a6000 lens for underwater + underwater case

hello guys!

I just found this forum, wow!

great to meet you all.

I used to have an underwater camera, nothing fancy it was a canon ixus.

now I am thinking to buy a new camera for underwater and also for normal use.

I think I will go for a next a6000 that I saw it does good videos too.

As I am not a pro, I don't know much about lenses and adaptators and accessories... I am going crazy in order to understand what I should buy and don't buy something that it won't fit on the camera.

what I would like to buy is: of course the camera, 1 lens for every use (like a 18-200mm?) and now I read that for underwater it is better (of course) to get a macro lens. then I need an undewater case up to 30-40 meters.

questions:

1.can you please advices me and give me few options for a lens that goes around 18-200 mm? few options with different prices.

2. which camera lens for underwater photos? I like macros but should I go for a specific macro lens or more of a "normal" lens ? like 18-50mm ? of course a macro lens should be perfect for macro photos, but would I stil be able to take photos of, for example, more wider shots like other divers or whale shars? I know the question sounds stupid but do you know what I mean? I would like to have a lens (for underwater pics) that is good with different situations. as I am not pro, what do you advice? again please, different solutions with different prices.

3. underwater case up to 30-40 meters. I don't need anything fancy. I saw that there is a case from Nauticam that goes up to 100 meters, but it is expensive and that is not what I need.

are the cases for a6000 all so expensive? nothing way cheaper?

thank you guys for the reply, please try to be not toooo technical in the replies

Emanuele

oh I forgot to say, a lens like the sigma 18-35 F1.8 that I saw great reviews about, would it fit my a600 or does it needs an adaptator? I read that if you put an adaptator on a lens, the lens won't work with AF because it doesn't interface with the a6000 (in my specific situation).

if this lens fit the a6000, would it be a good lens for underwater photos? cause I think it would be a good lens for normal usage (not underwater), correct me if I am wrong

.

Don't know how reliable Meikon products are so you should do some research online. I've recommened these plastic cases to my friends mostly for kayaking and snorkeling.

If you dive frequently, the aluminum housing is the only way to go.

thank you for the reply.

I usually dive only once or twice per year so I think that kind of underwater housing can be good for what I need, right?

when you say that the case should go with the "16-50mm kit lens only", does it means that goes ONLY with that lens or up to a 50mm lens?

so it can be a smaller lens, but not longer than 50 mm?

Long zoom lens do not work in underwater ports unless they are specific macro lenses behind a flat port at fixed focal length

The 16-50 lens would be ideally placed behind a dome port and that would not take a long lens.

So forget about your 18-200 underwater it is not going to happen

thanks Interceptor for the reply.

if I get a 16-50 lens in the underwater case, am I able to zoom in and out right? it doesnt stay fix.

also what I mean is, if it says that support 18-50mm lens, does it means that if I get a 60mm it won't fit in the housing?

thanks Interceptor for the reply.

 

if I get a 16-50 lens in the underwater case, am I able to zoom in and out right? it doesnt stay fix.

 

also what I mean is, if it says that support 18-50mm lens, does it means that if I get a 60mm it won't fit in the housing?

If you get a cheap housing like the meikon it will only work with one lens.

If you get a housing with changeable ports like Nauticam you will need a different port for a different lenses but yes it can be done as long as the lens has a compatible port

I bought five Meikon housings for me and my diving fellows last year. Great finish and extremely affordable. I flooded one of my Nex5n cameras but again that was only my own fault

However, the buttons did not work below the depth of 19m, even after Meikon's replacement. The buttons kept dancing once you get deeper.

So currently available reliable housing for A6000 came from Nauticam. If you plan to dive it using the kit lens 16-50, remember to buy the zooming kit as well.

While diving, we usually use prime lenses, say super wide or fisheye or macro lenses. I have never found any usefulness of 18-200 underwater.

I have the new Sony a6000 and any day now, the Nauticam housing but not sure about what port or ports to get though. There seems to be a few ways to go with macro and wide angle ports and lenses and some are really $$$$. Any ideas on the best of both macro and W/A? Should I use a dedicated set up for each or is there a way to do both at the same time? Thanks1

Don't select the Zeiss Touit 50 mm Macro - it is useless with the a6000 and flash. There is a 3 second delay between pressing the shutter and activation. Zeiss claim to be working on a fix but how can they release this lens, after all the delays, without testing for this simple function.

