Panasonic 45mm Macro Lens Underwater Test

I have used Panasonic 20mm and 14-42mm kit lens for underwater photography for more than two years. These two lens can't focus on close objects, so it's really difficult to use them to take pictures of small stuffs with good results. Hence, I bought a second hand Panasonic 45mm Macro lens to improve my underwater pictures.

The minimum focus distance of the lens on the lend is 15cm(0.49ft). How big the object taken by the lends can be? The diameter of the coin below is 2.6cm(1.02in), and the image of it taken by Panasonic GF1(4/3 mirror less) underwater is like this:

So, if you take a picture of a coin-size frogfish, it will be approximately like this:

The following pictures are edited without cropping:

When I take pictures of smaller critters, I will also add FIT+5 and FIT+10 diopters. If you take a picture of a frogfish smaller than a finger nail, it will be approximately like this:

The following pictures are edited without cropping:

I went diving in Dauin, Philippines few days ago and took the pictures with this Panasonic 45mm Macro lens with double strobes. The following pictures are edited with cropping:

(critters bigger than 5cm / not minimum focus distance)

(critters smaller than 2cm / tried to take them at minimum focus distance)

My Favorite 10 Underwater Pictures in 2014

Aside from Mactan where I dive frequently, I have been to some diving locations near Cebu Province in 2014 which were Panglao Island(Bohol), Moalboal, Dauin(Dumaguete) and Cabilao Island(Bohol). I chose my favorite 10 pictures to share with everyone, and all of them were taken by Panasonic GF1.

Name: Clark's Anemonefish (Amphiprion clarkii)
Location: Mactan, Cebu

Dive Center: Fun and Sun

Name: Giant Box Crab (Calappa calappa)

Location: Mactan, Cebu
Dive Center: Fun and Sun

Name: Flamboyant Cuttlefish (Metasepia pfefferi)
Location: Dauin, Dumaguete
Dive Center: Liquid Dumaguete

Name: Harlequin Swimming Crab (Lissocarcinus laevis)
Location: Dauin, Dumaguete
Dive Center: Liquid Dumaguete

Name: Napoleon Snake Eel (Ophichthus bonaparti)
Location: Dauin, Dumaguete
Dive Center: Liquid Dumaguete

Name: Blue-ringed Octopus (Hapalochlaena spp.)
Location: Dauin, Dumaguete
Dive Center: Liquid Dumaguete

Name: Broadclub Cuttlefish (Sepia latimanus)
Location: Dauin, Dumaguete
Dive Center: Liquid Dumaguete

Name: Coconut Octopus (Amphioctopus marginatus)
Location: Dauin, Dumaguete
Dive Center: Liquid Dumaguete

Name: Corallimorph Decorator Crab (Cyclocoeloma tuberculata)
Location: Cabilao, Bohol
Dive Center: Cabilao Dive Center

Name: Sea Cucumber Swimming Crab (Lissocarcinus orbicularis)
Location: Cabilao, Bohol
Dive Center: Cabilao Dive Center

Related articles -->

Diving Trip:

Why do I like to dive with Fun and Sun

Muck Dive in Dauin, Dumaguete

Wall Dives in Cabilao, Bohol, Philippines

Underwater Photography:

MANUAL Focus with Mirrorless Camera

Why Double Strobes for Underwater Macro Photography

Travel from Cebu to Cabilao Bohol

For going to Bohol, I still used the most common way for tourists which is taking the ferry from Cebu City to Tagbilaran, Bohol. My ferry was OCEANJET departs at Pier 1 at 9:20AM. I booked the ticket from a travel agency and it costs P 890 for round trip.

After around 2 hours, the ferry arrived at Tagbilaran Port, Bohol. For going to the resort on Cabilao Island, I reserved the transportation service from the resort which was P 3,300 for two ways. After one hour driving, we reached to Mocboc Pier and the island was in the sight. They said there are jeepneies operated on the route back and forth from Tagbilaran Port to Mocboc Pier. The price is around 70 pesos.

The small "Banca" was there waiting for us. I rode this boat for diving on the past few days if there were less than 3 divers in the group. About 30 minutes boat ride, we reached to Cabilao Island.

