Nikon 18-70mm lens use?

Hey Everyone,

This new 18-200mm I picked up for my D200 has been fun to use and I am liking it a lot. Now unfortunately, the 18-70 feels a little inadequate and may need to go? I was wondering if any of you have enjoyed success with your 18-70 lens underwater?

U/W I plan to only be using just the 12-24mm and the 60mm unless someone has had some convincing evidence that the 18-70 can work well?

On a completely different note: Anyone have any good suggestions for a good dual shoulder strap padded case the fits in front of you so that you can slip the camera in and out when doing lots of hiking in all weather environments. I don't wish to have a waist case, as its too much bulk and not enough balance and gets in the way of your stride. Nor anything that stays behind me as the camera either gets forgotten more often or there's too much fuss when seeing an opportunity and trying to get it out to take the shot. I'd like something that sits right in the upper stomach level but doesn't bounce around or swing a lot like simply having it on the camera strap does.

I've traveled a lot in my local area and no one has anything for the serious photographer, hiker, or traveler. Let me know if you have any suggestions?

Thank you!

Paquito

At a workshop It was mentioned that the 18-70 can produce some great images, offering some great versatility at a good price. I understand that you will have to accept some softness in the edges, but all zoom lenses will give you that. The degree of which I'm not sure. The trade off is versatilityand cost .

I have not tried mine underwater yet with my new D200, but intent to as soon as I can afford the housing.

Just a secondhand opinion,

John

I bought the 18-70 when it first came out, thinking it would be a very versatile general purpose lens, but I was very dissapointed with it when I finally got it underwater.

Maybe it was me and the set up I used, although I followed the instructions of Subal for the extension ring and dioptre, as I have seen post from other people on Wetpixel using them.

I recently "invested" in the 17-55DX zoom and used it a lot during a two week trip to PNG. Very nice lens - really sharp and very quick, it very expensive....

Don

I had 10.5 and 105 and needed something to go inbetween.

12-24 was too expensive and I already had 18-70 so I go a port to house it.

I used it on a couple of dives only and I liked it so far. I think it's quite useful lens for night dives (unless you aim at very small stuff).

Some samples (behind Ike's 6" port and with +4 diopter):

Since the zoom ring is so far out on the barrel, I found Ikelite's gear and ring didn't work too well. Also, the length of the lens changes so much that I wonder how much the quality is affected due to the distance of the front element to the port....

Chris

I have found the 18-70mm lens to be "fit for purpose". That is, it will work well for the right subjects. At the wide angle end it cannot focus close enough for CFWA shots. Behind my SUBAL dome (with the correct extension ring) there is a fair degree of corner softness, which is worst at the widest angle. But for happysnap underwater pics its fine. You cannot beat the quality of a fixed focal distance lens like the 10.5mm or the 105mm but since most people bought the camera with the 18-70mm lens why not use it from time to time?

Thank you Everyone for the comments and the example shots Andrzej, looks like you had a fun time on your dive - though is that the DM yelling at you to get back on the boat? "But sir, its a 8GB card..."

With the zoom ring being so far out, its really a concern of mine to spend the money to house this versus going with the other lens'. What would be nice is if the 18-70 would be a nice lens for when you are just out and about on the reef and you plan to take some nice scenic shots, but when a sudden surprise comes along you could make use of the extreme ends of the lens.

Does anyone have any smaller critter-type success with this lens?

My guess is that a lot of people haven't housed this lens yet, just a few to make use of the purchase.

Thank you for the advice on the 17-55 (I've heard this is a very fast lens, and should be for the money) but its out of the budget for now as the 12-24 is around the corner first.

The performance of this lense is greatly helped with the addition of a +2 diopter.

DM gave up trying to make me comply with 50" dive time long before that. That was my patient dive buddy starting to loose his patience