Got the Canon 30D - Getting ready for UW

Guys,

I just got the Canon 30D and from what I can tell, there is not a housing available yet, but that doesn't stop me from preparing for the future. I went ahead and got the "kit" that includes a EF-S 18-55mm zoom lens since it wasn't much more to go with the kit over just the body.

I am getting ready to go to my first F1 race (Spanish GP) and plan on taking some photos while there. So, I have been looking at some of the longer lenses so I can fill the frame. Ideally whatever lens I choose would also be useful underwater. I know that's asking a lot, but there it is.

Also, I am considering the Image Stabilized lenses figuring they may be useful when fighting currents, etc. Anyone using these lenses on the 350D (Rebel XT) or 20D?

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Greg

Hi Greg,

The longer lenses you can use with a Canon underwater are the Canon 100 USM and the Sigma 150 macro, both can do 1:1 and are very sharp, but I think they will be too short for your F1 shooting.

As for IS, that is not very useful underwater because the water already stops most of the camera movement.

Those are only the opinions of a fellow Nikon user, let's see what the Canon experts have to say.

Luiz

Greg,

I would buy two macro lenses: the Canon 100mm and the Sigma 50mm. Both are 1:1, are great lenses, and are reasonably priced. However, I'm not sure either one is long enough to be very useful for your F1 topside activities. For that I'd consider the Canon 70-200mm f/2.8L IS if money is no object (it's about $1,700 at B&H as I recall) plus a 1.4X or 2X teleconverter. You'll get a lifetime of wonderful use from that lens! If that's too much money at this point, however, consider the Canon 75-300mm IS (considerably cheaper and a great lens, but not nearly as fast as the 70-200 and can't autofocus with the teleconverters). HTH,

I picked up my 30D last week. Thinking along the same lines in getting ready to look for housing when they come out etc. The one lense I have so far is the 17-85mm

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller...egoryNavigation

How would you guys rate this lense for underwater use?

I picked up my 30D last week. Thinking along the same lines in getting ready to look for housing when they come out etc. The one lense I have so far is the 17-85mm

 

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller...egoryNavigation

 

How would you guys rate this lense for underwater use?

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It's hard to get good image quality inside a port for this whole range. The most popular choices are 10-22mm for big fish, 50mm for mid size fish, and 100mm for the small stuff. If you want extreme macro add a teleconverter for the 100mm.

Greg,

Herb is right that fixed focal length lenses are usually better, plus makes you concentrate on one "view" per dive versus jumping all over the place.

HOWEVER, the Canon 17-85mm USM lens you have is one I've used on my Rebel XT with Ikelite's "special" built in zoom extended dome port. This lens is a "tweener" lens equaling 27-136mm range. Behind a dome port you'll need a decent +4 diopter since this lens doens't focus to 1' or less. But this lens can yield pretty good results!

At the long telephoto end your picture's edges will get a bit soft. In the middle range and wide end at f-stops of f5.6 or smaller it's pretty dang sharp!

You can see some pics taken at links from the Ikelite Canon Rebel XT page at www.ikelite.com . Or look for teh link titled "Customer's Photos" and find my name.....

As far as the IS, turn it off underwater. Makes the lens focus a bit slower and will have no useful benefit uderwater with a strobe anyway.

Hope this helps!

dhaas

Anyone know whether the 30D is sufficiently externally similar to the 20D to be operable within a housing designed for the 20D? Cheers

It is significantly different. According to one manufacturer I talked to, because of it's shape, it cannot be used in the 20D housing.

I'm sure it's worth trying though, if you have a friendly mate at the camera store.

Cheers

James

That is a bummer. Better buy another 20D body at some point then.

Everyone, thanks for the feedback. I have heard the message and gave up trying to find a single lens that will work for two very different scenarios. I decided to purchase the 28-135 IS USM 3.5-5.6 lens to be the "walk around" lens for topside work and and am borrowing a 70-200 2.8L lens with 2x teleconverter for the Spanish GP. I will decide on which of the more UW suited lenses I will purchase after the trip.

Now all I need is more people to release housings for the 30D :-)

Thanks again for your help!

Greg

I have it on very good authority the the ultimate 30D housing is not to far away - have committeds some of my own penny's ans will see it through to production

Well, do tell!

Greg