Sea & Sea DX-2G Underwater Camera Review
Macro & Wide-Angle capability
The Sea & Sea DX 2G has a wider lens (24mm) than most other advanced compact cameras on the market and with the available Sea & Sea bayonet mount wide angle (19mm) conversion wet lens you have the ability to get very capture larger subjects at closer distance allowing for better color and detail and scenic reef and wreck photographs. If wide angle is important to you the DX 2G gives you fantastic wide angle capability, other comparable camera systems can only offer 24mm even with the addition of accessory lenses.
Wide Angle Third Party Options
The best option that I have found so far to increase the wide angle ability (the camera lens WA is 24mm) for the DX 2G to a super wide 16mm is the addition of the FIX UWL-04 Fisheye lens. The only way to use other manufacture's lenses is to make an adapter because the DX 2G housing have a priority bayonet system designed to fit their products. When using the FIX UWL-04 I had to bump the cameras zoom 1x to get rid of the dark corners (vignetting) though but the results are still make a major difference over the Sea & Sea 19mm wide angle wet lens.
By using the adapter ring for the Sea & Sea 125 close-up lens with a 62mm-52mm step-down ring I was able to create lens custom adapter that allowed a Sea & Sea bayonet mount to be added to the FIX UWL-04 Fisheye wet lens. Because of the bayonet mount the lens is easily removed or added underwater as needed. A Sea & Sea lens caddy attached to the systems tray or arms keeps lens safe and out of the way when not attached to the housing.
Sea & Sea DX-2G with Fisheye lens attached
Sea & Sea DX-2G with no wet lens attached
Sea & Sea DX-2G with Sea & Sea wide-angle lens attached
Sea & Sea DX-2G with Fisheye lens attached – best option!
Sea & Sea DX-2G Macro capability
The Sea & Sea DX 2G has the ability to focus a 1cm (1/2”) to capture small subjects making this a great camera for macro and super macro photography, with the optional Sea & Sea 125 coated glass multi element close up lens you have the ability to capture the really small opportunities at almost a 2:1 magnification or to really focus in close on a subject to isolate it from a background. The 125 close up lens requires a ring adapter that cost extra to mount to the front of the DX 2G housing.
The focus distance is so small that you may need to back off of your subject and use the cameras zoom to give your self enough distance to position your strobes to light your subject. If using the cameras onboard flash Sea & Sea makes a macro diffuser that attaches to the front of the camera but you still need to allow enough space for lighting or you will get a shadow form the barrel of the lens.
Sea & Sea DX-2G at closest focus distance, zoomed out
Sea & Sea DX-2G macro, closest focus, zoomed in 2x
Sea & Sea DX-2G macro test, closest focus, zoomed in 4x. These tests results are great, much better close-focus capability when zoomed in than the Canon compacts – good when you need extra working distance.
Topside Photography
The actual camera that is used in the Sea & Sea DX 2G system is manufactured a Ricoh (GX 200). This is a fantastic and fun camera for topside photography when you find that you can’t be in the water. Ricoh has available add on lenses, a 19mm ultra wide conversion lens DW-6 and a 135mm telephoto conversion lens TC-1, you will need the HA-2 adapter to use either of these options.
DX 2G review intro
Main characteristics of the Sea & Sea DX 2G Underwater Camera
Some technical features on the sea & Sea DX 2G Underwater Camera
