MacroMate and D2X

I purchased the MacroMate lens from Backscatter a week ago. Had a chance to discuss the lens with Berkley of Backscatter.

This is not a simple diopter. It has two main lens elements. The main thing is that this means is that the designers can do a better job of limiting Spherical and Chromatic aberrations. Berkely mentioned the achromatic characteristics of this lens. But I had been in lectures all day on aspherical contact lenses and wasn't listening to him.

Berkley suggested that what you should do with the lens is focus on your subject without the lens in place and then flip it in place. At that point by moving the camera a little and judicious use of the AF you can get your subject in place.

These shots were with the D2X, Subal housing, and 105 lens. The D2X is the first camera that I find you can AF with the 105 lens. All these pics were with AF. Very minimal correction in PS.

I found this an easy combination to use. My first macro shots with the D2X. For these old eyes the magnified view finder on the Subal was very nice.

Another shot. Not using the macromate.

With the macromate

With macromate

Without

Very nice Dave. I really like the last one. I agree that the D2x focusses very well with the 105. I had a hard time and almost didn't use the 105 with my previous cameras (N90 and F100).

Luiz

Interesting samples, Dave. Thanks for sharing. The Macromate does look like a really nice piece of kit.

I like that flatfish shot. Great impact, even though it is a "without" shot!

Alex

p.s. I accept that we all have different shooting styles, but I have never manually focused the 105mm with D100, F100 or D70.

Nice pics and demonstration of the macromate.

I have been and still am considering between getting a macromate or an external wet dioptre for my system....hmm decisions decisions..

Dave, how big is the macromate? I have been thinking about getting one eventually. The biggest Nexus wetmount diopter is too small for my Subal flat port but I assume that Macromate should be ok.

Could you please post a picture of the macromate mounted on the Subal port? The macromate looks kind of bulky to me.

Another point to consider when using the macro mate is the weight - that's a large chunk of glass to hang on the end of your port and will affect the balance of your rig.

I am using the macro mate with a D2X Subal Housing and a 70-180 Lens - very front heavy - maybe a lens lift bag would work

regards

ron

Hey Ron, post some shots taken with that 70-180 when you have the chance! I am curious about this lens...

Luiz

MacroMate open

MacroMate closed.

Both of these photos are with the flip MacroMate attached to a Subal FP 60. When I use this port with the 105 I add a 33 mm ext. ring.

Dave, thanks for the picture,ouch, that's look huge. With the port/extension ring for the 70-180 that I usually use, I will definitely need a lens lift bag!

The flip version of the macro mate will be next one I purchase.

I left my push on version on a dive in Alor last month - here is the last shot i used it for.

I was using a 105.

Peter

Not a bad way to go Peter. Nice shot!

Hi Alex

What is the magnification of the macro mate.

If the 105 give you 1:1

What is the actual ratio with this toy?

Sorry if this question was posted earlier....I just got the thread.

Thanks

Mauricio

This is the official blurb from the Backscatter website.

Get incredibly sharp 2:1 (twice life-size) macro images with the underwater removable MacroMate lens for underwater SLR housings. The MacroMate doubles your 100mm or 105mm lens magnification by allowing you to get closer to the subject.

Sealed Achromatic Optics

Custom achromatic lenses are sealed in an optical housing and provide extreme magnification with incredibly sharp edges. This unique design produces much tighter and sharper images than simple close-up lenses that are exposed to water. The air sealed chamber maximizes the optical properties of the close-up lens without distortion or soft edges.

Underwater Removable

The MacroMate lens is designed to be removable underwater. Quickly shift between normal close-up and extreme macro on the same dive. Venting holes in the port adapter allow water to enter the space between the port and lens.

Slip-on or Flip-up Designs

The Original MacroMate is designed for a snug fit on the lens port and includes a locking security screw. When not in use, the photographer can completely remove the MacroMate from the system and store it in a BC pocket to reduce the overall weight of the system. The new Flip-Up MacroMate design is permanently mounted to the port and allows the photographer to quickly flip the lens up and out of the way.

The MacroMate will fit ports from Subal, Sea & Sea, Seacam, Aquatica and the Light & Motion Titan D100.

Slightly off-topic I guess, but I was interested to read the differing views on whether the 105mm was useable with AF or not.

I'm thinking of buying one for my D100/Subal - soon to be, quite possibly, a D200.

Does anyone have real problems with AF on a D100 using the 105mm?

I have used the 105 in both AF & manual modes.

I feel that AF was fairly successful for me with the D100.

That being said I always shoot the Macromate in manual focus irrespective of the camera ( D100 / D2X ).