Update: 23 June.
Just received this from Zeiss
"Yes, this flash problem with the Sony cameras could be solved with a firmware update for the Touit lens. A new firmware is under development and is scheduled to be released during this summer.
When a new firmware update is available, we will inform you by email."

My response to Zeiss

Further response from Zeiss

"In most cases, macro lenses are not used together with a flash, so the problem was not obvious immediately. It is a very special problem of interference of lens´ and camera firmware, so unfortunately it takes some time to be solved."

They clearly don't understand their market - how many of us UW photographers need flash to fire our strobes?

I have the new Sony a6000 and any day now, the Nauticam housing but not sure about what port or ports to get though. There seems to be a few ways to go with macro and wide angle ports and lenses and some are really $$$$. Any ideas on the best of both macro and W/A? Should I use a dedicated set up for each or is there a way to do both at the same time? Thanks1

here is a list of options available

http://wetpixel.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=45055&p=342667

I think the most common stock options will be

• 30mm macro with the nauitcam 45 Macro port
• 16mm+FE Adapter behind the 4.33in Dome

Also the 10-18mm looks a decent non fisheye WA contender.

Unfortunately, there are not a ton of options. Fortunately the options are easy to digest.

Further response from Zeiss

 

"In most cases, macro lenses are not used together with a flash, so the problem was not obvious immediately. It is a very special problem of interference of lens´ and camera firmware, so unfortunately it takes some time to be solved."

 

They clearly don't understand their market - how many of us UW photographers need flash to fire our strobes?

That seems like a really odd response from them. They released a promo video of a German photog using the 50mm macro for studio portraits!

I get that UW photographers are not their core target market, but its absurd to think someone shooting macro would not need flash. There are loads of examples of flash based macro (ring lit bugs or flowers, back lit bugs/flower, product photography, etc).

Sounds like they just BS'ed you.

 

 

Sounds like they just BS'ed you.

They are full of it!

I've now heard from the supplier of the lens that the fix should be "in a month or so". I can't believe that it should take so long to identify the cause of this problem and get the fix made and this time tested. They make it sound as if they have no idea where to start. The lens works fine on my old NEX-5.

I have the new Sony a6000 and any day now, the Nauticam housing but not sure about what port or ports to get though. There seems to be a few ways to go with macro and wide angle ports and lenses and some are really $$$$. Any ideas on the best of both macro and W/A? Should I use a dedicated set up for each or is there a way to do both at the same time? Thanks1

Zeiss 12mm w Zen Nauticam to Sea&Sea adapter and Zen DP170 dome for Sea&Sea work very well on my Nauticam housed NEX-5n.

Makes for a small package to shoot W/A and CFWA. The adapter is needed to function as an extension port to fit lens within the dome.

Reefphoto has a good article on the setup. I have had mine on 3 dives so far and I am quite happy and never really was with Sony 16mm w or w/o adapters.

Should work well with a6000.

One issue however is the width of the Zeiss 12mm at its far end being to wide to fit thru the port in the housing. So to install the package you have to start with the dome removed from the adapter and the lens removed from the camera body. Install the camera body into the housing, shut and lock the back door. Mount the lens on the camera body thru the adapter. Finally install the dome on the adapter. This is a bit of a hassle but it works.

Regards

Marc

Zeiss 12mm w Zen Nauticam to Sea&Sea adapter and Zen DP170 dome for Sea&Sea work very well on my Nauticam housed NEX-5n.

Makes for a small package to shoot W/A and CFWA. The adapter is needed to function as an extension port to fit lens within the dome.

Reefphoto has a good article on the setup. I have had mine on 3 dives so far and I am quite happy and never really was with Sony 16mm w or w/o adapters.

Should work well with a6000.

 

One issue however is the width of the Zeiss 12mm at its far end being to wide to fit thru the port in the housing. So to install the package you have to start with the dome removed from the adapter and the lens removed from the camera body. Install the camera body into the housing, shut and lock the back door. Mount the lens on the camera body thru the adapter. Finally install the dome on the adapter. This is a bit of a hassle but it works.

 

Regards

Marc

Thanks for the info Marc.

Emanuele,

The Meikon A6000 housing is now available: http://www.dansarosa.com/meikon-sony-a6000-underwater-housing-waterproof-case-10831.html

Some useful information and underwater images on the Meikon products:

Meikon housing: http://www.lcimagery.com/2014/05/meikon-underwater-housing-first-impressions/

Meikon glass wide-angle adapter: http://www.lcimagery.com/2014/05/meikon/

1. Never think of bringing 18-200 down. Even on land, this lens is sloooooooooooooow in focusing.

2. A dedicated macro lens plus/minus a closeup adapter is the best solution. Be sure you bring a video torch for lighting. Currently Sony 30mm macro will do the job. A Zeiss version of 50mm selling around 1K will also be good.

