Hi everyone,
I just switched from this setup: Sony A6300 + Ikelite housing + Sony SEL 16-70mm F4 + dome 8'
To this one: Sony A7III + Nauticam housing + FE 28mm + WWL-1
While everything is fine when using the 28mm alone, I am struggling to have descent images with the WWL-1. I made few dives with it, and all images are either out of focus or extremely soft.
Problem 1 - Auto-focus: I cannot auto-focus properly. I tried different areas (wide & centre) with Continuous AF + back-button, from F2 to F8, various subjects (fishes, coral only, divers), and never manages to get proper focus. With my previous setup, I had no issue using Continuous AF on any area at F4.
Problem 2 - Sharpness: Opposite to all the samples I've seen with the combo 28mm + WWL-1, my images. are extremely soft. I was expecting some corner softness at F2, but not to this magnitude. For example, if I manage to have an "acceptable" focus with my subject in the centre, at F2, my image is sharp for only 15-20% in the centre, the rest completely blur. At F8 it is better, but still very soft, and not just on the corners but on a significant vignetting-alike area.
It's my first time using a wet lens, so I am most probably doing something wrong with my settings (AF & aperture) that might be different than when using a dome, but I cannot really find information about that.
For the Sony & WWL-1 users, do you have the same issues? What AF setting do you use? Do you always shoot at F8+? Do you get descent image quality at F2?
Problem 3 - Dirt & oil appearing between the port & the WWL-1: I have to remove the WWL-1 several times (I have the quick release adapter) during a dive to remove particles, air bubbles & oil that get stuck in between. Do you have the same issue? My guess is that it is most probably due to the fact that I freedive and have to surface more often than scuba divers (fortunately), but wasn't expected to need to "clean" this space that often. Any tips on that?
