105 or 60

[John Gulliver]

John,

Why don't you come down and dive with us in Libya? It is nice and safe here and only
a short flight or you

Interesting! I've never heard of anyone going to Libya for a diving holiday. On the whole, diving in the Med canot compete with the Red Sea unless you are a wreck fanatic, in which case Malta is a Mecca, of course. Still, I look forward to more info' and seeing some pics. Perhaps we are all missing something.

 

[arebi]

welcome to dive in libya....

How is the diving in Libya? I would be interested to check that out if there is something good to photograph - perhaps post something in the area forum

 

[Magrone]

Something that has not been mentioned yet: The 105mm will allow for an easy supermacro upgrade with a wet diopter while the 60mm will end up focusing too close to gain much advantage for getting greater than 1:1 (unless you are shooting nudis with a ring flash).

I shot these Mantis Shrimp with a 60mm, and actually could have gotten closer but was also trying to position a snoot correctly. Note: They are cropped a little and processed since they were shot in RAW. The first two were shot in Anilao and the third was on the Liberty Wreck in Bali.

 

[SeaInFocus]

I have both, but when diving in SoCal, I prefer to use the older 60mm with a 1.4x teleconverter. That combo focuses much faster and is more forgiving in the murkier, surgy waters of southern California. Perhaps this article will help, too ---> Choosing a macro lens 60mm or 100/105mm | Underwater Photography Guide

 

[WetLens]

Agree with others that if only one, I'd stick with the 60. Others are saying that they find the 105 as easy to use as the 60, but I don't find that to be true for me. The 60 w/port is more compact - easier to lug around - and my D90 finds focus much easier. That said, I find myself using the 105 more and more as I seek out smaller and smaller critters. A +10 external diopter works more magic on a 105 - hardly worth using on the 60.

 

[Doc Harry]

I have the 60 and really wish I had the 105 for tigher macro shots.

The 60 is nice for fish portraits.

 

[ElliottM]

I have a Nikon D5100 and am looking to outfit the camera for UW duty. I have followed this and other threads, read the UW photography guide site, and would like to get feedback from folks here on the following:
- what about the Sigma 105mm vs. the Nikon 105?
- the newer Nikon 85mm looks intriguing for the price (albeit a f/3.5 lens)
- feedback on the Tamron 90mm f/2.8? it seems to sell for about 1/2 the cost of the Nikonj 105mm

 

[Doc Harry]

I have a Nikon D5100 and am looking to outfit the camera for UW duty. I have followed this and other threads, read the UW photography guide site, and would like to get feedback from folks here on the following:
- what about the Sigma 105mm vs. the Nikon 105?
- the newer Nikon 85mm looks intriguing for the price (albeit a f/3.5 lens)
- feedback on the Tamron 90mm f/2.8? it seems to sell for about 1/2 the cost of the Nikonj 105mm

What's the point of putting cut-rate $10 Chinese tires on a $100,000 Porsche?

A Sigma or Tamaron lens on a Nikon? Really?

 

[ElliottM]

Doc, I appreciate your point. But, as we all know, the cost of pulling together a complete UW set adds up - fast. And some of the new Sigma and Tamron lenses have gotten very high marks, If I can get quality and save some cash, that cash can then be used for other stuff...

 

[Doc Harry]

Understand. My Nikon dive camera is worth more than my car.

An expensive dive camera and an expensive divorce, what do they have in common?

They're both worth it!