New Nauticam Mid-range Focus Optimizer 1 (MFO-1)

[justinthedeeps]

Is it basically just a low power close-up lens, or does it do something significantly new and different?

 

[Will&BilltheKrill]

Perhaps a "pre-order" type of thing? Did you try to order them?

No, I haven’t tried to order one yet. I’m planning to buy either the CMC-1 or the SMC-3 first. I’d like to hear feedback on using the MFO-1 and/or see some images taken with it on the Oly 60mm before buying if possible. The feedback and images I’ve seen from folks using it on Sony and Nikon sound very good so far but I haven’t seen anything from pairing with the Olympus/OM yet.

 

[BoltSnap]

No, I haven’t tried to order one yet. I’m planning to buy either the CMC-1 or the SMC-3 first. I’d like to hear feedback on using the MFO-1 and/or see some images taken with it on the Oly 60mm before buying if possible. The feedback and images I’ve seen from folks using it on Sony and Nikon sound very good so far but I haven’t seen anything from pairing with the Olympus/OM yet.

I am waiting for you to get both, SMC-3 & MFO-1, for me to decide if I should get any of them

Please don't wait for too long, buy them now

 

[Jacob BV]

Does anyone know what it accomplishes?

I have not been able to figure it out.

They are talked about in this:

 

[bvanant]

Supposedly the MFO will let you shoot your macro lens (like the 60) with less ugliness from the fact that you are behind a flat port (with known distortion), also less CA but no magnification. I suspect you will need both.
Bill

 

[justinthedeeps]

Some of the banter here suggests it is much like a low power closeup lens, presumably whose rounded front element(s) allow angled light to pass with less refraction (benefit of curved domes for wide angle lenses)

I would guess it could be a good thing for medium range and 'wider' [macro] lenses ?

For flagship macro lenses where a narrow/tight field of view is desired, and wide light angles are perhaps irrelevant, the flat port effect might not actually be harmful ?

Hopefully someone will eventually show some direct comparison photos

 

[Will&BilltheKrill]

In addition to the benefits already described, Nauticam also says it cancels the “focus distance limitation of macro lenses underwater to provide ample focus distance for different sizes of subjects which were previously limited by using SMC-1 or CMC lenses.”

That is what I am really interested in hearing about from first hand experience with it on the OM 60mm. While the lens has a focus limit switch that you can set to infinity, that does tend to make the auto-focus slower with a more hunting etc which can be frustrating.

If the MFO-1 really is successful at improving the AF ability across different subjects at different distances, as well as improving image quality, that would justify it’s price tag for me

 

[BoltSnap]

that would justify it’s price tag for me

Good, buy it and let's know all about it