Phil Rudin

I agree that Isotta is not the only manufacture that lists smaller ports for very wide rectilinear lenses like 12 and 14mm zooms and fixed lenses. I think the issue is that for several reasons many photographers don't want the expense, travel issues and more of using ports like 230 and 250mm. Many of those folks understand the tradeoffs of smaller domes V. corner sharpness and using higher F/numbers. I think all manufactures should explain this and manage expectations for smaller ports with very wide lenses otherwise way would anyone buy larger ports. It seems that around 17mm is the benchmark for ports in the 170mm range using the proper extension.

Isotta have a rather naive approach to recommended port sizes, they also recommend the much larger 9" (228mm) for the 14mm zooms which I am sure would preform much better than the 6.5 or 8 inch domes. Isotta at this time does not appear to support the Z 17-28mm which focuses to 19cm and looks quite like the Tamron 17-28mm so should do well behind the 8" dome. One of the advantages of mirrorless is the adaptability of none brand lenses like the new (coming in April) Laowa 10mm F/2.8 which focuses to 12cm for Nikon Z and the ability to mount lenses for Sony FE using an adapter. A good choice with the Nikon Z to Sony FE adapter might be the Rokinon 14mm F/2.8 which focuses to 20cm. I chose examples of auto focus fixed lenses because you would not need to deal with a custom zoom gear, only choosing a proper port/extension combination. Quite a few Nikon Z owners are using the adapted Sony FE 28-70 with WACP-lenses.

I have used the Nauticam lube without issues.

I agree with 121 that proper port size and extension length are required for best corner results and of course full frame suffers more than sub full frame given the same F/number. However I have done a number of tests using like equipment, example Tamron 17-28mm and Sony FE 16-35mm PZ in 180mm dome with and without the S&S conversion lens and the S&S always bests the native lens by at least one stop. I have also used the S&S lens on fixed lenses like Zeiss Batis 18mm with similar results. I also agree with 121 bout minimum focus the Sony 16-35 PZ minimum is 24cm, Tamron 17-28 is 19cm and the Sigma 17mm F/4 has a minimum focus of 12cm. For wide rectilinear I would chose the Sigma 17mm over the other two even without the S&S because of the close focus. It is outstanding in a 180mm port but I have also used it in a 140mm port because it can focus closer than most fisheye lenses. To get a one stop increase for $600.00ish is the question and it appears that several have found this worth the cost especially if the alternative is an expensive water contact lens. The second issue is if you are on team rectilinear or on team fisheye. Many would rather just go fisheye to reduce corner issues. Image is the Sigma 17mm F/4 in the 140mm dome port at F/11 with the port glass touching the pool light glass, A/V light.

Regarding using the Sony FE 28-60mm with WACP-1 the issue is that the lens fully extended is about 15mm shorter than the 28-70mm. With 28-70 Nauticam recommended the N120 20 II extension. On N120 you would in theory be left needing a 5mm extension. With WACP-C you have the same issue with 15mm of extension for the 28-70mm. Another option because it is longer could be the Tamron 17-50mm F/4. I have used this lens in a Marelux A7R V housing with the WACP-C using 77mm of extension (the Nauticam N100 to Marelux adapter is 17mm and allows direct mount of the 28-60) With the Tamron I can zoom from 27mm to 50mm without vignetting. So a bit wider than 130 degrees to around 87ish degrees.

With the UWT trigger and the new Marelux Apollo III strobes TTL/HSS and MTL all work using fiber optic cords. I am not a fan of TTL so most of my tests so far have revolved around the HSS and MTL which I would actually use. I posted some macro images with the strobes here and some test photos on my Facebook page Phil Rudin if you are interested. I no longer own the Turtle so I have no results from that trigger.

Results from my first macro tests with the new Marelux Apollo III strobes. Excellent color with no hot spots. All shot with the Sony 90mm macro, ISO-100, 1/250th sec. All at F/18 and F/20 (first image), lots of power. No color adjustments made to any of the images. Any concerns over the listed 6200K color temp seem unfounded.

