Nauticam MFO-1

Byron Conroy · Issue 144, May/Jun 2025 · pp. 24–27

Products mentioned: Nauticam MFO-1, Nauticam SMC-1, Nauticam SMC-2, Nauticam Wide Angle Conversion Port, Nauticam Fisheye Conversion Port, Kraken +6, Sony 90mm macro lens, Nauticam Bayonet Mount

There was a time in underwater photography when adding a new lens was the best way to introduce variety into your portfolio. However, in recent years—primarily due to Nauticam—we’ve seen the rise of water contact optics. These are additions to existing lenses that can alter their optical characteristics. Macro diopters like the SMC- 1 and SMC-2 brought unprecedented magnification and image quality. Then came a wave of more complex wide-angle water contact optics, such as the Wide Angle Conversion Port (1 and 2) and the newer Fisheye Conversion Port, which transformed wide-angle zoom lenses. In the macro world, the SMC-1 and SMC-2 initially allowed for incredibly unique shots. But as a dedicated macro shooter, I found myself using these lenses less and less. They aren’t particularly versatile, with a very limited range of subjects they work well for. I began gravitating toward weaker alte…