Choice Lenses for a 20D

[Skoobadiver]

I echo the gratitude. Thanks for all the comments and suggestions. I went down and dropped a few dollars on glass after thinking about how I'll use it the most. I started with the 20D as a kit with the 17mm to 85mm zoom. Helped a lot with the rebates and I think a beter choice than the 17mm to 55mm. I then chose the 100mm macro as my second choice. For a 3rd Canon lens to get the most for my rebate I opted for the Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM. Not for underwater; but to satisfy my land needs. Thanks again for the comments and viewpoints; it was most helpful.

 

[alcina]

Always happy to throw in my ideas

Looking forward to seeing the images!!

 

[liberato]

Yes, thanks, everyone for the comments and links. Like Scoobaddiver, I wanted to take advantage of the rebates that just expired on Sunday. After a mind-numbing weekend of research I decided on this setup. It is not perfect but I don't really know what exactly I will need until I actually use it and get a feel for things. I was originally getting the Rebel XT but at the last moment changed to the 20D due to the couple hundred the rebate knocked off and the nicer magnesium case. I don't think there is anything regretable here.

Canon EOS 20D with Canon EF-S 17-85mm kit lens (for land use)
Canon EF-S 60mm Macro (for underwater)
Canon Super Wide Angle EF-S 10-22mm (both)
Lexar 1GB 80x CF
Ikelite E-TTL2 Housing
Ikelite Substrobe DS 125 with TTL Sync Cord
Flat dome port for the 60mm
6" dome port for the 10-22mm (Ikelite says to get the 8", though)
SLR Zoom Sleeve (not sure what this does, was listed in the footnotes for 10-22mm lens at Ikelite)
ULCS Quick Release Base Adapter, 15 Degree Clamps and 8" Arms

Next stop: Mucking around with all that in St. Vincent.

(It also looks like I inadvertently ordered 2 copies of Photoshop for the Underwater Photographer tutorial DVD. It is already shipped and I am not going to bother sending it back. Half price plus actual shipping to anyone interested. It looks like the package is the size of a CD case. First PM wins...)

 

[alcina]

Looks fabulous! Have fun playing with all the new toys.

I'd guess you are going to want a bigger card, though. I am using 1GB cards and up until the water warmed up they were fine...but now that I am diving longer bottom times I don't like to hit the water with the same card. It's not usually full, but it's almost always at least half filled and that isn't what I want to take down. Not a big deal to change a card, but nicer not to have to.

 

[Diver Dennis]

Yes, thanks, everyone for the comments and links. Like Scoobaddiver, I wanted to take advantage of the rebates that just expired on Sunday. After a mind-numbing weekend of research I decided on this setup. It is not perfect but I don't really know what exactly I will need until I actually use it and get a feel for things. I was originally getting the Rebel XT but at the last moment changed to the 20D due to the couple hundred the rebate knocked off and the nicer magnesium case. I don't think there is anything regretable here.

Canon EOS 20D with Canon EF-S 17-85mm kit lens (for land use)
Canon EF-S 60mm Macro (for underwater)
Canon Super Wide Angle EF-S 10-22mm (both)
Lexar 1GB 80x CF
Ikelite E-TTL2 Housing
Ikelite Substrobe DS 125 with TTL Sync Cord
Flat dome port for the 60mm
6" dome port for the 10-22mm (Ikelite says to get the 8", though)
SLR Zoom Sleeve (not sure what this does, was listed in the footnotes for 10-22mm lens at Ikelite)
ULCS Quick Release Base Adapter, 15 Degree Clamps and 8" Arms

Next stop: Mucking around with all that in St. Vincent.

(It also looks like I inadvertently ordered 2 copies of Photoshop for the Underwater Photographer tutorial DVD. It is already shipped and I am not going to bother sending it back. Half price plus actual shipping to anyone interested. It looks like the package is the size of a CD case. First PM wins...)

I use the 6" dome port for my 10-22mm with no problems. The zoom sleve allows you to do just that. You'll find that you have to install the camera with no lens first and then the lens with sleeve next.

 

[Diver Dennis]

Looks fabulous! Have fun playing with all the new toys.

I'd guess you are going to want a bigger card, though. I am using 1GB cards and up until the water warmed up they were fine...but now that I am diving longer bottom times I don't like to hit the water with the same card. It's not usually full, but it's almost always at least half filled and that isn't what I want to take down. Not a big deal to change a card, but nicer not to have to.

That's a good point alcina. I shoot raw and JPEG and a 1GB card only give you 82 shots.

 

[alcina]

I only shoot RAW. For me I see no need for the jpeg as the time it takes to make one from the RAW doesn't bother me

 

[liberato]

When you use the RAW + JPG setting can you set the JPG to be a different resolution (a thumbnail of sorts)?

 

[Diver Dennis]

When you use the RAW + JPG setting can you set the JPG to be a different resolution (a thumbnail of sorts)?

On my Rebel XT there is only one size.

 

[Michael Bartick]

I have the 350 xt. With an ike housing. It totally rocks. My lense choices vary with where im shooting and conditions.(obviously) In poor viz conditions its macro. I prefer the 60 mm lense. I can get within inches to pop stunning photo's, even in poor conditions(10ft. viz or less). There is a kit lense for everyday shots also. I believe it is an 18-55 mm. It does fairly well for wide angle applications with great results. The best part is that both of these lenses fit with the dome port on the ikelight housing.
If you are going BIG..Mantas up close, than you may need to bump up to a 25 mm fisheye. But than again the 20 rocks also...I know...there are alot of choices. I think there are many ways to choose lenses. One way is to choose the ones that will fit into the ports you already own.