WA angle lens on PT30

[CheddarChick]

I want a wide angle lens to go with my PT30. I have looked at this one, Sea&Sea 16mm lens. How do I mount it on the housing? I assume I have to use a step up ring, right? What is a bayonet mounting??? Is it for ease for taking off and on underwater??? Thanks for your help!!!

 

[gert7to3]

All of these lenses are mounted to the outside of your housing and are termed "wet mount lenses". You have to attach the lens after entering the water. Otherwise there will be a bubble trapped under the lens and your housing.

A bayonet mount has lugs (projecting pieces) that go into slots and attach the component with a twist, usually a quarter turn or so. Sea & Sea's web page doesn't show their w/a lenses. As I recall they made several with bayonet mounts for their MM II and MX 10 film cameras. I don't know if they make such lenses anymore.

I think Inon makes a lens and adapter which can work with your housing. It would probably be a better solution for you to get a fully compatible lens and mounting system.

If the lens you are looking at has screw threads, these could be used to attach the lens to the red ring around lens port of your housing. You may need an adapter ring if the thread diameter is small. You may want to try PM'ing LarryC because he has set up his camera this way. Not sure which lens he has.

A note about w/a lenses, a 20mm might be more useful with this camera. There will be some vignetting in the corners of your images. It may be even more pronounced with the 16mm lens.

 

[gary-ramey]

Hi Cheddar - Well the Sea&Sea is a good low-cost solution that I used successfully on the PT-030. You can find single step up rings from 46mm-58mm. Some rings are thinner than others be sure and shop around for the thinnest one. This will prevent vignetting although you'll still get some at the widest angle. I used this lens successfully as it produced beautiful underwater results.
Just a slight caution about the threaded lenses. Underwater you have to be really careful with them. 1 piece of sand or sediment between your threads and you might end up cross threading the port.
If I were starting over with the PT-030 I would definitely consider the Inon Solution. Its a little more dough but worth it in the end.
SP350 Wide Angle update - Wetpixel :: Underwater Photography Forums

 

[CheddarChick]

oooooooo....lusting after the UWL-105 AD Lens .......

 

[gary-ramey]

Yes the Inon lenses are nice. The bayonet mount means no hassle underwater and the Macro lenses are stackable. I've seen some awesome photos with them.

 

[AndyT]

Get the Inon if you can - I have the thread on lenses and while they work OK I wish that I had bought the bayonet fitting. Friends of mine have both the WA and macro lenses with their PT-030 and use thewm with great success.

 

[gary-ramey]

Get the Inon if you can - I have the thread on lenses and while they work OK I wish that I had bought the bayonet fitting. Friends of mine have both the WA and macro lenses with their PT-030 and use thewm with great success.

Great post. I would do the same thing if starting over. I had a macro screw on lens that got stuck on a dive on Cozumel. Had a turtle come right through a sunburst and about land on my head. All I could do was watch. Furthermore it took a trip to the shop to get the macro lens off. Apparently when I replaced the WA on the sandy bottom some silt got into the threads. Its screwed on gently and fine but it became cross-threaded when I attempted to remove it. I wasn't a happy camper.

 

[CheddarChick]

That's why I decided I want a Inon...I could goof up something with threads easily, real easy.LOL

 

[Nemrod]

Have no idea how this will work. Still saving for strobe kit and optical link. The lens is the bayonet type INON 165 fisheye. Looks good though. N

 

[CheddarChick]

Again she askes...What to do with a real heavy rig with the strobe???