Compact Macro Converter Lens, CMC-1

The Finest Macro Accessory Lens for Compact and Mirrorless

Nauticam is pleased to officially unveil the second installment of a growing family of optical products, CMC-1. The CMC is an extremely powerful super macro accessory lens optimized for use with both fixed lens compact and mirrorless interchangeable lens cameras.

Smaller, Lighter, Stronger

While the Nauticam Super Macro Converter (SMC) design inspired the development of the Compact Macro Converter, the new lens is actually more powerful. The CMC provides more magnification than SMC with all compatible compact camera systems for which it was designed.  

As expected, the CMC  provides more magnification than any compact camera tested can achieve on its own, and does so with improved working distance. This combination makes CMC ideal for tiny, skittish subjects. Using the popular RX100 Mk III as an example, CMC-1 results in a magnification of 2.3X the smallest subject the camera is capable of photographing with no accessory lens (34.5mm v 80mm), and it does so with 1.4X the working distance (56mm v 80mm).  

Results with the new Canon G7X are even more stunning, providing 3.0X magnification at approximately 2.4X the working distance. To achieve the same image sizes with sealed magnifying lenses +15 Diopter or stronger would be required, but no +15 Diopter lens can match the overall image quality of CMC-1. All while maintaining the smallest size and weight possible; a real plus for photographers in and out of the water.

Breakthrough Lens Design

Prior to the development of the Nauticam accessory macro conversion lenses, achieving “super macro” underwater meant using tools that were designed for in air use. These tools simply do not take into account the physics of shooting in water.

Thanks to Edward Lai, Managing Director of Nauticam, the CMC takes a radically different approach: hundreds of engineering hours utilizing computer software to model a lens that complements an entire system – camera, lens, port, air, and water – as a whole. This accounts for the critical air-water interfaces in a conversion lens design to achieve the best image quality possible. The improvements are stunning, measurable and a new standard in underwater macro imaging has been established with the Macro Converter family.

Uncompromised Optical Quality

The Compact Macro Converter is constructed from lenses precision crafted of specially formulated low dispersion optical grade glass, ground to the most demanding standards. This means greater sharpness and contrast on every shot and extraordinary resolution rivaling a macro lens used in air.

Broadband anti-refective coatings effectively reduce common optical issues such as chromatic aberrations, coma, spherical aberration, and field deformation associated with underwater macro photography using traditional magnifying lenses. This means superior light transmission, accurate color and no distortion and vignetting in the most demanding situations.

These exceptional optics are assembled in a rugged hard anodized aluminum housing, and nitrogen purged during assembly to eliminate fogging.

“Very impressive sharpness throughout the usable range on both the G7X and RX100 Mk III that I used it with. Impressively strong magnification in a compact unit.” -Dr Alex Tattersall, http://www.nauticamuk.com

Stunning Magnification

The CMC is compatible with a variety of camera systems, but the most impressive increase in magnification comes when paired with the Olympus M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 60mm f/2.8 Macro Lens for Micro Four Thirds Systems. This combination achieves a 2:1 reproduction ratio. This translates into an image 8.5mm X 6.3MM, and one of the most powerful macro imaging systems available in the market today.

“Clarity of IQ speaks for itself. The perfect high quality complement to the high quality sensors in today’s compact cameras."
-Dr. Alex Tattersall, http://www.nauticamuk.com

Optimized for Autofocus

By utilizing a specially developed algorithm in the optimization process, the CMC renders superior image quality over the full focusing range of the camera lens. This, combined with the high brightness and contrast of the image, allows the autofocus system of the camera to work well - often better than less powerful close focus lenses. Just as important are the out-of-focus (Bokeh) portions of the image that exhibit the same creamy smooth quality that photographers appreciate when shooting macro in air - all without color fringing common to traditional magnifying lenses.

Avoiding Diffraction

Due to the overall superior optical performance and precision focus of the CMC it is possible to shoot larger apertures with excellent image quality. This avoids reaching the diffraction limit of high resolution sensors, and allows selective focus effects with narrow depth of field in super macro images.

Also Compatible with Nikon AF-S 60mm Macro

While designed with compact cameras in mind, compatibility with larger formats has proven to be possible in some cases.  Nikon AF-S 60mm Macro (not compatible with the earlier SMC-1) provides 1.5 : 1 Reproduction Ratio when with combined CMC-1. Image quality is excellent, even when used with full frame systems. This combination is extremely versatile, covering fish portraits, 1:1 macro, and now 1.5:1 super macro on the same dive!

Mounting and Using the CMC

The Compact Macro Converter ships with the common 67mm threaded lens mount. CMC-1 is has a protruding rear lens element, designed to place the  accessory optic as close to the camera lens port as is possible, providing the best overall image quality when used with flip lens adapters. A flush mount adapter ring is used when attaching CMC-1 directly to an underwater housing, and is included with the lens.

Features

Standard 67mm Thread

The CMC-1 ships with the common 67mm threaded lens mount. The CMC-1 has a protruding rear lens element, designed to place the accessory optic as close to the camera lens port as is possible. A flush mount adapter ring is used when attaching CMC-1 directly to an underwater housing, and is included with the lens.

Bayonet Mount Compatible

The CMC-1 is compatible with the Bayonet Mount System. Using the adapter, the CMC can be quickly attached or removed using the elegant and efficient Bayonet Mount System.

Incredible Magnification

The CMC-1 can achieve stunning magnification ranging from 2x to 3x depending on the camera/lens combination used. It achieves this while maintaining a better working distance than other competing lenses.

Accessories 

Video

Nauticam WWL-1 Bayonet Install Guide from Nauticam on Vimeo.