Architeuthis

Not really. I made some icons for applying basic actions as lens profiles plus initial settings in LR and PS (e.g. clarity, starting conditions for WB etc..), but these contain just text as "Sony 90mm", "Canon 8-15mm" etc...

I have now upgraded to software version 6.0.3.21385 (Mac OS is 15.1.1). The Loupedeck CT console is now again reponsive and changes its look when switching from one program to another ("dynamic mode" in the Loupedeck software needs to be swithced "ON")... The problem with the monochromatic icons in LRc still persists...

I guess that the white rings are remains of a fight with an octopus...

Since about one year the owner is Logitech, well known for producing mice and consoles of all kind, só maybe not brand-new... (https://loupedeck.com/de/blog/logitech-acquires-loupedeck/). Logitech also has their own console for LR and PS, called Logitech MX console... I suspect the disaster with the icons and now the lacking support has to do with this takeover ... Wolfgang P.S.: Despite I am retired and a man of independent means, right now I do not have time to process photos and deal with the loupedeck problems (but just returned from beautiful diving holidays in Tansania), as I am busy with Xmas preparations (especially preparing cookies for grandchildren, grandnephews, children and nephews(nice) 😋). After the holdidays I will have time again for working on photos and will try to solve the problem (=downgrading to earlier firmware?)...

Hi Tim, I have installed version 6.0.2.21225. The result is that it stopped now working on my PC (Macbook Pro M1, newest OS; it does not switch to the LRc look when I start LRc)... 😋 I wrote already several times to the customers support, first complints about the icons and lately about non-working, but no response about the non-working issue... The new owner distributes its own hardware and I fear they have little interest in supporting the old one (i.e. Loupedeck CT)...🤮 Wolfgang

Bluewater Photography Guide says that SMC-1 and MFO-1 can be used in serial combination: https://www.uwphotographyguide.com/Nauticam-announces-the-Nauticam-Mid-range-Focus-Optimizer1-(MFO-1) This, however, seems to be a misinformation as Alex clearly states here that SMC-1(3) and MFO-1 should be used alternatively and not together (he says that serial combination will lead to double correction of flat port abberation and hence a loss in IQ): => The only problem with Sony 90mm plus SMC-1 that I was able to recognize so far is slight vignetting in the corners when I use SMC-1 at the longest object distances and smallest magnifications that SMC-1 allows. These are, however, object distances and magnifications that I better cover with the pure macro lens w/o any diopter attached... => I also wonder what the benefits of using MFO-1 on Sony 90mm with flatport are: does sharpness improve just in the periphery or is it increased also in the center (when it is the center, it may be worth going for it (but I did not recognize any sharpness problems in the center yet))? Wolfgang

Thanks...👍 I have never seen them with my own eyes (only tropical relatives that exist more shallow). Friends using rebreathers told me that they see them frequently in Croatria, even at places close to were we often use to dive (it would require, however, practical U-profile dives to 56m using compressed air and I am not ready for this)...

It would be very helpful if Nauticam can provide sample images like e.g. with and w/o MFO-1 that clearly show the benefit of using MFO-1. And does it improve IQ also when a macro lens through domeport is compared to macrolens&MFO-1 through flatport (especially interesting for shorter focal lenses, where the flatport makes most detoriation of IQ)? It seems to me that the MFO-1 is better mounted permanently to the flatport when making macro. But then, what when another diopter will be used that increases the magnification substantially above 1x (like SMC-1 that is essential for macro on FF)? Is SMC-1 used in addition to MFO-1 via e.g. a flip holder (as many use the SMC-1 now)? Or is MFO-1 removed and SMC-1 mounted instead (either via (unhandy) double flip holder or by dismantling MFO-1 and storing in a pocket)?

I still do not really understand the advantage of using this new diopter (when looking at the Nauticam portchard for the Sony 90mm macro, I see that max. magnification and working distance are pretty similar with or without MFO-1)... You say that sharpness of the image and other qualities are improved. Can you please explain this in more detail (As far as my understanding is, any additional glass added to a lens (e.g. TC or diopter) leave IQ, at the best, untouched. How is it possible that sharpness improves?)... Thanks, Wolfgang

Wow, Retra reacted really fast to the Backscatter HF-1. If I would not have bought recently two HF-1s (at present, I like them a lot, since they do a great job) and serious reviews would show that the Retra Maxi performed as good as the specs suggests, I might have considered them instead... Anyhow it is good that affordable and powerful strobes become now available, after Inon stopped production of the Z330... I fear Retra may come out with a smart model with circular tubes and integrated Li+ batteries (instead of 8 NiMh batteries, 4 being in the supercharger extension) - this may be the point where I cannot hold myself back and will order some... Wolfgang

This is indeed a stone-coral, one of the few ones in the Mediterranean: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cladocora_caespitosa With "corals" I mean the class of Anthozoa ("Blumentiere" in German). These animals are really beautiful in the Adria. Also Gorgonia belong to this group. This September we were able to see/photograp even a precious coral (Corallium rubrum) in the Kornati national park at quite shallow depth of approx. 33m (they are almost extinct at recreational divers depths)... Is the new owner the son of Jani (his name was Tommi)? Jani was the previous operator, he also made the guide aboard the old Vranjak. Or is it the son of the previous captain (I cannot remember his name just now)?

