JustinBeevor
-
Content Count
80 -
Joined
-
Last visited
-
Days Won
2
Posts posted by JustinBeevor
-
-
All gone now
-
Looking to get my hands on a Nauticam dome to go with my Sigma 15mm. Ideally 140mm, but I'd consider something bigger at the right price. Based in Manchester, UK.
-
Full list of gear and prices is attached to the post in pdf; and again here.
-
-
Having upgraded to full frame, I'm selling all my a6500 gear - including the housing (with power pack), 45° viewfinder, camera, WWL-C and 16-50mm zoom kit, Touit 50mm macro and port, Sony 10-18mm zoom with dome, TRT flash trigger, a couple of other ports, and various topside lenses including the 16-70mm f4 zoom and 24mm f1.8 ZA. Full list attached. I've not included pictures of everything, so if you're interested, let me know and I'll send what you need.
-
Working distance for portraits were quite comfortable - at a rough guess, around one to two metres.
Re-reading my last para about the zooms, I wasn't very clear, so here goes. For dry land, I prefer the 18-55 over the 16-50, as I found the latter too small and fiddly. Underwater, the 18-55 is no good as it extends when zooming, so it won't go in a port; so now that the WWL and CMC are available, I might look again at the 16-50 as a practical solution for travelling.
-
I am looking to buy a pair of 60x250 Nauticam float arms, if anyone would like to sell?
-
I can recommend the 90 - I have two albums on flickr where I used it, the first on a 6300 (https://flic.kr/s/aHskM6doVq) and the second on a 6500 (https://flic.kr/s/aHskWp3PkA) - see what you think. Sure, it's expensive, there's no way around that, but you've got a great little camera, and you shouldn't be put off by the additional investment. As to batteries, I never had a problem with the 6300 - I found that a single one would easily last two dives, so I just changed for a spare (I travel with two) at lunchtime when I was back on dry land.
I've also tried the Touit 50mm, but didn't get on with it at all - it just kept hunting, hunting, hunting and I missed so many shots of mobile subjects because of it. I don't understand why - I raised an issue with the reputable shop that sold it to me, but it foxed them too. That's why I chopped it in for the 90mm. There's another flickr album with a few successful shots at https://flic.kr/s/aHsjYjPX5J. Also, it's not a cheap lens either itself (although there are more used ones than the 90mm) - so you may as well pay a little extra for the 90. (You mention focus extension, but the Touit is fixed length, so maybe you mean the newer FE 50M, which I haven't touched.) The other benefit of the 90 is that it takes the SMC, which gives you access to the magical world of BDSM (big dollops of super-macro).
IMHO the 16-50 is a nasty little thing ergonomically, which I ditched as soon as I bought my 6300, and kept my old 18-55 ... but it's no use underwater as it's an extender. But actually, now that the WWL and CMC are available, it could be a better travel option for flexibility, if that's your priority.
Hope that helps.
Justin
-
Assuming that you're using manual settings, have you tried dialling down the on-camera flash compensation as far as it will go? I've tried myself and (oddly, but perhaps it's because I'm using fill-flash in daylight) can't see that it makes any material difference to the lighting of the shot - but it might possibly reduce the recycling time. Just a thought.
-
1
-
-
This is a very good question, and one which I have often wondered about. But I have used my Nauticam-housed a6500 with both Inon Z240 and Retra Flash strobes, and never noticed any significant detriment from the recycling time of the internal flash. I can't see that the Fantasea tried would fit into the housing; and if a workable trigger were developed, is be fascinated to know how much improvement it brought.
Incidentally, I do expertise greater frustrations from the topside flash capability of the a6500, than underwater - especially as concerns off-camera wireless remote. The fact that the HVLF43 flash can't be triggered by the internal unit is an astonishingly poor design decision.
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
-
1
-
-
Valuable comments from Mark, as always.
The FE 90 macro is indeed a bit of a giant, but I find it much more useable then the Touit 50, especially with diopters. There are very few creatures that allow one to approach closely enough to use the Touit's tiny focus distance.
For fisheye, he Tokina 10-17/Metabones combination works excellently with the a6500, although again it's quite a size. I have the Mark V adapter, and had no complaints about the autofocus at all (which can be a problem with adapted lenses): quick and consistent. It's true that the lack of a proper native fisheye is a downside to the Sony range underwater, but the Tokina works fine.
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
-
If you're looking for a rectilinear wide angle solution, I would recommend the 10-18 zoom with the Nauticam 7" acrylic. It's a much better lens than the 16mm with converter, and the dome gives a good solution for over/under if that's what you're after (and I get what you're saying about the 4.33" in that regard). In case you're not on Nauticam (if not why not?!
), there must be other solutions for a compatible dome.
The problem with rectilinear is that especially at the wider end, and close in, it can stretch perspective rather nastily. Equally, you can have some fun with that, but it just doesn't work for CFWA - for that, you need fisheye.
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk -
On my NEX6 and a6300 I always used the 16+fisheye and, to be honest, never had a huge problem with corner sharpness - not because the corners were sharp, I just didn't notice that they weren't. But since I've been doing a few workshops and rubbing shoulders with the pro crowd more, and entering competitions, I have been more sensitive to the issue. I still don't think it's severe enough to stop me using the lens - as you say, stopping down helps (who needs shallow DoF with wide angle anyway?), but I haven't done detailed testing, so don't take my word for it.Hi JB,
What is your favourite lens for Sony A6500 if you are shooting wide angle? Macro? and fish portrait?
I heard the Sony 16mm with fisheye converter is not good in terms of corner sharpness, what about stopping down the aperture?
Alan
For my a6500 I do want to look at the alternatives, and that's why I'm splashing out on the Tokky 10-17 for my forthcoming Socorro trip. But it will have cost me over £2,000 for lens, converter and Zen dome. TF my wife doesn't read WetPixel (I hope).
