AOI ports and + macro lens

[Ardy]

HI Guys, I have just bought an AOI housing for my EM1 mk2 and looking at getting the AOI flat port AOI FLP-02P to hold the 60 macro and possibly a 67mm + diopter.

I've never used a diopter before and although I'm keen to get pics of smaller stuff I am missing ATM, I'm also concerned about loss of depth of field and quality.

Any ideas on adapter/ flip is also needed.

Any advice is welcome. regards to all

 

[Furnari]

I have the same housing for my M1mkIII- you'll love it. As far as the port, I initially went with the FLP-06 as you can use the 14-42EZ if you ever decide to go with wet lenses, or add the 34mm extension ring and use either the 30mm or 60mm macro lenses. I never did bother with the 14-42 or wet lenses, and recently picked up the FLP-04 to use the 30 without an extension, or the 60 with the 24mm extension ring. Both of those are threaded for a diopter.

Speaking of- I used a mild diopter in the past, mostly with the 12-50 and 12-40 lenses. Even with those non macro lenses I found the diopter to be persnickety for me in the cold waters I dive. Your experience will vary, especially since you have way more divers under your weight belt than I do.

To go off on a bit of a tangent, are you thinking about a mini dome for wide stuff? You could get one for the 9-18, but it turns out that the 12-45f4 works great in a mini dome intended for the 8mm Oly fisheye if you add the 34mm extension. While you don't have either of those lenses, I thought I'd mention all this because it's a nice, compact 2 port solution from ultra wide, through normal tele, and into the various macros. I should say, you don't have those lenses yet; I believe I've helped you spend money in the past

 

[Ardy]

Hi Furnari, I treat you with some care as you did cost me a lot of money but I'm grateful as I love the OM1.

I have the 4" dome for 9-18 but have only used the 60mm macro lens in it, a surprise to the dive guides!
The 34 extension ring is close to the price of the FLP-06 and can't see the use of my 30 being worth the money.

 

[bvanant]

For sure if you want smaller stuff you should add a diopter. For base purposes, the 60 macro lens in the correct port will fill the frame with something that is like 18 mm across (3/4 inch). Adding the CMC-1 from Nautical gets you to something about 9 mm full frame. If you get a good quality diopter then image quality will be fine but remember that DOF goes like the 1.square of the magnification so 2 x mag means 1/4 DOF.
Get a good quality flip adapter Nautical or AOI.
Cheers
Bill

 

[Ardy]

Thanks Bill, in your view it is worth adding the CMC-1? I am being shown very small stuff in bali in the sub 8mm area and apart from struggling to see them the shots need serious cropping to get an idea of what I was being shown.

 

[bvanant]

I use that combo a lot. Here is a little Cyerce (probably 6-7 mm long) from Bali last week. Shot with the 60 and the CMC-1.

 

[Ardy]

I see what you mean Bill. Much cropping in that image?

I was in LDR for 3 days and left on the 31st Oct. Where did you stay?

 

[bvanant]

Not much cropping, only to a printable ratio. Otherwise it is full scale.
We stay at Villa Markisa, a great place
BVA

 

[Gdog]

A diopter is a very useful tool to your macro arsenal. But as pointed out, your DOF will change! I use a +5 and the DOF is paper thin. I use a flip adapter on my flat port, works out very well.

 

[Ardy]

I have been looking at a Dyron +7 anyone had any experience with these? I suspect +7 is too strong for a 60mm macro lens, am i right?

Also is there any advantage of a flip adapter over a swing one?