Second lens for 7D

[billywinter]

I just upgraded my setup from a G10 to a 7D w/Nauticam housing. Getting ready for my first trip to test it out (la Parguera, Puerto Rico). I mostly enjoy macro photography so I bought a Canon 60mm macro lens and port (w/ dual ike 125’s) to start. Will using just this lens be somewhat limiting if that’s all I use for a while? How well does this setup do wide angle shots (i.e. from 20 or 30 ft away)? What are some recommendations for a second lens?

 

[ozziworld]

I also have the Canon 7D in a nauticam housing.

I love the 60mm Macro and is the lens I use the most. It's ok for some fish portraits but that is about it.

For WA I would recommend getting the Tokina 10-17 Fisheye with a Nauticam 4.33 inch housing. Compact for travel and very nice handling in the water.

 

[Tigerman]

Another popular lens is the 17-40mm, but if you want extreme WA the 10-17mm definetly is more so.
I dont know about the nauticam ports, but with ikelite you can actually use the same port for the tokina 10-17mm and canon 17-40mm too...

 

[TheDeuce]

I like my Sigma 10-20 on my 7D up top and, more relevant to this discussion, on my Rebel XTi below the surface. It gives a nice wide angle rectilinear shooting experience and has good utility when not scuba shooting.

Disclaimer - I'm not a fan of fisheye lenses so if you're OK with the fisheye experience then discount my thoughts accordingly.



m.

 

[dhaas]

billywinter,

Tigerman's comment on the Tokina 10-17mm Fisheye (a stubby little lens) and Canon 17-40mm L fitting in the same Ikelite port is incorrect.

They are two different physical lengths for the Ikelite 6" dome and different extensions required if you use an 8" Dome Port.

Plus due to your Canon 7D 1.6X sensor "crop fator" the Canon 17-40mm L will only "see" a FOV (field of view) of 27.2mm - 64mm. So not super wide......But it IS a good choice for head and shoulders divers, reefscapes and medium sized fish.

While the Tokina 10-17mm Fisheye is great UW, sharp to the corners it will also exhibit curvature. Some love it, some tolerate it and some on't like the look. I've shot the Tokina 10-17mm extensively plus the Sigma 15mm f2.8 Fisheye lens. It also is very, very sharp with minimal curvature even above water when used correctly. You can even use software to "de-fish" the corner curvature.

If you want a rectilinear WA lens (no-fisheye curvature but wide) the Canon 10-22mm EF-S is a good choice and would be usable for surface photos too. The Sigma 10-20mm mentioned by the Deuce is another good choice although the barrel is so chubby it can't fit the Ikelite zoom clamp ring. But I think zooming is way over used today anyway and I hardly ever use zoom clamp rings

I've posted many WA photo here using all these lenses.

Good luck!

David Haas
www.haasimages.com

 

[TheDeuce]

{snip}

The Sigma 10-20mm mentioned by the Deuce is another good choice although the barrel is so chubby it can't fit the Ikelite zoom clamp ring. But I think zooming is way over used today anyway and I hardly ever use zoom clamp rings


{more snip}

That's true - you can't use the clamp ring but I found a workaround. I put a thick elastic band on the zoom ring then put the gear on that. It holds well enough to operate the zoom. Once I started using it though I realized I wasted my time. I almost never need to zoom on that lens. I set it at 15 mm and leave it.


It's one of my favorite lenses. I've since picked up the Sigma 12-24 full frame for my 5D2 and am looking forward to putting it through it's paces.



m.

 

[Tigerman]

Tigerman's comment on the Tokina 10-17mm Fisheye (a stubby little lens) and Canon 17-40mm L fitting in the same Ikelite port is incorrect.
...

Sorry, my bad, I did of course mean the 12-24mm and 17-40mm..
The crop factor is an issue that goes with regards to ALL the lenses you put on a camera without a full-frame sensor though - wich does have drawbacks on wide angle, but also benefits when it comes to macro and tele photography. The latter of course being a non-issue for UW.

 

[ginovega]

I just upgraded my setup from a G10 to a 7D w/Nauticam housing. Getting ready for my first trip to test it out (la Parguera, Puerto Rico). I mostly enjoy macro photography so I bought a Canon 60mm macro lens and port (w/ dual ike 125’s) to start. Will using just this lens be somewhat limiting if that’s all I use for a while? How well does this setup do wide angle shots (i.e. from 20 or 30 ft away)? What are some recommendations for a second lens?

When are you going to La Parguera and who you are going to dive with? Let me know if you need any information or assistance. I am from the area but live in ATL and I just came back from PR 3 weeek ago.

Check Island Scuba, (Scuba Diving School & Dive Trips in Puerto Rico - Island Scuba) Pedro Padilla is an outstanding underwater photographer. He is in Guanica PR and has a great operation there. Guanica is minutes from La Parguera.
Thanks
Gino

 

[billywinter]

When are you going to La Parguera and who you are going to dive with? Let me know if you need any information or assistance. I am from the area but live in ATL and I just came back from PR 3 weeek ago.

Check Island Scuba, (Scuba Diving School & Dive Trips in Puerto Rico - Island Scuba) Pedro Padilla is an outstanding underwater photographer. He is in Guanica PR and has a great operation there. Guanica is minutes from La Parguera.
Thanks
Gino

Hi, I am going April 10 -16. I have a tentative reservation at Parador Villa La parguera, but I have been thinking about changing to Guanica as it is closer to the wall dives. Is the boat ride to the wall a lot faster from Guanica? I don't like boat dives very much. If I end up there I will check out Pedro.

Thanks

---------- Post added April 3rd, 2013 at 08:57 PM ----------

Yes, the Tokina 10-17 looks like a good second lens. I will stick with the macro this trip and will wait for next time for a new lens.
Thanks

 

[ginovega]

All dives from la Parguera and Guanica will be via boat (there are shore dives in Aguadilla - check this site wwww.divewestpr.com) and yes the boat rides from Guanica are less than 15 minutes and you can stay close to the shop, check this place: BonitaVillaVacation.com. Is vacation house and they provide discounts to divers...there are also other places you can stay in Guanica. Check trip advisor. You will fit in quickly w Pedro becuase, as I said before, he is an outstanding underwater photographer and he takes his camera rig in every dive....Check his facebook page - Pedro Padilla Diver or Island Scuba PR - he post his pictures daily...