Looking for 5d housing set-up help

[southernblue]

Hi all, i have a 5d that i would love to get under the water.

I am looking at the Ikelite housing at the moment, as it's a cheaper option to the Subal, apart from the housing, what are the extras i will be needing for getting decent images.

I have a 50mm f1.4, a 28-105mm f3.5-4.5, are these lenses suitable?, i may get the 60mm and the 100mm macros.

Will there be room enough for front lens filters on the lens inside the housing?, my 5d has been modded by Hutech for astrophotography, so it has had filter changes made to the cmos filters, i need to use a lens mounted filter to "equalize" these changes.

What other lenses would be good to use, and what are the strobe combo's i should be looking at getting?

As i am in Australia, can anyone point me in the right direction for getting my kit together.

Thanks for any advice.

 

[StevenB]

Hi Southernblue,

If you are getting an Ike housing, you'll probably want to use their strobes also, so that the ettl works. A couple of DS-125's would be good.

You will probably need to contact Ikelite regarding the filters fitting in the ports. Also you will need to look at Ikelite's website lens chart to see which lenses can be accomodated and ports required.

The 60mm macro is a cropped sensor lens, you will get vignetting on the 5D, so stick with the 100mm macro.

Instead of the 28-105, I would recommend a wide angle zoom or prime like a Sigma 12-24 or Canon 14mm prime. Again check Ike's ports chart to see what can fit.

Steve B

 

[alcina]

I would look at the following lenses (a friend has this set up and loves these)
- Sigma's 50mm macro...you will want a shorter macro as well as the
- Canon 100mm macro
- a wide angle...there are a variety of zoom choices that give you some flexibilty or there are dedicated focal lengths that are really nice! You'll need two strobes for these.

At least one strobe. Ikelite is a good choice - the 125 is a fabulous strobe. You will need the synch cords, arms, tray etc, too.

I'd contact Ryan at ryan@reefphoto.com www.reefphoto.com and he can help you get set up with everything you need right now and show you some options for growing in the future.

Happy shopping!

 

[havnmonkey]

Definitely add a wide lense to your setup...

 

[pakman]

Alcina, isn't the 10-22mm not compatible with the 5D as it's a EF-S lens?

 

[Jeff Toorish]

Alcina, isn't the 10-22mm not compatible with the 5D as it's a EF-S lens?

I was going to say exactly the same thing!

 

[alcina]

Sorry, wrong thread! LOL Only 1.5 days to finish everything and my brain is a bit fried.

Amended the post!

Definitely NOT the Canon 10-22 as it is an EFS lens and that's not going to work with the 5D.

 

[Manta Buddy]

Southernblue, continuing the zoom lens subject, there are not as many full-frame zoom lens alternatives as in case of cropped sensor.
Out of Canon lenses you might want to consider Canon 17-40mm f/4L. It appears to be a great alternative to Canon 16-35mm f/2.8L. One stop slower, but half as expensive. If you look at Sigma zoom lens lineup, stay away from DC marking, as it is for cropped sensor only. Sigma DG lenses work for both cropped and full-frame.
Ikelite site has a table for the lenses it supports and port numbers. Pay attention though that this list is for both cropped and full-frame cameras, so look for those lenses that are not marked EF-S for Canon or DC for Sigma.
http://ikelite.com/web_pages/2port_canon.html

Good Luck!

 

[Jim Greenfield]

Hi,
I have a 5D (Aquatica housing) and use it with a Sigma 50mm, Canon 100mm and a Canon 17/40mm zoom. The Sigma is an excellent lens and does 1:1 which the Canon 50mm won't. However make sure you get the correct port as when you go down to 1:1, the front of the lens extends, making a complete nonesense of Sigma's published specs. for this lens which just quote its non-extended length. Focussing is a bit noisy but that is a known feature with this lens and doesn't impair performance.
The Canon 100 is also excellent and despite comments I have read elsewhere, just snaps into focus instantly unless you are in very gloomy conditions when a spotting light helps.
I am very pleased with my 17/40 zoom. It focusses instantly and is tack sharp but I do use it at f8 or tighter. I do this because there is some corner distortion at the very wide end but that is to be expected with such an angle of view and I don't find it troublesome with underwater scenery which rarely has straight lines in it. There is also some vignetting at the wide end and stopping down minimizes this.
An alternative macro lens is the new Sigma 70mm which also does 1:1. I have not seen any reviews but know that it extends to about 16.5mm (from 9.5mm) when at 1:1.
Enjoy the camera - I am really chuffed with mine - the files are mind-blowing!!

 

[Taxgeek]

Hi. A little late to the party here. I've been using the 100mm macro (loooovve it) and the Canon 17/40 zoom. While 17-40 is a good zoom range, and killer sharp topside, you better get the 8" dome if you want usable corners. People have serious problems with the 5d and this lense. I'm currently really irritated with it and considering other options. You might consider a fish eye (15mm?) oinstead. I haven't researched it alot, but people say it works better with the curvature of the dome ports for some reason.