l.babcock 2 Posted January 26, 2005 I would like to purchase a wide angle lens that would work both underwater and on land, I have had discussions privately with some members and I have narrowed it down to 2 lens the sigma 15 mm fish eye or the Nikon 10.5 mm fish eye ,if anyone has any other good choices let me know. Underwater I will be shooting reefs wrecks and fish, so I need a versatile lens. and I have used wide angle underwater before . I used to shoot nikonis 5 with ses & sea 15 mm lens, that was the only lens I used Thanks Larry Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
james 0 Posted January 26, 2005 What do you intend to shoot on land? If whatever it is has a lot of straight lines (indoors, for instance), these fisheyes will be problematic. In that case, I'd recommend the Nikon 12-24 or Sigma 12-24. Cheers James Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
l.babcock 2 Posted January 26, 2005 I really didn’t want to purchase a $1000.00 lens give or take $100 or $200, Is the Nikon 12-24 is that much better than any other wide angle lens? , also does the lens focus up close. Larry Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sbrady 0 Posted January 26, 2005 I've got the Sigma 12-24 and love it... works great both above and below... I think I paid around 750.00 or so... somewhere around there... less than the Nikon. - Sean Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
l.babcock 2 Posted January 26, 2005 I called Ikelite, they do not make a dome port for the sigma 12-24. Larry Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
james 0 Posted January 26, 2005 You didn't mention that the lens had to fit in an Ikelite housing Larry. Have you already purchased the Ikelite? Cheers James Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Detonate 0 Posted January 26, 2005 The 12-24 is a great wide angle lens for topside use for sure, because it does not distort. However, I find the image quality of this lens unacceptable for it's cost. I'm more happy shooting my 18-70 kit lens if at all possible, and save the 12-24 for those instance where I just have to have that extra few degrees of width. Also, I don't like the 12-24 underwater that much either. There is a lot of noticable corner softness behind an Ike dome. I have not had the oppurtunity to shoot the 10.5, and play with the barrel distortion correction in Nikon Capture to comment on whether or not it would be a decent choice for topside use. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
l.babcock 2 Posted January 26, 2005 Yes , I have already bought the Ikelite Housing for my D70 , I am a Ikelite dealer, the price was right. Larry Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
l.babcock 2 Posted January 26, 2005 more input would be very helpfull, I would like to make a decission by Friday Thanks Larry Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
l.babcock 2 Posted January 26, 2005 Detonate, how come you didnt like the 12-24 underwater, and also what housing are you using with your camera. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
james 0 Posted January 26, 2005 OK, how's this sound for a strategy: Get a 15mm Sigma fisheye for underwater use $350 Get a Nikkor 24-85AFS for topside use ~ $250 I just don't think you'll be happy with the 15mm fisheye as a topside lens. Cheers James Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
l.babcock 2 Posted January 26, 2005 James, thanks for the reply, I have a 28-100 lens already, I would like to have a lens a little wider, I was thinking maybe going with the 15 mm for underwater, and the sigma 12-24 for topside, which would be a better WA lens for underwater, the 10.5 or 15mm since both of them are not any good topside. Larry Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
james 0 Posted January 26, 2005 I recommend the 15mm Sigma then. I don't recommend the 10.5 because simply put, it is not a wide angle lens - it's a fisheye lens when used on the D70. A fisheye lens is a specialty lens and it's rare to have a subject that can fill the frame. The 15mm is a fisheye lens when used on a FF camera, but on the D70, it's basically a wide angle lens with more barrel distortion than usual. It's just plain easier to use and you will get great results for a low price. Cheers James Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Detonate 0 Posted January 26, 2005 Detonate, how come you didnt like the 12-24 underwater, and also what housing are you using with your camera.I have an Ike housing. I find the performance of the lens between around 12-18mm to be too soft. And underwater you'll get considerable corner softness from the dome. The 18-24mm performance is excellent. Much better than the 18-24mm performance of the kit lens. I just feel that dropping almost a grand for this lens was a waste. I rarely use the lens, except for the fact that it is so expensive, I force myself to take it on at least 1 or 2 of my dives. -jim Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ikelite 0 Posted January 27, 2005 There are those who aren't so sure the 12-24 corner sharpness is any better behind an 8" dome while inspecting the test results after mounting an Aquatica dome on an Ikelite housing. Anyone care to claim spectacular results? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
