Dive Guy
Guest
I just purchased a Nikon D200 and am looking for recommendations on lens to use for underwater photography. I'm completely new to this so would appreciate any advice.
Thanks, Mike
Thanks, Mike
Advise on Nikon D200 Lens
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Best duo for UW:
Nikkor 10.5mm (or 16mm if full-framed, not D200's case...)
Nikkor 105mm (new VR is better or old is cheaper)
These two are the forever-lenses for you UW work.
For topside (and some UW) consider the Nikkor 12-24mm or 18-135mm (new) depending on the cash flow.
Nikkor 10.5mm (or 16mm if full-framed, not D200's case...)
Nikkor 105mm (new VR is better or old is cheaper)
These two are the forever-lenses for you UW work.
For topside (and some UW) consider the Nikkor 12-24mm or 18-135mm (new) depending on the cash flow.
While I agree with Mariozi on most things....the 10.5 is a great lens but VERY hard to use well underwater. Definitely not a beginners lens.
The 105 is a great lens too and a must have lens. I have not read anything saying the new VR performs better underwater. I have heard that the focus motor is quieter but I MF so it is a non-issue. I have even recently read that it does not AF any faster in low-light situations. I would save some money and get the older one. You will have enough money left over to get a Sigma 15mm which is a great WA lens or a Nikkor 60mm which is the most versatile lens that you will use underwater. With an external diopter "Woodys" you can shoot most of a shark and a nudubranch on the same dive.
Dave
The 105 is a great lens too and a must have lens. I have not read anything saying the new VR performs better underwater. I have heard that the focus motor is quieter but I MF so it is a non-issue. I have even recently read that it does not AF any faster in low-light situations. I would save some money and get the older one. You will have enough money left over to get a Sigma 15mm which is a great WA lens or a Nikkor 60mm which is the most versatile lens that you will use underwater. With an external diopter "Woodys" you can shoot most of a shark and a nudubranch on the same dive.
Dave
DBH, the 10.5mm is not that hard.
I have seen photographers going from stumble to pro pictures with her with just one corrective dive. The main difficulties I recognize in people shooting with her is the "get close, shoot upward" thing and this is an easy characteristic to overcome in students.
I have seen photographers going from stumble to pro pictures with her with just one corrective dive. The main difficulties I recognize in people shooting with her is the "get close, shoot upward" thing and this is an easy characteristic to overcome in students.
fpoole
Contributor
I'm in the same boat, so-to-speak, the D200 is in the mail... but couldn't decide on the lens, so ordered a 60mm until I can get it figured out.. and the 105vrs become available.
First note I've heard with the 10.5 difficulties?? what's the issue or what link is there in discussing it??
I was figuring the 16mm and the 105vr as I want to shoot "Natural Light" photos as much as possible..
The choice between the 10.5 and the 16 is the big question.. Most recommend the 10.5, but I've seen some "Above Water" and there appeared to be too much distortion, bending in the photo, so figured the 16 would be a sweet spot???
So in a nut shell, what's the difficulty with the 10.5??
Thanx for any input..
ps. Plan on using in the Sea & Sea Housing until the Titan arrives, 1st of next year or so...
thanx...
First note I've heard with the 10.5 difficulties?? what's the issue or what link is there in discussing it??
I was figuring the 16mm and the 105vr as I want to shoot "Natural Light" photos as much as possible..
The choice between the 10.5 and the 16 is the big question.. Most recommend the 10.5, but I've seen some "Above Water" and there appeared to be too much distortion, bending in the photo, so figured the 16 would be a sweet spot???
So in a nut shell, what's the difficulty with the 10.5??
Thanx for any input..
ps. Plan on using in the Sea & Sea Housing until the Titan arrives, 1st of next year or so...
thanx...
The 10.5 is a DX lens built specifically for the Nikon digital cropped sensors.
So the 10.5 will give you a 180 degrees picture angle on the nikon DX format, whereas the 16 is something like 105 degrees. The 10.5 will also let you focus at a minimum of 5.5 inches and the 16mm will only allow you to focus down to 10 inches. The 16 is very slightly smaller and weighs ever so slightly less.
The angle of view of the 10.5 is the tricky part of learning the lens.
I've seen quite a few fins, strobes, fingers, fluffs of hair and unwanted reef or sea life in photos because you have to be conscious of the entire viewfinder when taking every single photo. To take full advantage of the beautiful optics of the lens, you should get as close as possible, then get even closer.
It is a spectacular lens.
So the 10.5 will give you a 180 degrees picture angle on the nikon DX format, whereas the 16 is something like 105 degrees. The 10.5 will also let you focus at a minimum of 5.5 inches and the 16mm will only allow you to focus down to 10 inches. The 16 is very slightly smaller and weighs ever so slightly less.
The angle of view of the 10.5 is the tricky part of learning the lens.
I've seen quite a few fins, strobes, fingers, fluffs of hair and unwanted reef or sea life in photos because you have to be conscious of the entire viewfinder when taking every single photo. To take full advantage of the beautiful optics of the lens, you should get as close as possible, then get even closer.
It is a spectacular lens.
Well said Bella! I don't have the 10.5mm lens (yet, it's on the wishlist) but do shoot the 12-24mm above water all the time. ANY wide angle shot is much better given the foreground is very close, use your rule of thirds and small aperture, shoot low looking up or upwards NOT down and you will be some good if not great shots!
From what I've seen the 10.5mm shots taken underwater look more natural than those taken above.....
From what I've seen the 10.5mm shots taken underwater look more natural than those taken above.....
Depends on budget. If starting out and limited budget I would buy in this order.
1. 17-55
2. 105 or 60 (105 if you dive in clear water, 60 if you dive where viz is low)
3. 12-24
4. 10.5 (like others say great lens but there is a learning curve)
For Dryland the new 18-200 is a decent all around lens to start with.
1. 17-55
2. 105 or 60 (105 if you dive in clear water, 60 if you dive where viz is low)
3. 12-24
4. 10.5 (like others say great lens but there is a learning curve)
For Dryland the new 18-200 is a decent all around lens to start with.
At the risk of taking flames from the pros again... I use a sigma 17-70mm lens for underwater. I had been told by several people that it wouldn't work too well at either end of the spectrum...
Personally, I wouldn't want to be bound to make the decision, "do I want to shoot only wide angle, or only macro"
Here's a few shots to show the versatility of a zoom.
17mm
17mm
45mm
70mm
These are all from the same day.
Personally, I wouldn't want to be bound to make the decision, "do I want to shoot only wide angle, or only macro"
Here's a few shots to show the versatility of a zoom.
17mm
17mm
45mm
70mm
These are all from the same day.
parabolic
Contributor
I think if you had only one dive left to do and didn't know the site, or your budget limited you to just one lens, the 60mm lens would be the right selection. It is the most versatile, from non-spooky macro subjects, great for small to medium-sized fish, and, as dbh points out, it is even possible to photograph large animals with it in a pinch. If money is no object, here is my suggestion for a suite of Nikon lenses that will cover virtually all underwater images in the known world, and are not completely duplicative:
10.5mm
12-24mm
60mm
105mm
10.5mm
12-24mm
60mm
105mm
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