I used the same method going back to Cebu City from Cabilao. If we check the map, we can see Cabilao Island is closer to Cebu City than Panglao Island which is near Tagbilaran Port. For local people, they don't really travel to Cebu from Tagbilaran. Ms. Estrella shared to me that there is a banca boat taking passengers between Cabilao and Argao, Cebu every Tuesday and Saturday (one way is around P 100), and people can take the buses going to Cebu City. Due to my schedule, I couldn't use this way to travel. You can ask your dive centers for more information if you tend to use this way.

While waiting for the ferry in Tagbilaran, I took few pictures of the ferry time tables travel between Cebu City and Tagbilaran, Bohol (taken on November 11, 2014 ):

Ocean Jet

Cebu --> Tagbilaran

6:00 & 8:00 & 9:20 & 11:40 & 14:00 & 16:20 & 18:35 

Tagbilaran --> Cebu

7:05 & 9:20 & 11:40 & 14:00 & 16:20 & 17:30 & 18:30

Super Cat

Cebu --> Tagbilaran

8:45 & 14:00 & 18:40

Tagbilaran --> Cebu

6:30 & 11:15 & 16:30

WEESAM

Cebu --> Tagbilaran

6:35 & 11:20 & 15:30

Tagbilaran --> Cebu

8:20 & 13:30 & 17:35

Dive in Cabilao, Bohol (Resort)

There are 3 major diving resorts on Cabilao Island which are La Estrella Beach Resort, Polaris Beach Resort and Sea Explores. I sent my inquiries to three of them and got the fastest and clearest information from La Estrella, thus, I chose to dive with La Estrella eventually.

Electricity

Before arriving there, I heard people on the island could only use electricity during particular time, so I prepared myself to have inconvenient life for few day. However, when I reached the resort, I found there was power and couldn't hear any sound of generator. The staff of the resort said they have been provided 24HR electricity since April, 2014. That's really a good news and gives more convenience to the local residents and tourists.

Accommodation

There are four types of the rooms which are all fan rooms. I stayed in Double Bungalow and they offered me P 1,520 per night for single occupancy including the breakfast due to the off-peak season. The room contains one double bed, two bedside cabinets, one closet and one fan which is simple but enough. Speaking of the bathroom, it only has cool shower water, and the resort only provides the soap and the towel. I suggest everyone to prepare other toiletries before going to the island.

Dining

The restaurant of the resort is between the beach and the accommodation area. The staffs are very enthusiastic, but not bothering. They only had few guests during those days, so it's a very quiet and comfortable dining environment. There are Filipino and western styles in the complimentary breakfast menu. I always ordered Americano breakfast which are toast, bacon, egg and coffee. The highlight is that coffee which is not 3-in-1 instant coffee but made of nice coffee powder. And they not only provided me a cup of coffee but half pot of it that I couldn't even finished all. There are various meal choices in the menu, however, the ingredient supply is not so stable in the island so sometimes they couldn't provide all kinds of the dishes. The prices of the set dishes are around P280 to P 350 which are a little more expensive than other places, but it's reasonable because they need to ship most of the ingredients from mainland Cebu or Bohol. Polaris Beach Resort is in the walking distance from La Estrella along the beach. I only had my meals in La Estrella, so I have no idea about food and environment somewhere else.

Internet

I am using Smart Buddy mobile internet in the Philippines, and I could badly access 3G signal in the area of the resort. However, the resort provides Free WiFi in the restaurant which is good enough for browsing and messaging. The room I stayed is around 30 meters away from the restaurant, and I could access weak WiFi signal in the room. One time we dove in front of Sea Explores which is on the other side of the island. Before that, I checked my cell phone and got good 3G signal. 

Diving

The dive center is called Cabilao Dive Center. The following is basic price list:

1. Dive: P 1,300 / dive

2. Environment collects: P 150 / day

Other cost:

1. Gears rental: P 650 / day

2. 32% Nitrox: P 260 / tank (need to reserve)

3. Sanctuary fee: P 100 / dive (only when dive in sanctuary)

4. Night dive: P 200 / dive

Owner Ms. Estrella is a very friendly lady. If you need more information, you can email her directly:

info@laestrella.ph