Looking for advise on lens choice for Lembeh

[Wobbegong_th]

Hi all,
I'll have a trip to Lembeh in Aug 2025 This will be my first time there. I know that it's dive area that mainly focus on Macro. (I'd been to Tulamben 3-4 times already)
However, I'm not sure about the 'typical size' of the subjects in this area. So I'd like to ask for advice on lens to bring with me for the trip.

I'm using Olympus EM5III in Ikelite Housing, with 2 Ikelite Strobes on electrical sync cord.
List of lens that I have are: (all Oly)

• 7-14mm f2.8 pro
• 9-18mm f4-5.6 (this one I don't have proper part to use UW)
• 12-40mm f2.8 pro
• 30mm macro f3.5
• 60mm macro f2.8
• 40-150 (This one I'm aware that it's not suit for UW use)
• Also, I got a +10 Diopter to add on the flat port when I use either 30mm or 60mm

My question are:
- Would there be chance or dive site that would better suit with Wide Angel Lens? if yes, is it for 7-14 or 12-40?
- For macro, are the subjects in Lembeh suit for 60mm or just 30mm would be enough?

This would help me reduce some luggage for the trip.
Thank you all in advance.

 

[Searcaigh]

I've been to Lembeh four times and with my Nikons (D300, D7100) I used both 60mm and 105mm with both +5 and +10 lenses, but primarily the 60mm.

I would probably suggest leaving any wide angle lenses and ports behind unless you plan to dive Bangka Island and surrounding area.

Stick with the 60mm and maybe bring the 30mm as a backup in case there are larger animals that you can return to photograph such as large seahorses, octopus or frogfish.

Most of the subjects are going to be 10cm or less.

 

[justinthedeeps]

Judging by what @sammyglenn_dives is getting with the OM 12-40 in the flat port (with close-up lens on flip adapter), I'm guessing that could be quite useful in Lembeh for cephalopods and scorpionfish etc, and probably still be good for smaller stuff

https://www.instagram.com/sammyglenn_dives/

It is a better lens then the 30mm, and probably a better lens for non-tiny things than the 60mm.

The 60mm is great for the small nudis, shrimps and baby frogfish, or gobies if you're into that

The MFT 30mm is easier to use for things at night or blackwater, where getting really close to things without losing them is key (probably better than the MFT 60mm for this, and right in line with full framers using FF 60mm's)

Lower water quality/visibility in nearly all Lembeh central sites doesn't justify anything wide angle, unless it's some kind of creative close focus wide angle / probe lens session.

If you were to add in some days at Bunaken nearby (or Bankga) then maybe wide angle would be nice there.

 

[Audsred]

I would take the 60mm and the 12-40 lens - that should cover all your bases.