Thank you for this interesting report, Klaus...👍 In the old days (before 2000) I have been twice for a week on the old Vranjak and it was fantastic and outstanding. Later there appeared a new boat, the Vranjak II (maybe this is th erecent Vranjak) and now it seems even the operator has changed. We certainly will book a trip in the near future (as far as I know one should reserve a place optimally 2 years in advance, I guess the scedule for 2025 is pretty full 😊). We go to the Adriatic at least twice a year (for us it is aprox. 4h driving by car). Especially the corals (e.g. in Vis and Kornati islands) easily compete with any other destination. The Anthias colonies at red Gorgonia fields (alomost) beat the Red Sea, but one must go at least 30m, better pretty deeper, to see the beauty. Macro motifs, like nudies, are beautiful and abundand. As Klaus writes, it may not be a favorite destination for people coming from far away, but for people living close... => Also complete charter is available, if made well in advance, maybe one of us should organize a special UW-photographer safari (best time is second week in September - first week in October, then 7mm semidry is sufficient)? Wolfgang

The heavier weight, or better the negative buoyancy, was only a problem on the first dive: I had the floats mounted the same way as I had for the relatively neutral Z330, i.e. most floats on the inner arm, to have buoyancy close to the center of gravity. The result was a rig with strong torque, because of the backwards positioned HF-1s that pulled the rig down. Now I put the floats more on the outer arm and I do not recognize any more that they are heavier than the Z330s... Regarding the Li+ batteries, It is much better to travel with 8 batteries, sufficient for two HF-1 and one MF-2, compared to the 16 NiMh batteries plus two 21700, previously for two Z330s plus HF-2. Li+ is certainly the future. I find the negative and anxious feelings of some people too innovation skeptical and also a little bit ambiguous. There are so many Li+ batteries on board of aeroplanes (and also diving vessels) already now, because of handys and computers. The minority of Li+ batteries is from divers, is it video lights or diving torches, where Li+ batteries are already the standard. Now come some additional Li+ batteries from UW flashes - so what? Regarding airline restrictions, the 21700 need to be carried as carry-on luggage, not as check-in luggage, up to 20 are allowed. The restrictions start at 100 Wh capacity (2 allowed) and at > 160 Wh the real problems start, see e.g. here: https://www.iata.org/contentassets/6fea26dd84d24b26a7a1fd5788561d6e/passenger-lithium-battery.pdf => In summary, no regrets so far (Tomorrow, November 13rd, I will take off for the next dive trip 😋(Tansania, Mafia island))... The HF-1s are a substantial upgrade compared to the Z330s, regarding color temperature and power. Light distribution is very good according to my experiences, but see Alex Mustards review on HF-1 (He writes the HF-1 belongs to the best UW flashes available and he likes them a lot, but the Retras provide more even and softer light distribution and hence, are even better)... Wolfgang

I have Macbook M1 Pro, approx. four years old. Still very good for photo (LRc & Photoshop) and video editing (DaVinci freeware version). When the notebook was new, all LRc editing was fast as a flash, but in the meantime the AI based filters came out. These consume much more processor time. As I use the computer, the AI filters are the most demanding tasks. Processing a single photo (e.g. NR via AI) lasts up to a minute (estimated, A7R5). I guess with the new M4 Pro this may be half or even less of the time (I did not see benchmarks for these AI applications for comparison, but maybe someone has already tested.)... New applications demand more power. 32 MB RAM are still sufficient and 2TB SSD is o.k. (I have programs and not yet finished projects on the SSD and this is approx. 1TB (only 1TB would be limiting for me). I have the 14" version, as I find this much more convenient for traveling. At home, I connect the notebook to a calibrated 27" monitor... Wolfgang

I cannot tell about the Retras, but I can compare Z330 against HF-1... Already after one two week diving holiday, I can say that with HF-1 (with 4500K flat diffusers) the color of the sea needs little correction in most cases (WA with 180° fisheye and WACP-C with 130° and less; combination of both flash and natural light). With Z330, I had to adjust this color much more, not seldom using masks in LR. Also the susceptibility to backscatter seems to be less with HF-1 (I guess the flat diffusers have a narrower beam angle compared to the Z330 with the built in dome diffusers, but cannot say exactly, it is just a subjective impression)... I did not recognize a difference in evenness or softness of the light distribution. Not seldom I get a darker area in the middle (no matter wich flashes), but the reason is that I did not position the strobes correctly (usually I use "9-3", "10-2" up to "semi-rabbit ear (also something like 3-9, but on elongated arms", depending on motif (depending on how far I want to reach the flashlight and also how reflective the bottom is)) - in my case it happens when the strobes are too far out for the distance of the subject... Wolfgang