Nauticam EMWL (Extended Macro Wide Lens)

Manufacturer: Nauticam Type: modular wet-mount macro-wide lens system Designer: Edward Lai (Nauticam founder) Year introduced: 2020 Price range: ~$4,000–$6,000 USD (complete system depending on configuration)

Overview

The Nauticam EMWL (Extended Macro Wide Lens) is a modular underwater optical system designed for extreme Wide Angle Macro (WAM) photography — a technique where small subjects are photographed at macro magnification ratios while simultaneously capturing a wide-angle background. No equivalent product exists from any other manufacturer. The system allows photographers to fill a significant portion of the frame with a nudibranch or blenny while simultaneously showing a diver, reef, or open water in the background — perspectives previously impossible to achieve (^[1]).

The EMWL was designed by Edward Lai, who also created Nauticam’s WACP and SMC/CMC optics. Like those products, it uses multi-element corrected glass designed specifically for the underwater environment. Unlike them, it is not a single optic but a three-component modular system that can be assembled, disassembled, and reconfigured underwater (^[2]).

Design and Components

The EMWL consists of three modular components connected via Nauticam’s bayonet mounting system:

Focusing Unit

The focusing unit attaches to the camera’s macro port and interfaces optically with the camera’s macro lens. It contains 6 glass elements in 3 groups. Three focusing units exist, each optimized for specific camera/lens combinations (^[3]):

• Unit 87201 — For Nikon AF-S VR Micro Nikkor 105mm f/2.8G IF-ED and Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 60mm f/2.8 Macro
• Unit 87202 — For Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM and Canon EF-S 60mm f/2.8 Macro USM
• Unit 87203 — For Sony FE 90mm f/2.8 Macro G OSS

Lens adapters (Nikon FTZ, Canon EF to EOS R, Sigma MC-21) can be used, and autofocus is fully maintained — described by Nauticam as “a significant advantage compared to other available relay lenses” (^[4]).

Relay Lens (87211)

The relay lens connects between the focusing unit and the objective lens. It contains 14 glass elements in 10 groups. Its primary function is to correct the inverted image produced by the objective lenses, relaying a properly oriented image back to the camera sensor. It is 150mm in length and 62mm at its widest point (^[5]).

The relay lens is optional. Some photographers prefer to omit it — reducing system length, weight, and cost (~$1,380 USD) — and instead work with the inverted image. Alex Mustard reported he “generally prefer[s] using the lens with the flipped viewfinder, rather than the central relay section” as it makes the system “considerably shorter and saves travel weight.” He also described shooting “blind” — pointing the lens at subjects without looking through the viewfinder — because “you are so close and the view is so wide that it is almost impossible to miss” (^[6]). Isaac Szabo has used the EMWL exclusively without the relay, noting a slight image quality benefit from the reduced element count (^[7]).

The relay also serves a practical function: its length keeps the photographer and their exhaust bubbles further from the subject, reducing disturbance of skittish animals (^[8]).

Objective Lenses

Four interchangeable objective lenses provide different fields of view. All focus as close as the front element with the correct settings (^[9]):

The 160-Degree Objective (2022)

The 160-degree objective lens was introduced in 2022 as the widest option in the system. Alex Mustard field-tested a production-ready prototype at God’s Pocket Resort in British Columbia, Canada, in September 2022. His assessment was unambiguous: “It just took one dive to convince me about the 160. In the water, I loved the angle of view I was getting and the shots it produced. And once I downloaded them and looked at them in detail back in the Resort, I was sold on the quality. I used the 160 for almost every EMWL shot for the remainder of the trip” (^[10]).

Key advantages of the 160 over the 130:

• Wider field of view places subjects against a broader background
• Smaller front element increases subject-to-frame ratio (subjects appear larger)
• Smaller front element makes lighting easier (less shading)
• Good flare resistance — Mustard encountered no flare issues even shooting into the sun without the lens hood
• Sharpness “excellent” in center and edges with “no noticeable shortfall” compared to the 130

Mustard concluded: “For existing EMWL users – it is an easy yes. The 160 simply makes the EMWL better at what it is designed for. It is a no-brainer” (^[11]).

