D90 / 1 Questions 60/105mm & Ikelite Port

[midavies]

I am new to UW photography, actually to DSLR photography in general.

Managed a good pick on my D90 and the Tokina fisheye lens, but wish I had read these threads before buying my ikelite housing and a 6" dome port for the Tokina.

I have just purchased a 60mm and am thinking of getting a used 105. I am also hinking of getting a teleconverter and have a couple of questions:


1. Ikelite offer a number of flat ports that fit the 105 and the 60. Is there one that is better for each of these?


2. Silly question I am sure but on the 105 there seem to be a number of lens's 18-105, 105 AF........ which one do I want for my purposes?

3. (a) Will the same teleconverter work with the 60 and the 105?
(b) How does using a teleconverter change my port selection?




Many thanks and apologies for the dumb questions.

Mark

 

[AussieByron]

Hi Midavis.

Congratulations on getting the D90. I think its one of the best valued Nikon Camera's out there at the moment.

Firstly I wouldnt rush out and buy the 105mm straight away. I would play with the 60mm alot and actually see if you need to go for 105mm. I have both and I use the 60mm like 95% of the time.

If your thinking about Teleconverters just double check if your lens is compatable with them. The newer AF-S 60mm and 105mm macro lenses cannot auto focus with TC. The older AF-D can and you can use the cheaper Kenko pro 3000 TC with them with great results.

To answer your questions:

1. Ikelite provide a few port options for flat ports. Mainly one with manual focus, one without manual focus, and the new modular style of system. I personally think if your starting out geting new ports that the modular system is a good way to go. You buy the flat port and then buy the modular spacers that match the lens that you going to use. Yes the modular system is more expensive but you can also use some of the spacers and simply add another spacer to make a whole different port. Also saves some space when travelling. Important if your looking at adding TC to your lenses modular system would be the way to go especially if your adding a TC to the 105mm.

2. 105 macro. There are two of these lenses. Newer version is called the 105mm AF-S Macro (also called Micro)(Nikon 105mm f/2.8 VR) and the older version is called the AF Micro (Nikon 105mm AF Micro). I still recommend playing the with 60mm first before buying any 105mm especially if your looking at TC.

3.A. It depends if you have the older 60mm AF-D (Nikon 60mm AF-D Micro) and older 105mm AF or the newer AF-S 60mm (Nikon 60mm AF-S Micro) and the newer 105mm AF-S Vr.

If you have the older AF-D 60mm and the older 105mm AF you can use TC. You can also use the cheaper kenko pro 3000 TC instead of the expensive Nikkor TC. The newer lenses have limited use with TC like no auto focus.

You have to ask yourself what are you trying to do with the TC? Can the job be done with more versatile dioptre's like the woodies?

Personally I use a Kenko 2x with the 60mm AF-D which basically turns the 60mm into a 120mm but with the image size of 2x. I could add more dioptre's to increase that image size if need be. Honestly if you put a 2x TC on the 105mm which turns it into a 210mm Macro and it would be hard to keep still for those tiny subjects.

3b. Well your basically adding more length to your lense by adding a TC. So for example your 60mm flat port will be too small for the 60mm and TC. Actually my 60mm and 2x Tc fits into my 105mm port. This is where the modular system comes into its own. You can basically get a customised port.

Hope this answers your questions.

Regards Mark