Nikon 18-105mm lens question

[Marty!]

I just got a Nikon D7000 with the Nikon 18-105mm lens, and am getting an Ikelite housing for it (I'm new to SLR game); I'm wondering if I should bother getting a port for that lens, i.e. how good it is underwater? I'm also getting the Tokina 10-17mm. I'll be shotting wide angle with the Tokina, and would also like a good general purpose lens, and am just wondering if the 18-105mm will do and if I should bother getting a port for it. Thanks for any advice.

 

[John Gulliver]

Review of the 18-105mm lens: Nikon 18-105mm VR The optics are evidently not nearly as good as the 18-55mm, which with a +4 diopter and Ikelite's dome port #5503.50 is a very useful mid-range underwater lens IMHO. Unless you can pick up a used #5503.82 port cheap, I wouldn't bother with the 18-105mm.

 

[Searcaigh]

I primarily shoot macro (Nikkor 60/85/105) and dabble with wide angle (Tokina 10-17).

When I converted to digital underwater with a D70 I also bought a port for the 18-70, which I have barely used underwater, so personally I would not bother with an additional port at the moment.

Enjoy the Tokina 10-17, great lens, then buy a 60mm micro

 

[PatW]

From what I have read, Searcaigh is right on this one. The 60 mm "micro" (why does Nikon insist on calling macro lenses this?) and the tokina 10-17 fisheye are the top two lenses for underwater divers. If you get involved in macro photography, you might want to go up to the 105. The top mid level lens for underwater photography is the 18-70 sigma macro lens, or so I understand.

 

[John Gulliver]

I have the Tokina 10-17mm (which is a fantastic lens), the 60mm MicroNikkor D and the 105mm MicroNikkor D (which are also both great) but the 18-55mm with a +4 diopter and Ikelite's dedicated port (which I bought used) has become my favourite lens for use in clear tropical waters. It is incredibly flexible (lets me take everything from moderately wide angle to almost macro shots) and the optics are excellent. I rarely miss a shot due to having the wrong lens when I mount this lens on my camera.