How It Differs from Traditional Macro

Traditional macro photography isolates small subjects against blurred or black backgrounds. The EMWL places those same subjects within their environment — showing behavioral context, habitat, and other animals. As Nauticam described: “You could fill up most of the frame with a nudibranch and still have room for a diver in the background” (^[12]).

The extended barrel length also provides a practical advantage: photographers can achieve extreme close-up perspectives while keeping their body (and exhaust bubbles) far from the subject. Forum user JimDeck reported that “lizard fish in particular (which take off when you cross that imaginary line by 1mm) tend to stay put” when approached with the EMWL, and even accidentally bumping one with the lens tip did not spook it (^[13]).

The system invites comparison with the Laowa 24mm f/14 Probe Lens, which also produces wide-angle close-focus perspectives. Nauticam published a cost comparison showing the EMWL system at $5,880 versus $4,388 for the Laowa probe setup (Sony full-frame pricing). However, the EMWL offers interchangeable objectives, autofocus, and a wet-mount design allowing removal underwater — advantages the fixed Laowa lens lacks (^[14]).

Technical Challenges

Focus Shift Issue

In early 2022, users reported sharpness problems with still photography. Edward Lai posted a detailed explanation on the Wetpixel forums in April 2022, acknowledging that Nauticam had “overlooked this issue because we had mostly been taking videos with the system during the limited field testing” and that the pandemic prevented field tests for over two years (^[15]).

The root cause: the EMWL requires only minimal focus movement of the macro lens to focus from infinity to extreme close-up. As a result, the normal “focus shift” behavior of macro lenses (where the focal plane shifts slightly when stopping down from wide aperture) is greatly magnified by the EMWL system. Cameras that open the aperture for autofocus and then stop down for exposure introduce a visible focus error (^[16]).

Lai’s recommended solution: use live view, set the target aperture and keep it stopped down, and use manual focus with peaking. He noted that “when you take videos the camera already use live view and closed aperture so this ‘focus shift’ issue doesn’t exist” (^[17]).

Subsequent community testing clarified the situation further:

• DSLRs (Nikon D850): work well because optical viewfinder autofocus is unaffected by the issue (^[18])
• Newer Sony mirrorless (A1, A7R V): work well due to a change in how they handle aperture during autofocus. The Sony A7R V offers “Aperture Drive in AF” modes that keep the aperture stopped down during focus acquisition (^[19])
• Older Sony mirrorless (A7R II): required workarounds, as the camera opens to f/2.8 for AF, where the EMWL’s image quality is too poor for the AF system to lock accurately (^[20])
• Nikon Z cameras: exhibited focus shift issues, but Nauticam developed a fix that Mustard tested successfully in 2023 (^[21])

Floaters and Particles

The multiple glass-to-water interfaces in the modular system can trap particles and micro-bubbles (“floaters”) between elements, appearing as dark spots in images. This was described as a significant issue for video work — one forum member reported that on a “month-long big budget shoot, the newly acquired EMWL setup was determined to be essentially unusable due to them” (^[22]).

Community solutions include:

• A “water jacket” (neoprene sleeve sealed with clean water) developed by user Jan Kepic using a freediving sock (^[23])
• Nauticam’s own sealed water jacket solution (released later)
• Laurent Ballesta was observed using closed-cell PVC foam wrapped around the EMWL with tape, primarily for buoyancy but also helping seal the joints (^[24])
• Assembling the system underwater after removing all air bubbles from joints

Buoyancy Management

The EMWL weighs approximately 1 kg in water and creates significant front-heaviness due to its length and lever arm effect. Photographers use various solutions (^[25], ^[26]):

• Alex Mustard: two 9-inch buoyancy arms up front with three bayonets for objective lens storage
• Dedicated EMWL float collars from eOceans
• Nauticam 90x170mm float arms (450g buoyancy each)
• Stix float systems on arms and port rings
• Custom closed-cell foam wraps

Compatible Cameras and Housings

The EMWL was designed for Nauticam housings but works with other brands via third-party adapters:

• SAGA Dive announced adaptor ports in September 2020 for Seacam and Subal housings, providing Nauticam bayonet mounting on those systems (^[27])
• Aquatica housings can use the EMWL via SAGA adapters (^[28])
• The bayonet mount attaches to any port with a 67mm thread via the Bayonet Mount Converter II, making it compatible with “any housing brand” per Alex Mustard (^[29])

APS-C/crop sensor cameras can use the system but receive a reduced field of view proportional to the crop factor (e.g., 100-degree objective becomes ~76 degrees on Nikon DX) (^[30]).

