Wide Angle Options for the 10bar LX3 housing

I'm researching the options for wide-angle lenses for my 10Bar Housing for the Panasonic Lumix LX3. It looks like there are 2 options for wet lenses, INON and 10Bar. Does anyone have experience with either. INON makes the UWL-100 and an optional dome. There is a "type 1" and "type 2" option for this product and I'm unsure which to use. I'm liking the INON route mainly due to name recognition. 10Bar makes the same kind of set up but I'm not as familiar with their line. How is the build quality of 10Bar lenses? If it's anything like their housing I would not be worried. I'm also curious about vignetting, do either of these items cause it? I really know nothing about lenses so I'm hoping to gain a little insight before taking this expensive journey.

Pat

Great questions. I too would like to hear others comments about the wide angle options for this housing.

Great questions. I too would like to hear others comments about the wide angle options for this housing.

I had a good conversation with some very helpful folks on this thread on another board.

http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/underwate...x3-housing.html

I ended up purchasing the FIX UWL-04. I've just done some tests in a fish tank but I like it so far.

Pat

Great info in that thread. Thanks.

Actually there are a couple more; The Ikelite WP-20 67mm and the Fantasea BE 67mm. I think the Ikelite would be my preference, but would love to hear form users about it.

Jack

Actually there are a couple more; The Ikelite WP-20 67mm and the Fantasea BE 67mm. I think the Ikelite would be my preference, but would love to hear form users about it.

 

Jack

I think the reason those may not considered is that they are .56 magnification lenses and would gain little FOV over the flat port by the time the lenses are zoomed to eliminate vignetting. The dome equipped Inon lens are quite a bit wider than the same lens without the dome, 30 to 40 more degrees diagonally. So, even after zooming a significant increase in FOV and DOF is gained. But, could be wrong. Don't know much about this camera.

Here's a chart that 10Bar supplied showing their w/a options.

Jack

I have to ask why use a wet lens when the LX-3 will accept an adapter and dry add on wide angle lens which from what I have seen gives better results than any of the wet lens options?

I have to ask why use a wet lens when the LX-3 will accept an adapter and dry add on wide angle lens which from what I have seen gives better results than any of the wet lens options?

I was initially leaning going that way until I saw how everything attached while using different lenses. I went with a wet lens over a dry dome port because I like the ability to change it underwater and above water. From what I've seen in the 10 Bar manual, if you want to add a wide-angle lens to the camera while using a dry dome you have to disassemble the dome, screw the WA lens to the camera and reassemble the dome. The stock camera goes to 24mm and I think down to 18mm with a WA lens. With the dome you are stuck with that until you can un-assemble the dome and housing to remove the lense.

I was initially leaning going that way until I saw how everything attached while using different lenses. I went with a wet lens over a dry dome port because I like the ability to change it underwater and above water. From what I've seen in the 10 Bar manual, if you want to add a wide-angle lens to the camera while using a dry dome you have to disassemble the dome, screw the WA lens to the camera and reassemble the dome. The stock camera goes to 24mm and I think down to 18mm with a WA lens. With the dome you are stuck with that until you can un-assemble the dome and housing to remove the lense.

In some ways that is no different than what one does with a DSLR - many domes require extension rings. However the housing body lens port is wide enough that the lens will go through it in one shot.

Also you are correct the the Panasonic wide angle adaptor is a .75 and will take it down to 18mm. There are some other wide angle adaptor lenses such as those by Raynox that will give you an even wide angle. However, one needs to cognsant of what extension tube is needed and whether it will fit in the lens port hole.

The conversion lens port (#3) can simply be screwed into the port without all the disassembly to add the dome.

Jack

The conversion lens port (#3) can simply be screwed into the port without all the disassembly to add the dome.

 

Jack

Hey Jack,

What do you know about some of the other dry WA adapters such as those made by Raynox? I understand their quality is quite good. Two of their adapters, DCR-730 and DCR-6600PRO look quite nice but would add about 5mm to 17mm of length to the system over the Panasonic.

Do you think the WA port could handle that difference? (i.e. what is the effect of putting a WA lens so close to the port.?)

Cheers,

Allen

Hey Jack, Can you tell me anything about #2 in the port accessories? What is the difference between #2 & #8? I assume they are both wet lenses that attach to the existing flat port (#1). And am I correct in thinking that #3 attaches directly to the housing (remove flat port #1)?

OK guys, several choices there, some were older ideas as well it seems, so I made an informed decision...

I will be stocking #3 the wide angle conversion port along with the screw on dome #5. This is a replacement port as opposed to the screw-on lens that made changing the camera out rather a process. The lens/port screws on, then if you want a wider idea you add the dome. This is the set-up C shown above. I'm hearing about 12mm with the set, should be very nice and flexible.

I've brought a couple of sets into stock and they'll be up on the site as quickly as I can get some photos of them and their installation.

Allen; I don't know anything about these W/A adapters, I would stick with the Panasonic or 10Bar. I can get the other items shown, but they have to come from HK.

Jack

Here's some shots of the W/A converter lens port and add on dome.

As I understand it the converter lens gets you back to about 24 degrees and the dome to 12 degrees (I could well be off on that). But for sure with sharper corners.

You can use just the converter port alone, or with the dome. Both are DRY mount, cannot be changed uw.

More photos at the store.

Jack