S&S wide angle lens review

[Dee]

You guys need to get you one of these! I am extrememly happy with it but the idiot behind the camera could use some work .

Some of the Add-on lenses for digital housings have a problem with vignetting or blurring at the edges. I decided on the S&S because it wasn't supposed to have that problem and sure enough, it doesn't. I was told to zoom all the way out then 'tap' it in a couple times for that sweet spot. I did that as well as leaving it full out and either I missed that sweet spot or something because I can't tell the difference.

Since I got the lens only days before leaving for this trip, I didn't have time to add it to my D.E.P.P. insurance. The lens has a screw mount, instead of a bayonet mount I'm used to, and takes a bit more dexterity to mount it to the housing underwater. I didn't want to take a chance on dropping it so I left it on the whole time. It takes close up wide angle shots just as well.

Speaking of which, this is a series of 3 pictures showing full wide angle with no zoom...

Wide angle with about 1/2 zoom....

And wide angle with full zoom...

to be continued.....

 

[Dee]

In the previous post I mentioned the idiot behind the camera....that would be me. The only problem I had with this WAL was I kept forgetting to adjust the strobe output when changing from close-ups to distant wide angle. I was either roasting the little close-up guys or under lighting the wrecks. But luckily the wrecks can look good as silhouettes! There was a few one of a kind pics that I had to do some serious digital manipulation to save, like this one of Walter the Pirate...

The wreck shots are a combination of full wide angle and zoomed shots, whatever it took to get the composition....and I still need some practice. Here's a couple of favorites...

And did I mention the bait fish?

To see the whole album, Click here

 

[DivingGal]

you had a grand time... thanks for the report & pics

 

[clive francis]

I have used mine now, not underwater but on land.

I get a small amount of vignetting and blurring at the edges (noticed it when some one walked into the shot).

but nothing major.

i found a place that does other lenses, mainly for video, but they had step downs, so i have bought a set of close up filters, and a blue filter, so i will see what happens.

they said if they don't work i can get a refund, so that is cool!

 

[clive francis]

cool pics

 

[Divindon]

Hi Dee,

I looked at your album, brilliant.

I have the olympus 4040z and the olympus housing. which model wal lense is it apart from s&s, does it need an adapter to pt010 housing or does it just screw in.

where do you get it?

Can you put it on and take it off underwater.

Thanks
Donald

 

[Dee]

Divindon once bubbled...
Hi Dee,

I looked at your album, brilliant.

I have the olympus 4040z and the olympus housing. which model wal lense is it apart from s&s, does it need an adapter to pt010 housing or does it just screw in.

where do you get it?

Can you put it on and take it off underwater.

Thanks
Donald

The lens in a S&S WAL L lens. It screws directly onto the lens port of the PT-10 housing.

Yes, you can take it on and off underwater. If you mount the lens before you get in the water, you'll have to remove it to let the air out and get rid of the teensy bubbles....so I usually just put it on once underwater.

I got it from Allan at Underwater Digital.

 

[Divindon]

Thanks Dee

 

[Finesse]

Looks like the WAL are a popular item....... Fortunately Allan has them ....so I quickly ordered it today.......the dealers who I have talked to about my housing and then ultimately purchased from where all out of these Lenses......


Hey Dee....how far away were you with those shots above???

Scott

 

[Dee]

Finesse once bubbled...
...Hey Dee....how far away were you with those shots above???

Scott

About 9-10". The first was zoomed all the way out, the second zoomed about halfway, and the third, zoomed all the way in. I just changed from horizontal to vertical on #2 & 3. The second, I cropped about 1/4" on one side because of a spot of color that was distracting...at least to me!

Same distance in all three.