Super macro diopter ... Aquatica vs SubSee

[KirkD 7]

Im looking to start super macro work. I have an Aquatica Housing snd I'm looking at the Aquatica and Subsee +5 and +10 dioptets. I was wanting to know if anyone has experience with either name brand? Is the a weight difference between the 2. Also, zi'm looking to get the SubSee dual lens adapter. Any thoughts on rhis setup? I would prefer nylon screws instead on the metal ones.

 

Thanks for any info.

Kirk

[TomR1 5]

I use the Subsee +5 and +10 dual. It is rather heavy. The older version was lighter but less optically correct.

[NWDiver 42]

Not Super Macro but this was taken with the Aquatica +10 on a GX1 using the Lumix 14-42mm lens, no cropping. In general I thought it was very good lens.

 

[jplaurel 19]

I just started using the SubSea +5 on my Leica 45mm macro on the OMD. Works beautifully! I normally wouldn't consider using wet diopters, but the optics on the SubSea seem really very good.

 

Mating Nudibranchs, Wakatobi

[Stewart L. Sy 12]

If you go to my gallery of images from Anilao, Philippines, the purple nudi, 3rd Row, 4th Column:

 

http://stewartsy.com/anilao-was-just-like-coming-home/

 

that was taken with the 7D, Canon 100 f2.8 Macro and the Aquatica +10. The nudi was about the size of a grain of rice. The image is about 75% of the original. IQ wise, there would be no difference really with the Subsee or Aquatica diopters. But the Aquatica close up holder is quite a bit cheaper than the Subsee holder and it's made to fit on both versions of the Aquatica Macro Port. The O-ring retaining system is very sturdy and there's no danger in the diopter falling out.

 

http://stewartsy.com/when-11-macro-isnt-close-enough/

 

Working distance with the +10 is about 2-3 inches from the subject.

 

Full disclosure, I am an Aquatica Dealer, but the prices I'm quoting are readily available by checking the website of both Aquatica and Subsee.

 

S.

[fly&dive 0]

I use the SubSee +5 & +10 diopters with my Canon 100mm macro L lens for super macro work. The quality of the SubSees are very good (both build & optical quality) and they now come in (standard) 67mm diameters.

 

With the Nauticam ports they will conveniently screw on the ports themselves without the need for any adaptors. The older SubSees came in a smaller size which made adaptors or 'holders' necessary. One drawback of the 'new' 67mm SubSees is that they are quite heavy (with the large glass elements), esp. the +10 unit, which is almost twice the depth of the +5. I've never used the Aquaticas but compared with others I've used (FIT, Inon, Sea & Sea), the SubSees I've found to be superior.

 

I use the Inon M67 lens holder W which attaches to my ULCS arms to hold the SubSees when not in use.

[JimG 24]

Stewart

Could you comment on the practicalities of taking this wet lens on and off during a dive. What do you do with it - put it in a BCD pocket? I am tempted but this worries me and the flip up and down on a hinge type wet lens seems more practical.

Also with a full frame, would the working distance be nearer still?

[Stewart L. Sy 12]

Jim,

 

The Aquatica has a lens caddy that mounts on the housing's handle. It's part no. 19354. The caddy can accept both +10 & +5 simultaneously. The caddy is threaded on one side and the quick release on the other. The Aquatica mount is very sturdy, a simple push and twist locks in the lens. I used the set extensively over 2 weeks and didn't have a problem with the unit coming off. There was another customer with me on the trip and he had the exact same setup, he had the same experience as I did.

 

As for shooting full frame, working distance doesn't change, as optics aren't changed, you just get a larger image since you're shooting full frame vs crop.

 

S.

[eyu 26]

There is an adaptor that I use that flips up when you do not need the diopter and down when you want the diopter.

It is a Saga adaptor that I got from Reef Photo. It simply attaches to the port as a wedge fit and works very well.

 

Elmer

[johnspierce 25]

I have the Aquatica +5 and +10, but I don't have the lens caddy. I just pull the lens off and stick it in a little neoprene sleeve in my BC pocket when not using it. Caddy is probably more convenient. Quality seems very good for both lenses.

 

I could see an argument for using the Subsee since you could buy a new mount if you changed housing systems, but the Aquatica system is a bit cheaper to begin with and I think the port attachment is a bit more robust. Subsee does have that nice little swing-out-of-the-way feature though.

Edited September 27, 2012 by johnspierce

[KirkD 7]

Jim,

 

The Aquatica has a lens caddy that mounts on the housing's handle. It's part no. 19354. The caddy can accept both +10 & +5 simultaneously. The caddy is threaded on one side and the quick release on the other. The Aquatica mount is very sturdy, a simple push and twist locks in the lens. I used the set extensively over 2 weeks and didn't have a problem with the unit coming off. There was another customer with me on the trip and he had the exact same setup, he had the same experience as I did.

 

As for shooting full frame, working distance doesn't change, as optics aren't changed, you just get a larger image since you're shooting full frame vs crop.

 

S.

 

If it would not be much trouble, could you take a picture of the caddy installed with and without the diopters attached?

Thanks

Kirk

[KirkD 7]

There is an adaptor that I use that flips up when you do not need the diopter and down when you want the diopter.

It is a Saga adaptor that I got from Reef Photo. It simply attaches to the port as a wedge fit and works very well.

