Bluewater unveils the Nauticam SMC-3 Super Macro Converter, an underwater lens for extreme close-up shots.
Underwater Macro Photography Revolution: Meet the Nauticam SMC-3
Dive into the fascinating world of macro photography with the latest offering from Nauticam, the SMC-3 Super Macro Converter. This incredible piece of gear takes underwater photography to new heights, delivering exceptional magnification, image quality, and user-friendly performance.
What's So Great About the SMC-3?
- Extreme Close-Ups: With a magnification factor of 2.3x, the SMC-3 allows you to snap breathtaking shots of the smallest underwater creatures you encounter. This is perfect for filling the frame with a subject as small as 15.6mm x 10.4mm when combined with a full-frame camera and a 100mm or 105mm macro lens.
- Sharp Focus, Stunning Images: The SMC-3's precision-crafted, low-dispersion optical glass guarantees sharp, high-contrast images with accurate color rendition. It minimizes chromatic aberrations, coma, spherical aberration, and field deformation, all contributing to crisp, edge-to-edge detail.
- Travel-Friendly: The SMC-3 is lighter (33% lighter than the SMC-1) and more compact, making it easier to handle during your dives and perfect for packing for your next adventure.
- Working Distance Improvements: Enjoy more room to maneuver with an 8mm increase in working distance compared to the SMC-1. This not only provides more space for lighting but also reduces the risk of spooking skittish subjects.
- Built to Last: Like all Nauticam products, the SMC-3 is rugged, durable, and built to withstand the harsh conditions of the underwater environment. It's housed in a hard-anodized aluminum casing and nitrogen-purged to prevent fogging.
- Versatile: The SMC-3 integrates seamlessly into your existing underwater photography setup, working alongside a wide range of macro lenses and Nauticam underwater housings.
Setting the SMC-3 Apart
Unlike traditional macro converters created for in-air use, the SMC-3 is uniquely optimized for underwater photography, taking into account the refractive properties of water. This results in significantly improved image quality and sharpness, especially at the edges of the frame, compared to other underwater macro converters. Additionally, the SMC-3's high magnification, extended working distance, and compact design set it apart from the competition, making it a top choice for dedicated underwater photographers.
Compatible Lenses
The SMC-3 has been tested to work flawlessly with the following lenses (more will be added soon):
- Nikon AF-S VR Micro-NIKKOR 105mm f/2.8G IF-ED
- Nikon NIKKOR Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S Macro
- Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM
- Canon RF 100mm f/2.8 L Macro IS USM
- Canon RF 85mm f/2 Macro IS STM
- Sony FE 90mm f/2.8 Macro G OSS
- Olympus M. Zuiko Digital ED 60mm f/2.8 Macro
- Panasonic LEICA DG MACRO-ELMARIT 45mm F2.8 ASPH. EGA O.I.S.
The Nauticam SMC-3 will be available from Bluewaterphoto in Nov 2024 for $562.
A Step Above the SMC-1
While specific comparisons between the SMC-3 and its predecessor, the SMC-1, are scarce, general user discussions and reviews highlight several key improvements and differences that set the SMC-3 apart. The SMC-3 offers a more advanced optical formula, better ergonomics, and compatibility with newer housings and lens ports, along with improved sharpness and reduced chromatic aberration, especially at higher magnification ranges. It's designed for use with cameras in the 90–200 mm focal length range, whereas the SMC-1 was typically used for shorter focal lengths and less magnified macro work.
In summary, the Nauticam SMC-3 offers higher magnification, superior sharpness, and improved optical and build quality compared to the SMC-1, making it the go-to choice for serious underwater macro photographers. Get ready to capture even the tiniest marine life in stunning clarity!
- The SMC-3 Super Macro Converter from Nauticam, designed for underwater photography, offers breathtaking close-ups, with a magnification factor of 2.3x, ideal for capturing minuscule underwater creatures.
- The SMC-3's precision-crafted optical glass ensures sharp, high-contrast images with accurate color rendition, reducing chromatic aberrations and spherical aberration for crisp, edge-to-edge detail.
- The SMC-3 is more travel-friendly, being lighter and more compact, making it easier to handle during dives and perfect for packing for your next underwater photography adventure.
- Enjoy more room to maneuver with an 8mm increase in working distance compared to the SMC-1, providing more space for lighting and reducing the risk of spooking skittish subjects.
- The SMC-3, like all Nautican products, is rugged, durable, and built to withstand the harsh conditions of the underwater environment, with a hard-anodized aluminum casing and nitrogen-purged prevention of fogging.