I have used it several places and it has one issue. It needs to be pushed about 3/4th's of its length into the bottom which may seem easy but in several places I have used it I hit solid bottom before it was far enough in to prevent I from falling over even with the lightest strobe like MF-1 or MF-2. When you can get it far enough into the bottom it works great. At places like Blur Heron Bridge some spots are no problem while others are not. Definitely a product I would recommend as long as you are aware of its limitations.

Beautiful critter and a great diversity of dives around Calpe. I dived there several years ago for a week and everything from caverns to excellent macro subjects. Also nice to see images from a FujiFilm camera for a change.

I have the 180 straight version if that may be of interest.

Hi Chip, First the UWTechnic triggers are outstanding and I have used them with both the A-1 and A7R V in both Nauticam and Marelux housings. I have also done hundreds of dives with both cameras in Marelux and the A1 in Nauticam with zero problems. I have always tended to overdue on pulling the vacuum and on Marelux I use the auto vac which makes it even easer to do again with no problems. Pavel has been nothing short of outstanding in responding to any questions I have had including additional info beyond specs for some articles I had written. On a recent trip to Bali I also used the UWT trigger with two Backscatter MF-2's to test the HSS for macro and wide use. I was shooting the A7R V in both wide and macro (much more in macro) and again no issues between the 1/250th max (mechanical) and I topped out at 1/800th. I have never used electronic and god forbid manufactures all go that way without globel shutter. On a personal note, will you be at the Feb 6th meeting I have some Nauticam items for you.

Hi @DreiFish I would be interested to know how you measured color temp and power, I assume a light/color meter but the type or any details are not listed. Thanks for all the work that goes into such testing.

This is the current information on the Apollo Nano. The new Apollo Nano has a GN of 22 and 0.2 second recycle time. Marelux will have a new dock that will allow use of the Soft snoot, color filters and small dome. This will be a great option for off camera lighting using the wireless Lumilink remote flash triggering system. At only 14oz. this will also be a very travel friendly option. Marelux announced Apollo Nano, 395 grams net weight on land, 35x60x128mm (main body size), full power recycle time 0.2s ，gn 22 support TTL , RC , HSS. continuous flashes,. support wireless trigger, with one fiber port. one knob easy control, LCD display. one 18650 lithium battery. nullnull Regarding in-water weight the Apollo III, according to the specs is 125 grams (4.41oz) with the three batteries and ball mount.

The fact remains that in the Edward Lai interview from the Boot Show he is very clear that as a result of Nauticam's testing so far the Sony FE 28-60 is the best possible choice for the FCP-1 on full frame. While a Nikon-Z 28-60 would be a great addition to the line the Z 24-50mm (not RF 24-60) seems to be the best choice for Z-cameras even though it does not allow full zoom through.

Yes a dock will be made again in the first quarter.

A Soft dock is being made for Ikelite DS 230 for release later this quarter.

I tried the Inon ND filters for Z330/D200 that were according to Inon more directly designed for still shooters wanting to shoot macro at wide open F/numbers like @.8/1.8/1.4. I have done the same thing for years by using a 67mm DH filter threaded onto the macro port or other sizes threaded to the lens. Not indicated what lens you are using but you may want to give the land filters a try.

All in for the strobe and housing is around $1000.00US and the sad news is that it fires fiber optically but only in manual mode and while I can see a number of controls on the rear of the housing the info page does not indicate if you can take advantage of any of the top side features like HSS, variable color temperature, wireless trigger and more. The Subal housings offer a five pin Nikon's type cord that at least allows TTL.

Chip is Correct about the R&D costs being reflected in the retail cost at release. This is apparent when you look at the cost of the Nauticam housings for Hasselblad and PhaseOne Medium format cameras both in access of $11,000.00 US and both made in very limited quantities. These housings and the FCP are "If you build it, he/she will come" type products and I expect they will come.

