Architeuthis

The camera system and the optics are two different items and should be treated separately... #1.: Regarding the camera, Canon R5II and Sony A1 have very similar DR, at base ISO as well as at elevated ISO, e.g. see here: https://www.photonstophotos.net/Charts/PDR.htm#Canon%20EOS%20R5%20Mark%20II,Sony%20ILCE-1M2 There is no improvement to expect in practice, when switching from Canon to Sony, but noise can be treated very effectively today with AI routines, e.g. in LRc. The Sony A1, as you say, is a little bit smaller compared to Canon, also with housing (the smallest FF camera with housing is the Sony A7cII (or A7CR); this may be the way to go when one intends to reduce size/weight of camera&housing). When it comes to metering and AF, I expect similar results with both cameras when the complicated menues are set to the right parameters (I only can say from own experience for Sony A7R5, which I have; metering and AF are excellent, but the menue is complicated and confusing. I needed some trial and error to get the rig configured to my needs. I also assigned several custom buttons to switch between different AF modes/areas UW (I think there is still room for improvement if I just understood the manual/menue better)) #2.: Regarding the optics, the WACP-2 is optically the best, but a monster (when zooming a little out, vignetting should not be a problem any more, provided the rigth extension is used). I only saw it once in my life and immediately knew WACP-2 is not for me. The difference in camera/housing is almost neglectible compared to the difference in size/weigth of the optics, when WACP-2 and e.g. a 140mm domeport with fisheye lens are compared... I have WACP-C with the Sony 28-60mm (many use this combo, are highly satisfied and there are similar configurations available for Canon), which is substantially smaller and lighter compared to WACP-2 (note that also the WACP-1 is clearly bigger/heavier compared to WACP-C). I do not think that for UW use f/2.8 is a big advantage compared to f/4-5.6 as one (normally) does not go below f/7 (at most f/5.6)to have sharp images also away from the center... I, personally, prefer the Canon 8-15mm, as it provides 180° diagonal compared to 130°, wich is the maximum for the WACP-C combo... The Canon 8-15mm fisheye in 140mm domeport provides not only 180° diagonal, but is also small and clever. When used with TCs, it can be used at more narrow angles of view. I only can say what combinations of 8-15mm/TCs work for Sony, but here are people posting here who use the Canon fisheye with TCs (see e.g. the post of user "WASO" in this tread here: https://waterpixels.net/forums/topic/3095-nauticamcanon-wa-questions/page/3/#comment-26191) Alternatively one could acquire Nauticams FCP, but I doubt this solutions does any better compared to fisheye lens with TC... All the best, Wolfgang

I am not familiar with the Canon lens choices, but very likely this choice is similar to the Sony system (it is a problem for UW, that the systems lack really very suitable lenses, e.g 15-35mm f/4 fisheye; but for these perspectives the wet lenses do exist)... I am sure a switch from Canon R5II to Sony A1 will not make a recognizable difference, but a careful evaluation of WA combinations available for Canon will certainly improve the photographic potential (WACP-2 with 14-35mm lens is (probably) optically very good, but extremely bulky and heavy). For baited/feeded sharks a fisheye lens with (or without) Teleconverter may be also very good but much more handsome (for me, personally, WACP-C with 130° diagonal maximum would not enough for such cases)..

I also lost a shakle from the Nauticam clamp and bought later another shakle at the hardware store, but in the meantine during ten diving vacation a keyring that I had with me was also fine...

Hi Chip, Are you sure the right extension for Canon+2xTC is 50mm? I use it with 60mm extension (35mm&25mm) and Dreifish even suggested more, based on his testing (but I get occasional vignetting by sensor stabilization when I take his suggestion)... In my files I see that for Canon+1.4x Kenko an extension of 50mm is required - your zoomgear should just fit in case you use the 50mm extension (maybe you have to remove the gear teeth wheel from the 35.5mm extension before it fits?). I do not use a separate zoomgear, but use an extension collar for my regular Nauticam zoomgear (placed in the DIY section for 3D print). I remember faintly that someone (Gudge?) fabricated an entire zoomgear and placed it also there... Wolfgang

