Just picked up a new D70s...

[ScottZeagle]

I read numerous forums, talked to people who used Nikons, Cannons, etc. at at the end of the day, I decided to go with the D70s. I think it will be a good all around camera for me. I didn't want to spend the extra cash for the D80, although I was tempted...

I haven't decided if I want to take it underwater yet, but if I do, what housing would you folks recommend??

Mine came with the 18-70mm DX Zoom Nikkor Lens. If I want to do some top side macro shooting, will this lens do the trick, or should I look at something else?

If anyone has any extra lenses collecting dust, let me know...

Scott

 

[RonFrank]

I read numerous forums, talked to people who used Nikons, Cannons, etc. at at the end of the day, I decided to go with the D70s. I think it will be a good all around camera for me. I didn't want to spend the extra cash for the D80, although I was tempted...

I haven't decided if I want to take it underwater yet, but if I do, what housing would you folks recommend??

Mine came with the 18-70mm DX Zoom Nikkor Lens. If I want to do some top side macro shooting, will this lens do the trick, or should I look at something else?

If anyone has any extra lenses collecting dust, let me know...

Scott

You have just opened Pandora's box!

The minimum focus distance for the 18-70mm lens is 15" or 1:6.2, so hardly a macro lens. Nikon makes two macro lenses, they are the 105mm f2.8, and the 60mm f2.8. Sigma, Tamron, and Tokina also make lenses that fit Nikon. A poor man's macro can be had by adding a close up accessory filter to the front of most lenses. The quality will not be quite as good, but certainly good enough for many applications.

For a housing it really depends on your budget, if iTTL is important to you, and if Ike will trade you a housing for a couple BCD's!

I'd talk to Ryan at Reef, and see what you want to spend. I've been happy with my Ikelite housing, and it's about half the cost of most Alum housings. Alum housings however are rather Sexy, and the egonomics are generally a bit better. I think the Sea&Sea housing for the D70 is alum/poly, and a bit less expensive vs. the all alum models. However the Sea&Sea housing does NOT include iTTL built in, and that adds about $450 IF you want iTTL.

Everything is expensive when putting a DSLR UW. A cord for the strobe runs $80-160, just for a dern sync cord! This is another area where Ike is less expensive. Their ports range from $100~$380. Double that or more for Subal or Sea&Sea even if I have discovered optical glass is a LOT more durable than the plastic Ike domes.

As the D70s is about to be discontinued, I'd decide if you want a housing shortly. If you wait a year, you will not likely find them new.

 

[AUTiger]

I would still have gone with the D80. The cost difference between a D70s and a D80 is inconsequential compared to the additional cost of lenses, a housing, strobes, and arms. Which body you pick now with be with you for many years, once you spend $1,500-3,000 for a housing.

My D80 arrives tomorrow. Even if all other performance is equal, the larger viewfinder and LCD and 10MP sensor should be beneficial for underwater use. I'm probably going to get an Ikelite housing. I already have Ike strobes and sync cords. My current point and shoot has an Ike housing. I don't travel/dive enough to justify a $3k housing.

I just love Ike, anyways.

David

 

[vladimir]

Nikon makes two macro lenses, they are the 105mm f2.8.

This is my favorite lens.

As the D70s is about to be discontinued, I'd decide if you want a housing shortly. If you wait a year, you will not likely find them new.

On the other hand, when the housings for the D80 become available, there might be a lot of used D70 housings out there. I may be looking to sell a meticulously cared for Subal housing.

 

[ScottZeagle]

The minimum focus distance for the 18-70mm lens is 15" or 1:6.2, so hardly a macro lens. Nikon makes two macro lenses, they are the 105mm f2.8, and the 60mm f2.8. Sigma, Tamron, and Tokina also make lenses that fit Nikon. A poor man's macro can be had by adding a close up accessory filter to the front of most lenses. The quality will not be quite as good, but certainly good enough for many applications.

Thanks Ron, that is exactly the info I was looking for!!!

I have recently gotten into raising and breeding ball pythons, so I want to be able to take some cool close up shots of the snakes...but please don't tell my wife that I bought a new camera mainly for that purpose!!! :14:

We have a few other cameras that are already set up for u/w shooting, so I will stick with those for the time being...

Anyone have a extra macro lense they are willing to part with??

Thanks again!

Scott

 

[dbh]

If she hasn't sold it yet...here is one:

http://www.digitaldiver.net/wantads.php?adID=352

Jamie is as honest person as you will find.

HTH,
Dave

 

[ScottZeagle]

Thanks, Dave...I will shoot her a PM there.

Scott