If somebody has the 8mm, 12-50mm and 60mm lenses already for the Oly OM-D camera with Nauticam housing, is there a reason to buy the 9-18mm lens? Would this lens, 9-18mm, add anything he doesn't have in the other lenses?
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Burhan, I have to differ with the folks who do not recommend an ultra-wide zoom. The 9-18 gives you a true ultra-wide option with the versatility of zoom. In the 4" semi-dome, the 9mm setting gives you a much wider field of view than the 12mm behind the flat port, because refraction with a flat port narrows the 12mm lens' true field of view somewhat. Although there is overlap between the two, they serve two distinct purposes and you will see a big difference.
I went on a shark trip with the 9-18mm and found the zoom range perfect for ultra-wide close-ups and also for shots when the fish were more distant. So, for "big animal" wide angle use, much more versatile than the 8mm or the 12-50mm. It is also more versatile for reef scenics and such, which are typically shot in the 9-18mm range and, in my view, usually look better with a rectlinear perspective than with a fisheye (not always, sometimes the fisheye is awesone and unique). It is also easier to light scenes than with the fisheye. Again, two distinct purposes.
Finally, it is a fantastic above-water lens. It is very tiny, very light, and very good optically. It takes filters such as polarizers and nd filters. I use it quite a bit especially for shooting buildings, interiors, and landscapes. In fact, my above-water travel kit is the 9-18 and 14-150, that's it! (I have dedicated the 12-50 solely to underwater use due to the gear mounting).
However, and this is a factor, none of the ports you have will work with this lens. It needs the 4" semi dome. The dome for the fisheye is too short and does not function. So, another thing to carry and another expense.
When I made my decision for u/w, I went with the panasonic 7-14mm lens and larger nauti dome. This is true, ultra-ultrawide, with a rectlinear perspective which I prefer for most types of shots, but still zooms out enough for fish portraits. The optical quality is outstanding and it is regarded as one of the very best wide zooms in any format for image quality. For land use, it has disadvantages as it is bigger and heavier than the 9-18 and does not take filters. I was going to sell my 9-18 when I bought the 7-14, but decided to keep the 9-18 for my above-water travel kit.
My take is that a ultrawide zoom like the 9-18 or 7-14 adds a lot to your shooting. I usually view the fisheye as a niche lens by comparison. Personally, I have no desire to get the fisheye now that I have the 7-14. I have a hunch that if you got the zoom you wouild use the fisheye much less.
Guy,
Now, are the ports for the 7-14mm and 9-18 for the Nauticam housing the same or EACH one takes its own port?