D200 Lens

Hi, I'm a new member and currently making the jump to a DSLR setup. I've been using an olympus point and shoot for a few years and have just ordered a D200 and will get a Subal housing when it becomes avialable.

I'm currently looking into lenses, but have little background. Because I am spending so much on the housing, I'd like to save a little where ever possible. I've been told that Nikon lenses are the best, and am leaning towards the 105mm, 16mm and 18-70mm for my starter lens bag, but noticed that sigma some other companies make the same lens for much less.

What is the difference between them and in your opinion is the cost justified for the Nikon? Are there other lenses that you would reccomend instead?

Thanks!

You will get differing opinions but I would go for the Nikon lenses. I find I always end up getting the Nikon lens even if I get the other first.

I would get either the 105 or the 60. Both are 1:1 macro but the 105 has twice the working difference. Easier to get high mag shots. The 60 is better if you want to shoot somewhat larger subjects as well as the high mag macro shots. With the new 105 AF-S VR now available a lot of the older 105s will be on sale. It is a very sharp lens though AFes slowly.

If I were to get one wide angle lens it would be the 12-24. The 10.5 is cheaper and a lot of people like it for wide angle (fish eye) But you have to have a large subject.

I would get the new 18-200 VR for land shooting. I haven't shot it. Going on what people who have shot say about it.

Thanks, I apprecaite all the advice I get.

In my quest for information, I've been told not to shoot the zoom lenses underwater because of a loss of sharpness. I understand that the fixed lenses don't offer the flexability of subjects though.

Are there some zoom lenses that are better than others? I've certaintly noticed the price difference between them.

The biggest problem using a zoom lens underwater is making sure you have the correct dome/extension ring combination. Some lenses also require a diopter for use with a dome port. Different domes have different radii. Some work better than others for a given lens. The biggest concern for me was edge & corner sharpness, in addition to overall image quality. I've done quite a bit of testing lately with the 12-24 & 17-55 zooms on my Nexus D70 setup. Still fine tuning but think I have a workable combination for these lenses. Its important to try to place the center of curvature of the dome port at the nodal point (entrance pupil) of the lens. But with a zoom lens this point moves as you zoom. So you must find a location that gives a reasonable image throughout the zoom range. With a fixed focal length lens you can optimize image quality because the nodal point is basically fixed. I need to take some "real" pics to verify my test results, but think I have setups that will work pretty well. If you decide to go with a zoom verify dome setup the best you can before purchasing.

Thant makes sense now. Appreciate the help!

You will get differing opinions but I would go for the Nikon lenses. I find I always end up getting the Nikon lens even if I get the other first.

 

I would get either the 105 or the 60. Both are 1:1 macro but the 105 has twice the working difference. Easier to get high mag shots. The 60 is better if you want to shoot somewhat larger subjects as well as the high mag macro shots. With the new 105 AF-S VR now available a lot of the older 105s will be on sale. It is a very sharp lens though AFes slowly.

 

If I were to get one wide angle lens it would be the 12-24. The 10.5 is cheaper and a lot of people like it for wide angle (fish eye) But you have to have a large subject.

 

I would get the new 18-200 VR for land shooting. I haven't shot it. Going on what people who have shot say about it.

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For a first lens, the 60mm may be more practical as you can do some decent macro work as well as some portraiture. Also, I would concur with the 12-24mm as the 12mm is plenty wide, but there is some flexibility to zoom in a little as the situation requires.

The 105 micro is a super sharp lens, and a great addition - but the VR version, as I understand, has a wider barrel and may not work with some housings as a direct replacement for an existing 105 AF.