Lens Reviews

Detailed lens reviews for underwater photography and video, including specs, key features and comparisons with other popular lenses.

Fantasea UWL-400F proves to be a sharp, high quality, close-focusing wide-angle wet lens coming at an affordable price
By Nirupam Nigam

Fantasea UWL-400F Wide Angle Wet Lens Review

Nirupam Nigam
Fantasea UWL-400F proves to be a sharp, high quality, close-focusing wide-angle wet lens coming at an affordable price

Rockfish at Octopus Hole, Washington photographed with the Fantasea UWL-400F and Olympus TG-5 Compact Camera

 

Reviews: 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Nirupam Nigam is the Editor-in-Chief of the Underwater Photography Guide and the President of Bluewater Photo - the world's top underwater photo & video retailer. While growing up in Los Angeles he fell in love with the ocean and pursued underwater photography in the local Channel Islands. After receiving degrees in Aquatic and Fisheries Science and General Biology, as well as a minor in Arctic Studies, Nirupam worked as a fisheries observer on vessels in the Bering Sea and North Pacific. Since then, Nirupam has been a full time underwater photographer and photo gear head. Check out more of his photography at www.photosfromthesea.com!

SUPPORT THE UNDERWATER PHOTOGRAPHY GUIDE:

The Best Service & Prices on u/w Photo Gear

 

Visit Bluewater Photo & Video for all your underwater photography and video gear. Click, or call the team at (310) 633-5052 for expert advice!

 


The Best Pricing, Service & Expert Advice to Book your Dive Trips

 

Bluewater Travel is your full-service scuba travel agency. Let our expert advisers plan and book your next dive vacation. Run by divers, for divers.

 


An excellent wide angle wet lens for compact and mirrorless cameras
By Nirupam Nigam

Kraken Sports KRL-01 Wet Wide Angle Lens Review

Nirupam Nigam
An excellent wide angle wet lens for compact and mirrorless cameras

Renowned for their expertise in underwater lighting, Kraken Sports has hit the ground running with a new wet lens – the KRL-01! This ultrawide wet lens is a portal to the wide angle dimension of mirrorless and compact underwater photography.

Reviews: 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Nirupam Nigam is the Editor-in-Chief of the Underwater Photography Guide and the President of Bluewater Photo - the world's top underwater photo & video retailer. While growing up in Los Angeles he fell in love with the ocean and pursued underwater photography in the local Channel Islands. After receiving degrees in Aquatic and Fisheries Science and General Biology, as well as a minor in Arctic Studies, Nirupam worked as a fisheries observer on vessels in the Bering Sea and North Pacific. Since then, Nirupam has been a full time underwater photographer and photo gear head. Check out more of his photography at www.photosfromthesea.com!

SUPPORT THE UNDERWATER PHOTOGRAPHY GUIDE:

The Best Service & Prices on u/w Photo Gear

 

Visit Bluewater Photo & Video for all your underwater photography and video gear. Click, or call the team at (310) 633-5052 for expert advice!

 


The Best Pricing, Service & Expert Advice to Book your Dive Trips

 

Bluewater Travel is your full-service scuba travel agency. Let our expert advisers plan and book your next dive vacation. Run by divers, for divers.

 


Nikon's Newest Full Frame Fisheye Option
By Brook Peterson

First Impressions: Nikon 8-15mm Fisheye Lens Review

Nikon's Newest Full Frame Fisheye Option
Brook Peterson
Nikon's Newest Full Frame Fisheye Option


For starters, the Nikon 8-15mm is a stunningly sharp lens. The images I have taken are clear and have great depth and detail. It is also a very versatile lens. Although made for a full frame camera, it can be used on a crop sensor camera as well. It makes beautiful diagonal images and has the added benefit of zooming out to 180 degrees in every direction, creating a circle in the frame

Reviews: 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Brook Peterson is an avid scuba diver and underwater photographer who enjoys capturing the beauty of the under water environment throughout the world. She is an original member of the SEA&SEA Alpha program. Her work has been featured in both print and online magazines.  She is the owner of Waterdog Photography and authors a blog on underwater photography and techniques.  More of her work can be found at:

www.waterdogphotography.com  |  Facebook  |  instagram@waterdogphotography_brook.

