AQUAKO Super Macro Lens IV

by Michael · Published 01/21/2018 · Updated 03/11/2018

The Korean manufacturer Aquako manufactures compact macro lenses for underwater photography, which can score especially by their very good price/performance ratio. Compared to other macro lenses, the low weight and the small diameter of 55mm are immediately noticeable. For the travel weight Super pleasant, however, this leads to the fact that one has to zoom in very much or a macro lens with a large focal length (90mm with a picture) as a requirement. The lens can also be used with smaller focal lengths, but a vignetting occurs.

The lens uses a M52 thread, which has given us minor problems first, since the StepDown ring contained in the delivery from M67 to M52 was not quite compatible with our enclosure/FlipHolder combination. The Aquakolinse was just too far away from the lens, but this could easily be remedied by using the D&D Aquako adapter instead of the StepDown ring.

Technical data

Model: AQUAKO Super Macro Lens IV
Magnification: 2.5 x (at 100mm size)
Diopter: + 16
Thread: M52
Maximum diving depth: 100 metres
Diameter (outside): 55 mm
Length: 43.1 mm
Weight (ashore): 202 grams
Weight (underwater): 110 grams (downforce)

Scope of delivery

AQUAKO Super Macro Lens
Step down Ring (adapter) from M67 to M52 thread

Test

Lens mounted and full of expectations off into the water and first great disenchantment. None of the first pictures was really good, focusing with the autofocus took an eternity and somehow all the images looked somewhat spongy/distorted. With the same setup, the Nauticam SMC-1 works much better and is easier to handle. After a few back and forth we have become warm with the lens, the shift to manual focus incl. Focus-peaking/focus-Magnifier and increasing the amount of light from the focus lamp then brought the desired results.

The image quality is surprisingly good for this price, but when compared directly with the Nauticam SMC-1 or Subsee + 10, you can see an optical difference in sharpness without having to measure it. Whether or not this difference exists with a camera with less than 42 megapixels is not tested, but the difference should not be so big. Chromatic aberrations are mostly available on a small scale, but they can be removed almost completely during post-processing.

In handling, the + 16 is clearly noticeable, focusing is at a distance between lens and object of approx. 3-9cm possible, but the best results can be achieved between 4-5cm distance. But this also means that you have very little leeway, a steady hand and a very good buoyancy are therefore obligatory.

At a current price of approx. €275 you can only recommend this lens, but you should also be aware that you don’t get the best results right away. Whether it must be the version with + 16, or whether the smaller Aquako III with easier handling and + 12 is enough, everyone has to decide for themselves. However, we would recommend the Auako IV and invest the acclimatization time, the maximum 2.5 times magnification is simply worth it.