49 replies to this topic

[scottyb]

James, I just saw your other thread. That about answers all my questions.

[davephdv]

Nikon web site says the new 12 - 24 lens will be environmentally friendly. I've read several posts at other sites that say the price may be as low as 700$ US. All of them based upon impeccable inside info.

Nikon makes money selling lenses, more so than camera bodies. I'm sure they will want to sell this lens to all S2 owners :freak:

[scottyb]

Scott,

1) According to those specs, port #5503 should accommodate the lens.
Problem is , there is no way to use the zoom function as the lens is
well over the maximum diameter limitation of 2.8". You could just set
the lens to the widest angle setting and shoot.

Regards,

Brett Foster

This is the response to my inquiry to Ikelite about the port needed for the 12-24mm. This is a little disappointing and takes away some versatility. I will still buy the lens for it's wideangle aspects.

[james]

Nikon has produced a brochure about the 12-24 DX lens that explains that it is smaller than a 35mm format lens of this focal length:

http://www.maxwell.c.....0dx 12-24.PDF

I printed it out and gave it a read and it is definitely worth considering. I'm not sure I "buy it" though. Are they saying that this lens is going to be smaller than the 18-35 that I have???

Cheers
James

[scottyb]

I'm not sure of the dimmensions of the 18-35, but the diameter exceeds Ike's maximum of 2.8" for the use of a zoom ring. It will be a great wide angle lens at 99 degrees and I assume it will not require a diopter since it's MFD is 11.8". I still haven't been able to get a firm price from the dealers.

[Alex_Mustard]

Really useful PDF, James,

I was never going to consider this lens - but actually it looks pretty good.

The 82.5mm diameter of the lens barrel is the same as the 17-35mm lens and that fits in many housings. So sorting it shouldn't be a problem.

I am not sure if the barrel length changes when the lens is zoomed?

I wrote an article in Underwater Photography Magazine Issue 5 with some practical tips on getting the optimum housing configuration for wide angle zooms.

Underwater Photography Mag Issue 5

[james]

I think the maximum dimension given is NOT for the lens barrel, but rather for the front, where the 77mm thread is.

Try it w/ an 18-35 if you have one. I did.

The 18-35 works fine in the Ike housing.

Cheers
James

[scottyb]

You are right, James. the lens barrel looks to be considerably smaller. I have emailed the link to Ikelite to see what they think. The specs on the 18-35 show to be 3.2" and it works OK with the zoom ring. It appears in the photo to be the same diameter for the full length.

[Alex_Mustard]

Yeah, you guys are right!

My main worry with the lens was fitting it inside my existing Subal ports. I know that 17-35 and 18-35 Nikkors fit (just). And I've recently bought a Sigma 28-70 f2.8 that only fitted into the port after I took the rubber grip off the lens barrel! Hence my concern.

Alex

[james]

Here's a very brief hands on review by Ken Rockwell:

http://www.kenrockwe.../nikon/1224.htm

Cheers
James