SUPPORT THE UNDERWATER PHOTOGRAPHY GUIDE:

The Best Service & Prices on u/w Photo Gear

 

Visit Bluewater Photo & Video for all your underwater photography and video gear. Click, or call the team at (310) 633-5052 for expert advice!

 


The Best Pricing, Service & Expert Advice to Book your Dive Trips

 

Bluewater Travel is your full-service scuba travel agency. Let our expert advisers plan and book your next dive vacation. Run by divers, for divers.

 


Nikon 8-15mm f3.5-4.5 full frame fisheye preview and initial thoughts
By Matthew Sullivan

Nikon 8-15mm f3.5-4.5 Full Frame Fisheye Lens Pre-Review

Matthew Sullivan
Nikon 8-15mm f3.5-4.5 full frame fisheye preview and initial thoughts

It was a long time coming, but Nikon has finally released another full frame (FX) fisheye, this time an 8-15mm 3.5/4.5 zoom. Full frame Canon shooters will be familiar with this lens as Canon has long had the Canon 8-15mm f4L Fisheye lens

The lens does not telescope so retains the same barrel length throughout the zoom range. It also has Nikon’s optical coating for increased optical performance

Reviews: 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Matthew Sullivan is an underwater and conservation photographer based out of Los Angeles, CA. For more of his pictures follow him on Instagram.

SUPPORT THE UNDERWATER PHOTOGRAPHY GUIDE:

The Best Service & Prices on u/w Photo Gear

 

Visit Bluewater Photo & Video for all your underwater photography and video gear. Click, or call the team at (310) 633-5052 for expert advice!

 


The Best Pricing, Service & Expert Advice to Book your Dive Trips

 

Bluewater Travel is your full-service scuba travel agency. Let our expert advisers plan and book your next dive vacation. Run by divers, for divers.

 


A review of the Nikon 16-35mm F4 full frame lens for underwater photography
By Scott Gietler

NIkon 16-35mm lens review

Nikon 16-35mm lens review
Scott Gietler
A review of the Nikon 16-35mm F4 full frame lens for underwater photography

The Nikon 16-35mm F4 lens was never my first choice for a lens. In fact, for years I resisted using a rectilinear lens underwater, opting for the extremes of a fisheye lens or a macro lens. However, a trip to the Galapagos Islands called for a different beast, and I finally pulled the trigger and purchased a serious wide-angle zoom lens. Would I be happy with my decision?

Reviews: 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Scott Gietler is the owner of Bluewater Photo, Bluewater Travel, and the Underwater Photography Guide. Bluewater Photo, based in Culver City, CA is one of the world’s largest and most prestigious underwater camera stores, serving many thousands of customers each year, where nothing is more important than customer service. The Underwater Photography Guide is the world’s first website to feature free tutorials on underwater photography, and has become the most trafficked resource on underwater photography worldwide. Bluewater Travel is a full-service dive travel wholesaler sending groups and individuals on the world’s best dive vacations. 

Scott is also an avid diver, underwater photographer, and budding marine biologist, having created the online guide to the underwater flora and fauna of Southern California. He is the past vice-president of the Los Angeles Underwater Photographic Society, has volunteered extensively at the Santa Monica aquarium, and is the creator of the Ocean Art underwater photo competition, one of the largest underwater international photo competitions ever held in terms of value of prizes. He lives in California with his wife, newborn girl and scuba-diving, photo taking 4 year old son.

Follow Scott on Facebook or Instagram.

SUPPORT THE UNDERWATER PHOTOGRAPHY GUIDE:

The Best Service & Prices on u/w Photo Gear

 

Visit Bluewater Photo & Video for all your underwater photography and video gear. Click, or call the team at (310) 633-5052 for expert advice!

