EMWL Explained
EMWL Explained
Nauticam is dedicated to designing the finest underwater imaging products available. The EMWL — Extended Macro Wide Lens — takes that innovation to the next level. The EMWL lets you shoot macro, wide angle, and combine the two styles to create images that weren't possible before.
EMWL
The EMWL was built to work with several popular macro lenses and is optimised for both stills and video. It is a wet-mount design, so the lens can be attached and removed underwater, increasing the versatility of the whole system — other accessories like SMC and CMC macro converters can also be used. It is a modular design with three individual pieces: the Focusing Unit, the Relay Lens, and the Objective Lens. Nauticam makes components optimised for different camera manufacturers and their macro lenses, plus multiple field-of-view options.
EMWL Focusing Unit
To ensure the best results across a range of cameras, four focusing units were designed, each custom-built to work with recommended primary lenses. You'll want the version matched to the lens you're using. Autofocus works extremely well — a real advantage over other relay lenses on the market — and a manual focus gear can be added. Lens adapters such as the Nikon FTZ, EF-to-EOS R, or Sigma MC-21 can also be used. The focusing unit connects closest to your port and is built with 6 glass elements in 3 groups, attaching via the Bayonet Mount System.
- Focusing Unit 87201 for Nikon & Micro Four Thirds — compatible with Nikon AF-S VR Micro Nikkor 105mm f/2.8G IF-ED, Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 60mm f/2.8 Macro.
- Focusing Unit 87202 for Canon — compatible with Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM, Canon EF-S 60mm f/2.8 Macro USM (APS-C).
- Focusing Unit 87203 for Sony — compatible with Sony SEL90M28G FE 90mm F2.8 Macro G OSS.
- Focusing Unit 87205 for Fujifilm — compatible with Fujifilm GF 120mm f/4 Macro R. Contact us to order.
EMWL Relay Lens
The Relay Lens attaches to the front of the focusing unit and is built to a high standard with 14 glass elements in 10 groups. The EMWL Objective Lenses produce an inverted image; the Relay Lens corrects this and relays the image back to the focusing unit and sensor. At 150mm long and only 62mm at its widest point, it lets the front of the EMWL sit extremely close to a subject while keeping the bulk of the camera and photographer at a distance — great for tight-space video work. All focusing units use the same relay lens, and it's possible to use the EMWL without it if the extended working distance isn't needed, provided your camera or monitor can correct the inverted image.
EMWL Objective Lenses
The final piece, attached to the front of the Relay Lens, is the Objective Lens. Four versions are available with varying angles of view — choose based on the subject or look you want. All parts assemble and disassemble underwater, so divers can carry all four and swap as needed.
- 160° Objective Lens (87226) — the widest option, great for larger macro subjects or showing more background.
- 130° Objective Lens (87223) — ultra-wide, 9 elements in 7 groups, rivals top wide-angle lenses.
- 100° Objective Lens (87222) — versatile, compact, 9 elements in 6 groups — a good all-rounder.
- 60° Objective Lens (87221) — narrower angle of view with compressed backgrounds; 9 elements in 6 groups with three focusing ranges (∞–55mm, 55–25mm, 25–15mm).
Mounting Options
There are three ways to mount the EMWL:
- Bayonet Mounting — the focusing unit ships with a bayonet mount attached; add the appropriate converter to your port: M67 Bayonet Mount Converter II (83250), M77 Bayonet Mount Converter II (83251), or the Bayonet Mount Adapter (83214) for SMC/CMC.
- Flip Holder — an optional double Flip Holder (87501) lets you flip between the EMWL and an SMC/CMC. Ports shorter than 80mm aren't compatible.
- M67 Threaded Mount — thread the EMWL directly to an M67 port with the M67 Mount to EMWL Focusing Unit (87515). Contact us to order.
| Alternative: Laowa 24mm f/14 Probe Lens | Nauticam EMWL | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 37305 N100 to N120 Adaptor | $675.00 | 87222 EMWL 100° Objective Lens | $1,501.00 |
| 16336 Port Adaptor for Laowa 24mm | $872.00 | 87211 EMWL 150mm Relay Lens | $1,735.00 |
| 19155 N120 DSLR Gear Set | $722.00 | 87203 EMWL Focusing Unit for Sony | $1,501.00 |
| 21271 70mm Extension Ring with Focus Knob | $704.00 | 37126 N100 Macro Port 105 | $610.00 |
| Metabones Canon EF to E-Mount Smart Adaptor | $399.00 | 37147 Focus Gear for Sony 90mm f/2.8 | $281.00 |
| Venus Optics Laowa 24mm f/14 Probe Lens | $1,599.00 | 83250 M67 Bayonet Mount Converter II | $114.00 |
| Sony FE 90mm f/2.8 Macro G OSS Lens | $1,098.00 | ||
| Total | $4,971.00 | Total | $6,840.00 |
| Alternative: Laowa 24mm f/14 Probe Lens | Nauticam EMWL | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 16336 Port Adaptor for Laowa 24mm | $872.00 | 87222 EMWL 100° Objective Lens | $1,501.00 |
| 19155 N120 DSLR Gear Set | $722.00 | 87211 EMWL 150mm Relay Lens | $1,735.00 |
| 21271 70mm Extension Ring with Focus Knob | $704.00 | 87202 EMWL Focusing Unit for Canon | $1,501.00 |
| Venus Optics Laowa 24mm f/14 Probe Lens | $1,599.00 | 18703 N120 Macro Port 94 | $743.00 |
| 19575 Focus Gear for Canon RF100mm f/2.8L | $281.00 | ||
| 83250 M67 Bayonet Mount Converter II | $114.00 | ||
| Canon RF 100mm f/2.8L IS USM Lens | $999.00 | ||
| Total | $3,897.00 | Total | $6,874.00 |
These two comparison tables are carried over from Divesea's own earlier EMWL write-up — the line-item prices are illustrative, not live catalogue prices, and haven't been re-checked against current pricing. Treat them as a rough sense of scale, not a quote.
Recommended Accessories
- 87501 — Flip Holder for EMWL Lens
- 87507 — Padded Travel Bag for EMWL (Focusing Unit / Relay Lens / 3× Objective Lenses)
- 87512 — Shade for 130° Objective Lens
- 87513 — Shade for 100° Objective Lens
- 87515 — M67 Mount to EMWL Focusing Unit
- 87516 — EMWL Bayonet Holder for 70mm Diameter Float Arm
- 87517 — EMWL Bayonet Holder for 90mm Diameter Float Arm
- 87518 — Strobe Mounting Brackets for EMWL Relay Lens
- 83250 — M67 to Bayonet Mount Converter II
- 83251 — M77 to Bayonet Mount Converter II
Have questions about which EMWL configuration is right for your camera and lens? Contact us and we'll help you build the right setup.