Aquatica or Nauticam for T2i/550D

[Viz'art]

We have adapter to accept Subal (type III) and Sea & Sea ports and I will second Bill's opinion about the kit lens, its a "sitting between two chairs" lens, either go wide or macro but the in between is exactly that... in between.

I do like the 60mm from Canon with the APS sensor camera. and the Tokina 10-17mm, well, let's put it this way, if ever someone decide to design the perfect lens for underwater photography, then I think they would be late, it's here already!

 

[decidedlyodd]

Yesterday I made some calls around to various dealers to get quotes and some advice on options. I ended up ordering the Nauticam this morning. I was pretty torn between the two housings. Based on everything I've heard, they both seemed like great options. However, the only dealer I was considering that carries Aquatica, didn't have any of their T2i housings in stock at this time, which made it easy to choose Nauticam.

 

[captronbon]

I just got a fairly good price for the T21 and the 60 mm lens from Cameta Camera (sorry, am I allowed to say that here?)
Anyway, my thanks for this great thread, but my next question is, with the 60 mm lens, is it best to look into the Canon lens ( close to $500 for this), or is there a less expensive altenative, and, if it is minimally "less expensive", my guess is to stay with the canon quality.
What is the thought there? Thanks again. b

 

[bvanant]

The Canon 60 is a great lens. The Tamron 60 is also very nice and can use a 1.4 teleconverter if you want some more magnification. Either is a great option.
Bill

 

[darook]

I have the Canon and really like it. I haven't been diving with it yet or my t2i rig for that matter but above water it is great fun for macro and portraits. The AF is amazingly fast, accurate, and quiet.

I do have the Tamron SP 70-300 VC and absolutely love it. So far my impression of Tamron is very high.

Don't know that this helps other than to say I think you will be happy either way. Definitely go Tokina 10-17 for WA, that lens is amazing.

 

[captronbon]

Ok, here's where I get a bit lost. and please don't slam me for being novice, because I am and just trying to research to make the best decision.

But, I just researched the Tamron Lens, it is 70-300mm, again, new here, but that seems like a huge range, also, the canon 70-300 goes for close to $500, the Tamron70-300mm is selling on Amazon for $164.95,
Also, why the 70-300 instead of the 60mm?

Thanks again appreciate the information
b

 

[Viz'art]

Ok, here's where I get a bit lost. and please don't slam me for being novice, because I am and just trying to research to make the best decision.

But, I just researched the Tamron Lens, it is 70-300mm, again, new here, but that seems like a huge range, also, the canon 70-300 goes for close to $500, the Tamron70-300mm is selling on Amazon for $164.95,
Also, why the 70-300 instead of the 60mm?

Thanks again appreciate the information
b

Anybody that slam's you for being a novice has a short memory span, we where all novice at one point and all of us had our "questions" about the gears! the reference to the 70-300mm has more to do with being satisfied with the Tamron brand (rightly so BTW) than an actual recommendations of lens choice for underwater. I know of no manufacturer who actively support this kind of very long focal lenght lenses for underwater photography, it is just not a partical lens for this type of photography. The typical lens kit for a APS sensor camera is something like this:

Tokina 10-17mm fisheye for wide angle
A 60mm Macro lens (Canon or Tamron being the likely candidate here)
to expend, most often the choice will be among the following
Canon 10-22mm or Sigma 10-20 (these being rectilinear and not fisheye)
and the Sigma 17-70mm HSM OS which has a very decent close up capabillity along with a nice zoom range (very good scouting lenses BTW and I would recommend this lens in lieu of the kit lens from Canon).
If you get into tiny wheeny stuff, the the 100 macro will be a welcome addition, the 100mm does not make for a "bigger" picture than the 60mm, but it gives more working distance and when coupled with diopter or other close up attachements, that extra distance will make the difference between crunching stuff or not.

I am sure that they are more lens combination, but with the selections above, there is no reason why your shots would not be great apart from the human factor, (this later can be upgraded/updated on a daily basis, so no big problem here ) just soak in the info and apply it. We all screw up once in a (frequent) while, and I for one, need one or two dive to dial myself in (not the equipment) whenever I go on a trip. (and I work in this field every day)

 

[darook]

I think the confusion is my fault Captrobon. I was just seconding the Tamron quality with the experience I have had with it topside. The SP 70-300 is definitely topside glass. I have the Canon ef-s 60 for macro and like it. I hope to have uw pictures taken with this gear in the next couple of months.