Lenses for pt-030 vs ikelite

[DvrDoug]

In trying to make my decision between the ike housing and the oly housing for my SP-350… Do add on lenses play into this equation? Will lenses for one or the other be cheaper or be able to be used on another housing later?

 

[RockyHeap]

I just went with BOTH

Went for the INON wide angle lens with the bayonet fitting. Clicks right onto my Ikelite housing.

I also got the INON adapter for the PT-030, so I can still use the wide angle on either housing.

Best of both worlds, I'm planning on running a Magic filter in the PT-030 housing for shallow work and a back-up rig, then shoot mostly the Ikelite.

I highly suggest you contact Ryan at Reefphoto.com, as they had all arms, lenses and housings in stock, plus their service and technical knowledge was great as they new exactly what options and accessories to ship to me. Top notch place and the beat most other places pricing.

 

[DvrDoug]

OK, thanks.. I was hoping for more amo to make a decision on one housing vs the other. If I understood correctly the only difference was an adapter for the pt-030.
Since you have both; what are your opinions on the two?

 

[maynard.hogg]

Do add on lenses play into this equation?

Call me the voice of experience: It wasn't until after I down-sized from the PT-018 housing (http://www.flickr.com/photos/maynard/28420492/) that I realized that my screw-in close-up lens was too big. My plans for adding a wide angle lens are thus on hold while I save up to buy a new close-up lens.

Someone mentioned clip-on lenses. Those sound more obsolescence proof than the screw-in kind.

 

[jlyle]

Call me the voice of experience: It wasn't until after I down-sized from the PT-018 housing (http://www.flickr.com/photos/maynard/28420492/) that I realized that my screw-in close-up lens was too big. My plans for adding a wide angle lens are thus on hold while I save up to buy a new close-up lens.

Someone mentioned clip-on lenses. Those sound more obsolescence proof than the screw-in kind.

My Inon macro lens adapters came with step-down rings so the 67mm lens could be used on a variety of housings.

 

[Ryan]

The Ikelite housings port is not threaded, and requires this adapter for bayonet wide angles:

Ikelite 9306.80 Adapter for Inon Bayonet Mount Lenses

or this adapter for 67mm Threaded Lenses:

Ikelite Lens Port Adapter for 67mm Lenses

The SP-350 has a 46mm thread, so 67mm lenses can be attached via step up rings. The works great for macros, but image quality degrades significantyl with the wide angle lens.

This is an excellent 46mm Wide Angle Lens that attaches directly to the housing:

Fisheye 46mm Wide Angle Lens for Compact Digicam Housings

Alternatively, Inon's AD Mount is a "1-touch", quarter turn bayonet fitting which makes it a little easier to swap out lenses underwater. Their "AD" Series Lenses are excellent.

Inon AD Mount Base PT-030 for attaching bayonet mount lenses.

 

[maynard.hogg]

My Inon macro lens adapters came with step-down rings so the 67mm lens could be used on a variety of housings.

My close-up lens is from Inon. I didn't know that there were adapters for it.
As it happens, Saturday I'm going to the shop to pick up my Mosquito, so will ask then.