Techniques to take a wet lens off and on

[Interceptor121]

I have an INON UWL-100 with a filter attached. The lens has a 67 mm thread and screws onto the housing,
For close up shots and macro I need to take the lens off especially as at times I have to zoom.
The motion skill to take the lens off and store it in the soft pouch is a bit of an issue.
I have worked out that the best way is to put the pouch on the actual lens while it is still screwed on and then start unscrewing. At that point once the lens is removed I let the camera hang off the lanyard that I have clipped to the BCD, close and secure the pouch and put it my BCD pocket.
Once I have done I take the pouch out and similarly I screw it on and then take the pouch off.
Keeping the lens in the pouch allows me to operate holding the camera most of the time

I wonder if other people have different techniques?

 

[Gilligan]

Your routine seems efficient with one very important part missing and that is a leash on the lens. When i was using my WAL I had a tray with a lens dock on it for the WAL. I had a leash on the lens that was connected to the tray in the event I dropped the lens while mounting or dismounting it. There were times when that happened. The lens is too heavy for you to chase after should you drop it. A leash is the only way to save it.

 

[Larry C]

You definitely want a leash, and a lens dock makes life easier. I could never unzip and rezip my BC pocket, so I had to have my wife zip it for me until I got the lens dock.
gb undersea Digital Lens Dock for Add-on Lenses
Inon 67mm Double Lens Holder [ino.456212143172] - $75.00 : Reef Photo & Video!, The Underwater Photo Pros

 

[DazedAndConfuzed]

I was thinking of making a lens dock where instead of screwing on a lens to a threaded lens dock, or loosening a thumbscrew on the dock to install a lens. I would have a lens dock that has friction insert (e.g. with rubber lining the interior of some ring).

As for how to prevent the lens from falling off, just to some shop and but a package of a few of these

Cable Tie, 7.5in, Pk100 - Cable Ties - Wire Management - 1A373 : Grainger Industrial Supply

 

[ozziworld]

I made a leash for my INON UFL165AD Fisheye Lens. I posted this a while back.

Only changes I made since was I replaced the cord with 1/8" bungee attached to a clip. It is always clipped on to either the arms or the tray. Especially when I am changing lenses.

http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/tips-techniques/356095-tethered-inon-ufl165ad.html

 

[Nemrod]

I wonder if other people have different techniques?

Yes, while I do take advantage of being able to switch lenses underwater or go with the bare port, I try to decide what I intend to do before the dive and try to take only those photos that I am set up for. I guess I am still old school, my Nikonos did not have zoom lenses and there was no taking it off underwater (well you could, but you would not be happy) so I had to shoot what I had.

What is with the zoom this and zoom that and zoom, zoom, zoom stuff anyways? Pretend like you don't have a zoom, now your problem is solved maybe.

N

 

[DazedAndConfuzed]

Yes, while I do take advantage of being able to switch lenses underwater or go with the bare port, I try to decide what I intend to do before the dive and try to take only those photos that I am set up for. I guess I am still old school, my Nikonos did not have zoom lenses and there was no taking it off underwater (well you could, but you would not be happy) so I had to shoot what I had.

What is with the zoom this and zoom that and zoom, zoom, zoom stuff anyways? Pretend like you don't have a zoom, now your problem is solved maybe.

N

Got to be old school and bring multiple cameras underwater. Some with fast film, other with B&W, yet more with WA lens and others with macro lens. Be like a topside pro.

 

[Interceptor121]

Thanks for your replies,

That lens dock looks interesting pity the guy has stopped trading since hurricane katrina

For what concerns the INON lens holder I don't have strobe lights (this is a video set up with a tray and handle and no arms) so I would like something to attach the lens without having to buy a clamp and an arm for the purpose!!!

 

[ozziworld]

Interceptor,

I have attached a lens holder on a zulu strap for when I have only small macro lenses. It is clumsy with my UFL165Ad and so is limited to use with my macro lenses only.

Your UWL100 is smaller than my UFL165AD so it may actually worth considering.

http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/tips-techniques/376475-diy-inon-ad-lens-holder-zulu-strap.html

 

[Interceptor121]

Ozzi this is really the most helpful and simple idea.
I am going to go and make one of those!!!