Looking to get good macro from my d70 in subal housing

[LekicINC 0]

Hello all, I just bought a d70 in a subal housing. I would like to take good macro shots with this setup. I was thinking the nikkor 60mm. What dome port should I get with this lens? Anyone have an idea where to get it? Also, what else would you add to this rig for some really nice close ups (diopters etc.)

 

Thanks

[MikeVeitch 0]

yes, the 60mm is a good lens for macro. you will actually want a flat port for the macro, i am not sure what the Subal model # is.

 

Something that also helps is an external diopter like the Woody, but... that gets you so close with the 60 it is hard to light. But certainly can be done. Several companies offer these external diopters, i don't know if Subal makes their own, if not then the woody is what you want..

[UWphotoNewbie 1]

The 60mm is the perfect lens for fish portraits, something from yellow tang to triggerfish size. In fact, its my favorite lens underwater. It goes to 1:1 but you have to get so close its hard to ge things smaller than that. If you want true macro 1:1 (christmas tree worms, nudibranchs, blennys etc. ) you'll need the 105mm.

 

I would contact Ryan at Reef Photo his ad is on the site to get the proper port. If you are using the 60mm you don't want an external diopter. You can use this with the 105mm but you probably won't need it.

 

I have a Nikon 60mm macro and a 105mm macro lens for sale. Both are in excellent condition with boxes and all acessories. PM me if you are interested.

Edited April 1, 2008 by UWphotoNewbie

[Canuck 3]

It goes to 1:1 but you have to get so close its hard to ge things smaller than that. If you want true macro 1:1 (christmas tree worms, nudibranchs, blennys etc. ) you'll need the 105mm.

 

I disagree. I shoot the Canon 60 mm all the way down to 1:1. It is excellent for nudis etc., and also for fish. It is very versatile. This photo is full frame:

 

[LekicINC 0]

Thanks everyone. I am definitely going to get a woody's diopter. Does anyone else feel that the 105mm is necessary for small stuff like nudis, shrimp etc.?

 

Any tips for lighting with the diopter and the 60 mm?

[Deep6 7]

Thanks everyone. I am definitely going to get a woody's diopter. Does anyone else feel that the 105mm is necessary for small stuff like nudis, shrimp etc.?

 

Any tips for lighting with the diopter and the 60 mm?

 

Depends. I poor viz. and at night, I prefer the 60 mm. For very tight 1:1 or >1:1, the 105 with its longer min. focus distance is easier to use. Small strobes [eg Ike 50, Inon, ..] are better for 1:1 using the 60. The power of the strobes for macro is not really important since the stobe to subject distance is likely less than .5 m.

 

The "Woody" diopter comes in 90, 100, and 110 (& 120???) mm diameters.

[LekicINC 0]

Depends. I poor viz. and at night, I prefer the 60 mm. For very tight 1:1 or >1:1, the 105 with its longer min. focus distance is easier to use. Small strobes [eg Ike 50, Inon, ..] are better for 1:1 using the 60. The power of the strobes for macro is not really important since the stobe to subject distance is likely less than .5 m.

 

The "Woody" diopter comes in 90, 100, and 110 (& 120???) mm diameters.

 

Thanks Deep6. Why are small strobes better with the 60 mm. I bought the 60 mm. Do you think it is worth also getting the 105 mm. Also, how about the sigma 105 mm lense?

[BottomTime 4]

Small strobes are desirable because you can fit them into tighter places which you'll find yourself doing quite often when shooting macro.

I prefer the 105mm for working in the 1:1 macro range because of the increased working distance, but it is less utilitarian and can be a little frustrating to use. My recommendation is to stick with the 60mm lens for now and grow into the 105mm when you find yourself needing the increased working distance.

Diopters are difficult to work with with the 60mm because the lens already has a small working distance, but something I do quite often with my 60mm is stick a 2x teleconverter on it. It'll give you a little more versatility out of your lens if you find yourself wanting to go 1:1 and beyond.

 

Cheers,

 

Mike

[LekicINC 0]

Small strobes are desirable because you can fit them into tighter places which you'll find yourself doing quite often when shooting macro.

I prefer the 105mm for working in the 1:1 macro range because of the increased working distance, but it is less utilitarian and can be a little frustrating to use. My recommendation is to stick with the 60mm lens for now and grow into the 105mm when you find yourself needing the increased working distance.

Diopters are difficult to work with with the 60mm because the lens already has a small working distance, but something I do quite often with my 60mm is stick a 2x teleconverter on it. It'll give you a little more versatility out of your lens if you find yourself wanting to go 1:1 and beyond.

 

Cheers,

 

Mike

 

 

Thanks Mike,

So I should hold off buying the 105 for now you think? Would my ys-60 strobe be a good fit when using the 60 mm? Could you put up a link to the 2x teleconverter you mention?

 

Many thanks!

[Steve Williams 0]

Small strobes are desirable because you can fit them into tighter places which you'll find yourself doing quite often when shooting macro.

Just to muddy the water a little bit more, Some folks would say that a large (more powerful) strobe is great for macro and actually preferred because you can get more light with a shorter flash duration, Say 1/4 power vs full, leading to sharper images. Like you said Mike "it depends". I'm with you all the way on the 60mm though.

 

Cheers,

 

Steve

[BottomTime 4]

So I should hold off buying the 105 for now you think? Would my ys-60 strobe be a good fit when using the 60 mm? Could you put up a link to the 2x teleconverter you mention?

 

Yes, that's right. I'd hold off on buying the 105mm for now. There is a lot that you learn and explore with the 60mm.

A 60mm micro with flat port (with focus control if you can afford it (FP-FC60)) and YS-60 should be a fine system to start with. You can add a second strobe if you want later on.

I use a nikon TC201 teleconverter, but I wouldn't recommend that model. It doesn't allow you to auto focus or change the aperture inside a housing and it won't work with the D70 for anything other than 100% manual exposure. Besides, they don't make them anymore.

I've never used, but I hear good things about the Kenko pro converters. As I understand, you maintain full control of your lens (no Auto focus with AFS lenses I think). Maybe someone else can comment on these specific converters?

You should be able to use the same port with an extension ring when you're using the teleconverter (I use 40mm Ext ring).

 

Cheers,

 

Mike