I came from MFT (Oly EM5II/EM1II) and changed to FF (Sony A7R5). Indeed the size difference is the greatest when it comes to macro setups. The Nauticam/A7R5/Sony 100mm macro/MFO-3 (on flip adapter) setup is now the biggest ever, while MFT macro was smart and tiny...😄 Paradoxically not so much difference when WA is concerned (WACP-C; Canon 8-15mm fisheye; Tokina 17-28mm behind Zen DP170 - compared to MFT with similar optics)... => I wish you great dives and fun with your new setup. I am eager to hear about your experiences... Wolfgang

It is the combo, so i cannot say which element caused the flare... As said the flare occurs very seldom and is not a real problem...

I cannot say about WWL, since I never used it. I Have WACP-C/Sony 28-60mm and can say that flare occurs very seldom. Here is one of the few examples I have, when I got flare in the photo, when I photographed against the sun:

Maybe you should not let stress yourself by this single trip. It seems that up to now you were happily making photos with your A7R3 (If I had an A7R3, I also would consider an upgrade)? If no good bargain shows up, why not wait and make the next trip with the camera you already have and upgrade afterwards? Within the next half year, prices for new A7R6 will drop considerably, as well as Nauticam housings for A7R5 will appear on the second hand market...

I have A7R5 in Nauticam housing. I am very happy with the camera and have no urge to upgrade now. Both A7R5 and (for sure) A7R6 are very capable UW cameras. Even better AF and more DR of A7R6 is certainly tempting.. If buying new, I would go for A7R6, just because of the longer usable span from now (more futureproof). A budget friendly, and also very good, option is to look for a second hand Nauticam housing for R5, maybe together with camera. I guess several people will upgrade now and want so sell (I would not go for a new A7R5 housing now, the price is the same as for R6)... Wolfgang P.S.: I do not have a backup camera at present(sooner or later I will have to acquire a second body, since my over water photography is now restricted to the arrival and the last day before departure of a trip, during the rest of the time the camera is integrated into the setup; having one housing that fits both cameras is certainly an advantage )

PetaPixelThe Sony a7R VI Has the Best Dynamic Range of Any Full-Fr...The Sony a7R VI enters medium-format territory.

Just out of curiosity: in case one would switch from Nauticam (e.g. A7R5) to Marelux A75(R6) housing, would it be possible to mount a single adapter to the Marelux housing and continue to use all Nauticam ports/extensions (and adjust the regular Nauticam extensions for an easy to achieve distance (e.g. +/- 10mm) to compensate for the difference in sensor<->port mount distance)? Which one?

I forgot to mention that Seacam said "This is not possible with a simple adapter", concerning my situation with Nauticam housing for Sony A7R5. I did not measure distances and compare to Seacam ( distance from housing mount to the sensor), but the information from Seacam suggests that the Seacam port, designed for Seacam housing, is too long for adapting to a Nauticam housing for Sony FF... I have no idea about Canon, but probably they will tell you when you ask them...

Just out of curiosity I asked Seacam whether they have tested more lenses/systems for use with OPP, especially Sony FF (I am just curious and not planning to acquire OPP in the near future). I was told that Sony FE 16-35mm f/2.8 GMII works perfect with OPP... They say that the right extension is critical, but they do not support use of their products on other parties housings (I have Nauticam). It should, however, not be a big problem to find out the right extension for an adapter, in case one wants to go rectilinear...

