fathomthis 0 Posted November 17, 2004 Hi all, I'm considering the new Ikelite housing for my Canon 20D. I would use my EFS 18-55mm zoom with the #5503 port. Since this lens can focus to 11", it wouldn't require a diopter to work with the port (according to Ikelite website), but based on my experience with previous housings (Light and Motion/Olympus 4040 and Ikelite/Sony 707 housing) I typically lose focus ability in the inner/outer 1/3 of the range. Ikelite tells me this may be the case here too, but they have no direct experience. Are there any Ikelite/Canon 300D users out there using that lens/port combo that can give me their "in the water" experience? thanks, -john Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dhaas 40 Posted November 17, 2004 Hi John, See my one Canon Digital Rebel gallery at the link below, all shot with the "kit" lens when the new Ikelite SLR-DC housing first came out. I also wrote up a review on this housing when it first came out. You can find under past reviews on Wetpixel. On any EF-S capable Canon dSLR that has the 1.6X magnification factor (applies to the Canon Digital Rebel and EOS 20D) this lens approximately covers 28.8-88mm. As you mentioned, because it can focus to 11" and "see" the apparent image a dome port creates no diopter is required. I've been able to attain focus lock at the widest and farthest ranges with no problem behind the #5503 standard dome port. For a $100.00 lens it's actually pretty sharp when shot at apertures of F5.6-11 !!! For shooting underwater with your Digital Rebel I think you have enough range to capture some good photos. Be sure to see my newest review on Ikelite's eTTL back they now have available for the Digital Rebel housing plus as retrofit soon. For macro shooting it's definitely worthwhile, plus adjusting strobe power output manually from the the housing back for wide angle works well, too. Email any questions. David Haas davidhaas@sbcglobal.net Sample galleries at: www.pbase.com/dhaas Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dwloop 0 Posted November 18, 2004 John, Like David said, it will focus over the full zoom range. In fact it will get pretty close UW as well. In pool tests that I posted to another forum board, I got the 18-55mm to focus down to about 8" behind the 5503 dome, no diopter. I just purchased a 17-40L and 5503.50 dome, and I believe the 18-55 - 5503 will focus closer for some reason. The 'L' lens is a nice piece of glass though. Be warned also, that if you try to use a diopter on the 18-55 with the 5503 dome, it will strike the dome at zoom end and may damage it. Dave Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
marksteele 0 Posted November 22, 2004 John, Ditto what Dave said about avoiding diopters for fear of hitting and scratching the port. My experience has been that focus will lock at full zoom (55mm), but focus is actually off at the supposed POF (i.e., in my fish portaits, the eyes were out of focus even though the lens had locked on them). I no longer even attempt shots at full zoom anymore. From about 50mm down, I've had no problems. Mark Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Marjo 8 Posted November 23, 2004 We had a long thread about this in the spring sometime. Ikelites site used to say that a +4 diopter was needed, but the wording on the site was changed. I had used a diopter with a resulting scratch to the dome,. However Ike was really kind and replaced my dome (another gold star to Ike). Sinmce I have not used a diopter, and I have had no problems whatsoever focusing without it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ikelite 0 Posted November 24, 2004 See: http://www.ikelite.com/web_pages/qdiopter.html Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