3. Nauticam offers the best housing. The cost is high but the it is well justified by the depth, ergonomics, availability of ports and good after sale service. If you buy the Meikon housing, you will sooner or later know its limitations.

4. The advantages of Meikon housing

a. good price, incredibly low

b. light weight

c. good resistance to water...my 5n Meikon did not get any leak at 40m

It also suffers from several weaknesses

a. The buttons cannot resist water beyond 19m (my experience)

b. Lack of zoom gear

c. Lack of port supporting various lenses.

Obviously Meikon is selling this housing to other water/outdoor sports rather than scuba diving

The rated 40m is also an obvious weakness because I have seen various plastic housings leaked at 40m

I shoot a NEX7 in a Nauticam housing and absolutely love the ergonomics and Sony 24MP APS-C sensor. The A6000 is even better at focus, etc at a lower price point. As you're seeing, many of us NEX users are still struggling with lens and ports for a high IQ compact underwater system, which is why we went with mirrorless to begin with. The Zeiss Touit 12mm has been rated as the sharpest lens available underwater, going beyond Canon and Nikon SLR's. Yet as Marc has pointed out, it normally needs an expensive 2 piece dome and adapter to work due to it's physical width. However, what many don't know, is the bell shaped shell on the lens is cosmetic or functions solely for the lens shade mounting. The lens is fully functional without this outer shell allowing it to fit in the Nauiticam NEX 4.33 and 7" domes. My Z12 is in Germany at the moment having the front cover (which hides the shell mounting screws) removed (it's glued on). Zeiss has been great and agreed to remove this cover for me at no charge other than shipping it to their NY service dept.

I will soon be able to experiment with the lens in the 4.33 compact dome. This is a FE (fisheye) dome and not ideally suited for wide rectilinear lens due to the dome's extreme curvature, so I may lose corner sharpness, but I don't believe anyone has tried it "real world" yet. I'll soon find out when the lens arrives. Should IQ suffer from the 4.33 dome curvature, the Nauticam 7" dome will work perfectly, but unfortunately, will add to the size of the compact system for travel. Yet, the good news is it's less than half the price of the Zen DP170 & adapter ($550 vs $1,200) and much lighter. It also will not require the 2 part dome/lens installation that Marc explains above.

I'm hoping it will perform in the small 4.33 for travel purposes and also because I have a 20mm extension which will allow me to use my S18-55 lens in the 4.33. I've figured out a way to adapt my Port 72 flip macro mount to the 4.33 port and like the idea of still having the kit lens for single dive versatility in WA and M. Again, because of the 4.33 curvature, I may have trouble with the corners at 18mm? The good news is, the N 7"dome finally has a zoom gear for the Z16-70 which will be a higher IQ replacement for the 18-55. Putting my flip macro mount on the 7" will be more of a challenge though….LOL.

For super-macro I'm using the exceptionally sharp Canon 60 EF-S macro and Aquatica +10 diopter with a Metabones adapter in Nauiticam's custom NEX port which offers some autofocus (slow, but works) and more important for macro, manual focus, which the shorter 50mm Touit set-up does not have. Sony's Focus Peaking is a fabulous tool underwater. Plus, the added 10mm over the Touit makes the lens longer in 35mm equivalency which is an added bonus, as the Sony "NEX" system doesn't have a long macro. Perhaps Nauticam will make a 2 part NEX port for the upcoming Sony 90mm FE e-mount macro, but that's a BIG maybe and certainly a long ways off. 90mm on a cropped APS-C body makes a great working distance macro, comparable to the more popular C100 and N105 macros, which are the most popular for SM. I'm sure many NEX macro shooters are keeping their fingers crossed…..

If I had to do it all over again, I would have considered the more mature 4/3 system with it's large and sharp lens selection. Yet, I print large and like the 24MP Sony sensor and can't afford to change systems in mid-stream. Fortunately, Sony's systems are slowly catching up.

Welcome to the expensive world of UW photography. It's kind of hard to cut corners with cheaper equipment. Purchasing a used NEX or 4/3 system rather than trying to get a cheap housing to work, is a better option in my opinion.

Cheers,

Marsh