Wetpixel Live Coverage

The EMWL was extensively covered on the Wetpixel Live YouTube channel:

• September 2020: Alex Mustard and Adam Hanlon unbox the EMWL system and discuss plans for shooting it (^[31])
• November 2020: “Half Term Report” — Mustard and Hanlon share early impressions from field testing, cut short by UK COVID lockdowns (^[32])
• June 2021: “Wide Angle Macro Tools” episode discussing EMWL and competing CFWA approaches (^[33])
• June 2021: Underwater imaging news episode discussing EMWL updates alongside other gear (^[34])

Community Reception

The EMWL is widely regarded as a revolutionary but specialized tool. Key themes from community discussion:

Enthusiasm for the results: Users consistently praise the unique perspectives it enables. Nauticam’s “Bali with the EMWL” video was described as “stellar for the quality and demonstration of what is possible to achieve with this lens” (^[35]). Tony Land described using it with a rebreather for hours-long dives photographing small Caribbean creatures in the Cayman Islands (^[36]).

Cost concerns: The complete system represents a $4,000–$6,000 investment depending on configuration. Forum member “pooley” captured the sentiment: “I’ve been holding off buying a Nauticam EMWL setup as, in reality, its an unjustifiable purchase. Still, as underwater photographers, when did that ever stop us?” Alex Mustard suggested it was “a good lens to consider buying with a friend, so you can share it on trips” (^[37], ^[38]).

Specialist tool, not everyday lens: Mustard emphasized that the EMWL is “expensive and is a special effect lens – not a lens you use on every dive – so its purchase takes some justifying.” Even with the system available, he used it on only 6 of 33 dives in Canada. It suits specific destinations with territorial macro subjects (muck diving, nudibranchs, blennies) rather than general-purpose reef photography (^[39]).

Image quality for general wide angle: Users report the EMWL is “acceptable/usable” but “not quite as good as the best wide angle setups” for standard wide-angle shots. Isaac Szabo noted it is “a step below the very best wide angle optics” with the 130 objective, but “good enough considering it can do things other lenses can’t” (^[40]).

Notable Users

• Alex Mustard — Primary reviewer and evangelist. Uses with Nikon D850 and Sony A1. Prefers the 160-degree objective
• Isaac Szabo — Prolific freshwater EMWL user (bass, trout, blennies). Shoots without relay lens on Sony A7R II, later tested Canon 60mm macro for wider FOV
• Tony Land — Cayman Islands specialist, uses EMWL with rebreather for behavioral macro
• Laurent Ballesta — French expedition photographer, used EMWL with custom buoyancy wrap in French Polynesia (on Seacam housing via adapter)
• Tom Kline — Uses EMWL for salmon photography in rivers, shoots with Nikon D7200 and 160-degree objective without relay

Timeline

• 2020-07: EMWL system announced and shipping with 60°, 100°, and 130° objectives (^[41])
• 2020-09: SAGA Dive announces third-party adapters for Seacam and Subal housings (^[42])
• 2020-09: Alex Mustard and Adam Hanlon unbox the system on Wetpixel Live (^[43])
• 2020-11: Wetpixel Live “Half Term Report” on early field impressions (^[44])
• 2022-04: Edward Lai explains focus shift issue and workarounds on Wetpixel forums (^[45])
• 2022-09: Alex Mustard publishes field review of 160-degree objective from God’s Pocket, Canada (^[46])
• 2022-10: UwP Magazine Issue 129 features EMWL coverage (^[47])
• 2023: Nauticam develops fix for Nikon Z camera focus shift; Mustard confirms it works (^[48])

References

Wetpixel Live