alternative lens holder?

[stepfen]

Hi there,

I just ordered a close-up lens (Inon UCL-165M67) for my system (Canon a5100, Meikon housing, S&S YS02 strobe and a video light) and I am looking for ways to have it attached to my housing (which has M67 thread too).

I like macro but I am not crazy about it, meaning I don’t want to limit myself only to macro during my dives. I want to be able to remove the close-up lens and reinstall it during the dive as needed.

In fact last year I was given such a lens for a trial by a fellow diver. The way he did keep the lens during the dive when not needed was to have it stored inside his wet-suit sleeve(!). I wouldn't mind screwing/unscrewing the lens every now and then - but I don't like doing so with the lens loose in the open sea as I am pretty sure it will sooner or later fall somewhere too deep to reach.

I’ve seen quick release systems (magnetic and latch style) as well as flip brackets but their common feature is that they cost some 70US$ upwards which is a bit of too much for me (at least for this particular task).

So I am looking for low cost alternatives. Any ideas? I don’t mind going cheap/DIY. For example is there any way to attach a string to the lens to keep it secured to the tray? I wouldn't mind it hanging from the tray. Any other suggestions?

Thanks in advance

 

[ScubaMarc]

Did you ever look at a m67 lens holder?

Fantasea 67mm Arm Lens Holder

 

[stepfen]

Thanks for the reply. I've seen these holders. I ended up buying a flip-type holder and it served me very well during a trip I had. I like it because it can also be used with a red filter I have.
I might consider this type of holder when I get another lens (wide angle or second close up) and need to bring both with me.

 

[tarponchik]

Did you ever look at a m67 lens holder?

Fantasea 67mm Arm Lens Holder

View attachment 495394

How does it hold the lens? Do you screw the lens onto a thread?

 

[tursiops]

How does it hold the lens? Do you screw the lens onto a thread?

Yes.

 

[tarponchik]

Yes.

Thanks! A snap-on would be handier.

 

[jgttrey]

I clip a neoprene lens bag to a d ring. I tried mounts on arms but the tended to be more trouble than they were worth and complicated folding up my rig

 

[tursiops]

Thanks! A snap-on would be handier.

I have bayonet mounts on my lens and on the dock and on the port.

 

[stepfen]

I think each type has its uses. Screw type like the one suggested by @ScubaMarc above is more convenient for lenses/filters that are not changed frequently.
Snap on type or bayonet sound better for cases where one or more lens/filter need to be changed frequently
Similarly flip holders serve well a single lens/filter that needs to be used/removed frequently.

Now the suggestion from @jgttrey is something new to me.

I clip a neoprene lens bag to a d ring.

Don't the neoprene bag disturb you hanging/dangling around your chest?

 

[jgttrey]

Don't the neoprene bag disturb you hanging/dangling around your chest?

Not really. It's pretty compact and I can clip off to waist or crotch ring. I have also clipped to my tray, but that proved to be a little distracting. I just didn't like it on the arms. It complicated folding things up on my last stop before getting back on the boat and if it was too far out on the arm, it unbalanced things a bit.

YMMV, of course. That's just what worked for me.