Going to Socorro - lens choice

[js1221]

Looks like I’m going to Socorro in December. This will be my first opportunity to photograph manta rays and whale sharks. Also, she schooling hammerheads and hopefully dolphins. Primarily I shoot macro and fish portraits but I do have a wide angle setup that has seen little use. I really would like my best chance to get some good photos on this trip so I’m looking for thoughts from those who have been there or to similar locations.

I shoot an Olympus E-M1 Mark III, in an AOI housing. I have the Olympus 8mm lens and the 4 inch dome port. In addition, I have the 14-42 EZ, the 12-45 4.0 Pro, the 12-50 and the 9-18. I was wondering if I would improve my chances of getting more good photos if I were to get the AOI UWL-09 Pro or the Nauticam WWL-1 wet lens? For everything I’m hoping to photograph, I’m I good with just the 8mm or would the wet lens improve my chances? Is there a big difference in the quality between the AOI and the Nauticam; there is a significant price difference.

Thanks

 

[tursiops]

If you don't shoot really wideangle for the mantas and whale sharks you will wish you had.
The WWL-1 is awesome, and you can carry it unmounted until you find the mantas. It works well with the 14-42EZ.
I have no experience with the AOI UWL-09 PRO. See Wide Angle Wet Lens Options

 

[MB NZ]

I love the Olympus 8mm lens, but you do have to get close, real close to your subject.

 

[Ministryofgiraffes]

i would agree with the sentiment ref the WWL-1, lots of options also for the mantas to come very VERY close in Socorro.. probably would avoid the WWL-1 on Roca Partida dives if it's choppy as the current an be a little fierce. Not sure what the airport customs sitch is with Mexico and lenses nowadays... it's been a while since I last went.

 

[BoltSnap]

If you are talking about the 8mm fisheye lense, I doubt they are great lense for what you want to shoot. I'd consider the rectilinear 8-25mm lense before the 8mm fisheye.

 

[js1221]

If you are talking about the 8mm fisheye lense, I doubt they are great lense for what you want to shoot. I'd consider the rectilinear 8-25mm lense before the 8mm fisheye.

Unfortunately the 8-25mm uses the O-MD ports, and my equipment is set up for the PEN.

 

[Hoag]

Take this with the proverbial grain of salt since it is nothing more than my opinion, but if you have both the 8mm (Fisheye) and the 9-18mm lenses, I think that you should be OK.

When I went to Socorro, I shot on a Canon APS-C Sensor camera with the Tokina 10-18mm fisheye zoom and was able to get the images properly framed.

Will adding a WW-1 get you better images?
Possibly, but you are starting to get into the law of diminishing returns. I think you will be pleasantly surprised at the versatility of the 8mm fisheye. (I also had an Olympus ELP-1 and the Panasonic 8mm f/3.5 fisheye was my main lens underwater.)

 

[grassgreen]

I guess you have read all about the trouble at customs with camera equipment etc at Cabo san Lucas airport ?

 

[Nemrod]

The WWL-1 is zoom through capable and with a zoom lens allows different framing opportunities and focuses to the glass dome element and is not as distorted as a fisheye lens. The 8mm fisheye will have a wider field of view, the WWL-1 is limited to 130 degrees maximum. The fisheye will have much more barrel distortion and no zooming for framing. Thus you will need to zoom in post by cropping. The WWL-1 with most kit lenses performs at least as good as a fisheye lens behind an acrylic dome. The WWL-1 downside is that it is indeed a large chunk of glass and aluminum.

 

[Hoag]

The WWL-1 is zoom through capable and with a zoom lens allows different framing opportunities and focuses to the glass dome element and is not as distorted as a fisheye lens. The 8mm fisheye will have a wider field of view, the WWL-1 is limited to 130 degrees maximum. The fisheye will have much more barrel distortion and no zooming for framing. Thus you will need to zoom in post by cropping. The WWL-1 with most kit lenses performs at least as good as a fisheye lens behind an acrylic dome. The WWL-1 downside is that it is indeed a large chunk of glass and aluminum.

The WW-1 is also a huge chunk of change which, if the 8mm is used wouldn't need to be spent.
It all comes down to will the improvement in the images be worth the money spent?