You appear to be correct in your assumption that this is a rebranded Scubalamp (SUPE) D-pro strobe, the only apparent difference is the $100.00 higher price for the GTX. The front page of my review of D-pro is attached, you can read the full review in uwpmag.com back issues.

Let me answer the second question first, yes you will need the Soft dock for Apollo strobes because the front element of the strobe is a dome not flat. Cost $149.00 US. Regarding color temperatures this is a discussion I had with Marelux when the idea of a strobe line was in the planning stages. Marelux had several of the very well known strobes in house for testing the different docks for the Soft snoots. They acquired a new Sekonic C800 flash meter that has a color temp readout. It should be no surprise that all but one of the strobes read from 6600K to 8000K and the one exception was 5900K. For years we have seen very dodgy guide numbers coming from a verity of manufactures. Some enhanced by reducing the AOV of the strobes to less that 100 degrees and a verity of other over estimated power levels. Marelux have said the color temp of its strobes will be 6200K and 5500K with a defuser. I have not been able to find a comparison test that actually uses a light meter to evaluate GN or color temp. I suspect the Marelux Apollo line with be in the same color temp range or lower than many of the current offerings. I anyone has done these tests it would be nice to see the results. I have attached a photo of the Apollo III dock.

This lens has now been posted on the Nauticam web site for $6941.00US no photos or description at this time and no listing in the port charts. Will be interesting to see the initial list of supported lenses. Listed as 170 degrees with a 28mm FF lens.

Like 121 I own the Sony FE 14mm GM and it is an exceptional lens popular with astro photographers because it's a bright F/1.8 wide open. With Circular fisheye I would point out that corner sharpness is a bit of a moot point making center sharpness much more relevant. I would also point out that circular images like Phoebe's while lovely add an interesting prospective that for some should be used sparingly. I have been using the Canon 8-15mm for over eight years now and find myself using the 15mm FF end of the lens much more than the circular fisheye end. To that end I would offer a second choice for use with the FCP for circular shots. I have used the Rokinon 14mm F/2.8 lens for several years in both the 230mm port and an eight inch Aquatica acrylic port. The Rokinon also branded Samyang, focuses 5cm closer than the Sony 14 at 20cm is about 2.3 mm shorter so extensions won't be much different and in the US it is $500.00 v. the $1500.00 for the Sony. At F/8and F/11 the lens has great center sharpness and is usable into the corners even on high MP cameras. As an occasional circular fisheye shooter this lens may offer better value without noticeable loss of image quality.

The Tamron 17-50mm does appear softer in the corners by optical limits and others standards v. the Tamron 17-28mm and it is also an F/4 v. F/2.8. Also by Optical Limits standards the Sony FE PZ. 16-35mm F/4 is better than both of Tamron lenses and if you are using the Nauticam zoom gear the price difference is about $60.00US considering you don't need a zoom gear for the PZ 16-35mm. The PZ 16-35mm F/4 is smaller than the 17-28mm especially without a zoom gear. It also will work in a 180mm dome although Nauticam has its best performance in a 250mm dome. At Camera Labs the Sigma 17mm F/4 is hands down the best preforming lens at 17mm, the PZ 16-35 and Sony 20-70 F/4 are second and Tamron 17-28 F/2.8 is third. It all depends on whos reviews you are reading, if they have reviewed all the lenses you want to compare and did they use the same parameters when evaluating each lens. When you add in port size and design, along with extension lengths across all manufactures the small differences in land lens reviews may not make much difference in the final image as you have pointed out regarding the excellent Sony FE 16-35mm F/2.8 II GM.

Let me start over, sorry for not looking at Nauticam port charts before commenting. I would be old school Nauticam where everything was done with an N100 to N120 35.5 port adapter. Now the Nauticam 180mm port is made in both N100 and N120 so I am assuming you are using the N100 to N120 35.5 adapter plus 55mm of extension so a total of 90.5mm of extension. I am also assuming that the lens needs to be mounted from the front of the housing and then the port, extension is mounted over the top. Do you know it the lens will fit in the N100 extension?