 

Elmer

 

Elmer,

Do you have the single or double diopter? Do you feel that setup to be heavy? I think i would rather have the flip up version with 2 dipters, but was curious if that would be to much weight.

 

Kirk

[operam 1]

I have both the Aquatica and the Subsee diopters. The Subsees are definitely bulkier, although I haven't actually weighed each of them (I can do that if you want). Haven't done any comparisons regarding quality either, but I will probably sell my Subsees just because of the bulk factor. For carrying them on a dive, I use the Inon double-lens holders on a ULCS arm (both Aquatica and Subsee diopters have 67mm threads).

 

BTW, I don't think the Saga is available for the Aquatica macro port. One way to use the Subsee on the Aquatica MF macro port is through Dyron's M77 adapter in conjunction with a 77mm - 67mm step ring. glowdive.com also has an adapter for the Subsee.

Edited September 27, 2012 by operam

[eyu 26]

 

Elmer,

Do you have the single or double diopter? Do you feel that setup to be heavy? I think i would rather have the flip up version with 2 dipters, but was curious if that would be to much weight.

 

Kirk

 

Kirk,

 

I use the single, but I am considering getting the double. I use stix floats to make my rig just negative, so the weight of a diopter is not really noticeable. Ryan at Reef Photo had Saga make a port fitting to accommodate my Subal 105 port, so I would think he could have one made to fit an Aquatica.

 

Elmer

[KirkD 7]

I have both the Aquatica and the Subsee diopters. The Subsees are definitely bulkier, although I haven't actually weighed each of them (I can do that if you want). Haven't done any comparisons regarding quality either, but I will probably sell my Subsees just because of the bulk factor. For carrying them on a dive, I use the Inon double-lens holders on a ULCS arm (both Aquatica and Subsee diopters have 67mm threads).

 

BTW, I don't think the Saga is available for the Aquatica macro port. One way to use the Subsee on the Aquatica MF macro port is through Dyron's M77 adapter in conjunction with a 77mm - 67mm step ring. glowdive.com also has an adapter for the Subsee.

 

Saga dies have one on their website that is for the aquatica, but it us a single flip up on.

Kirk

[operam 1]

Saga dies have one on their website that is for the aquatica, but it us a single flip up on.

Kirk

 

Ah, yes, I see it, 270 EUR.

[Stewart L. Sy 12]

If it would not be much trouble, could you take a picture of the caddy installed with and without the diopters attached?

Thanks

Kirk

 

Kirk,

 

As per your request:

 

Full Closeup Kit attached to the Aquatica A7D Housing. Diopter with Red Ring is the +10, Ringless is +5. Holder is machined aluminum with 3 nylon screws that tighten down on the port.

 

 

Here is the Lens Caddy by itself:

 

 

and here's the rice grain sized nudi: Image was cropped by approximately 25%.

 

 

Cheers

 

Stu

Edited September 28, 2012 by Stewart L. Sy

[johnspierce 25]

Hey Stewart, do you know if any US reseller is carrying the caddy yet? I can't find it on anybody's website. As a matter of fact, I can't find it on Aquatica's website either...

 

thanks,

John

Edited September 28, 2012 by johnspierce

[Stewart L. Sy 12]

Sorry, I don't know. I had the first one from the anodizing tanks last April in time to show at the Tacoma Dive & Travel Show.

 

S.

[KirkD 7]

Thanks Stu for the pics. Very helpful. I assume it can hold both diopters, one above (like shown in the picture) and one on the underside?

Kirk

[johnspierce 25]

Backscatter had "1" caddy in stock, so I bought it -- they can order more.

Edited September 28, 2012 by johnspierce

[KirkD 7]

Backscatter had "1" caddy in stock, so I bought it -- they can order more.

 

They must no have it listed on their website yet as I could not find it. On Aquatica's price list, has it listed as $65.

Kirk

[Stewart L. Sy 12]

Thanks Stu for the pics. Very helpful. I assume it can hold both diopters, one above (like shown in the picture) and one on the underside?

Kirk

 

Hi Kirk

 

Yes, the top mount is a quick disconnect like the holder, the bottom is a 67mm threaded mount...that the Aquatica diopters also have. A bit more secure that way.

 

S.

[johnspierce 25]

Just one more little FYI; if you use the Aquatica diopter with the older Nikon AF 60mm lens, 1.4 Kenko Teleconverter, Aquatica AF/MF macro port 14826 and the 18453 extension, you will get some *slight* vignetting. Not a big deal, but it's there nonetheless.

 

I guess the 60mm with the Tele is just a touch shorter than the 105mm VR which uses the same extension. You would probably get the same vignetting with the Subsee I suspect. BUT the 60mm with the tele/diopter combo focuses faster and more accurately than the 105mm which can be quite helpful. Use a good focus light and it's not an issue with either lens.

Edited September 28, 2012 by johnspierce

[Stewart L. Sy 12]

Not a vignette, but almost a lensbaby like effect. If you're not using the correct extension for the lens then the focal point of the diopter will not line up with the lens. I found this out shooting the Sigma 150 macro f2.8 with the +10. The extension was too long and pushed the focal point of the diopter too far. Kinda like moving a magnifying glass back and forth to start a fire...