Port Recommendation for 60mm

[GottaDiveMore]

I will be upgrading within the next few months from Canon G9 to OM-D EM5 with Nauticam housing. Currently dive about 50x per year primarily in Mexico/Caribbean. Shoot macro 70-80% of the time. I plan on buying the 60mm macro lens. Port recommendations ? 4 inch dome or flat port ? Plan on a shark dive in 2 years and will likely purchase 9-18mm at that time, so I'm leaning towards the 4inch dome. Your thoughts and recommendations are greatly appreciated.

 

[guyharrisonphoto]

Any dome will cut seriously into your macro working distance. Sad, but true, if you want to shoot both macro and wide angle you will need two ports, flat for macro and a dome for the wide.

If macro is your only game, then nauti makes a nice compact port for the macro lens.

However, I might suggest getting the port for the 12-50 zoom lens that is the standard lens with the OM-D. The 60 works perfectly in that port as well, and, later, if you want to add the zoom gear and use the 12-50, you do not have to get another port. This is the rig that I have (and I also use the 12-50 extensively because it has excellent macro capability and very good image quality, and is very versatile).

 

[Wisnu]

I will be upgrading within the next few months from Canon G9 to OM-D EM5 with Nauticam housing. Currently dive about 50x per year primarily in Mexico/Caribbean. Shoot macro 70-80% of the time. I plan on buying the 60mm macro lens. Port recommendations ? 4 inch dome or flat port ? Plan on a shark dive in 2 years and will likely purchase 9-18mm at that time, so I'm leaning towards the 4inch dome. Your thoughts and recommendations are greatly appreciated.

I'm using 4" semidome port (+ fip adapter) for 60mm and 12-50mm; did check other port as well.
I'm very happy with my decision. I have no problem to shoot pigmy with 60mm even without the diopter.
All pics here http://www.flickr.com/photos/wisnupurwanto/sets/72157632719656018/show/ are taken with 60mm in 4" semidome port without diopter
I use the diopter if using 12-50mm for macro at 50mm. No need zoom gear. Easy.
If I'm in your position, will do the same - one port for 3 lens

 

[PHIL RUDIN]

I agree with Guy, even if you don't intend to use the 12-50 zoom underwater it is the standard kit lens sold with the camera which saves on cost over buying it later. It is an excellent all around lens for travel and other land photography and as Guy said it has excellent macro for a "kit" lens. With or without the gear the Nauticam port for the 12-50 works well with both lenses. If you are shooting 75% macro I think you will be very happy with the 60 macro but not so much with any of the dome ports.

The macro port has a 67mm thread and the 12-50 port is 77mm so adding a 67mm closeup lens to the macro port (most are 67mm) can be done direct. With the zoom port a step down ring or flip adapter will be needed. The closeup lens is a common add on as you advance your macro.

Phil Rudin

 

[guyharrisonphoto]

Hi Wisnu, those are some nice shots!! Looks like your port set-up works well for you.

 

[GottaDiveMore]

Thanks for all the great input ! Much to think about, but with the EM-5 I'm thinking I can't go too far wrong. Thanks again.