Sony GM Wide Angle lenses

Massimo Franzese · Issue 139, Jul/Aug 2024 · pp. 41–44

Products mentioned: Sony 14mm f/1.8 GM, Sony 16-35mm f/2.8 GM II, Zen DP230 dome port, Nauticam Wide angle port 180mm, Tokina 10-17mm, Tamron 17-28mm, Sea & Sea corrector

Rectilinear lenses are frequently associated with problems within the underwater photographer community. Many times fisheye lenses that are not mainstream success become cult lenses underwater, like the Tokina 10-17mm for cropped sensor. We ask ourselves would it get any better if I get a really good topside lens? Is it worth housing it? Unfortunately this is not that simple and it is due to water. The water glass interface makes things complicated and many people, even respectable photographers, don’t get their head around the physics of dome ports and the drawbacks. It is probably helpful to have a recap of few key features of dome ports: 1. Preserve field of view of the lens 2. Do not introduce distortion 3. Cause the camera to focus much closer than in air 4. Increase depth of field 5. Introduce spherical aberrations and field of curvature The first two points require your dome to be…