I can highly recommend a mask with glued in optical lenses (not just reading glasses in the lower area. E.g. I have a multifocal, near- sightedness and astigmatism corrected mask and I completely forget UW that my vision is impaired (the 700 Euros for such a mask is worth every cent; I have invested more money in some gear that I do not need/use)... Besides this, any of the optical stores (as e.g. recommended above) that produce such masks will glue you in reading lenses in a mask. You can buy masks with premounted reading glasses, e.g. here: https://www.uwfun24.de/polaris-maske-plus-tauchermaske-schnorchelmaske-mit-nahlesebereich-175-schwarz?etcc_med=SEA&etcc_par=Google&etcc_cmp=PerformanceMax&etcc_grp=&etcc_bky=&etcc_mty=&etcc_plc=&etcc_ctv=&etcc_bde=c&etcc_var=CjwKCAjwrNrQBhBjEiwAoR4VO-JI2bhFrJAjgnr3Czm1TjN7tJcH0QoRjfi5W0SoiVOOKTQ4v0QxXBoC0ZoQAvD_BwE&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=20743095818&gclid=CjwKCAjwrNrQBhBjEiwAoR4VO-JI2bhFrJAjgnr3Czm1TjN7tJcH0QoRjfi5W0SoiVOOKTQ4v0QxXBoC0ZoQAvD_BwE or you can glue in the reading glasses by yourself, such as e.g. here: https://www.tauchversand.com/leseeinsaetze-fuer-jede-tauchmaske-1-75?srsltid=AfmBOooh5axfdLgnt5lieVMdEvn4vJGLUqmJH39IKZekxTNv5EvwAUmaR60 Wolfgang

I fear even the Kenko TC is not possible with native Sony FE lenses. As far as I know, the Kenko TCs are produced only for Nikon and Canon EF, see e.g here: https://kenkoglobal.com/product/teleplus_hd_pro_1_4x_dgx/#specifications

There are several factors: #1.: the prodruding element(s) of the Sony TC(s): the mechanical exception, i.e. TCs that work with almost any lens, are the Kenko TCs, that do not have such protruding elements. Native TCs (Sony, Canon EF, Canon RF, e.g.) have protruding elements that make it impossible to mount the TCs on most lenses, except the lenses for that the TCs have been designed for... #2.: The electronic communication of Sony TCs is often blocked by the firmware, even when the native TC fits mechanically, unless it is a lens that is approved by Sony to work with the native TCs... #3.: An exception is the arrangement Canon EF 8-15mm/Metabones V (Canon-EF to Sony FE)/Sony TC (1.4x or 2x), where the glassless adapter provides the space for the protruding element of the native TC(s) and the camera is communicating without problems with the TC/adapter/lens arrangement (It must be said, however, that this communication could potentially stop to work with any firmware update of the camera)... => It would be great in case it is possible to use the new AF fisheye lens with native Sony TCs, but it would be a very pleasant surprise for me in case it is possible (even if it is possible mechanically and electronically, there remains to be seen how the optical IQ is)... Wolfgang

This is interesting... You say the Sony 2x TC will fit into the Laowa 8-15mm f/2.8 fisheye lens? In case it fits mechanically and electronically it will be very interesting to see photois made with Sony 1.4x and 2x TCs...

When used as it is, i.e. circular fisheye and/or 180° diagonal fisheye, it is certainly an advantage (in case optical IQ is o.k.). I see no way to use TCs, therefore still no substitute for Canon 8-15mm & adapter...

A review about the older manual focus version came out: https://opticallimits.com/nikon/laowa-8-15mm-f-2-8-ff-zoom-fisheye-review/

The entire setup (camera with Canon 8-15mm fisheye, rectilinear WA lens plus dome/wetlens or macro lens plus port) will be almost the same, no matter whether you mount a real (MFT) camera or the GoPro with its tiny sensor. I find the GoPro with the fixed WA lens interesting for someone who wants a tiny UW camera, the interchangeable MFT lens version is too weak to use it UW as a system camera...

Interesting review... Did you have a chance to test IQ, when MFO-3 is used with the lens & 1.4x TC?

Yes, please ask... I think there are several interested...

I, personally, am not a compact camera UW photographer... This camera looks to be an alternative to the common Sony and Canon compact cameras used UW? https://www.dpreview.com/articles/9011490317/panasonic-l10-2026-tour-controls-changes DivePhotoGuideNauticam Announces Housing for the Panasonic Lumix L10

Can you please give details about the manufacturer and how to order the floats?

I have two HF-1's almost since they came out. At the first dive I was shocked by the torque that the (UW) heavy strobes produced on the rig (Nauticam/Sony A7R5), but coming from Z-330 I was used to place most floats on the inner arms. Since I place more floats on the outer arms no problem any more, everything is fine, no need to overtigthen the clamps... I never considered TTL, but I find it useful that with the Backscatter trigger for Sony I can switch to HSS just by switching the flash from "Manual" to "HSS", without any further adjustment on the camera...