D80 Ikelite Qs

[Desmond 0]

Hi everyone, Ive recently decided to buy a D80 after shooting with my Oly-8080 for a few years now. I have bought the Sigma 17-70 and im ordering the Nikon 105vr today. My question is this. After reading and reading I cant seem to find what exactly kind of ports ill need to buy for the 2 lenses. Do I need to buy 2 different ports? I really want to nail this down as I am planning a solo trip to Lembeh for 3 weeks in october and need to get in the water. Do i need to order Diopeters? I really appreciate any help and want to say hello to what I hope for is a new group of friends. Thanks, Desmond

[Cerianthus 55]

check www.ikelite.com

 

You will at least need 2 ports. (You'll need a dome for the zoom and a flat for the 105).

 

You can use a compact dome port for your 17-70 (5503.80) or the larger radius 8" dome 5510.24 stalk.

 

I dont think you will need a diopter with either of the lenses. For the 105mm it might be a worthy addition, because it will enable you to focus even closer (getting more than 1:1 magnification)

[volatility 0]

Is anyone using the Sigma 17-70 with the ikelite 5503.80 dome port? I bought the port a while ago, but when I look at ikelite's site now, it's not listed. I'm not sure if I misread the chart or if the chart has been changed -- but really just want to know if this combination works.

[Cerianthus 55]

You're right, but check out the archive.com website for the earlier version:

 

 

 

http://web.archive.org/web/20070421212644/...port_nikon.html

 

 

 

You might ask them a question about this, but I guess that because of the optical benefits of the larger dome especially for a zoom, they dropped advising the smaller one. Did you try yours yet ? If it works, it works... no matter what continuous insight tells us.

 

 

 

Gerard

[volatility 0]

Thanks for the archive link! Part of me just wanted to make sure that I wasn't being a complete idiot by misreading the chart. If anyone is using the combo, however, I'd be interested in their experience with it.

 

I haven't had an opportunity to test yet... so far it's just been making sure everything mechanically works and the "does it leak" bathtub test. Vacation is this Thursday so we'll see how it goes!

 

Thanks again!

[tombu 0]

Hi @ll,

I also wanted to buy an Ikelite Housing with the 6" for the 17-70 for the beginning but delayed it ...

So do you think it's a problem with the big 8", especially in macro situations?

There are also advantages like using my 12-24 in it maybe.

Greetings Tom

[markdrayton 12]

Sorry for posting a late reply - an earlier posting didn't appear to arrive!

 

I have a D80, Ikelite housing and the Sigma 17-70 macro, and a nice versatile lens it is above and below the water. The story of the domes has been problematic.

 

I purchased the 6" dome early this summer to use in Mexico. Partly to limit my expenditure, and partly to keep things more compact both for air travel and handling underwater. At that time the 6" dome was listed on the Ikelite website as compatible with the Sigma lens.

 

Unfortunately the combination turned out to be unsatisfactory. At the wide-angle end of its zoom range, the 6" dome caused quite severe vignetting. Removal of the dome shade helped, but there was still unacceptable vignetting present. At that end of the range, the lens just sits too far back from the dome port. Zooming in a little solved the problem but that's not what I wanted. I also tried adding a 2x Diopter and this also solved the problem, but because of the limited port extension and big difference in length of lens when zooming in for semi macro's, the diopter crashed into the dome at that end of the range so also not satisfactory.

 

On my return home, I drew the problem to the attention of Ikelite and sent them sample photographs. They agreed to part exchange my 6" for the 8" dome and stalk for the difference in new price. A day or so later, the website was amended to reflect the lack of full compatibility of the 6" port with this lens.

 

I used the 8" dome a few weeks ago in the Red Sea and no compatibility issues whatsoever. The whole outfit was subject to quite severe trauma when our RIB was tipped over in surf as we were being recovered too close to the edge of Daedalus Reef. The camera which had just been handed aboard was thrown out and onto the reef and for a while I assumed it was lost in the turmoil. However it was found a few minutes later and eventually the team were recovered somewhat shaken minus various bits of kit - fins, masks, weights etc. with a punctured RIB and dead outboard motor. A large and expensive Gates video housing lost its light and arm. On later inspection, the Ikelite housing appeared undamaged but there were a few drops of water and condensation inside. Rapid action to dry everything out. The camera was fine. The dome had minor scratches, since polished out. Unfortunately the strobe synch no longer worked although the strobe itself seemed OK. However on return home, everything works fine again so I assume the problem was temporary dampness in the housing electronics.

