Rear lens cap for CMC-1

The CMC is an extremely powerful super-macro accessory lens optimized for use with both fixed-lens compact, mirrorless interchangeable lens, and DSLR cameras. Part of Nauticam's in-house lineup of wet and dry optics, these accessory lenses are purpose built and rigorously tested to outperform any other optics on the market. Introducing CMC-1 Smaler, lighter, stronger While the Nauticam Super Macro Converter (SMC) design inspired the development of the Compact Macro Converter, the CMC is actually more powerful. The CMC provides more magnification than the 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 RX100V as an example, the 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 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 a +15 Diopter or stronger would be required, but no +15 Diopter lens can match the overall image quality of CMC-1. This is achieved while maintaining the smallest size and weight possible. Breakthroug 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 through water. Thanks to Edward Lai, Managing Director of Nauticam, the CMC-1 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. Uncompromised optical Quality The CMC-1 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 or 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. The CMC-1 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 M43 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. Optimized for Autofocus By utilizing a specially developed algorithm in the optimization process, the CMC-1 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-1 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. 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-1 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, 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. Flip lens holders, available to suit most Nauticam housings and lens ports, provide the fastest and most convenient lens mount possible. The lens is always threaded in place, and available to be flipped down as needed.

INTRODUCING CMC-2 The CMC-1 became the benchmark other lenses are measured against with extremely high magnification and overall sharpness. The CMC-2 is a follow-up designed to give photographers using compact systems more magnification choices without sacrificing quality. New underwater photographers, or new system owners, will appreciate an easier-to-use lens with more accurate autofocus performance than stronger lenses can offer. More experienced users will find that CMC-2 is an ideal companion to CMC-1, allowing the perfect lens to be selected based on the subject size. IMPROVED SHARPNESS During pre-production testing we noticed a stunning increase in overall image sharpness when comparing shots taken with CMC-2 to those behind a flat port with no accessory lens whatsoever. It became clear that with both compact cameras at full telephoto and mirrorless interchangeable lens systems the conversion lens markedly improved overall sharpness. This is counterintuitive, as conventional wisdom implies that any conversion lens reduces image quality. In this case, the flat port degrades overall sharpness, and the optical correction offered by the CMC-2 restores it. Simply put – an image taken underwater with CMC-2 is sharper than the same image taken with no accessory lens mounted. These are true water-contact corrective optics! 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-2 takes a radically different approach: hundreds of engineering hours utilizing computer software to model an accessory 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. UNCOMPROMISING OPTICAL QUALITY The CMC-2, like all Nauticam Macro Converters, 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-reflective 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. STUNNING MAGNIFICATION The CMC-2 is the less powerful of the two Nauticam Macro Converters designed for compact cameras, but magnification when compared to the capabilities of these cameras with no accessory lens is still very impressive. As an example, the popular Sony RX100V can capture an image area 160mm (6.3 in.) wide at its full telephoto zoom position at its minimum focus distance. With the addition of CMC-2, that image area is reduced to 55mm (2.2 in) wide. CMC-1 brings the minimum focus distance even closer, allowing a captured frame 36mm (1.4 in) wide. OPTIMIZED FOR AUTOFOCUS By utilizing a specially developed algorithm in the lens design process, the CMC-2 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-2 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. MOUNTING, AND USING THE CMC-2 The CMC-2 ships with the common 67mm threaded lens mount. The lens has a protruding rear 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-2 directly to an underwater housing, and is included with the lens. Flip and Bayonet Lens Mounts are available as accessories. MOUNTING CONFIGURATIONS The same Nauticam bayonet system designed with the Wet Wide Lens (WWL-1) is also compatible with CMC-2. (P/N 81302). The bayonet mounting system is the attachment method of choice for shooting both macro and wide angle on the same dive. Nothing beats the convenience of flip adaptors, allowing the accessory lenses to be flipped in place when needed, and conveniently swung out of the way for normal lens shooting. A flip adaptor is the best mounting system for macro only dives, or camera systems that don't support macro and wide angle lenses on the same dive (such as Canon G7X Mark II) The new M67 Double Flip Holder for M67 Macro Ports, P/N 25108 allows both CMC-1 and CMC-2 to be used on the same dive for multiple macro framing options. A WORD ON MAGNIFICATION The industry standard macro lens magnification measure is a dioptric power, but we don't feel that is actually that useful. Dioptric numbers can be misleading. They are often multiple lenses stacked together, and the resulting stack doesn't always yield the power of its individual components. In an attempt to make the power and utility of these lenses less confusing, we offer a simplified magnification factor. CMC-2 offers 2.8x magnification (as an average) with compact cameras currently supported by Nauticam housings. For comparison, CMC-1 results in 4.5x average magnification.