D200

[Capt Tom McCarthy]

I just ordered an aquatica housing for my D200. Can't wait till it arives. I've already purchased a 105mm macro lens. But I was wondering if anyone has any opinions on the 60mm macro Nikon makes. I've never used it so i'm pretty curious how it performs in the water.

 

[ssra30]

The 60mm is excellent. To get to 1:1, you will have to get quite a bit closer than the 105mm which is useful if you dive in murky water. However it is a pain, if you try to get a picture of something very skittish. AF is very fast eventhough it is an older design. Which 105mm lens did you get? The old version or the new AF-S one? 60mm will AF much faster than the old 105mm.

 

[Rooster]

I have both, and have used them both with a housed F-100 and now a D-70. I’ll soon be using them with my D200. Both will do 1:1 but like ssra30 says the 60 is harder to get 1:1 because of how close you have to get to the subject. This can also make it harder to position the strobes when shooting so close. The 60 does focus faster, hunts less, is quieter, focuses better in lower light, is smaller and lighter, which makes the rig more compact. I personally use the 105 more, but I like to get as small as possible, and do allot of dedicated Macro dives. The 60 will get you more photos in unknown conditions as you can do fish portraiture and diver half shots. Make sure you let us know how things work out, as I am very interested in info on The Aquatica/D200. Did you opt for the iTTL conversion circuitry? I have my D70 in an Ike housing but plan on going back to Aquatica for my D200.

 

[Capt Tom McCarthy]

Yea, I figured all that was true, I just needed a second opinion. ssra I got the new AF 105mm. It's nice but it's a little skitzo with the focusing when you get near the minimum distance. I'm not quite sure about the TTL circuitry Rooster. Personally I'm not a fan of TTL so it wasn't a factor I looked into during the purchase. I would definately suggest aquatica housings though. They're beautifully made and they're not made of plastic like those ikelights :05: . It's got an optional moisture alarm which is great since you cant see the water sloshing around in case of a flood. I was lucky enough to get a very limited production black housing. Usually they're silver. It cost a few bucks more but It's worth it to be the only black housing in the soak tank. Hehe. If you have any questions I'm dealing with a very experianced photographer/ dealer named Mauricio Handler. He's helping with everything I need and along with your purchase he provides you with any knowledge you need. If you want his e-mail address then PM me. Unfortunately the housing is in very high demand. I pulled this off of aquatica.ca.
"Aquatica D200 housing: Due to overwhelming demand, Aquatica
would like to request all photographers interested in our new housing for the Nikon D200, which will ship at the end of March, to please reserve a housing
in adavance. These reservations will
be dealt with on a first come first serve basis. For a list of dealers closest to you, please look at our dealer section
or contact us at info@aquatica.ca."

 

[ssra30]

Have you talked to Aquatica about port compatibility with the new 105 AF-S/VR? The lens is significantly chunkier than the old 105 and the switch for VR, AF/M sticks out a bit. As far as I know, if won't fit in current ports of many manufacturers but most are working on solution for this lens since it will be a very popular lens for Nikon for uw use. However Aquatica port is a bit bigger than most so they probably will have less problem with this lens.

 

[Capt Tom McCarthy]

Have you talked to Aquatica about port compatibility with the new 105 AF-S/VR? The lens is significantly chunkier than the old 105 and the switch for VR, AF/M sticks out a bit. As far as I know, if won't fit in current ports of many manufacturers but most are working on solution for this lens since it will be a very popular lens for Nikon for uw use. However Aquatica port is a bit bigger than most so they probably will have less problem with this lens.

Yup... Aquatica makes a 105mm port extension for $185.00. It's used along with the 60mm port.

 

[Rooster]

Yup... Aquatica makes a 105mm port extension for $185.00. It's used along with the 60mm port.

Do you have the part# for the port extension for the 105VR lens? The old 105 extension (the one I have) is for the original 105 and may or may not work with the new 105 VR lens. Also, since the new VR lens is, as ssra30 says, "Chunkier", is there a manual focus gear available? Even though I have the focus gears for both the 60 and 105, I never even put them on. Just asking these questions to help get the new info out for us all to use. One of the few complaints I have about Aquatica is their lack of new or updated info on their web site. Sorry to use you as the guinea pig but that’s what comes with being the first kid on the block

 

[Capt Tom McCarthy]

The part number for the port extension for the 105mm is #18453. Yea, there is a manual focus gear, I ordered that as well. The part # is 18679 and it runs for $85. Yea, I agree with you on aquatica's website. They dont even have a pic of the housing for the d200. I probably wouldn't have even considered aquatica for the housing if I didn't find out about it from a friend.

 

[Rooster]

The part number for the port extension for the 105mm is #18453. Yea, there is a manual focus gear, I ordered that as well. The part # is 18679 and it runs for $85. Yea, I agree with you on aquatica's website. They dont even have a pic of the housing for the d200. I probably wouldn't have even considered aquatica for the housing if I didn't find out about it from a friend.

Those are the part#s for the "old" 105mm Micro Nikor lens. These are the same parts that I have. The dimensions of the new 105 "VR" lens are quite different. You may want to give Mauricio a call, or call Aquatica direct. I'm not sure Aquatica has even tested the new VR lens yet.

 

[alcina]

I don't use Nikon, but Canon has the same (more or less) lens choices for macro. Get the 60 as well as the 105!

I really thought the 100 would stay on my camera, but I've found that the 60 is my lens of choice right now. Yes, you do need to be careful getting close to skittish creatures, but I've found that with the 100 I was having trouble getting far enough away here! Terrible problem to have, I know, but it was frustrating so the 60 is wonderful.

Lighting can be a bear when you are right on top of things with the 60, but patience, practice and multiple shots are a good thing! LOL

I'm so glad I bought both the 100 and the 60 at the same time. They have given me the flexibility I need to avoid those truly frustrating dive days (most of the time).

If you don't have a Woody, get one...I never head out without mine now (it took once of forgetting it).

Have fun with the new toys!!