 

So the Ikelite housing proved remarkably robust - I suspect the few drops of water entered at the junction of dome stalk and housing. The catch and O-ring arrangement there doesn't seem very secure when on the surface.

 

But the other conclusion is that the Sigma 17-70 and Ikelite 6" port is not a good combination.

 

 

Mark

[Islandbound 1]

Desmond, if your buying the 105VR to do generic Macro have you considered the 60mm instead? I have both and find that the 60 is an all around better performer in more situations.

[Christian K 0]

Sorry for posting a late reply - an earlier posting didn't appear to arrive!

 

I have a D80, Ikelite housing and the Sigma 17-70 macro, and a nice versatile lens it is above and below the water. The story of the domes has been problematic.

 

I purchased the 6" dome early this summer to use in Mexico. Partly to limit my expenditure, and partly to keep things more compact both for air travel and handling underwater. At that time the 6" dome was listed on the Ikelite website as compatible with the Sigma lens.

 

Unfortunately the combination turned out to be unsatisfactory. At the wide-angle end of its zoom range, the 6" dome caused quite severe vignetting. Removal of the dome shade helped, but there was still unacceptable vignetting present. At that end of the range, the lens just sits too far back from the dome port. Zooming in a little solved the problem but that's not what I wanted. I also tried adding a 2x Diopter and this also solved the problem, but because of the limited port extension and big difference in length of lens when zooming in for semi macro's, the diopter crashed into the dome at that end of the range so also not satisfactory.

 

On my return home, I drew the problem to the attention of Ikelite and sent them sample photographs. They agreed to part exchange my 6" for the 8" dome and stalk for the difference in new price. A day or so later, the website was amended to reflect the lack of full compatibility of the 6" port with this lens.

 

I used the 8" dome a few weeks ago in the Red Sea and no compatibility issues whatsoever. The whole outfit was subject to quite severe trauma when our RIB was tipped over in surf as we were being recovered too close to the edge of Daedalus Reef. The camera which had just been handed aboard was thrown out and onto the reef and for a while I assumed it was lost in the turmoil. However it was found a few minutes later and eventually the team were recovered somewhat shaken minus various bits of kit - fins, masks, weights etc. with a punctured RIB and dead outboard motor. A large and expensive Gates video housing lost its light and arm. On later inspection, the Ikelite housing appeared undamaged but there were a few drops of water and condensation inside. Rapid action to dry everything out. The camera was fine. The dome had minor scratches, since polished out. Unfortunately the strobe synch no longer worked although the strobe itself seemed OK. However on return home, everything works fine again so I assume the problem was temporary dampness in the housing electronics.

 

So the Ikelite housing proved remarkably robust - I suspect the few drops of water entered at the junction of dome stalk and housing. The catch and O-ring arrangement there doesn't seem very secure when on the surface.

 

But the other conclusion is that the Sigma 17-70 and Ikelite 6" port is not a good combination.

Mark

 

Oh man, my pulse went up reading this.

 

cheers

 

/christian

[markdrayton 12]

Oh man, my pulse went up reading this.

 

cheers

 

/christian

 

I bet not half as high as mine did. Not an experience I want to repeat.

 

Mark

[Islandbound 1]

Desmond, if you do already have a 60mm and go ahead with the 105VR/Port purchase you have another option available as well. The Kenko 1.4 TC with the 60mm fits with the 105VR port and combined with a Woodys diopter can provide for some great closeups.

[PRC 2]

Hi Mark,

 

Were you on Sea Serpent ?

 

If so then I happened to be on Hurricane when it happened - it did all look quite spectacular from the outside!

 

Anyhow you are far better off with the 8" dome - I had a few issues with the 6" and wide lenses.

 

Paul C

[markdrayton 12]

Hi Paul,

 

Yes that was us from the Sea Serpent. And thanks to the guys from Hurricane who came to help. "Spectacular" wasn't the language we were using as we were rolled over the reef. And yes I wish I had gone for the 8" dome first time around.

 

Mark

 

Hi Mark,

 

Were you on Sea Serpent ?

 

If so then I happened to be on Hurricane when it happened - it did all look quite spectacular from the outside!

 

Anyhow you are far better off with the 8" dome - I had a few issues with the 6" and wide lenses.

 

Paul C