Alex_Mustard

Eagle-eyes! Yes, you can also use the FCP with 14mm prime or 14-zoom (like 14-30mm Z, 14-35mm RF) as a circular fisheye (with zoom). The prototype couldn't do this - so I am excited to try this feature. So you will actually be able to use the FCP with different lenses for different types of shots.

It is bigger than WWL. It is between WACP-C (bigger than) and WACP-1 (smaller than) in size.

I agree with the points made by @Interceptor121 and @Chris Ross. Important points are 1) Lenses like Sony 28-60mm have bigger zoom range than lens like Tokina 10-17mm. So it is already greater than what we’ve had available before (Tokina 10-17mm - FoV 180-100ish, 8-15mm+TC FoV 180-110 - both pretty compromised optically). 2) The FCP expands the angle of view more at the edges of the frame - like a fisheye - so when you zoom in you get an even greater zooming effect because the camera lens is no longer looking through this part of the FCP lens. So at 60mm the FCP expands the view less than at 28mm, so you get an even larger zoom range. 3) Field of View is not the only thing that matters. The small front element size of the FCP means you can fill the frame with smaller subjects with the FCP when zoomed in - than you could with another lens with the same theoretical FoV behind a standard dome port. My guess-timate on a practical FoV with the 28-60mm is about 175-85ish I’ve got the production FCP now (me pointing at it) photo next to the prototype for comparison (if you have seen it). Hope this helps, Alex

Though this would be a useful thread to update with each new issue. The latest UWP Mag is out - JAN/FEB 2024 (#136): https://www.uwpmag.com Underwater Photography Magazine UwP is published every two months and every great issue is packed with all the latest underwater photo equipment news, reviews, dive site reports, personality profiles and photo portfolios, plus tips for better pictures, making it the essential read for all underwater photographers, everywhere.

I think it will physically work for splits shots - but it is optimised around a small front element to be able to get very close to UW subjects when needed - so is not well suited to split levels. It will also be heavy to lift out of the water. On the abbreviations we usually go with WACP - What A Cool Port but we're struggling with F - Cool Port! Alex

I use the Monster adapter, which works well enough, although not as well developed as the Metabones adaptors for Canon lenses. It works best in back button focus shooting. It works only with AF-S lenses (newer Nikon SLR lenses). The old style AF-D lenses do not work with it (these lenses also do not work with Nikon Z cameras either). With the fisheye it is completely fine to use and I have shot it a lot. With macro lenses it is less user friendly, but you can adapt to it easily enough. 8-15mm on Monster adaptor: 60mm on Monster adaptor:

The small size makes the lens great for CFWA, as well as everything you would use a fisheye for. Also the zoom range is very impressive. You can shoot all your normal scenic wide angle: But with the zoom and the small size of the front element - you can shoot down to some very small subjects - all with the same lens. The photo below is shows a pair of clownfish (uncropped) also taken with the FCP. These are both with Sony 28-60mm lens.

The prototype weighed 2.6kg, so slightly less than Nauticam's 230mm dome. I've not seen the production version. My understanding is that the production version is the same size, but now has two aspherical elements in the lens for improved optics. But we will see in the new year. Alex

Another tradition of this thread is cheating - by posting multiple images! Here is my favourite shot: Which is my favourite because this was my favourite dive of the year. It was just one of those moments when the underwater was truly stunning. I was at Raw Mohammed in the Red Sea and seemingly had the place to myself, with great schools moving through and a beautiful reef. Photo taken with Sony A1 and 28-60mm. Nauticam housing, Nauticam WWL-1B. 2 x Retra Pro Max flashes. 1/200th @ f/11. I even have a photo of me on the dive - thanks Nick. In the spirit of cheating - I've also recorded a video running through all my favourites from 2023, if you want to see more photos: Alex

As 2023 draws to a close it is nice to look back at our diving and photography over the last 12 months with the traditional Favourite Image thread. This is a thread for your favourite shots. Not necessarily your best! It is the picture you like the most - please share it and tell everyone why it is special to you. Go! Alex

I made this presentation back in 2017 and then re-recorded it in 2020. There has been much progress in water contact optics since then - but it was aimed at being a decent introduction with a historical perspective and

The camera doesn’t have an internal flash. All the material I have seen says that it synchronises with any flash at any shutter speed.

I really like the Pro Max strobes. I have shot the insides of the Pro Max flashes on all my trips for the last 12 months (320 dives), switching to full production versions of Pro Max flashes in the summer. I don't use the Boosters for macro trips or cold water (darker) trips. But do for wide angle. Improved battery life if the biggest difference over previous Retra Pros. And also the ease of living with them - especially when using 8 batteries per side. With the boosters I can get my batteries out of the flash and all on charge in seconds. I think the right chargers really help living with these flashes. I use 4 x 4 fast chargers (branded INFAPOWER in the UK) that run off a single high power USB hub - and the whole lot recharge in an hour or so and don't overheat in tropics. The chargers are very light and small for travel, I reduce to 2 on macro trips. have displays showing charging status, and by having 4 I have more redundancy in case of issues (which I have had none). On most trips now I just take one set of batteries and a few spares because I can always recharge my batteries in the gap between dives over lunch. And then at the end of the day. No need to travel with loads of cells. Alex

Hi, I am Alex, I am an underwater photographer based in the UK. Since I just counted today, I made 287 dives with a camera so far this year, and have taken 60,000 underwater images this year. Most now deleted! You can see my most recent images here: https://www.amustard.com/library/page/search/alex/1/ Alex