News
Fantasea and AOI Introduce High Quality Wet Macro Lenses
Fantasea and AOI have just released a selection of new quality macro lenses, designed to dramatically upgrade your underwater photography experience.
These macro lenses magnify the subject and enable the camera to focus short distances, creating sharp, detailed and impressive images. They are perfect for shooting close-up images of tiny creatures, fish, corals, textures and more.
The lenses mount on the housing lens port and can be installed and removed during the course of the dive. They can be mounted on 67mm threaded lens ports and other dimensions by using an adaptor.
- UCL-05LF +6 Macro Lens
- UCL-06LF +12 Macro Lens
- UCL-09F +12.5 Super Macro Lens
Read below for further information on each of these lenses.
UCL-05LF +6 Macro Lens
UCL-05LF is a quality wet macro lens with a +6 diopter.
High Optical Performance
UCL-05LF is a super sharp lens which consists of quality AR (anti-reflection) multi-layered precision optic elements (4 elements organized in 3 groups). Images captured with the lens are detailed and extremely sharp on the corners. Professionally engineered elements eliminate chromatic aberration and the AR coating on all glass elements assists in avoiding undesired reflections from the sun or artificial light sources.
Durable Construction
Lens barrel is made from durable Aluminum alloy with black hard coating. This coating protects the exterior of the lens, protecting it from easily getting scratched or damaged. During development, the lens was thoroughly tested in extreme conditions (depth, temperature, salinity and radiation) to ensure resistance and durability on the long run.
Universal Compatibility
The lens features a 67mm thread mount, compatible with most housings available in the market today. Perfect to be used with compact or mirrorless housings. The base of the mount features a narrow design, allowing to use the lens with most lens holders, adaptors, bayonet mount converters, flip mounts and quick release adaptors.
Stack & Enhance
A front 67mm thread allows for stacking additional macro lenses and/or color correction filters on the lens.
Accessory Package
Lens comes with a secure strap and quick release secure line to ensure the lens is safely secured to the system even when removed from the housing lens port. Velcro secure strap enables mounting and dismounting the lens without having to detach it from the housing system. Non corrosive front and rear lens caps are included in the box. A padded carrying case allows safe storage and transportation.
Warranty & Best Service
The lens includes warranty against defective materials and workmanship under reasonable use for a period of 1 year. In addition, Fantasea offers a professional and responsive service program.
UCL-05LF Specifications
- Description: +6 diopter close-up lens
- Bezel Material: Hard anodized aluminum with black hard coating
- Lens Construction: 3 groups and 4 elements
- Lens Coating: AR multi layer coating
- Threads: 67mm (front and rear)
- Dimensions: 74 x 41.1 mm / 2.9 x 1.6 inch
- Weight: 254 g / 9 oz
- Included in Box: Front and rear lens covers, lens pouch, Velcro secure strap, secure line and microfiber cloth
- Depth Ratio: 60 meters / 200 feet
Comparison Images
UCL-06LF +12 Macro Lens
UCL-06LF is a quality wet macro lens with a +12 diopter.
High Optical Performance
UCL-06LF is a sharp lens which consists of quality AR (anti-reflection) multi-layered precision optic elements (6 elements organized in 4 groups). Images captured with the lens are detailed and extremely sharp on the corners. Professionally engineered elements eliminate chromatic aberration and the AR coating on all glass elements assists in avoiding undesired reflections from the sun or artificial light sources.
Durable Construction
Lens barrel is made from durable Aluminum alloy with black hard coating. This coating protects the exterior of the lens, protecting it from easily getting scratched or damaged. During development, the lens was thoroughly tested in extreme conditions (depth, temperature, salinity and radiation) to ensure resistance and durability on the long run.
Universal Compatibility
The lens features a 67mm thread mount, compatible with most housings available in the market today. Perfect to be used with compact or mirrorless housings. The base of the mount features a narrow design, allowing to use the lens with most lens holders, adaptors, bayonet mount converters, flip mounts and quick release adaptors.
Accessory Package
Lens comes with a secure strap and quick release secure line to ensure the lens is safely secured to the system even when removed from the housing lens port. Velcro secure strap enables mounting and dismounting the lens without having to detach it from the housing system. Non corrosive front and rear lens caps are included in the box. A padded carrying case allows safe storage and transportation.
