Seeking feedback or exprience for flip options using macro lens AND SRP filter

[MrTW]

Hi there,

I have several SRP filters (Cyan, Green Water) for which I paid a pretty penny. Aside from the invest, I am actually also very happy with the SRP filters.

Now, I would like to add a macro lens to the mix.

However, I would like to be able to take the macro lens and SRP filter at the same dive so that I can flip and use the right lens/filter per given situation.

Ideally, I would like to use a flip adaptor (backscatter ?) so that I can simply flip between macro to Cyan and back on the fly without having to screw on and off under water.

Does anyone have any experience on such combo?

Also, I assume I would use either macro OR Cyan filter (not both at the same time) - how important is it to use lights with the macro?

Thanks for any feedback.

 

[EL Pistoffo]

I used such a setup and it worked for me. Switching between one flip and the other was pretty basic as you might imagine. Only thing that could be an issue is the lens/filter weight or size. A large and/or heavy lens may impede the flip ring from swinging all the way open to its locking position. The weight may cause the ring to unlock and swing freely. I used a very small bungie cord to hold my macro lensed flip back in the flipped back position when I had many macro lenses stacked which caused it to be heavy. Not a big deal but one you should be aware of.

I can't think of a better way to quickly swap between the two. If I were to use a GoPro again I would probably think twice about trying macro with it. The camera is simply not designed with macro in mind. To get the best macro effect you need to change the camera FOV to narrow. You also need to have a very powerful macro lens to get close enough to see the smaller critters. After all that it's still half-assed macro.
I'f using it the way that most do, it simply allows you to get just a little closer than the usual 12-14" from the subject and still maintain focus. Be aware that the stronger the macro the shallower the DOF is. For example with significant macro power, your subject may only be in focus between 5"-8". Anything outside of that will be out of focus and determing that distance UW can be tricky and the GoPros LCD is inadequte to use for focus determination.

If switching to macro lens, since there is no red fliter you need to use lights, especially if you are really close up on a subject and blocking out the ambient light.

Backscatter makes a macro lens which appears to be of decent quality, at least much better than the cheap one I used to use. That's the one I would try out. I do recommend practicing with the macro UW to learn were it's sweet spot is before you go out and find your shots are out of focus due to bad camera placement.

 

[MrTW]

I used such a setup and it worked for me. Switching between one flip and the other was pretty basic as you might imagine. Only thing that could be an issue is the lens/filter weight or size. A large and/or heavy lens may impede the flip ring from swinging all the way open to its locking position. The weight may cause the ring to unlock and swing freely. I used a very small bungie cord to hold my macro lensed flip back in the flipped back position when I had many macro lenses stacked which caused it to be heavy. Not a big deal but one you should be aware of.

I can't think of a better way to quickly swap between the two. If I were to use a GoPro again I would probably think twice about trying macro with it. The camera is simply not designed with macro in mind. To get the best macro effect you need to change the camera FOV to narrow. You also need to have a very powerful macro lens to get close enough to see the smaller critters. After all that it's still half-assed macro.
I'f using it the way that most do, it simply allows you to get just a little closer than the usual 12-14" from the subject and still maintain focus. Be aware that the stronger the macro the shallower the DOF is. For example with significant macro power, your subject may only be in focus between 5"-8". Anything outside of that will be out of focus and determing that distance UW can be tricky and the GoPros LCD is inadequte to use for focus determination.

If switching to macro lens, since there is no red fliter you need to use lights, especially if you are really close up on a subject and blocking out the ambient light.

Backscatter makes a macro lens which appears to be of decent quality, at least much better than the cheap one I used to use. That's the one I would try out. I do recommend practicing with the macro UW to learn were it's sweet spot is before you go out and find your shots are out of focus due to bad camera placement.

This is really great feedback! Thank you for taking your time!

Very interesting points you are making and surely something to consider.

I guess the gopro simply reaches its limitations when it comes to macro and other things.

Are you changing any of the gopro settings UW when switching on the fly from/to macro?

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G925A using Tapatalk

 

[toozler]

MrTW, about lights:

Can be done without it, but adding even a weak video light makes a world of a difference.

