommend? I was looking at the Laowa 10mm / Laowa 12mm / Sony 12-24 / are there any other lenses to consider? Thanks all in advance for taking the time!

Hello, I faced a similar question at the beginning of 2024... Should I stick with the "large" A7 series, which at that time was the A7IV, or go for the more compact A7CII? I ultimately decided on the A7CII, even though I already owned the A7IV. I haven't regretted that decision at all. I think I would make the same choice again today. For one thing, the housing is a bit more compact, and besides Nauticam, there's a top-notch alternative housing, for example, with AOI. In my opinion, the optics and lighting are far more crucial in this whole matter. When it comes to quality in underwater photography, these are the two absolutely decisive factors. For wide-angle shots, I personally switched from the 16-34mm f/4 to the 28-60mm with WWL-1 after upgrading to the A7CII, and I wouldn't want to go back to the large dome port. For macro photography, I've been using the 90mm lens for many years, which I supplement with various wet lenses like the MFO-1, MFO-3, and SMC-3. My current favorite would be the new 100mm. (Anyone still looking for a 90mm with a compatible port...? 😜) No matter which system you choose, the difference compared to your current RX100 series will be enormous! If you live near Lake Constance, feel free to get in touch and take a look at the equipment or even try it out. I still have the 180mm dome lens and the 16-35mm available as well. Greetings from the Swiss shore of Lake Constance, Tino

Haha! Thanks for the welcome :) and well, aren't we all pretty good at spending our life savings on beautiful images 🤣, love the candid nature of this forum though!

Hi Paul, Welcome aboard! You are in the right place. We are professional consultants in the art of burning through cash and liquidating bank accounts 😁

Hello everyone! I'm Paul, an ex-professional photographer, shooting for luxury fashion brands like Hugo Boss, YSL and then into motosports specifically for Petronas motosports in MotoGP and F1. That all got me to where I am today - founder of a Marketing Tech company. A long time ago, I used to shoot with a 5Dm3 and a long list of canon lenses; underwater I was shooting with the 8-15mm / 100mm macro in an Ikelite housing, but that was perhaps 10 years ago! Fast forward to today, I'm looking to get back into underwater photos (but a bit more interested in videos!), so I bought a Sony A7v, Seafrogs Salted Line but have not decided on lenses I will use, and that's why I'm here to get some opinions!

Cenderawasih Bay - far eastern edge of Indonesia.

I have been three times to Southern Ari Atoll, Maldives, and always had several Whale sharks. The Islands around there (Angaga, Vakarufalhi, …) all organise full day trips to the Whale shark spots around Holiday Island and Sun Island. However, this was several years ago, and meanwhile, it seems to be VERY crowded there, lots of boats, snorkelers, mass tourism.

Thank you for all the feedback. I've decided to go with the AO Cooler 36. I've had to cancel my first liveaboard trip unfortunately. Instead, we are taking a quick trip to Cozumel next month. The dive shop actually recommended I use my own soft-sided cooler bag for camera gear, since their rinse tank is too small. I've also managed to vacuum pack the bag, so it fits in the front pocket of a suitcase.

Hi Wolfgang, Thanks a lot for your detailed reply — it makes total sense! I think part of my problem is that I’m trying to find the perfect solution for both topside and underwater in one go. For topside, I would go 100% for the Sony A7R V, as I simply prefer the larger bodies ergonomically, and I already have the Sony A7SIII as a great video camera. Underwater, things look a bit different though. I’m a bit concerned about noise performance and especially rolling shutter on the A7R V — do you have any experience with that? Maybe going for a housing for the Sony A7C II would actually be the better approach, and if I ever feel limited by megapixels, I could still add an Sony A7CR later. Regarding lenses, I’m currently leaning towards the 28–60 with the WWL-1 solution — I already own the 28–60. I also have the 16–35 GM II and the 90 mm macro, but with the 16–35 I’m a bit worried about soft corners when using a 180 mm dome, and the 230 mm dome just feels too bulky for travel. Best regards

Triton Bay in the Raja Ampat area; Ningaloo Reed, Western Australia.

I have been using the Sam's Club bags, often well under $10. One of them lasted three years including a Red Sea Trip. I left it last trip in Roatan with left over new in package food items, soaps, shampoos my wife had bought and did not use that the room service lady wanted. Got another plus a spare. They will take my Sony NA6400 or my Canon NA-R50 and Inon S220 strobes rigged and zipped and will hold water for a rinse if needed. They are light, fold flat and are inexpensive enough, that they can be just left if need be.

