Wide-Angle Woes: Need Help Choosing Setup for Crystal-Clear Maratua!

[rhang]

Hi underwater photography gurus!

I’ve spent years filming with action cams (DJI Action 4 + AOI UWL-03 Wide Lens and AOI UCL-03 Close-up Lens, and the GoPro 3+ prior) and finally upgraded to a proper rig. Now I’m stuck trying to replicate that crisp, wide-angle joy on my new setup. Help me avoid buyer’s remorse!

Backstory (aka My Descent Into Gear Madness):

• Action Cam Era: The DJI Action 4 + AOI UCL-03- Close-up Lens Squinting at that tiny screen in Lembeh (Oct 2024) made me crave a real viewfinder.
• The Poisoning Incident: Borrowed a friend’s Nikon Z50 + Nauticam NA-Z50 Housing + +12.5 AOI Close up + Backscatter MF-2 Snoot for Anilao. Now I’m hooked on proper underwater photography.
• Current Gear: Pre-owned Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III in an AOI UH-EM1III Housing, paired with an Olympus M.Zuiko 60mm f/2.8 Macro and twin AOI UCS-Q1RC Strobes.

Goal:
Match (or beat!) the DJI Action 4 + AOI UWL-03 combo’s wide, vibrant performance.

Options:

1. Budget-Friendly (SGD 670):
   • AOI 4” Acrylic Semi-Dome Port
   • Olympus M.Zuiko 9-18mm f/4-5.6 + AOI LG-OM1-918 Zoom Gear
2. Fisheye (SGD 1,075):
   • AOI 4” Acrylic Dome Port
   • Olympus M.Zuiko 8mm f/1.8 Fisheye PRO
3. Ultra Wide Zoom (over SGD 2000):
   • AOI DLP-12 8” Acrylic Dome Port + AOI ER-PN-PN24 24mm Extension Ring
   • Olympus M.Zuiko 8-25mm f/4 PRO

The Million-Dollar Question:

• For photography, which of the setup can deliver close to or wider than DJI Action 4 + AOI UWL-03 combo?

Thanks for rescuing me from this vortex of indecision!

 

[cerich]

Hi underwater photography gurus!

I’ve spent years filming with action cams (DJI Action 4 + AOI UWL-03 Wide Lens and AOI UCL-03 Close-up Lens, and the GoPro 3+ prior) and finally upgraded to a proper rig. Now I’m stuck trying to replicate that crisp, wide-angle joy on my new setup. Help me avoid buyer’s remorse!

Backstory (aka My Descent Into Gear Madness):

• Action Cam Era: The DJI Action 4 + AOI UCL-03- Close-up Lens Squinting at that tiny screen in Lembeh (Oct 2024) made me crave a real viewfinder.
• The Poisoning Incident: Borrowed a friend’s Nikon Z50 + Nauticam NA-Z50 Housing + +12.5 AOI Close up + Backscatter MF-2 Snoot for Anilao. Now I’m hooked on proper underwater photography.
• Current Gear: Pre-owned Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III in an AOI UH-EM1III Housing, paired with an Olympus M.Zuiko 60mm f/2.8 Macro and twin AOI UCS-Q1RC Strobes.

Goal:
Match (or beat!) the DJI Action 4 + AOI UWL-03 combo’s wide, vibrant performance.

Options:

1. Budget-Friendly (SGD 670):
   • AOI 4” Acrylic Semi-Dome Port
   • Olympus M.Zuiko 9-18mm f/4-5.6 + AOI LG-OM1-918 Zoom Gear
2. Fisheye (SGD 1,075):
   • AOI 4” Acrylic Dome Port
   • Olympus M.Zuiko 8mm f/1.8 Fisheye PRO
3. Ultra Wide Zoom (over SGD 2000):
   • AOI DLP-12 8” Acrylic Dome Port + AOI ER-PN-PN24 24mm Extension Ring
   • Olympus M.Zuiko 8-25mm f/4 PRO

The Million-Dollar Question:

• For photography, which of the setup can deliver close to or wider than DJI Action 4 + AOI UWL-03 combo?

Thanks for rescuing me from this vortex of indecision!

My 2 psi.

If you go with your choice 1 add a +2 diopter, it's a great option but is it super sharp all the ways to corners? It's acceptable . This is with a glass zen semi dome and the orginal EM-5 with 9-18 and a +2

I don't have the Oly 8mm M Zuiko, I do have the 8mm Zuiko with MMF-3 behind the 170mm Olympus dome that is also glass and it's nice that I can use it or the Oly 7-14 without changing anything but the lens with the focus ring. I shoot the 7-14 more and this shot of Edd was with 7-14 . I could also throw the Oly 8-25 in this and it is REALLY tempting.

