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.
For a week at the end of February I was invited to sample the diving with Orca Dive Club based at the Breakers Diving and Surfing Lodge by courtesy of SOMABAY.
Somabay covers an entire peninsula and is home to several resorts as well as residential compounds. Somabay caters for scuba diving as well as many other sports, including windsurfing, golf, sailing, go-carting, horse riding and many other activities.
All the activities are of a world-class standard and any or all of these can be booked directly from The Breakers.
I took Easyjet from Bristol (UK) to Hurghada. Easyjet are not by any means my favourite airline but the flight was cheap and direct (except for the surprise extra £48 I was charged at the gate for my carry-on bag).
I was met at Hurghada airport by a driver and car and taken to the Breakers 28 miles (45Kilomaters) south along the coast. Once at the hotel I was too late for an evening meal and so a basic meal was delivered to my room. That and a beer from the fridge and I was fast asleep.
Early the next morning after breakfast I arrived for my rep meeting at the Orca Dive Center for 8.00am. I was immediately made to feel welcome, and after brief introductions I got some dive gear from the store, had a chat with my dive guide Mohamed and got ready to try the house reef situated at the end of a very long wooded pier where all diving gear and divers are taken out by buggies.
Once at the end of the pier, a helping hand from staff makes sure your gear is set and then it’s a short walk to the very end where you can either climb down a ladder of simply jump in the water next to the reef. The house reef extends both north and south giving a very easy and safe dive with plenty to see. At this time of the year the water temperature was a constant 22 degrees Centigrade and there was little or no current, so there were no issues in swimming back to the pier.
Quite a few divers were in dry or semi-dry suits, but being from the UK and used to the cold I found a 3mm wetsuit with a 3mm neoprene vest quite comfortable. Even after 50 years of diving I still find that first dive of a trip slightly nerving until I am actually underwater and then all becomes relaxed and I ease into auto diving mode. There was plenty to see with many of the Red Sea favourites along the way.
After the dive and a buggy ride back to the hotel for a very good buffet lunch I was back in the water, once again on the house reef for an afternoon dive.
Check in for part 2 tomorrow when Jeff gets on a day boat and dives a few of the off-shore reefs.
Book your next Red Sea dive adventure with SOMABAY! For more information, visit www.somabay.com.
Stay at the Breakers Diving & Surfing Lodge when you visit! For more information, visit www.thebreakers-somabay.com.
Find out more about ORCA Dive Clubs at SOMABAY at www.orca-diveclubs.com/en/soma-bay-en.
In an interview recorded exclusively for Scubaverse.com, Jeff Goodman interviews Jeremy Higson from Sea to Sky about the itineraries the tour operator offers in Oman.
For more information about diving in Oman, contact Sea to Sky now:
Email: hello@mysetaosky.co.uk
WhatsApp: + 39 379 236 7138
Website: www.myseatosky.co.uk
-
News2 months agoHone your underwater photography skills with Alphamarine Photography at Red Sea Diving Safari in March
-
News2 months agoCapturing Critters in Lembeh Underwater Photography Workshop 2024: Event Roundup
-
Marine Life & Conservation Blogs2 months agoCreature Feature: Swell Sharks
-
Blogs1 month agoMurex Resorts: Passport to Paradise!
-
News3 months agoDive into Adventure with Photo Pro Paul Duxfield in North Sulawesi this October
-
Gear News3 months agoBare X-Mission Drysuit: Ideal for Both Technical and Recreational Divers
-
Gear Reviews2 months agoGear Review: Oceanic+ Dive Housing for iPhone
-
Blogs2 months agoDiver Discovering Whale Skeletons Beneath Ice Judged World’s Best Underwater Photograph