Question about wide-angle conversion lenses (WA-110, W-20, W-30, UWL-100)

I'm brand new to both diving and underwater photography. However, I've been taking above-water photos for years, so I'm really excited about doing some underwater work.

Right now I'm thinking of getting an underwater housing for my RX100 - probably either the Ikelite or the Nauticam.

Has anyone done a comparison test of wide-angle conversion lenses for compact cameras? I'm curious about how the Bluewater WA-110 compares to the Ikelite W-30. I'm also curious about how the W-20 and W-30 compare, since the W-20 is about $175 cheaper.

What sort of filters do I buy for these lenses? I haven't seen any photos taken with a wide-angle conversion lens and a blue or green water filter. Are there filters that fit right over them?

Thank you,

Mike

The bluewater WA110 and Ikelite W30 are the same lens, in fact this is actually the Epoque DCL-30 http://www.epoque-japan.com/e-digitalacc-wide.htm

The W-20 is the old Epoque DCL-20 this lens has a small rear lens and will vignette on the RX100

The old Inon UWL-100 instead will not as the back lens is larger, this gives better optical quality than the DCL-30 or Inon UWL-H100

Filters are only needed for video for photos there is no need

Before making any decision on the lenses you need to get the housing first. Any lens will sit much closer to the port with the nauticam housing as opposed to ikelite and that will influence the choice of lens making some choices not viable.

There are plenty of considerations on the RX100 and wet lenses on my blog

http://interceptor121.wordpress.com

Consider that is possible to attach also Inon AD and LD bayonet mount lenses that are much more practical than M67 threaded ones. The RX100 requires lots of lens changes in water and the thread is not the best way to get that done quickly and increases the risk of loosing the lenses

There are plenty of considerations on the RX100 and wet lenses on my blog

http://interceptor121.wordpress.com

Awesome! Thanks for all the useful info.

Cheers,

Mike

For filter, I highly recommend "Magic Filter" (http://www.magic-filters.com/), it does more than just restore red, the manufacturer's website would explain it. Its signature claim is "making blue more blue". In the beginning of the video, you will see the nice deep blue color at the background, while still give vibrant red at the foreground.

Depend what kind of water you will dive in, they have two version, one for tropical (red), one for fresh water (green)

They now make a wet screw on filter. But if you're concern about adding distance in between your WA lens and housing, then you will need to get the film version of the Magic Filter and put it inside the housing, which is what I have.