Giancarlo M.

Shoot in AF-C mode instead of AF-S—that will definitely work better. The MF-O 1 helps reduce the minimum focusing distance and improves the quality of your lens; personally, I haven’t noticed any improvement in autofocus. One more thing: the 90mm struggles more to focus in low light; a small flashlight might help.

Nice project! Unfortunately, I have two original Nauticam blocks, but they're too thick and don't fit the 8-15 or your design. For now, I've cut a piece of rubber to size and it's working, even if it sometimes shifts a little. It would be great if you could recreate that piece in 3D as well; everyone would really appreciate it

Quick heads-up for Sony + Metabones + Canon 8-15mm users: I found this very interesting model. Please note: the locking mechanism is missing https://makerworld.com/it/models/778776-canon-8-15-zoom-gear

I am using them on the AOI UIS-P1, those batteries with 25A discharge help the strobe recharge quickly. Be careful, the link you provided is for a different Xtar model. The ones I sent you are 25A, which are the recommended ones. The other model does not specify the A rating, but it is usually lower, 8 or 10A, so you need to check carefully.

I recommend Xtar batteries. I've been using them for years now and have never had any problems. They are also recommended by Backscatter itself. But be careful, you have to buy the 25A ones. https://www.akkuteile.de/en/lithium-ionen-battery/protected/size-21700/xtar-21700-hp-25a-ampere-5000mah-3-6v-3-7v-li-ion-battery-electronically-protected_100644_3403

It is the same trigger as the Backscatter for the HF-1.

I am also a happy owner of the latest AOI P1s. I used them on my last two trips, one month in Papua New Guinea for wide-angle photos and in Lembeh in black water. I immediately found them very good, with excellent light coverage, uniform light, and exceptional battery life. In black water, I really appreciated the low-power burst mode. The batteries you need to use with this strobe must have a 25A discharge (I am using 21700 Xtar 25A batteries). You can use other batteries, but the performance will be different. I also used TTL and HSS mode and was impressed. I used their trigger on my Sony. I've always been skeptical of TTL mode with fiber optics, but AOI has done an incredible job; it works very well.

I am selling a pair of MF-2 mini backscatter flash, in excellent condition, with 6 months remaining on the Fotosub-shop warranty. Complete with original box and original accessories, including 4 21700 batteries. Pickup in Pero (MI) area possible, shipping to be agreed upon (Italy and Europe, excluding the UK). I prefer to sell the pair 700,00 €, otherwise I will sell a single unit for €370,00 No haggling or lowball offers, please. I am not negotiating the price.

I recently received the new AOI UCS-Q1i strobes to replace my MF-2s, and I was intrigued by the TTL function for Sony. I've never been a fan of TTL, and I've always shot manually with my strobes, but this time I was convinced, as I had valid evidence that the larger version of this strobe works very well in TTL mode. Unfortunately, I have to wait another month before I leave, but I'll take them with me on my next trip and then give you a more complete report. For now, I'll leave you with this file, where I shot from f22 to f2.8 in TTL macro mode. Sony A1 camera, 90 macro, and TTL AOI trigger. I find them interesting and can't wait to get back in the water!

Unfortunately, I haven't been able to try them yet, but I will be using them a lot in September on my next trip to PNG. A dear friend tried them out with a Sony A1 two weeks ago in the Red Sea and was very pleased with them. He was also very impressed with the TTL, which seems to work very well with the AOI trigger. In terms of power, he says it's like an HF-1 but with a circular lamp.

my favorite combination is to use beam reducers with mounted strobe diffusers

I had Saga make a port dedicated to the 35 macro

Nice work!, one tip, from my experience, try it in a container in water, sometimes with the test in air and the test in water you may find differences

I mostly used the Canon R7, on my last trip I started using a Sony A1. I have never tested HSS on the MF-2s, the R7 with a manual trigger can get to a syncro of 1/400 without seeing the curtain, even the A1 I can use 1/400 without any problems, so I don't consider it necessary for my use. If you have a Backscatter or UWT trigger you should have no problem using HSS on the MF-2 as well. This is the link of the arms that I use https://www.flex-arm.com/it/bracci-carbonio/bracci-quick-release-sgancio-rapido/braccio-in-fibra-di-carbonio-quick-release-sgancio-rapido-doppia-sfera-25-mm-lung-24-cm.html At the end of April I will leave for Lembeh and I will have on test the new AOI UIS-P1 strobes to their new trigger, I will use them mainly in BW but the trigger should be compatible with the MF-2 and I will let you know if it will work properly and if the power will be good.

I have been using MF-2s for almost 2 years just for macro photography and they are more than perfect. The power is more than enough for what you need to do. No need to carry around bigger and heavier strobes for macrophotography. Only recommendation is to equip yourself with a quick release to use them with the snoot as well, I bought arms with a built-in quick release and would never go back for the great convenience. an excellent alternative are the AOI UCS-Q1s, I have already tried them and they are a bit more powerful.