10 replies to this topic

[scuba_steve]

I have a d200 and i am going to purchase the Ikelite housing.

I currently have the following lenses:
Sigma Zoom Telephoto 70-300mm f/4-5.6 DG Macro Autofocus Lens
Sigma 28-70mm f/2.8-4 DG High Speed Zoom Autofocus Lens

I was going to use the 8" ikelite dome port with the 28-70 to start out.
Any sugestions? Should i not even bother with these lenses and purchase other lenses instead such as the 18-55mm/60mm/10-17mm setups?

Help please...

[PRC]

Hi Steve,

And welcome.

You are doing the right thing with the 8" dome - in the end it is a better bet than the smaller 6".

As for the lenses mmmm - you don't say where you are located so it can be a tough call on the macro side. I like my 60mm but it is a bit slow to focus (think there is an updated version due - which may lead to some cheapish on the surplus market).

The 28-70 I found not wide enough at one end and too much at the other ! - I no longer use it at all.

For wide the Tokina 10-17 is very popular though I find it does suffer CA a bit more than I would like. I still use my Nikon 10.5 quite a bit - it is very wide and can be a handful to light but when it is 'right' it takes some beating.

With a fixed length lens you have one less thing to 'fiddle' with - so I find that it forces me to think a bit about the composition rather than 'fiddle' with the zoom. For me that is a benefit.


Enjoy,

Paul C

[MikeVeitch]

10-17 or 10.5
60
105

are all popular lenses and a good place to start is the 60, especially if you are interested in macro.

Your 28-70 is a nice medium subject lens. turtles, angelfish, sharks etc

[AndyBarker]

HI,

I agree with all lens so far but also use the nikon 12/24 which I find a great
lens, I also use the 4x diopter with it. Have not used an FE lens. ( when I go
on trips with other members like PC he tells me I can use his but normally
we are on the plane on the way back HAHA). So I can not comment.
PC are you on Alexs trip in November??
Andy

[PRC]

Dont want to hijack the thread Andy but no I Just got back from Red Sea last week and am on a wetpixel shark trip with Eric C next month.

So all in all my brownie points with Shirley are about used up - though I have suggested that Bali would be great later in the year - she smelt rat right away......

Seems she remembers our trip to the Maldives when i used all of her baggage allowance

Paul C

[Lionfish43]

My two most used lenses are the 60mm macro and the 10.5mm FE. I'd wait a month or so if you can and check out the new 60mm. It definitly will be my next lens purchase.

[scuba_steve]

ok, i just ordered the ikelite housing and 8" dome.

from reading all the posts it looks like i will go with the 10.5 and 60mm lenses.
Any suggestions on brands? Nikkor, sigma, tamron, ect?

Also for a strobe system i was looking at a single DS-125 and will look to upgrade to double DS-125's when i get more $$

Thanks!

[scuba_steve]

ok, i just ordered the ikelite housing and 8" dome.

from reading all the posts it looks like i will go with the 10.5 and 60mm lenses.
Any suggestions on brands? Nikkor, sigma, tamron, ect?

Also for a strobe system i was looking at a single DS-125 and will look to upgrade to double DS-125's when i get more $$

Thanks!

should i go with 2 DS-51 strobes right off the bat, or should i start with one DS-125??

[Warren_L]

should i go with 2 DS-51 strobes right off the bat, or should i start with one DS-125??

I would start with one DS-125 first and then add a second one later on. With the 10.5, I think you may have a hard time getting full angle of coverage even with two DS-51s. The DS-125s with diffuser is barely enough with the 10.5, I find.

[MikeVeitch]

- though I have suggested that Bali would be great later in the year -



Paul C

You should do that, then you get trips with 3 WP mods in one year...

[PRC]

Pretty much concur with all that Warren wrote.

Lighting the 10.5 with a single strobe is a handful, having said that going from 1 to 2 strobes is also extra expense, equipment and task loading. It is down to how comfortable you feel with the extra task loading in the water.

From that point of view you may be better with the 10-17 if you are using a single strobe (DS125) as at 17 you should with care be able it light it.

Shoal shots with fish are often better (easier) with a WA lens at 15mm or so.

Bottom line is both are very good lenses in the water, but if I was sticking with a single strobe for a while then I would tend toward the 10-17 myself. From memory the 10-17 is also currently a lot cheaper than the 10.5.

Don't forget that you can also use ambient light and filters with both, though the 10-17 is a bit more of a pain as it does not have a rear gel holder (use sticky tape).

As for the 60mm I have only used the Nikon offering and other than being a bit slow to focus it is great. And to be honest I will not be selling mine to buy another with a hyper-wotsit drive motor.

Paul C