Lens recommendation

Dear all,

What lenses would you recommend for underwater use to go with the Nikon D200?

I'm looking to set up a well rounded system, but my main focus will most likely be wide angle and macro.

In the forums I found the 10.5 and the 12-24, and the 105 and the 60 mm to be very populair, which would be the better choices to start with?

Are there any other lenses you would recommend?

Regards,

B.

12-24 and 105.

The 10.5 takes some skillz & experience to get good results from and might be disheartening to start with.

I love the 60 but it's not as good at real little critters. If you didn't want to do real small stuff the 60 would be better...great AF.

All the best, james

Would the 60mm be okay at capturing something as small as the pygmy seahorses? I was fortunate enough to capture them with a compact p&s 24-85mm (35equiv) without the macro setting on (would hafve like to go back with the macro on but as such we are onto the D200 now.) Yes, lucky I was.

If I didnt have to, I'd like to not have to use the 105 as the pygmy would be the smallest thing I'd be interested in capturing out out the camera.

I'd prefer to boucne between the 12-24mm and the 60mm for U/W. Can the 60mm hold up to the task for the majority of the macro world?

Paquito

For macro you're better off with the 105. The 60mm can get you to 1:1 but the working distance between your subject and the front of the port is going to be very small. The 105 will give you more distance: important for lighting and subjects that aren't stationary.

Some will argue that the 60 is a better overall lens and it does have quicker AF than the AF Micro Nikkor 105mm f/2.8D - I'm not sure if that applies to the new 105 AFS VR - but for macro shooting the 105 is better.

Hi!

I have the 10.5 and 12-24. The 12-24 is easier to use than the 10.5 and you will probably get pictures that you like more quickly. The 10.5 is trickier to use but can produce spectacular results. And the 12-24 is much more use topside. Its a cracking lens- and I would suggest you start with that.

The 60 and 105 are a bit the same. The 60 is esier to use but the 105 will get some pretty amazing results; and I would vote it as the lens of choice for those pygmy seahorses - and small critters. The 60mm is great for fish portraits. Again, I started with a 60mm and added a 105mm.

Great suggestions so far. I also have the 17-55 which is the best lens I've ever owned, it never leaves my D2x topside and it is great for big fish and sharks underwater.

Luiz

I think a good compromise for macro would be to get a 60mm and a 2x teleconverter for really small critters...

Nice suggestion on the 60mm with the teleconverter, I wasnt thinking of that. Then move onto a 105 later on...