Subal 105vr port w/focus & 105vr+5T?

I read some time ago on Alex's 105vr lens thread that someone tried to fit the Nikon 105vr lens + the 5T diopter in the newer Subal 105vr port and it didn't fit.

My question is has anyone gotten the correct extension ring to get it to fit?

Also seems to me then the manual focus might not line up? Or it might? Does anyone know? Manual focus was the reason for buying a whole new port in the first place so if putting the 5T on and adding an extension ring to accommodate it - if that misaligns the focus then that would be a drag.....

I know the lens lines up with TCs/ex ring/etc added, but I'm interested in anyone's experience with the newer Subal 105vr port/ex rings/105vr/5T or 6T diopters and manual focus knob still working?

Any one worked this out, any experiences or ideas with this setup specifically?

Thanks, Carol

I read some time ago on Alex's 105vr lens thread that someone tried to fit the Nikon 105vr lens + the 5T diopter in the newer Subal 105vr port and it didn't fit.

 

My question is has anyone gotten the correct extension ring to get it to fit?

 

Also seems to me then the manual focus might not line up? Or it might? Does anyone know? Manual focus was the reason for buying a whole new port in the first place so if putting the 5T on and adding an extension ring to accommodate it - if that misaligns the focus then that would be a drag.....

 

I know the lens lines up with TCs/ex ring/etc added, but I'm interested in anyone's experience with the newer Subal 105vr port/ex rings/105vr/5T or 6T diopters and manual focus knob still working?

 

Any one worked this out, any experiences or ideas with this setup specifically?

 

Thanks, Carol

Carol,

I am posting some of the e-mail that I sent to you so others in the forum can see my responce.

I got a 20 mm extension ring that was machined out a little so it would fit around the 105vr lens and tried it with the subal 105 vr port on my ND2. It allowed enough room for the 5T &/or 6T but did not allow engagment of the manual focus to the lens focus ring. A shorter extension ring might work, but Subal does not make one. We will have to wait until Subal makes a shorter extension ring or a longer 105 vr port to use a 5T &/or 6T diopter. Another way would be to use a wet diopter.

Elmer

Have you tried using another manufacturers lens gears in your subal system?

For example, on my 105mm AF-D my nexus gear sits in a very different place to my old subal gearing-i bet you could get a 20mm difference.

This maybe out of scope for the end user, but i bet if you pester a dealer enough they can find a solution with all the bits they have lying around.

Thanks Elmer, yes I'm sure someone else has/will run into this with the newer Subal 105vr port and it good to find an easy-to-search for answer.

Also LChan said he was told you could take the black ring off and mount just the 5T or 6T directly inside the port. I don't know exactly how this would be accomplished. And I don't think you could stack them but supposedly the manual focus knob engages.

I do hope Subal comes out with a shorter extension ring or modified 105vr port. The 105vr manual focus port is expensive and it should be able to accommodate at least one diopter as Alex said is commonly used w/105s. And it is frustrating not to be able to use the manual focus because it does work quite well with this port when things do line up.

Yes a wet diopter can be used, Woody is making me one to fit the newer Subal 105vr port and it will be on its way soon. It is a more unusual 120mm size cap. Some people will probably figure out how to mount their old ones in newer, larger caps, but I need help on stuff like that .

But the "in-housing" diopters can be better quality so that is why I wanted to use them.

Some will want to use Backscatter's MacroMate wet diopter to fit the newer Subal 105vr port but for me the flip MacroMate is really heavy underwater.

If anyone knows how to easily remove the black ring from a 5T or 6T and safely mount it with the 105vr lens inside the newer Subal 105vr port please let me know.

Thanks a lot, Carol

Hi Carol,

I just took apart my 3T in an attempt to see if i could mount it directly in my old 105mm...

I took it apart using a pair of sharp, pointed scissors as callipers.. If you look at the front of the filter you will see a black ring with 2 grooves cut out., this unscrews and the glass pops out.

As i thought before i started taking it apart, the glass is thicker than the depth of thread in the front of my 105mm, so i cannot secure it with the black ring from the filter. It would require tape.

The glass is also a smaller diameter than the front of the lens, so it would wobble around.

These are observations with an 'old' 105mm af-d lens, but i doubt Nikon have changed the depth of thread in the front of their lenses.

Looking at my 6T, i think it will be too thick for my 70-180mm so im not even going to try.

From what ive seen though, there may be positives... With the diameter of the diopter being smaller than the diameter of the front of the lens, maybe we could make a push in dioptre... If you have the correct sized rubber bands i bet you could make it fit. Just remember to add a tab so you can remove it.

Hi Carol,

From what ive seen though, there may be positives... With the diameter of the diopter being smaller than the diameter of the front of the lens, maybe we could make a push in dioptre... If you have the correct sized rubber bands i bet you could make it fit. Just remember to add a tab so you can remove it.

Thanks Simon! I knew there would be some guys here who like to "take apart" stuff! B)

I'm not sure I picture what you mean by rubber bands though? Wedge a rubber band in around the diameter? Sorry I'm not good at picturing this technical stuff....., and I don't want to scratch my 105 lens.

Thanks, Carol

Yeah, i was thinking if you could put a rubber band around the glass element it might make it a snug fit and stop the wobbles, then you wouldnt need to screw it into the front.

To be honest,,, Id wait for someone else to try it and post photos! If i had a VR i'd give it a go, but i dont

I cant see it being all that reliable, and a total pain to remove even if you did manage to screw it in.

Bummer that the port does not allow MF while using the 5/6T. I think that MF is most useful while using diopters. I find it very difficult to AF at high reproduction ratios esp. with diopters.

I have a custom port for Ikelite that allows MF and a 4T for the old 105mm lens. Unfortunately, the port for the new 105mm lens allows AF only. In the case of the 5T, I plan to pre-set a reproduction ratio and set to MF and use trap focus with my body to focus. Diopter use is pretty well confined to very close subjects anyway. This technique has worked well on bugs and flowers for me.

For as revolutionary as this lens is and relevant to UW photography, I'm amazed at how slow the manufacturers are to respond with acceptable ports. Given that its an AFS lens, AF/MF with or without diopters seems like a simple request even if its wider than most lenses.

Simon has the right idea, remove the filter ring and hold the diopter in place w/ sticky tack. Larry Tackett endorses BlueTak in The Essential Underwater Photography Manual, but I use some random white stuff from office depot. Some customers don't like this solution, but "second generation" underwater photographers have been doing this for decades.

If you don't have a spanner, you can usually unscrew the filter ring w/ 2 small jewelers screwdrivers, or a set of calipers. or a drafting compass.

If anyone has any information on this technique I need some help on it (Please...)

I just spent over an hour trying to remove the black ring from my 5T diopter for tomorrow's dives so it will fit in my 105vr port.

I followed these advices posted here and was even shown how to do it from Ryan, he did it so effortlessly in his demonstration to me on his diopter; but I've so far broken 1 - $25.00 caliper and even not budged the ring using sharp scissors to hold instead of the broken caliper.

One question, I assume I'm supposed to turn it counter clockwise - looking from the side with the black indentations on it (the side of the glass that fits nearest the lens). Is it correct to be trying to turn it counter-clockwise?

Anyway it won't budge and I don't want to injure myself or worse ruin the 5T with a slip of the scissors.

Anyone have any suggestion? Maybe I'm actually supposed to be turning it clockwise - it is confusing cause it is the side on the diopter that is closest to the glass. Anyway either way it won't budge, any suggestions?

Thanks Carol