Warranty & Best Service
The lens includes warranty against defective materials and workmanship under reasonable use for a period of 1 year. In addition, Fantasea offers a professional and responsive service program.
UCL-06LF Specifications
- Description: +12 diopter close-up lens
- Bezel Material: Hard anodized aluminum with black hard coating
- Lens Construction: 4 groups and 64 elements
- Lens Coating: AR multi layer coating
- Thread: 67mm
- Dimensions: 74 x 54.1 mm/ 2.9 x 2.1 inch
- Weight: 365 g / 12.9 oz
- Included in Box: Front and rear lens covers, lens pouch, Velcro secure strap, secure line and microfiber cloth
- Depth Ratio: 60 meters / 200 feet
Comparison Images
UCL-09F +12.5 Super Macro Lens
The Fantasea-AOI UCL-09F is the finest wet super macro lens available. With a +12.5 diopter, the UCL-09F surpasses the competition in respect to image clarity, sharpness and detail.
High Optical Performance
UCL-09F is an ultra sharp super macro lens offering unmatched quality with 5 multi-layered precision optic elements (organized in 2 groups). The AR (anti-reflection) coating on all glass elements assists in avoiding lens flare from the sun or artificial light sources. Images captured with the lens are exceptionally detailed and sharp over the entire frame, including the images outer edges. A powerful +12.5 diopter provides great magnification with unlimited opportunities for image framing and creative use of depth-of-field. Professionally engineered elements eliminate chromatic aberration.
Durable Construction
Lens barrel is made from durable Aluminum alloy with black hard coating. This coating protects the exterior of the lens, protecting it from easily getting scratched or damaged. During development, the lens was thoroughly tested in extreme conditions (depth, temperature, salinity and radiation) to ensure resistance and durability on the long run.
Universal Compatibility
The lens features a 67mm thread mount, compatible with most housings available in the market today. Perfect to be used with compact, mirrorless or SLR housings. The base of the mount features a narrow design, allowing to use the lens with most lens holders, adaptors, bayonet mount converters, flip mounts and quick release adaptors.
Stack & Enhance
A front 67mm thread allows for stacking additional macro lenses and/or color correction filters on the lens.
Compact & Lightweight
Weighing less than 280g (9.8 oz) and featuring an ultra compact build of 70 x 38.6 mm (2.7 x 1.5 inch), UCL-09F is a streamlined and easy to handle lens. Due to these mini measurements, it’s also the ultimate lens to pack and transport.
Accessory Package
Lens comes with a secure strap and quick release secure line to ensure the lens is safely secured to the system even when removed from the housing lens port. Velcro secure strap enables mounting and dismounting the lens without having to detach it from the housing system. Non corrosive front and rear lens caps are included in the box. A padded carrying case allows safe storage and transportation.
Warranty & Best Service
The lens includes warranty against defective materials and workmanship under reasonable use for a period of 1 year. In addition, Fantasea offers a professional and responsive service program.
UCL-09F Specifications
- Description: +12.5 diopter super macro lens
- Bezel Material: Hard anodized aluminum with black hard coating
- Lens Construction: 2 groups and 5 elements
- Lens Coating: AR multi layer coating
- Threads: 67mm (front and rear)
- Dimensions: 70 x 38.6 mm / 2.7 x 1.5 inch
- Weight: 278 g / 9.8 oz
- Included in Box: Front and rear lens covers, lens pouch, Velcro secure strap, secure line and microfiber cloth
- Depth Ratio: 60 meters / 200 feet
Comparison Images
Find out more about Fantasea products at www.fantasea.com.
Gear News
Scubapro Free Octopus Promotion 2024
Free Octopus with every purchase of a SCUBAPRO regulator system
Just in time for the spring season, divers can save money with the FREE OCTOPUS SPRING PROMOTION! Until July 31st SCUBAPRO offers an Octopus for free
with every purchase of a regulator system!
