Should I house the kit lens or 60mm?

[wmiller]

I am v-e-r-y close to buying a housing for my rebel xt. I am probably going with the sea & sea dx-350d, I like the small size. I have a friend in Japan and can get this housing or $600 less than in the states and the ports, etc are less as well. I am unsure about the duty I would have to pay (and I know it is always better to buy in the states but that is a huge difference in cost.) Anyway I have the 60 mm and the kit lens 18-55 and would like to know if I can only house one lens right now which one would you recommend? I currently use an oly 4040/pt010/ys 90 dx, and shoot whatever I like. I would say I take more small to medium size subjects.

Thanks.

 

[ChrisM]

I shoot a 300D. If it were me, and I was just housing it, I'd house the kit lens (as long aas the port fit other lenses as well). IMHO, this gives you the flexibility to shoot somewhat WA and somewhat macroo, with portraits in between, as you learn the switchover from P&S to DLSR underwater.

If the post only fit the kit lens, I might say house the 60.

 

[alcina]

60mm. No question.

Concentrate on learning the lens and your lighting. It is flexible enough to let you do some portraits and some very nice macro work - so your small to medium subjects are perfect. It's sharp and the results can be wonderful.

The port will be a flat port and no zoom rings etc will be needed as with the other lens.

Your kit lens, while it might be just fine, won't be able to focus as closely and won't give you anywhere near 1:1 which is what you need if you're into macro.

Go the 60mm then save up for your next lens - to be determined by what you decide you want to shoot once you master the 60mm.

Just my two cents (from a 60mm addict )

 

[wmiller]

Thanks for the input. I am leaning towards the 60mm. So hoe difficult is it really to switch from lcd to viewfinder? Kristin I read about your trials and tribulations switching over...sounds alittle intimidating at first read.

 

[Diver Dennis]

You can probably shoot both. I use an Ike housing and the same port fits both. Can you get a zoom feature on the Sea & Sea ports? If not, remember you will have to pick one focal length before you close up the housing using the 18-55mm.

Personally I would go with the 60mm as well.

 

[alcina]

LCD to viewfinder...well, it isn't hard to switch really. It can be frustrating as it can be less easy to frame in tight. Others don't have any problems with it at all.

I think, after using the viewfinder for a while now, that it's perfectly usable and it's just like anything else in this hobby...you just have to learn to work with it instead of against it. It is a learning curve! Practice practice practice (with your mask on!)

Funny story...a friend of mine was diving and heading deep to find this rare, neato thing. So deep he was truly narced - he shoots a dslr but was trying to frame with the lcd He did figure it out, but it was a bit of a hoot!

 

[wmiller]

okay, you are looking into a coral head and see something neat but there are other coral heads in the way...in using my oily I can extend it and look at my subject how do you do that with the canon? I'm just wondering how much I will be missing because I can't get into position to shoot my subject.

Thanks!!

 

[Diver Dennis]

I don't seem to have a problem usually, I move my body to get into better position. And with the DSLR, you can use a 100mm lens and have a lot more room between you and the subject to still get a good shot. You do have to be a little closer with the 60mm I think, although I have not had mine in the water yet. I'm very interested to see how it compares to the 100mm. I heard such good things from alcina and Jamdiver I had to buy one...

 

[alcina]

It's just a different skill. I don't miss many shots, but I had to learn how to use the viewfinder...same as having to learn how to use the lcd, or get around shutter lag on a compact or any other skill.

I don't take my 100mm down very often because I don't like the extra working distance for most things - more distance = more floaties between me and the subject. I do have some specific things that I am considering taking it down for, but so far have stuck mainly with the 60mm.

I am very glad I have BOTH lenses, though.

 

[wmiller]

Thanks for all of the information. I believe I will go with the 60mm. Would I use the auto focus underwater or is it better to go manual?