Nauticam Nikon Z50 Underwater Housing

Top Recommended Nauticam Nikon Z50 Configurations:

The Nikon Z50 is an interesting camera to say the least. If used properly, it promises unmatched quality from an underwater APS-C camera. But being Nikon's first mirrorless APS-C offering, it does come with some considerations when configuring the camera. With the Nauticam Z50 housing there are two distinct routes that you can take when shooting wide angle and macro photography underwater: 

1. The Z mount route - Nikon created it's Z mount lenses in order to have a shorter flange distance which yields better detail in the edges of the image.Unfortunately there are currently no viable wide angle or macro options for DX (APS-C) Z mount systems. That being, said there is still a way to take Z mount lenses underwater and get great results. The Nikkor Z DX 16-50 mm is a great mid rangle lens that allows for versatility underwater. Not only does it take great mid range photos, but you can add wet lenses to the system to get great wide angle and macro images. We recommend the Nauticam WWL-1 to shoot great wide angle photos and the Bluewater +7 for macro.

1. The F mount route - Nikon's traditional F mount lenses work great with the Nikon Z50. In order to adapt them to the Z mount, you need to use an FTZ adapter. This will not hinder auto focusing ability at all. Going this route allows you to use a wide range of F mount glass and enjoy those benefits topside as well. However, there is less versatility and ability to swith lenses underwater as you would have with wet lenses. It's important for us to note - the popular Tokina 10-17mm dx lens unfortuantely does not work with the FTZ adapter. Therefor, we recommend using the Nikon 8-15mm fisheye lens. Although it's an FX lens, the image quality is amazing the zoom capability comes in handy - though you won't be able to use the true circular fisheye at 8mm due to crop factor. Both the Nikon 60mm and 105mm macro lenses work great for macro with the Nikon Z50.  We used all of these configurations in our review of the Nikon Z50 on the Underwater Photography Guide.

Recommended Underwater Lenses with the FTZ Adapter

Although the Nikon Z50 is equipped with a Z mount, there are currently no good DX (cropped sensor) Z mount lens options for underwater photography. We recommend purchasing a Nikon FTZ adapter and using it with F mount lenses (this works seamlessly). Unfortunately the popular Tokina 10-17mm fisheye lens does not currently work with the Nikon Z50.

Macro

• Nikon 60mm 2.8G Macro: Great all around lens and especially great for blackwater diving
• Nikon 105mm 2.8G VR Macro: Great for small and shy subjects, giving you more working room than the 60mm and essential for super macro. You will get even more working room than normal on the Z50, with an approximately 150 mm full frame equivalent focal length; even better for shy subjects, but difficult for larger macro subjects
• Nauticam Super Macro Converter: the Nauticam super macro converter (SMC-1) is a wet diopter perfect for taking sharp super macro images. In fact, it is the strongest, sharpest diopter on the market. For the best super macro results, use it with the Nikon 105 mm 2.8G VR lens. 

Wide Angle Fisheye

• Nikon 8-15mm: Get creative with the full circular image, or zoom in for a more standard fisheye lens. Read the Nikon 8-15mm FX AF-S f/3.5-4.5E ED Zoom Fisheye Review by Mark B. Hatter. We used this lens for our review. Please note this is a full frame lens, so there is some crop when used with the Nikon Z50. Although it's an excellent fisheye lens, you can't zoom out as far as a circular field of view.
• Nikon 16mm 2.8 Fisheye: Also a great lens, and a popular choice for full-frame 

Wide Angle Rectilinear

• Nikon 16-35mm 4.0: Great for large animals and extremely sharp lens, but requires a larger dome to get sharp images. Keep in mind that on the Z50 it will act like a 24 mm equivalent lens, which rules it out for much wide angle shooting

Sample Underwater Images:

Nikon Z50, 8-15mm Fisheye, f/18, 1/160, ISO 100

 

School of Goatfish Maui, Hawaii. Nikon Z50, 8-15mm Fisheye, f/9, 1/125, ISO 100

 

 

Red Pencil Urchin closeup, Maui Hawaii. f/14, 1/160, ISO 100

 

 

White Stripe Cleaner Shrimp Maui Hawaii. f/20, 1/200, ISO 100

 

 

Nikon Z50, 8-15mm Fisheye, f/18, 1/160, ISO 100