I'll throw my tip in here. Check out "Passport to Paradise" with Murex resorts in Indonesia. They own at least 3 resorts in northeast Suliwesi including 1 in Lembeh. The package allows you to configure your trip and the amount of time you want to spend at each distinct dive area and resort and they make the transition to your next resort seamless by moving you and your baggage while you're out diving for the day. We've used it several times and it works great as a layover while heading to Raja Ampat. For me the price is quite reasonable. The last time we were there (April 2024) during Alex Mustard's seminar in Lembeh and we got the added bonus of a spectacular slideshow from the participant's at the end of their week!

Hi all Any suggestions on the best place to dive with whale sharks? My wife has it on her bucket list. I'm located in SW Florida, but we travel quite alot. I'm looking for a site that we can do some great diving and have a good chance of getting in the water with these fish. Thanks

Don't what country you're located in, but isn't there some problem with warranty? I think I remember reading somewhere that if you needed warranty work done, S&S said it had to be done in country of purchase. And that could be expensive for shipping.

Hi Assist, I am proud owner of A7R5 for almost three years. This camera is perfect for me, but I am photocentric and do (almost) no video. Many here have A1 or A1II for both photo and video and seem pretty satisfied with this camera ... I am sure A75 is very good for both photo and video for many here (A7R5 is perfect for photo, but few would go for this camera for serious video). SInce you have A7CII, you can decide by yourself whether both photo and video fulfills your demands (A75 will be better in both, but I believe that there are NOT worlds inbetween. I think in case A7CII is not good enough, A75 will also not do it)... Besides this, outstanding UW-photos or UW- videos can be produced with any of the cameras you consider. They all have high technical quality and the person behind the camera is, by far, the rate limiting factor... Maybe you can get a used housing for your A7CII and just go UW to make photos and videos (and then decide whether with A75, A1II, A7CR etc. the results will be better). Besides this, switching between A7CR and A7CII looks sexy to me (but a photo that is not good with A7CII will not become better with A7CR and a video done badly with A7CR will not improve with A7CII)... Another consideration is the lenses. These may be more important than the camera itself. Which do you have and/or intend to use? Wolfgang

I don't have this exact bag, but I never use the zipper. Camera is too tall! I have a smaller cheap cooler bag that i use for my lenses and ports and camera accessories, etc that is going strong after 5+ years. Zippers are fine.

swimming over sharks towing a dummy seal behind you is not something I would rush into...

I have exactlythat particular bag. Very tough but despite putting a lot of care into rinsing and lubricating it, the zippercorroded after just one trip. The zipper is plastic but the slider is made of some shitty aluminum alloy.

In perfect condition Ref 37305 375€ plus shipping

Let us know how it goes. I’m in Japan as well, but as a resident I don’t get the 10% tax discounts. In my situation, buying direct from Nauticam HK, where import taxes and duties are calculated at checkout, is usually cheaper than going through Fisheye, even after shipping. But compared to European or North-American prices it will probably be worth it, especially for Japanese brands.

You don't need a white card. That's an example that basically shows you the tool. You just pick up a whitish area or a Grey neutral area.

I've been using the AO cooler 36 for 10 years now. I love having it on day trips - the camera goes in there, as well as the spare tupperware box, mask, computer, towel, wet clothes, etc. It's very convenient. It's much easier to carry everything to a boat. It helps dampen vibrations as well on long boat rides. The zippers have been salted out for a while and don't close anymore. It folds but is quite thick so it takes a fair bit of luggage space. I have used it as a rinse tank in some hotels/resorts that weren't setup for it, or on 3-dives trip with a longer lunch break. But I find it rather unnecessary on a liveaboard, usually I don't even bring it. Just use the communal rinse camera tanks, cameras don't need to stay in the water much. It's hard to keep a soft-shell bag as your own rinse tank on the dive deck, it takes space in a usually crammed area, and freshwater is usually limited. And it's not very convenient or respectful to keep it in the bathroom, moving a wet camera back-and-forth across the dry area of the boat.

Exactly, that’s a good point. I’ll need a new housing anyway, and with the A7C II I already have a camera that fits (same for the A7CR). The real question for me is how much added value the A7 V would actually bring over the A7C II. The main things that come to mind are the lack of crop in 4K 60p and the higher usable ISO in S-Log3…

Welcome!

Welcome, I am also diving the East side from Nanoose on down regularly. -Grant