Get a free S270 OCTOPUS with purchase of these combinations:
MK25 EVO or MK19 EVO with A700
MK25 EVO or MK19 EVO with S620Ti
MK25 EVO or MK19 EVO with D420
MK25 EVO Din mit S620Ti-X
Get a free R105 OCTOPUS with purchase of the following combinations:
MK25 EVO or MK19 EVO with G260
MK25 EVO or MK17 EVO with S600
SCUBAPRO offers a 30-year first owner warranty on all regulators, with a revision period of two years or 100 dives. All SCUBAPRO regulators are of course certified according to the new European test standard EN250-2014.
Available at participating SCUBAPRO dealers. Promotion may not be available in all regions. Find an authorized SCUBAPRO Dealer at scubapro.com.
More information available on www.scubapro.com.
Blogs
Northern Red Sea Reefs and Wrecks Trip Report, Part 3: The Mighty Thistlegorm
Jake Davies boards Ghazala Explorer for an unforgettable Red Sea diving experience…
Overnight, the wind picked up, making the planned morning dive a bit bumpy on the Zodiacs to the drop point on Thomas Reef. There, we would dive along the reef before descending through the canyon and then passing under the arch before ascending the wall with a gentle drift. The site provided great encounters with more pelagic species, including shoals of large barracuda, tuna, and bigeye trevally.
Once back on the boat, it was time to get everything tied down again as we would head back south. This time, with the wind behind us, heading to Ras Mohammed to dive Jackfish Alley for another great gentle drift wall dive before then heading up the coast towards the Gulf of Suez to moor up at the wreck of the Thistlegorm. This being the highlight wreck dive of the trip and for many onboard, including myself, it was the first time diving this iconic wreck. I had heard so much about the wreck from friends, and globally, this is a must on any diver’s list. Fortunately for us, there was only one other boat at the site, which was a rarity. A great briefing was delivered by Ahmed, who provided a detailed background about the wreck’s history along with all the required safety information as the currents and visibility at the site can be variable.
Kitting up, there was a lot of excitement on deck before entering the water and heading down the shoreline. Descending to the wreck, there was a light northerly current which reduced the visibility, making it feel more like the conditions that can be found off the Welsh coast. At 10m from the bottom, the outline of the wreck appeared as we reached the area of the wreck which had been bombed, as our mooring line was attached to part of the propeller shaft. Arriving on deck, instantly everywhere you looked there were many of the supplies which the ship was carrying, including Bren Carrier tanks and projectiles that instantly stood out.
We headed around the exterior, taking a look at the large propeller and guns mounted on deck before entering the wreck on the port side to take a look in the holds. It was incredible to see all the trucks, Norton 16H, and BSA motorcycles still perfectly stacked within, providing a real snapshot in time.
Overall, we had four dives on the Thistlegorm, where for all of the dives we were the only group in the water, and at times, there were just three of us on the whole wreck, which made it even more special, especially knowing that most days the wreck has hundreds of divers. Along with the history of the wreck, there was plenty of marine life on the wreck and around, from big green turtles to batfish, along with shoals of mackerel being hunted by trevally. Some unforgettable dives.
The final leg of the trip saw us cross back over the Suez Canal to the Gobal Islands where we planned to stay the night and do three dives at the Dolphin House for the potential of sharing the dive with dolphins. The site, which included a channel that was teeming with reef fish, especially large numbers of goatfish that swam in large shoals along the edge of the reef. These were nice relaxing dives to end the week. Unfortunately, the dolphins didn’t show up, which was okay as like all marine life they are difficult to predict and you can’t guarantee what’s going to be seen. With the last dive complete, we headed back to port for the final night where it was time to clean all the kit and pack before the departure flight the next day.
The whole week from start to finish on Ghazala Explorer was amazing; the boat had all the facilities you need for a comfortable week aboard. The crew were always there to help throughout the day and the chefs providing top quality food which was required after every dive. The itinerary providing some of the best diving with a nice mixture of wreck and reef dives. I would recommend the trip to anyone, whether it’s your first Red Sea liveaboard in the Red Sea or you’re revisiting. Hopefully, it’s not too long before I head back to explore more of the Red Sea onboard Ghazala Explorer.
To find out more about the Northern Red Sea reef and wrecks itineraries aboard Ghazala Explorer, or to book, contact Scuba Travel now:
Email: dive@scubatravel.com
Tel: +44 (0)1483 411590
Photos: Jake Davies / Avalon.Red
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