You will be very close to the subject and probably using the medium/narrow FOV, so a light with ~100deg wide beam will cover the whole frame. Look into the Archon D11V (Mako also has a re-branded version of it). It has ~800 lumens and 110deg beam for about $60 USD.

They are affordable enough that if you want to add 2 lights you can - not to make it brighter or cover a larger area but just to eliminate shadows, if that is something you would like.

Here is a frame from a video shot with a +10 diopter and an EelVision red filter (internal) without lights at about 40ft:

 

[MrTW]

Thank you guys!

Since my trip is coming up end of August and I want to avoid having to order and rush everything last minute (as standard operating procedure), I ordered the Backscatter MacroMini on the BS flip 3.1 system (plus top flip for the SRP red filter) together with two Archon D11V lights on the SRP light mounts. Pretty hefty basket value

That shall be my last expense on the Gopro and, depending on outcome, might consider to upgrade to a dslr eventually.

Thanks again for the tips - very much appreciated.

I will be going to Anilao in Batangas for a long weekend and will share the results after my return.

 

[EL Pistoffo]

Thank you guys!Since my trip is coming up end of August and I want to avoid having to order and rush everything last minute (as standard operating procedure), I ordered the Backscatter MacroMini on the BS flip 3.1 system (plus top flip for the SRP red filter) together with two Archon D11V lights on the SRP light mounts. Pretty hefty basket value That shall be my last expense on the Gopro and, depending on outcome, might consider to upgrade to a dslr eventually.Thanks again for the tips - very much appreciated.I will be going to Anilao in Batangas for a long weekend and will share the results after my return.

That was pretty much my setup minus the MacroMini since it wasn't around back then.When I wanted to shot macro, aside from flipping to the macro lens and turning on my lights (which wasn't a big deal) I would need to fumble through the GoPro horrendous menu system to change the FOV to narrow. Then change it back again to wide. What a PITA that was.You mention going to DSLR. That would have excellent image quality but expensive and bulky as hell. I settled for a compact camera system. Much of the functions of a real camera like a DSLR while smaller, and better image quality than a GoPro. Real macro too. My next step would be a compact or m4/3 with 4K. Still waiting for the right compact camera.

 

[MrTW]

That was pretty much my setup minus the MacroMini since it wasn't around back then.When I wanted to shot macro, aside from flipping to the macro lens and turning on my lights (which wasn't a big deal) I would need to fumble through the GoPro horrendous menu system to change the FOV to narrow. Then change it back again to wide. What a PITA that was.You mention going to DSLR. That would have excellent image quality but expensive and bulky as hell. I settled for a compact camera system. Much of the functions of a real camera like a DSLR while smaller, and better image quality than a GoPro. Real macro too. My next step would be a compact or m4/3 with 4K. Still waiting for the right compact camera.

Which camera are you using right now?

And how is the video quality on it?

Does video quality on a compact camera come close to a gopro?

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G925A using Tapatalk

 

[toozler]

Video from a camera can film in 4k should be much better than GoPro's video, considering that a real camera will have a larger sensor, better optics and possibly better processor.

The GoPro is popular because it's cheaper and already waterproof - it doesn't mean it can do everything well. For example, it's hard to navigate through the settings, underwater stills are tricky, low-light capabilities are terrible, fixed focus, and so on. You can still do a lot with it, but a regular good quality camera (mirrorless, micro four-thirds and up) will perform much better if you want to invest the money.

 

[EL Pistoffo]

Which camera are you using right now?And how is the video quality on it? Does video quality on a compact camera come close to a gopro?Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G925A using Tapatalk

I'm using a Panasonic LX7 in a Nauticam housing. The video quality is pretty good. The bitrate is ok but not spectacular 28mbs. The Sony RX100 II would now be a better choice in that category. These camera, with the right diopter lens, can do true 1:1 macro. The newer compact models including recent 4K compacts like the RX100 IV and Panasonic LX100 don't have quite the zoom range for 1:1 macro. Furthermore, the new housings are starting to use proprietary ports thus complication things further.

 

[MrTW]

Thank you very much for the great input!

Especially El P. for the PM and recommendation. I will follow that path once decided to switch from Gopro to camera.