Nautilus Cairns

This has been an interesting thread as I am looking at getting the Pana 8-18 for above water use and was curious as to how it would go underwater. I currently shoot mainly macro with an Oly 60mm macro lens in a Nauticam housing plus a +10 diopter with Inon S2000 strobes which has been fine. Occasionally I do also a bit of CFWA with a Pana 8mm fisheye in a small dome port using the same strobes which are OK for CFWA work. To do some serious WA stuff means a big capital outlay, as in addition to the AUD1200 lens, there is AUD1200 for the 7 inch dome port and zoom gear plus AUD1800 for a couple of Inon Z330 strobes. That's around AUD4200, whew!!

Interceptor. I'm trying to balance my above water needs with those underwater. In the wide angle department I have the Lumix 8mm which I use with the 3.5" dome. Fine for CFWA underwater, but has limitations depending on the subject due to it's very properties of being a fisheye. The 8mm FE also has limited opportunities above water. I would like to get the 12mm primarily for above water use as a fast WA lens but it may be limited underwater as pointed out in this thread. It is also a fairly expensive lens so I would not want to have to buy a dedicated port for it. I use the 60mm macro above and below water and I really like it! The 45mm f1.8 is fine for above water. Finally I have the 12-50mm kit lens which currently is my do everything lens above and below (in the macro port),but is not stellar really in any department. The Lumix 7-14mm has promise to fit both environments, but will also need a dedicated port. A not inexpensive package. So basically, like most folk I guess, I'm trying to get the biggest bang for the buck!

Thanks for the replies. I have previously thought the Panasonic 7-14 in a larger dome was the way to go. I think the upcoming Oly 7-14 is going to be out of my budget.

Hello Hezi I too went down the route of using the 65 port for both the 60mm macro, which is a great lens, and also for the 12-50mm which came with the camera. I have also used a +10 diopter with the 12-50 at the 50mm end its OK, but the wide angle end (12mm) suffers behind the flat port. I use the zoom gear from Austria. I concur with Phil about the focus gear as I very seldom need to use the one I bought for the 60mm lens and I would suggest not getting it. I would like a wide angle zoom and a dome port, but am still undecided which way to go. I also have the 8mm panasonic fisheye lens and the 3.5" port which works well for CFWA shots

Nauticam have listed that the 12mm f2 lens can be used in their 3.5" dome with an extension. I already have the 3.5" port and use it with the Lumix 8mm FE on my EM-5. I was wondering if I can get some feedback on how the 12mm would go as a wide angle option underwater as I'm thinking of getting that lens for topside photography as well.

I have just started using the 3.5" Nauticam dome for CFWA with the 8mm FE and it works well. I believe the same dome will work with the 12mm f2 which I am considering for topside work.

Thanks Phil, I was just curious as to whether the distance scale on the lens could somehow be also read on the screen when the lens is in the port. I use manual focus for macro work, but sometimes you just don't know if you're at 1:1.

I have an EM-5 in a Nauticam housing. I think it would be very useful when using the 60mm macro lens in full focus range to know what focus distance the lens was actually at if it was displayed on the screen. Does anyone know whether there is a setting that will allow this?

The 8mm panasonic (Lumix) fisheye is very small and light and so too the Nauticam 3.5" port for it.No weight or bulk problems for travel. When I first made the step from a compact to the EM-5 I regretted not having the ability to shoot everything on the one dive, macro and wide using assorted wet lenses.I then reminded myself that the reason for the change was to get better image quality with good glass and more camera options. So I got the 60mm macro and the 8mm fisheye. I don't have a good wide zoom yet so the 12-50 in the macro port is a, not particularly satisfactory, substitute. If having to make a decision on what type of subject you are going for prior to the dive is a major problem then I suggest sticking with a compact rig.

I used the 8mm panasonic fisheye with my EM-5 for the first time last week on a trip to PNG and was very impressed.

As many have advised before, strobes usually outlast your housing and camera so it pays to get something a bit more up market, albeit more expensive,so you can transfer it to your next rig. Also as you have a compact setup a high performance, compact strobe like the S2000 makes sense, particularly if you're traveling. I used to have a DS51 with my first Canon compact in an Ikelite housing, but sold it with that setup at the same time I upgraded to a CanonS95 in a Recsea housing. I bought first one then a second S2000 and was very happy with the performance of the whole kit. Now that I have an Olympus EM-5 in a Nauticam housing I will most likely upgrade the stobes to Inon Z240s. See what I mean?

So you need to have it with food as per instructions!

I do three overseas dive trips a year, all to countries where malaria is present. I've tried doxy a few times and although I have never had a problem with sun sensitivity it did give me a bloated stomach! I now follow Troprobo's approach and rely on using repellent and covering up in the evenings. Also check for insect screens and mossie coils in the accommodation areas. I understand that in PNG some places have a greater risk of malaria than others. I too am not a medical practitioner so this is just my experience

John, I really appreciate you finding that link. I found it so informative. I'll keep my eye out for future workshops involving Alex Mustard.

Have a great time at Tuwali Dustin. I haven't been there myself but friends who have really enjoyed it. I like PNG diving and have been to Walindi and Tufi resorts and a couple of times to Madang. Going to Lissenung Island this October.