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

[hilljo88]

So I’m happy with the SONY 90 IQ, and edge falloff in IQ has never been an obvious problem. But focus hunting and DOF especially in low light and BLACKWATER dives is an issue. It sounds like the MFO can help with this but the reports have been centered on image improvement and are still either non specific or confusing on the focusing benefits. When using the MFO with the SONY 90 where do you set the focus range delimiter? And does this increase the DOF or minimum focus distance while maintaining reproduction ratio?

 

[VsubT]

Seems like the MFO does help for blackwater focus, based on Alex Mustard's discussion in this video:

Sony Lens Choices For Blackwater

Interested to give it a try.

Lance

 

[hilljo88]

The reviews I’ve seen so far are from folks affiliated with Nauticam, and the reviews have been very general:”here’s a sharp image”. Based on this thread a lot of us are interested and would like to see more specifics.

 

[Will&BilltheKrill]

@bvanant I think you recently received your MFO, have you had a chance to try out in different conditions yet? We’d love to hear your experience and thoughts on how you’ve found it!

 

[bvanant]

Well we have been blown out the last two tries to dive here in LA. But using it in the studio, it clearly improves IQ signficantly shooting flowers from a tripod. We have another local trip planned in 2 weeks, then a trip to Indonesia at the end of April.
BVA

 

[davehicks]

Well we have been blown out the last two tries to dive here in LA. But using it in the studio, it clearly improves IQ signficantly shooting flowers from a tripod. We have another local trip planned in 2 weeks, then a trip to Indonesia at the end of April.
BVA

It's a wet lens. How can you test it on flowers? I tried mine dry and it only focuses to 30cm dry.

My initial dive with the MFO delivered beter range an similar quality to my old SubSea +5 diopter on the Nikon 105. It will take some concerted A-B testing to determine if it improves image quality. Based on my first shots it is subtle at best.

 

[Will&BilltheKrill]

Thanks Bill and Dave. Looking forward to hearing more!

 

[BoltSnap]

Is it that difficult to make a side-by-side test in the water? Or one-after-the-other test with the same stationary subject? Heck, even in the pool or a Jacuzzi

 

[bvanant]

Is it that difficult to make a side-by-side test in the water? Or one-after-the-other test with the same stationary subject? Heck, even in the pool or a Jacuzzi

The pool in our homeowners complex right now is 10 degrees (C) so that won't work. As for testing on land, with my oly 30 lens on the housing it certainly "worked".
Bill

 

[hilljo88]

Could you shoot a ruler or some sort of grid underwater to get an estimate of depth of field?