News

Nauticam is shipping the Wet Wide Lens for Compact Cameras (WWL-C), which—despite the name—is compatible with selected mirrorless Micro Four Thirds and mirrorless APS-C housings as well as those for compact cameras. Compatible cameras include the Sony RX100 series, Canon PowerShot G5X Mark II and G7X series, Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX100 series, and Olympus Tough TG-5/TG-6.

The WWL-C is an alternative version of the WWL-1. While the WWL-1 is designed to give cameras featuring a 28mm equivalent lens (including full-frame, Micro Four Thirds, and compact cameras) a 130º field of view, the new lens provides the same 130º field of view but for cameras with 24mm equivalent lenses. Both the WWL-1 and WWL-C offer zoom-through and extreme close focus capabilities. 

The WWL-C is designed around Nauticam’s new Bayonet Mount II system, which replaces the company’s original bayonet mount. Various adapters, converters and holders using the Bayonet Mount II are replacing the original versions. There’s also a new Bayonet Mount Converter for the Olympus PT-058 and PT-059 housings that allow you to use the WWL-C with the TG-5 and TG-6.

Shipping now, the WWL-C retails for $1,035 and is available from Backscatter.
 

When purchasing underwater photography equipment like the products mentioned in this article, please support DPG by supporting our retail partner—Backscatter.com.

PRODUCT INFORMATION

WET WIDE LENS FOR COMPACT CAMERAS (WWL-C)
130 Deg. FOV with Compatible 24mm Lenses

The next evolution of the WWL-1 is here! As the versatility and capability of compact cameras increases, Nauticam has developed a smaller and lighter water contact wide angle lens tailored specifically to the compact camera user. Designed from the ground up to match the compact camera's form factor without sacrificing optical quality, the WWL-C is a powerful addition to not only Nauticam compact housings but also, via an optional adapter, to those from other manufacturers such as the Olympus TG-6 and their PT-059 housing.

INTRODUCING WET WIDE LENS FOR COMPACT CAMERAS (WWL-C)

With the original Wet Wide Lens, the WWL-1, Nauticam used computer aided lens design software to create an underwater-specific corrective lens that allowed for an unprecedented 130º field-of-view with full zoom-through optics and extreme close focus capabilities. The WWL-1 wasn't just for higher end cameras that already benefitted from interchangeable lenses to attain better image quality, the WWL-1 was designed to work with a variety of cameras that featured a 28mm equivalent lens including compacts and micro-four thirds. 

Delivering a stunningly sharp 130º field-of-view with 24mm equivalent lenses, the WWL-C also features zoom-through capable optics.** The WWL-C features a pre-installed metal buoyancy collar and a non-removable metal dome shade.  

The WWL-C will also feature an updated quick-release Bayonet Mount. Lenses that feature the new Bayonet Mount II will not be compatible with previous Bayonet Mount adapters but all Bayonet Mount lenses will be able to be used with the new Bayonet Mount II Bayonet Mount Adapters without modification.  

In the sidebar you will find a list of anticipated housing compatibility along with the supported focal-length range as well as the necessary port configuration for the Bayonet Mount II standard.

COMPACT HOUSINGS

The WWL-C is designed around the 24mm focal length which is commonly the widest focal length for fixed-lens compact cameras. While the WWL-1 was also able to deliver 130º field-of-view it required that the camera's lens be zoomed in slightly to 28mm. With the WWL-C, there's no more need to zoom to avoid vignette! This also means that more of the camera's zoom range is available.  

The new NA-TG6 (17816) for the Olympus Tough TG-5 and TG-6 cameras is WWL-C ready out-of-the-box as it comes with the new Bayonet Mount II converter pre-installed. With the TG-5 and TG-6 the WWL-C allows for use of the 25-100mm zoom range!

For those compact housings with the N50 interchangeable port system, there are new short ports with Bayonet Mount II adapters pre-installed.

Configurations for some of the latest models:

• Sony RX100 VII in the NA-RX100VII use (38705) N50 Short Port 17 with Bayonet Mount with a usable zoom range of 24-30mm
• Canon PowerShot G5X Mark II in the NA-G5XII use (38703) N50 Short Port 25 with Bayonet Mount with a usable zoom range of 24-50mm
• Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX100 II in the NA-LX100II use (38704) N50 Short Port 22 with Bayonet Mount with a usable zoom range of 24-30mm

Complete configurations for all supported models can be found on the Port Chart for the WWL-C.

MIRRORLESS M4/3 HOUSINGS

The WWL-C is not just for compact cameras! The Panasonic LUMIX G VARIO 12-32mm F3.5-5.6 ASPH. MEGA O.I.S. lens, when used with (36165) N85 Power zoom macro port 29 and the (83250) M67 to bayonet converter II allows for the use of the full 12-32mm zoom range.

The recommended port configuration can be found here.

MIRRORLESS APS-C HOUSINGS

Sony, Canon, Nikon and Fuji Mirrorless APS-C can all benefit from the WWL-C. The Sony SELP1650 E PZ 16-50mm F3.5-5.6 OSS offers excellent performance from 17-50mm with only slight vignetting at 16mm. The compact size of the WWL-C works in tandem with the low profile series of Nauticam housing for Sony's E-mount APS-C series of cameras such as the NA-A6600 and NA-A6400 to provide a travel-friendly package that doesn't compromise optical quality.

The recommended port configuration for this can be found here.

ADAPTER FOR OLYMPUS PT058/PT059 HOUSINGS

Using the WWL-C with the Olympus PT058 and PT059 Housings for their Tough TG-5 and TG-6 cameras is now also an option with the (83256) Bayonet Mount Converter for Olympus PT058/059. 

SKU # 83203
$ 1,035.00