Question on Closeup Lens use with Nex 5

[guamrider]

I've always used a macro lens with other housings, but currently there's none avail for the Nex 5. My question is does the 18-55mm lens need to be fully extended (55mm) for use with a close up lens that attaches to it?

I'm assuming it does but am concerned about room in the Nauticam port.

 

[bfowles]

I've always used a macro lens with other housings, but currently there's none avail for the Nex 5. My question is does the 18-55mm lens need to be fully extended (55mm) for use with a close up lens that attaches to it?

I'm assuming it does but am concerned about room in the Nauticam port.

No you don't have to be fully extended to 55mm to use the close up lens. A lot of my shots from lembeh were taken with the close up lens attached with a wider focal length. If you do go too wide however you will get vignetting.

The below photo was taken at 43mm with an inon UCL-165.


black-saddle-toby by Byron.Fowles, on Flickr

 

[guamrider]

Thanks..great info. Did you put the lens directly on the front of the 18-55 or on the front of the housing using the Nauticam adpater?

 

[bfowles]

It is a wet lens, so you use the adapter. The main advantage is you can remove the lens if needed while underwater, the disadvantage is you do loose some power of the close up lens. It can also be a pain to be constantly adding and removing the lens while underwater. I notice with the subsee close up lens they have a flip adapter which makes that less painful.

 

[guamrider]

Thanks again, I think I'm going to try mounting a +5 on the lens inside the housing to try it out.

 

[bfowles]

Thanks again, I think I'm going to try mounting a +5 on the lens inside the housing to try it out.

Please post the pics of the result.

 

[guamrider]

Sure will. I really like your pix at Lembeh.

I'm taking a group to Malapascua late next week and this will be my first "real use" of the camera for both stills and video. Should be interesting. Been there before but was shooting for a local tv series.
Philippines on Vimeo

Did a short video test of the camera here: Initial Test Dives with Sony NEX-5 Camera on Vimeo

 

[bvanant]

You can also use the Sony 30 mm macro lens with the adapter to get autofocus. I have done some pics with the 18-55 and a Canon 500 diopter on the front and a Subsee +10 which is almost getting there.
Waiting anxiously for a real Sony/Sigma macro lens for this beast.
Bill

 

[bfowles]

Looks like a macro lens should be released soon.

sonyalpharumors | Blog | (SR5) The NEX lens roadmap and 30mm macro specs (+ NEX flash)

 

[guamrider]

Looks like a macro lens should be released soon.]

Yeah, I've been following this. I am wishfully thinking someone is going to make a macro lens in the 60-70mm range with emount.