 


The Best Pricing, Service & Expert Advice to Book your Dive Trips

 

Bluewater Travel is your full-service scuba travel agency. Let our expert advisers plan and book your next dive vacation. Run by divers, for divers.

 


Photos and insight from three underwater photographers
By Brent Durand, Amr A. Abdul-Majeed and Kadir Suat AKCA

Canon 100mm Macro Lens Underwater Photos

Canon EF 100mm f2/8 Macro IS USM Lens Underwater Photos
Brent Durand, Amr A. Abdul-Majeed and Kadir Suat AKCA
Photos and insight from three underwater photographers

Canon DSLR shooters have two main choices when it comes to macro lenses - 60 or 100mm. But those that shoot with full-frame Canon bodies like the 5D Mark III, 5DS / 5DS R, or 6D are limited to just one lens. Luckily, it's the reknowned Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L IS USM Macro lens.

Reviews: 

SUPPORT THE UNDERWATER PHOTOGRAPHY GUIDE:

The Best Service & Prices on u/w Photo Gear

 

Visit Bluewater Photo & Video for all your underwater photography and video gear. Click, or call the team at (310) 633-5052 for expert advice!

 


The Best Pricing, Service & Expert Advice to Book your Dive Trips

 

Bluewater Travel is your full-service scuba travel agency. Let our expert advisers plan and book your next dive vacation. Run by divers, for divers.

 


Panasonic 7-14mm F4 lens review, with amazing photos using the GH4 from Cocos Island
By Scott Gietler, photos by Kadu Pinhiero

Panasonic 7-14mm lens review at Cocos Island

Panasonic 7-14mm lens review at Cocos Island
Scott Gietler, photos by Kadu Pinhiero
Panasonic 7-14mm F4 lens review, with amazing photos using the GH4 from Cocos Island

Many people ask me which lens they should use for big animal destinations like Cocos, Malpelo, Socorro or the Galapagos Islands. A fisheye lens can often be too wide, while a mid-range zoom lens often doesn't do some of these stunning animals justice. Kadu Pinheiro, one of South America's best known underwater photographers, shows us what can be done when using the right focal length.

Reviews: 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Scott Gietler is the owner of Bluewater Photo, Bluewater Travel, and the Underwater Photography Guide. Bluewater Photo, based in Culver City, CA is one of the world’s largest and most prestigious underwater camera stores, serving many thousands of customers each year, where nothing is more important than customer service. The Underwater Photography Guide is the world’s first website to feature free tutorials on underwater photography, and has become the most trafficked resource on underwater photography worldwide. Bluewater Travel is a full-service dive travel wholesaler sending groups and individuals on the world’s best dive vacations. 

Scott is also an avid diver, underwater photographer, and budding marine biologist, having created the online guide to the underwater flora and fauna of Southern California. He is the past vice-president of the Los Angeles Underwater Photographic Society, has volunteered extensively at the Santa Monica aquarium, and is the creator of the Ocean Art underwater photo competition, one of the largest underwater international photo competitions ever held in terms of value of prizes. He lives in California with his wife, newborn girl and scuba-diving, photo taking 4 year old son.

Follow Scott on Facebook or Instagram.

SUPPORT THE UNDERWATER PHOTOGRAPHY GUIDE:

The Best Service & Prices on u/w Photo Gear

 

Visit Bluewater Photo & Video for all your underwater photography and video gear. Click, or call the team at (310) 633-5052 for expert advice!

 


The Best Pricing, Service & Expert Advice to Book your Dive Trips

 

Bluewater Travel is your full-service scuba travel agency. Let our expert advisers plan and book your next dive vacation. Run by divers, for divers.

 


New Nauticam CMC-1 Wet Diopter Specifically Designed for Compact & Mirrorless Cameras
By UWPG News

Nauticam Compact Macro Converter 1

UWPG News
New Nauticam CMC-1 Wet Diopter Specifically Designed for Compact & Mirrorless Cameras

Nauticam previewed their Compact Macro Converter 1 (CMC-1) at DEMA this past November (2014), and the new diopter is now available. This macro wet diopter is optimized for use with compact and mirrorless interchangeable lens cameras, providing the magnification needed to shoot the smallest critters on your dive trips.

