EVENT COVERAGE 2025 | BONAIRE
GEAR TESTS: NAUTICAM FCP-1 FISHEYE CONVERSION PORT UNDERWATER LENS PORT REVIEW
JIM DECKER
CEO
The Nauticam FCP (Fisheye Conversion Port) is designed to mate up with a mid-range zoom lens (Sony 28-60 in my case) and convert it to an angle of coverage of 170 degrees down to about 74 degrees. With a lack of native fisheye options from Sony, Nikon, and Canon for the new crop of mirrorless cameras, and the older DSLR mount options dwindling, Nauticam has tackled the lack of a native mirrorless mount full frame fisheye lens. Having a zoom with a fisheye is a godsend! Having the best of both worlds of full wide for the biggest scenes, and a tighter shot for those times where you just can’t get that close.
TODD WINNER
Nauticam Ambassador
Fisheye lenses have long been favored by underwater image makers, but unfortunately, there are no Fisheye zoom lenses available for full-frame cameras. While Canon’s 8-15mm and Nikon’s 8-15mm lenses are available, they are designed to capture images at 15mm for a rectangular image or 8mm for a circular effect. The Nauticam FCP-1 addresses this limitation by enabling compatible lenses, such as Sony’s 28-60mm, to utilize the full zoom range. Subsequently, the FCP-1 converts the image to a fisheye effect with a 170° to 74° field of view. Extending slightly beyond a traditional fisheye setup, the FCP-1 simplifies lighting and presents greater creative lighting opportunities. Like other Water Contact Optics, the FCP-1 allows for in-water focus from its front element to infinity, enabling extremely close-focus fish-eye shooting. A built-in buoyancy collar and a user-interchangeable port mount from N120 to N100 are included. The port shade is removable for extreme close-focus lighting, and a 14mm lens can be utilized to achieve a circular fisheye effect. .