Justin
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
-
1
-
-
I've been using the 10-18 with Nauticam 7" port for some years, and upgraded to the a6500 earlier this year. The disadvantage of the 10-18 being a rectilinear lens, is that it distorts perspective in a way that can sometimes be quite confusing, stretching the edges of the frame and making the foreground feel vertical, especially when zoomed all the way out. A couple of examples below. So it's not the right lens for CFWA and I only tend to use it for over/under splits.
https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B5l_gNVD9kYINVFFbjU5dERuVjg
https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B5l_gNVD9kYIS3JxSmw1YnpoU0E
That said, it certainly has its uses, and retaining straight lines, as you might need for deep wrecks, is a good application for it. Alex's shot of a cormorant (?) diving into a shoal under a rig is a prime example. It is also good for use with larger creatures that don't like you getting too close, like these of sharks:
https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B5l_gNVD9kYIeE9vSDFscHdqY1E
https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B5l_gNVD9kYIMHh5eFNDSGxDUnc
The standard alternative would be the Sony 16mm with fisheye converter, which I have used successfully but certainly has quality issues. Otherwise, I shall be using the Tokina 10-17 with Metabones Mk 5 converter for the first time when I go to Socorro in November (and will also take the 10-18). People allude to auto-focus issues with converters, but so far it seems to be pretty good on dry land.
Hope that helps. (I'll be deleting the linked photos after about a week.)
JB
-
1
-
-
Biggest problem and the end of the discussion (as far as I am concerned)
No decent fisheye option...
I guess we should also discuss the A7RII's autofocus too!
Adam
Tut tut Adam.
I've just sorted the Metabones MkV with Tokky 10-17 for my a6500. Top side, the AFC in green mode is very encouraging, so let's see what happens when I get to Socorro in a couple of months.
JB
-
Thanks Oskar - fingers crossed!
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
-
Hi Oskar - is there any update on shipping please? Will you meet today's target?
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
-
Two ordered, with battery packs and shark diffusers. Shipping predicted for mid August, in plenty of time for my Socorro trip in November. Really looking forward to the much more user-friendly controls over the Inons.
-
Are you using a fantasea housing?
Nope - Nauticam.
http://www.nauticam.co.uk/na-a6500-housing-for-sony-a6500-camera/
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0BzggKvdoNvhkcTA4ajZJbjAxaWs/view
-
Much better! How about adding some vignette?
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
-
I use the 90mm macro on my 6500, and have occasionally lost shots when the auto focus got confused - which I suspect was because of particles in the water. You have to remember to check that the lens' focus ring is set to auto before closing the housing, or you'll be stuck with manual focus and not able to reset it via the camera's menu once you're underwater. And you also need to make the right selection on the focus range switch. But the AF-C works really well with mobile subjects. I don't bother with the IBIS.
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
-
2
-
-
NOW SOLD
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
-
Hi,
if you think of a price for the housing, I may be interested
Thanks for your interest, but I'm not selling separately just now.
-
This would make a perfect upgrade if you're thinking of moving up from a compact, or for anyone currently using a Sony NEX series camera or the a6000. New in March 2016; used on two dive holidays (~40 dives).
The camera is owned from new, has a shutter count of approx 2,500-3,000 and is in excellent condition (see photos on Dropbox below). It has had a thin glass screen protector throughout its life, and has been used topside as well as underwater. It is complete with all original accessories, manuals etc and box.
The housing is also owned from new, and comes with the M16 vacuum housing (with pump and fitting tool) and shutter trigger accessory. It has never flooded and is in excellent condition save for a superficial scratch on the rear screen (see photos on Dropbox below) which is (to me) unnoticeable underwater. As new, the housing does not have fitted handles, but this sale includes the add-on Nauticam Flexitray and handles, which are around five years older than the housing and still perfectly serviceable although the handle grips do show signs of use (see photos). It also has the stainless steel handle brackets to fit the NA-A6300. The sale includes the original boxes for the housing and valve, although I won't dissemble the housing/tray/handles for packaging.
I have enjoyed using these in an underwater set-up with Inon Z240 strobes, the Sony 16mm/fisheye convertor combo, the Sony 10-18mm ultrawide (weitwinkel) zoom, the Zeiss 50mm macro and the Sony FE 90mm G macro. You can see examples of the output using this set-up at https://flic.kr/s/aHskywJP3A. I'm now selling due to an upgrade.
Link to more pictures of camera and housing:
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/swtbzn3howm2a8x/AABcZlJv8yn6OL2Wnhz_mCo0a?dl=0
Links to manufacturer websites for more information:
http://www.sony.com/electronics/interchangeable-lens-cameras/ilce-6300-body-kit
http://www.nauticam.co.uk/nauticam-na-a6300-for-sony-a6300/
http://www.nauticam.co.uk/nauticam-vacuum-testing-system/
The camera and housing are being sold together - I won't consider splitting them unless the combo sale proves difficult.
£1,900 / €2,250 for the package. Payment by bank transfer or PayPal.
UK delivery at £20 for Royal Mail 1st class signed-for
International delivery at buyer's preference and cost
FS Zeiss Touit 50mm f2.8 macro Sony E-mount with Nauticam macro port
in Classifieds
Posted · Edited by JustinBeevor
Re-order pictures
The best short macro lens for Sony APSC! The Zeiss Touit 50mm f2.8 macro lens: sharp, bright, fast and small. Selling as a package with Nauticam macro port 45 (36135) and mini extension ring 30 (36630). All in excellent condition, very well cared for; lens has front and rear caps and hood; all original boxes, documents and ancillaries included as shown in photographs.
£800, plus postage. Located in Manchester UK, so likely to attract import duty if sold overseas.