Has anyone tested the AOI UCL-90 Pro lens? How does it compare to the Nauticam CMC1?

[afieldofblue]

Hello all,

I'm hesitating between these two closeup diopters, to replace the current +12.5 / +6 stack that I am using.

The CMC-1 is roughly a +15 diopter, whereas the recently released AOI UCL-90 Pro is an 18.5 diopter.

Both are high quality, high magnification bright lenses with a compact design.

Difference-wise, the AOI UCL-90 Pro does not have a front thread, however, and is over $100 USD more expensive than the Nauticam.
The AOI UCL-90 Pro came out in 2022, and there's been very little on it.

Has anyone used both and would care to comment on their experience?

Thanks!

 

[afieldofblue]

Looking in to the stacking options these two lenses would give me, which are such:

I have an INON +6 = good for closeups, wider shots, and an AOI-UCL09 +12.5, which is a nice lens.
I most often use a stacked AOI+INON +18.5 (good range but long, less working distance, loss of light compared to single 18.5, and heavy), and have stacked a roughly +15 on this at times.

With the CMC-1, I would get the following options:

CMC1 = +15 ? - untested
CMC1 + INON = +21 - sounds like a solid option
CMC1 + AOI = 27.5 - working distance is probably too small

With the CMC-1, I would get the following options, keeping in mind that any stack would be with the weakest lens first

UCL90 Pro = +18.5 - tested on land more light / contrast, smaller lens compared to my stack
UCL90 Pro + INON = +24.5
UCL90 + AOI UCL09 = +31 (tested on land, tiny working distance, not practical)

Difficult to choose between a single diopter which would give me +18.5 to start with (but is more expensive, and less "stackable") and one which would give me a roughly +15, which is just above the 12.5 I already have, but possibly more stackable...