I also have the Pan 8mm on an older Pen housing that makes a GREAT super compact travel set up but is also a PITA to change ports so when travel with I am limited to only 8mm fisheye, and I'm weird in that it not my favorite look (most like it)

So basically, I HAVE great options at hand.. you know what I am VERY tempted to do, because my gut is telling me I will get more enjoyment and also equal or even better quality? The silly 12-42 3.5-5.6 EZ behind a flat port and the AOI UWL-09 PRO (but I suspect the non pro would make me happy but hate acrylic domes because I do scratch them) with the quick release system that would also give me options like using a close up lens to change and adjust style of shooting which for reef diving is simply awesome. This is what your post made me immediately think would be the best answer to your question

Do I need to do anything at all? Hmmm.. not really but I have to say I really want to try both the 8-25 and the UWL-09 Pro routes. That is why I have some of my old strobes up for sale right now... because going to try both then see.

 

[Barmaglot]

Between these three, only the fisheye setup will deliver the wide-angle view that you're looking for; the other two are significantly narrower.

You might also want to consider a Canon 8-15mm on a Metabones glassless adapter - that will combine a full diagonal fisheye with zoom flexibility.

 

[d^2b]

I guess you mean 12-50EZ (if talking Oly zooms)? It's not a terrible lens, and the fact that it doesn't extend is helpful for port compatibility. The 12-45 PRO is much nicer, but it needs a longer port at the long end, which is presumably worse for the wide end.

 

[Barmaglot]

I guess you mean 12-50EZ (if talking Oly zooms)? It's not a terrible lens, and the fact that it doesn't extend is helpful for port compatibility.

He means 14-42mm, it's the go-to M43 lens for use with wet wide lenses.

 

[d^2b]

He means 14-42mm, it's the go-to M43 lens for use with wet wide lenses.

TIL. I guess maybe that's a reason not to give that lens away.

 

[cerich]

He means 14-42mm, it's the go-to M43 lens for use with wet wide lenses.

yes, and possible lens variation aside, and perceived (and real, the 12-50 is water resistant and well constructed, not pro but good) build quality aside the optics and sharpness of the 14-42 EZ is better than the optics and sharpness of the 12-50. The UWL-09 being designed for in water use the idea is it delivers to the lens the best possible image (sharpness and contrast) thru the port and you end up with better results sharpness and contrast wise than a high end pro lens behind just a dome or semi dome port. It is the same reason the UWL-03 works so well on a go pro. They really do work. Downside is you are giving up any over/under shooting with a wet lens and more stuff to drag around and keep track of. Life is compromise right? ( I know you know this, just laying it out so those that don't understand the why when they follow this thread)

 

[bvanant]

I might go another way entirely. Look at the Kraken

Kraken KRL-09S Underwater Wide Angle Conversion Lens​

Lets you dive with the 30 macro on board and gets you to 150+ degree wide angle and you can put it on a flip adapter. One thing to remember is that you will NOT get as good a set of colors as with the action cameras, they have spent a ton of time getting their computational software to get you amazing blues. we dive a lot with a great photographer shooting Canon 8-15 with an R5. Her husband shoots with a go pro. The go pro footage raw out of the camera is astounding (until you look at dynamic range and look closely at resolution); much better than the R5 (until you get done post processing).
So be aware that you expectations might be tough to get at.
Bill

 

[cerich]

I might go another way entirely. Look at the Kraken

Kraken KRL-09S Underwater Wide Angle Conversion Lens​

Lets you dive with the 30 macro on board and gets you to 150+ degree wide angle and you can put it on a flip adapter. One thing to remember is that you will NOT get as good a set of colors as with the action cameras, they have spent a ton of time getting their computational software to get you amazing blues. we dive a lot with a great photographer shooting Canon 8-15 with an R5. Her husband shoots with a go pro. The go pro footage raw out of the camera is astounding (until you look at dynamic range and look closely at resolution); much better than the R5 (until you get done post processing).
So be aware that you expectations might be tough to get at.
Bill

that actually looks like an awesome option for having options and great quality. If only it didn't have an acrylic front.. because I really do wreck those fast, and it annoys me to buff them

 

[Pearlman]

• Action Cam Era: The DJI Action 4 + AOI UCL-03- Close-up LensSquinting at that tiny screen in Lembeh (Oct 2024) made me crave a realviewfinder.

Curious if you already tried the DJI Action cam with a viewfinder like this?