maelstrom 0 Posted January 27, 2005 I have the Nikkor 16 mm fisheye. I am very happy with it. The 17-80 kit lens has soft and distorted edges at the wide end. Hal Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
riki 0 Posted January 27, 2005 Is anybody using Sea&Sea Compact Wide Port with Nikon 12-24 lens? Is it better/worse then having a Dome Port? /riki Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Starbuck 0 Posted January 27, 2005 I agree with Jim and Ike regarding the 12-24 corners... I have used this lens behind Ike's dome and Nexus dome with the same mediocre results. My 18-70 is much better. For 1000 bucks I was hoping for a lot more. My two favorite lenses currently are the 10.5 and 18-70 for the d70... M. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Starbuck 0 Posted January 27, 2005 James- do you have any images in your gallery that were taken with the 15mm Sigma? M. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Detonate 0 Posted January 27, 2005 I agree with Jim and Ike regarding the 12-24 corners... I have used this lens behind Ike's dome and Nexus dome with the same mediocre results. My 18-70 is much better. For 1000 bucks I was hoping for a lot more. My two favorite lenses currently are the 10.5 and 18-70 for the d70... M. Yeah, I don't think it's Ike's dome. I just think it's the nature of the lens. I just want to stress again that I don't think it's a terrible lens. I just think it's way over priced. I feel it is much more of a $600 lens at best. My favorite lens is still my 60mm, and once I wet my 105mm, it may become my favorite. I may start using my 18-70 again and giving it another shot. I think I need to replace my cheapy diopter though, as it may be what is causeing my lack luster results with that lens. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ryan 48 Posted January 27, 2005 I waas never happy shooting the 12-24, even behind the most expensive (I didn't say best) $1k glass domes at anything less than f11. That being said, the Nexus FEP-170 and Ikelte dome port still exhibit soft corners at this aperture. Nexus' newly recomended dome for the 12-24 (like their fourth suggestion) may solve the problem, but I haven't had a chance to get it in the water. I've heard lots of grumbling about a sharper, yet harder to pack, alternative from Ikelite too... This absolutely isn't the sharpest lens Nikon has ever made, but is very usable, and covers a very useful range. The compact wide port from Sea & Sea should produce terrible results- this lens absolutely requires a dome, and a bigger one (the NX Fisheye port, or Athena's port) will make your life easier and placement less important. If I were to ever break my 10.5, the Sigma 15mm would be my next choice. But only after I broke my 10.5... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ikelite 0 Posted January 27, 2005 Photos on following URL: http://www.ikelite.com/web_pages/triv_haasdrebel.html were shot by Haas with 15mm Sigma according to my notes. He also forwarded some 15mm Sigma Fisheye shots with a Rebel from Australia which I will try to add to our site this weekend............ Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ikelite 0 Posted January 28, 2005 Haas Australia photos with 15mm Sigma Fisheye and Sigma 50mm macro lenses asembled in a mini collage (however that is spelled) by someone with no artistic talent and limited ability to manipulate and assemble images with PhotoShop: http://www.ikelite.com/web_pages/triv_aust_haas.html Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SeaDogDiver 0 Posted January 30, 2005 Just when I thought it was safe................. I only "thought" I was ready to make a decision to buy a 12-24 nikon based on the "complete lens bag" sticky thead........but after reading this thread, the question marks are starting to pop up. Has the 12-24 lost it's initial luster based on experience? Your suggestions and input are welcome. I don't won't to spend the hard earned cash and end up with the proverbial "pooch". Thanks Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Starbuck 0 Posted January 30, 2005 My experience with the 12-24 behind Ike's dome with no diopter had mixed results. Behind nexus dome with no diopter same mixed results. I will be trying behind nexus dome with +4 diopter next...this may help. It's been more difficult for me to get consistent results with this lens than the 10.5, 18-70, 60 or 105mm.. M. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
