Joss

Hi, how do you plan to use them? 300mm might be to long for typical macro shots. I pretty much use 3 setups on a Nauticam for D500. All of them slighty negative but confortable. Macro (60 & 87 ports): 2 Inon Mega Float Arm S + 2 Aquatica 8" buoyancy arm Fisheye 100mm port: 2 Inon Mega Float Arm M + 2 Nauticam 300mm arms Fisheye 230mm port: 2 Aquatica 8" buoyancy arm + 2 Nauticam 300mm arms with 1 sitx jumbo insert each The big diameter of the Inon Mega floats is perfect for a computer and also to carry macro diopters. Regards, Joss

Hi Pavel, Does it means that if we have the previous firmware on the converter it is better not to update the Retras's firmware? Kind regards, Jose

It is funny they have patented the multi selector, it looks super complicated and I doubt anyone copying it. However, it works great on my D500. Let me know how it goes with the silicone grease, the play / F2 lever in my housing is also sticky.

With Uwtechnics trigger / converter, you just have to set the dial to position 6 (Retra) and select the mode (Manual, TTL, HHS) on the Retra Strobe. It is super easy.

Hi, I’m not familiar with the new Z-330, but I was happy with my old Z-240 until a bulb in one of the strobes turned dark. (That gave an excuse to get the Retras without feeling bad about spending money in this expensive hobby). I have been shooting a pair of “Retra Pro” since February and light output difference compared to the Inons Z-240 is very noticeable. I would say 2 stops, maybe more? This is evident special on wrecks, pictures look quite different. The battery consumption is high, specially shooting wrecks at full power. But I haven’t run out of batteries (eneelop pro) in my 2 dives trips. Normally 100 – 150 shoots. It’s true that Retra is a new company, but I’m very happy with the support they offer. They have replied my emails very quickly (hours). I’m happy with my Retras, and I think you will be very happy with any of them: Retra and / or Inon. Just stay away from S&S. Regards, Joss

I would like to see the where the 175mm are in the picture above...

Some gears work with both brands. But it dependes on the oly housing line. Look at this page of 3D printed gears: https://www.deepshots.co.uk/collections/gears-for-olympus-and-panasonic/products/deepshots-panasonic-8-18-zoom-gear-new Look at the page and check for your specific lens. Joss

I started shooting with the 105 in a DX body and got used to it, to add magnification I use the inon UCL-165. I tried the nauticam SMC1, but it was very hard for me (this is of course an user issue). Then I tried the the 60mm but didn't like it. I never managed to get a super macro shot. I'm shure it is grat for fish portrait. A few weeks ago I read a post by Reef Photo about the 85mm and decided to get a used one. I have been using it for the last month and I'm very happy with it. The SMC1 works very well with it. The last 3 pictures on my IG are with that lens (Only the nudibranch was taken with the SMC1). josiluna_uw For a DX body, I would recomend the 85mm instead the 105 and 60. Focus on the 85mm is fast and accurate. Joss

Thanks Pavel, I just received it yesterday. That was quick! I did a HSS test at home (not uw) and it works well all the way to 1/8000s. I have a question, with my D500 in auto FP 1/250 + retras in HSS mode. It looks like I still can do 1/100, 1/6,0 1/30..... without going back to Manual on the retras. But the instruction manual says to put the retras in M mode for normal speeds. I'm missing something? Really looking forward for the weekend! Kind regards, Joss

Thank you Pavel, I'm looking forward to try it. Could you please send me the manual?

Hi Pavel, is the #11031-HSS (for Nikon) available?

Have a look on the nikon auto focus system from Backcountry Gallery (Steve Perry). https://bcgwebstore.com/product/secrets-to-the-nikon-autofocus-system/ It is very well explained. Youtube video: This is also a very good thread in WP Regards, Joss

Interesting article, as always. I think that there is a think that we normally tent to miss when we talk about new gear. Who is going to use it? A beginner, an experienced hobbyist or a Pro? I’m not surprise to hear that an experience photographer on a point and shoot pulls out better images than a hobbyist with an expensive rig. This is the same for any other field. 2.5 years ago I upgraded from a RX-100mii, after spending months on spreadsheets trying to balance my budget with the options I settled on the Oly E-M1m2. At that time, I didn’t wat to go into FF. At the end, just before hitting the buy button I switched to the D500. I’m very happy with the D500, but I’m sure that I would be as happy with the Oly. With the time, I have seen improvement in my images that keep me from regretting expending all that money. UW photography is “just” a hobby for me, and other from work (with phone) I normally don’t take pictures on land. I know that I don’t need / use all the options of the D500. But I love how fast the autofocus work with the Nikkor micro lenses. Regarding your conclusion I agree with you, we hobbyist tent to expend way much money on equipment and gadgets. However, when I look at the equipment used in award winning competitions it is always FF & APS-C formats. I’m not saying DSRL is better, I have seen great videos and shots with the Panasonic and Sony cameras. As a hobbyist, I don’t think that I can tell the difference from shots taken with DX and MFT system. Is it the same for everyone? Maybe… I think one should consider the size and weight of the final rig (housing, arms, strobes, etc) and make sure you are happy with it. About the extra cost from MFT and DX, for me it was around 15% and it wasn’t the most important thing. And there is nothing worse than looking at a shoot thinking that you should have bought a “better” system. I think that this discussion involves more than technical facts and comparison, making it very hard to get a conclusion where everybody agrees.

Hello, I would like to ask you about using the Nikkor 85mm in the Nauticam Macro Port 60. How well does it fit? Are you interested on selling only the Nikkor 85mm? Kind regards, Joss

Hello Pavel, what about D500 cameras with nauticam housing?