I'm stuck

[justleesa]

I was pretty sure that I wanted my next purchase to be a macro lens, maybe two. Gotta love those small fries and interesting close ups! But now I have been reading and trying to get more info on what a WAL can do for my pictures and that also seems to be a good choice (not to mention that a second strob is looking better and better too! anybody using 2 D180s?).
So now what? What would be the better choice and why? and which would be the better lens?....wallet is only big enough for one.
Aloha, Lisa

 

[Gilligan]

Lisa,
Go for the WAL. You can add a second strobe later if you feel the need. I love having the WAL. I should have gotten it before the strobe. You can use the WAL with your single strobe for critters that won't fit in the photo closeup and w/o the strobe using manual white balance for larger scenes like wrecks and reefs.
I debated on the close-up lens but put it on hold for now.

 

[Dee]

I agree with Jim. I get so much use out of my WAL, I can't imagine diving salt water without it. I would definately get one before a second strobe. All the wreck photo in my Roatan '04 albums were taken with a S&S 'L' WA lens, using Manual WB, if you want to see what it can do.

 

[alcina]

Lisa -

I am in the same place as you! BUT I am going for Macro (actually will probably get the WAL lens too - love that Visa card!) because that is what I absolutely adore shooting. I love sticking my head under ledges, in holes and spending ten minutes studying a single small piece of whip or soft coral to see who else is living there. So macro is essential for me...

So saying, I really like the images I am seeing with the WAL and am sure I will adore it when I get it. I know that when I was using my housed SLR I almost NEVER shot WA despite having a really nice lens and dome...I'd always return from my dive thinking "wish I would have had my macro!"

Now with wet change lense I can have both!

I guess it depends a lot on what you are going to take pictures of...me, 90% of my interest at the moment is teeny tiny creatures so if I could only have one it'd be the macro.

 

[SeaYoda]

I was pretty sure that I wanted my next purchase to be a macro lens, maybe two. Gotta love those small fries and interesting close ups!

Are the macro lenses for your 5050? I think it's pretty neat as is. Of course I just started and am easily impressed. Does anyone have pics with macro lenses and the 5050 that I could look at to see what I'm missing? One day I may financially recover from buying this first round of equipment and it would help to know what to drool for :yippie17: .

 

[alcina]

Are the macro lenses for your 5050? I think it's pretty neat as is. Of course I just started and am easily impressed. Does anyone have pics with macro lenses and the 5050 that I could look at to see what I'm missing? One day I may financially recover from buying this first round of equipment and it would help to know what to drool for :yippie17: .

I will get some up once I get my act together and order the dumb things from Yuzo! It keeps slipping down the list...

The 5050 does do great macro, and I haven't even played with the supermacro yet...but imagine a bigger little creature in the frame or getting the teeny teeny guys better

:lol2: Let's face it...I am a gear-aholic and want everything!!

 

[fdog]

Lisa -
I guess it depends a lot on what you are going to take pictures of...me, 90% of my interest at the moment is teeny tiny creatures so if I could only have one it'd be the macro.

Well said. I'm the other end of the spectrum, wide angle shots are 90% for me. Depends on your subject matter.

All the best, James

 

[SeaYoda]

...but imagine a bigger little creature in the frame or getting the teeny teeny guys better

This little guy was about an inch long - how teeny teeny is teeny teeny to you?

 

[alcina]

This little guy was about an inch long - how teeny teeny is teeny teeny to you?

His eyeball

 

[ReyeR]

This little guy was about an inch long - how teeny teeny is teeny teeny to you?

I assume you shot that 1" fish with a C5050 without additional lenses. The photo you posted, is that full-frame or have you applied a crop to it?