Alex_Mustard

Focusing Unit 3 working perfectly with the EMWL.

O-ring from an old Inon strobe.

Quick update on the ports. Nauticam's new port for the lens made it to Lembeh today - and it obviously fits the 100mm perfectly. I've only tried it briefly, but the 90mm port is problematic - as the front part of the 100mm lens does not fit neatly into the inside of the Nauticam port for the 90mm, so the lens ends up not being able to get right up to the front glass. Which won't be an issue for most things, but I suspect would impact using the EMWL. I will test more in the coming days. I have a shorted Nauticam flat port here (32 - I think) - which accommodates the front of the 100mm lens better. And this plus a lot of a port extensions might be better for accommodating multiple macro lenses, while keeping travel bulk down. Ultimately, though, the new 100mm port is not heavy - so maybe the best thing might just be biting the bullet and getting the new port. Although as Pietro notes above - maybe shooting through water limits how far this lens stands above the 90mm Sony - and especially the 90mm Tamron.

Nauticam's own tests with their dedicated port say UNIT 3 is best. It will be tricky to get it to work with a converted port from the 90mm as the spacing has to be perfect to avoid vignetting. UNIT 2 works too, but with some very small vignetting at some focusing distances. I'll test it with Unit 3 this week - assuming I get the port. But if I am using the adapted 90mm port I'll probably just stick to testing the 1.4 x TC (I don't own a 2x), MFOs and SMCs this time. Been busy testing other gear so far this trip so far.

One thing I meant to say yesterday was to always be careful when lenses end up very close to the glass - I’ve seen a few times problems when the housing compresses underwater (more port sections - more o-rings - more compression), the port then pushes the lens and camera back in the housing enough that the push buttons on the back of the housing start activating.

Sorry for the slow reply. Yes, I had those Saga port extensions custom made. Quite a lot of people got the 16mm one - as it was perfect for adding the Nikon 5T lens to the 90mm (in the days before the MFO-1). TIP: if you do get one - put a little mark on it - so you know where to line it up when taking it off (you'll thank me every time you have to take it on and off - every saga port extension I have owned is always super tight fitting!)

I think that the Sony 1.4x is about 18-19mm thick, so once mounted on the lens I think it will need a 20mm port extension (pictured). Nauticam do not currently sell at N100 20mm port extension, but it would make sense for them to do so. The one I have (not on sale) has an unusual port lock (I guess because of lack of space in such a small port extension) and the should make sure the new Sony 100mm port is compatible with this lock - if they go down the route of releasing this item.

Ironically the 20mm was the extension for the FCP prototype, and the 35mm is the one needed for the production FCP. Not sure when I will get the lens, though.

My guess is that we won’t see a N100 20mm extension from Nauticam. The ones I have are from early 2023, which Nauticam supplied for the FCP prototype testing (the port lock only worked with that port). And if they had wanted to make them commercially they could have already. But I know that the dealers complain when the product range that they have to stock becomes too large - which I think is why these were never made commercially. I have a good range of shorter N100 port extensions (top-bottom: Nauticam 20mm, Saga 16mm, Saga 20mm and Nauticam 20mm) which I find very useful when experimenting with unusual lens set ups, adapters, teleconverters, internal close up lenses etc. Just sharing the photo to show that solutions are possible, but likely to be a custom build - and therefore I’d expect the new port to be the easiest choice for most. 16mm was the shortest port extension that Saga could make for me in N100 mount. Alex

Not a proper underwater review yet... Although surely better than that one above where the guy starts says the Sony 90mm macro is his favourite lens in the world 😂. Saves watching that one! Anyway, Matthew and I enjoy a good speculate on whether the Sony 100mm is a justifiable purchase and discuss the pros and cons. Basically it is a lot of money (lens + port/ext ring) for a gain that might be small or medium over the 90mm - that you surely already own if you are a Sony FF UW shooter. Neither of us has tried the lens yet, but have both had off the record discussions with friends who have shot it. I think we can all be confident that the lens will be the best macro lens for Sony, but what is not clear is by how much. This was recorded earlier in the week before Nauticam announced their new macro port. The sensible advice for most is wait and see if the improvements it brings really translate underwater or not and make it worth the considerable entry fee. But what's the fun in being sensible when it comes to your hobby!

I am hopeful that the 16mm port extension (made by Saga) that I used to use for the 5T lens - will work for the 100mm and the 90mm port. But I won't know until I get a lens. Otherwise I will use the 20mm - which I have three N100 ones (one from Saga, two from Nauticam - although I am not sure these were ever actually offered for sale). Actually long term I'd like a dedicated Tamron 90mm port, which is slightly shorter than the Sony 90mm. And then I'd be able to just use a standard N100 20mm port extension for the Sony 100mm. As I don't think I will travel with the Sony 90mm once the Sony 100mm comes out. Only the Tamron 90mm. I've no idea when the lenses will ship - but when they do I will happily test what fits (although I appreciate not everyone has the 16mm port extension).

I've ordered one. No idea on wait, but it would be conveninet if it came in time for my Lembeh trip in November. Very happy that it will work with TCs - something I used to value greatly with my Nikon 105mm - for certain subjects and for adding lens options with little baggage cost for travel. This shot is a Nikon 105mm and 2x TC:

I feel that the Tamron 90mm and Sony 90mm are close to indistinguishable in real world underwater shooting. I have used the Tamron more this year than the Sony, but both are currently in my bag here in Canada, as the 90mm is such an important focal length for Sony users underwater, that I like having a back up on trips. But I also think that the Tamron is one of those measurebator favourites - yes, very marginally better, but far more noise is made about it, than real world performance gain. The Tamron is not worth upgrading to from the Sony - they are just so similar. Of course, if you are starting from scratch then its price makes it the better choice (but do be aware that being slightly shorter it does cut off 'vignette' slightly on some ports/wet lens combos specifically designed for the Sony 90mm). However, if a 100mm is coming soon - I would not encourage anyone to buy a Sony-fit macro lens right now until they see what appears and at what price.

Another rumour with the same details... https://www.sonyalpharumors.com/is-the-sony-100mm-f-2-8-gm-macro-coming-on-september-30/ And rumoured release coming soon.