The CMC-1 provides more magnification than the SMC with all compatible compact camera systems for which it was designed.

Reviews: 

SUPPORT THE UNDERWATER PHOTOGRAPHY GUIDE:

The Best Service & Prices on u/w Photo Gear

 

Visit Bluewater Photo & Video for all your underwater photography and video gear. Click, or call the team at (310) 633-5052 for expert advice!

 


The Best Pricing, Service & Expert Advice to Book your Dive Trips

 

Bluewater Travel is your full-service scuba travel agency. Let our expert advisers plan and book your next dive vacation. Run by divers, for divers.

 


Underwater Photos from Canon's 100mm Macro Lens on Full Frame
By Brent Durand

Photos & Overview: Canon 100mm f/2.8L Macro Lens

Brent Durand
Underwater Photos from Canon's 100mm Macro Lens on Full Frame

 

Photos & Overview: Canon 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM Lens


Underwater Photos from Canon's 100mm Macro Lens on Full Frame

Text and Photos By Brent Durand

 

 

Reviews: 

SUPPORT THE UNDERWATER PHOTOGRAPHY GUIDE:

The Best Service & Prices on u/w Photo Gear

 

Visit Bluewater Photo & Video for all your underwater photography and video gear. Click, or call the team at (310) 633-5052 for expert advice!

 


The Best Pricing, Service & Expert Advice to Book your Dive Trips

 

Bluewater Travel is your full-service scuba travel agency. Let our expert advisers plan and book your next dive vacation. Run by divers, for divers.

 


Comparing sharpness, deciding which is better for your full-frame camera
By Scott Gietler

Sigma 15mm and Tokina fisheye on full-frame cameras

Sigma 15mm & Tokina 10-17mm fisheye for full-frame
Scott Gietler
Comparing sharpness, deciding which is better for your full-frame camera

The Tokina 10-17mm fisheye lens is by far the most popular lens choice for underwater photographers who own a cropped-sensor dSLR and want to do wide-angle underwater photography.

For full-frame shootings using a camera like a Nikon D800 or a Canon 5D Mark II or Mark III, the Sigma 15mm fisheye is often chosen over the Nikon 16mm or the Canon 15mm fisheye lenses, because of its great close-focusing ability.

Reviews: 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Scott Gietler is the owner of Bluewater Photo, Bluewater Travel, and the Underwater Photography Guide. Bluewater Photo, based in Culver City, CA is one of the world’s largest and most prestigious underwater camera stores, serving many thousands of customers each year, where nothing is more important than customer service. The Underwater Photography Guide is the world’s first website to feature free tutorials on underwater photography, and has become the most trafficked resource on underwater photography worldwide. Bluewater Travel is a full-service dive travel wholesaler sending groups and individuals on the world’s best dive vacations. 

Scott is also an avid diver, underwater photographer, and budding marine biologist, having created the online guide to the underwater flora and fauna of Southern California. He is the past vice-president of the Los Angeles Underwater Photographic Society, has volunteered extensively at the Santa Monica aquarium, and is the creator of the Ocean Art underwater photo competition, one of the largest underwater international photo competitions ever held in terms of value of prizes. He lives in California with his wife, newborn girl and scuba-diving, photo taking 4 year old son.

Follow Scott on Facebook or Instagram.

SUPPORT THE UNDERWATER PHOTOGRAPHY GUIDE:

The Best Service & Prices on u/w Photo Gear

 

Visit Bluewater Photo & Video for all your underwater photography and video gear. Click, or call the team at (310) 633-5052 for expert advice!

 


The Best Pricing, Service & Expert Advice to Book your Dive Trips

 

Bluewater Travel is your full-service scuba travel agency. Let our expert advisers plan and book your next dive vacation. Run by divers, for divers.

 


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