Fisheye Canon RF 7-14mm f/2.8-3.5L: Wide-Angle Lenses Are Great for Underwater Photography / And Outex Compatible

Ultra-Wide and Fisheye Lenses Have Always Been Important For Outdoor And Underwater Photographers. The New Canon RF 7-14mm f/2.8-3.5 L Is No Exception, And Outex Compatible.

Ultra-wide lenses have always had a special place in outdoor and underwater storytelling. They don’t simply capture a scene. They help pull viewers into it. Such lenses capture more than the average naked eye can process, creating mesmerizing results that help capture unique moments from a distinct point of view.

The newly introduced Canon RF 7-14mm f/2.8-3.5L STM pushes that idea further, entering territory that almost feels impossible at first glance. At 7mm, the lens delivers an enormous field of view capable of transforming how photographers and filmmakers approach landscapes, architecture, action sports, environmental portraiture, and especially underwater imaging. By getting really close to the subject underwater, content creators eliminate impurities or distractions in the water, reduce reflections or refraction, and capture more of "the story" being told. Thus emphasizing scale, depth, immersion, movement, and proximity.  Such characteristics can be useful for sports photography, specially adventure and action sports, travel and expedition filmmaking and documentaries, and conservation/environmental work.

And for creators working around water, adventure, and extreme environments, lenses like this open entirely new creative possibilities. By maintaining a bright aperture, they also enable crisp image quality at high speeds.

Especially when paired with a system flexible enough to actually support them, like Outex.

Why Ultra-Wide Lenses Work So Well Underwater And Around Water

Water changes photography because it changes light speed and behavior compared to how it behaves above the surface. It reduces visibility, compresses distance, lowers contrast, and absorbs light rapidly.

That’s exactly why ultra-wide lenses become so valuable underwater. A lens like the RF 7-14mm allows photographers to:

• Get close to the subjects
• Preserve clarity and contrast by reducing water imperfections/impact
• Capture split-level, half over, half underwater compositions
• Emphasize movement and perspective

This helps all kinds of photography, including:

• Surfers in waves
• Swimmers, snorkelers
• Waterfalls
• Canyoning 
• Portraiture 
• Cave environments
• Reef environments or marine wildlife
• Action sports
• Adventure sports

Noteworthy Product Information - Useful For Outdoor & Underwater Use

One of the most unique design details of this lens is the use of Canon's rear drop-in filter system, which debuted with their Drop-In Filter Mount Adapter EF-EOS R. This filter system accommodates the bulbous, protruding front lens element and enables working with a switchable filter system in the rear of the lens. This differs from cut gel filter holders since filters can be switched without removing the lens. This system uses self-contained mounted filters that slide directly into the rear of the lens; a clear filter is included with the lens and optional Drop-In Variable Neutral Density Filter A and Drop-In Circular Polarizing Filter A are also available.

Also, according to Canon's website, on the RF 7-14mm, the removable lens hood causes vignetting at all focal lengths shorter than 14mm on a full-frame sensor. The lens hood can be removed easily and does not need to be used when used with Outex.

The Challenge With Extreme Wide-Angle Lenses And Underwater Housings / Waterproof Cases.

Waterproof camera cases, specially hard case housings, pose a number of challenges for use with wide-angle and fisheye lenses. Hard cases require expensive camera-specific cases for each camera, and often require additional pricy, dedicated ports for specific lenses. Hard case ports are also fixed against the housing itself. They do not conform to each lens' specific optical requirements. The lens and the port do not move in unison, degrading optical characteristics, increasing the chances of reflection or refraction inside the housing, and often causing vignetting, even with dome ports. This is especially true for variable focal-length lenses such as this one (from 7mm to 14mm). The underwater port and housing qualities that may suit the 14mm focal length way vignette images at 7mm. And so on.

Here are two example photos by Peta Pixel photographer Matt Growcoot, showing the different focal length capabilities for the lens at 14mm and 7mm wide open respectively.

Outex Ports And Domes Are Uniquely Positioned For Ultra Wide And Fisheye Lenses Because Of The Exchangeable Adaptors And Clamps That Optimize Optical Characteristics And Become One With Each Lens

Outex's patented, modular waterproof system was designed around universal compatibility and adaptable fit rather than camera-specific limitations. This creates a major advantage for creators seeking professional results for a variety of cameras and lenses, such as this one. Because Outex American-made glass dome ports use interchangeable adaptor and clamp rings designed for each lens, both lens and port move in unison, and maintain optimal characteristics for each lens' optical characteristics, viewing angles, focal lengths, etc.  This proper optical positioning and synchronous movement delivers:

• No vignetting
• Reduced reflections or refraction inside the port
• Preserved sharpness
• Ability to utilize every focal length 
• Superior split level, half over half underwater composition
• Imaging versatility from using the same dome port for any/all lenses for various uses and circumstances 
• Significant savings

Lightweight, Compact Design Matters More Than Ever

In today's world of fast moving technological advancements (frequent new camera and lens launches) , fragmented marketing needs, varied shooting characteristics and needs, and dynamic/mobile/drone-mounted shooting styles, lightweight, compact, and modular design is more important than ever.

That's another big advantage for the Outex design. The flexible, tactile rich covers add no weight or bulk to the gear. And allow the allocation of weight to be invested in the high precision, high quality optical glass ports and domes at a fraction of the cost of traditional hard case housings. This lightweight, compact design advantage can be critical when transporting, traveling, or mounting the waterproof housing onto accessories, drones, or there rigs that require movement or transportability.

Universal Fit Means Backwards And Forward Compatibility

Technology is moving faster than ever. News camera types and models are being introduced more frequently and the rate of innovation continues to increase. This trend will continue to magnify Outex backwards and forward compatibility fit. Content creators cannot only maximize their ability to use the same Outex gear for multiple existing and legacy cameras and lenses, from film to digital, but also protect against obsolescence. The Outex system's unmatched design assures compatibility with all the latest technologies and models. When any camera or lens manufacturer announces a new model, Outex customers already know their system will be compatible on day one. Several Outex customers, and a few ambassadors who are also major Imaging brand ambassadors for Canon, Sony, Nikon, Lumix, Fujifilm, etc, often use the Outex system to feature new cameras and lenses for the manufacturers  themselves. 

Examples Of Camera Ambassadors Using Outex For New Model Launch Announcements And Campaigns

Nikon Ambassador Lucas Gilman used Outex to make a short film for a Nikon mirrorless camera launch. Lucas used the Outex Camera Pro Kit and Dome Kit for a Nikon Z mirrorless camera and a variety of lenses in the desert sand and underwater around Catalina Island, while simultaneously using an Atomos Ninja Pro recorder inside the housing underwater.

Read the full Outex Blog story here. 

Lumix Ambassador Mathew Sutherland created a short film for the launch of the Panasonic mirrorless GH series camera as well. He shot in snow, sand, and underwater to capture the equipments capabilities and range. Mathew used the Outex Camera Pro Kit and Dome Kit with a couple of different Lumix GH cameras and a variety of lenses, both fixed and variable focal length models. View the full Outex Blog here.