Lenses for Alaska to Vancuver?

This July I'm taking the Nautilus Explorer from Juneau to Vancouver.

I'm planning on taking my 12-24 and 10.5x lenses for wide angle.

The question is macro. I know that what we think of macro subjects here in S. CA are often huge up Alaska way. I have my 60 mm lens which I will probably bring. The question is bringing the 105 micro. This lens is only good for small subjects and needs it's own, large, port. Will I be missing too many larger subject to count on this lens? I was thinking of maybe using the 17-55. True it only goes to 1:4 closeup but it will capture a lot of small (fist size) to wide angle subjects. Also if the vis. is rely bad the 60 mm is a better lens than the 105 due to it's close working distance.

So the question is bring an extra lens and port (the 105) on top of all the other camera gear and cold water diving gear? Or stick with the 60 mm, 17-55, and 10.5x?

For those that regularly dive BC and surrounding areas which lenses do you usually end up shooting? For information I would prefer shooting wide angle if the vis. and subject matter allow it. Could I get by without the 60 mm lens and it's port?

If I need to bring a flat port I will have the macromate lens to give me 2:1 magnification.

Thanks for any insight. Also any insight on diving Alaska/BC

I was thinking of getting a Panasonic LX2 for topside shirt pocket wide angle. What do you think?

Hello,

I would simply stay with the 60 mm during your trip. I have the same set-up and the extra -- very large -- Subal 105 mm port is a bit of a stretch for those waters (alslo a 60 equals a 90 or so in the Nikon world). Also, should there be any sort of algal (plankton) bloom during the summer, the closer the better.

I was in BC a couple of times in the past few years and the 105 never saw the light of day . . .

I would disagree about the 105mm. The odds of you getting much extreme wide angle are slim. (I live here, and wide angle is rare for me year round, and usually only practical in the thick of winter.) Sometimes the algal bloom will die off and August can once in a while be ok, like last year, but your 12-24 will be a better option if the visibility gods cooperate. July tends to be less reliable. I've had several friends do the same trip over the years, and they have pretty well stuck to macro. There are some really cool little things here, and although since recently switching to digital, I'm actually enjoying the 60mm (I didn't like it at all with film), the 105mm is still my mainstay in our cold waters.

Have a great trip!

Cheers,

Marli

soo..damn..Dave? Well..what;s up? whats under the sheet? Someone have something on you...

Joe, a new microbrewery opened up within bicycle range of my condo. Looks like from the above post you may have already found it.

I'm doing fine, thank you.

Dave

I use the 100mm Canon most of the time. Sometimes even going to a 2xtc. The 60mm can work fine but I find the working distance to get magnification back into some of the crevases is helpful. Vis is just fine for the 100mm.

Play the vis by ear for WA as last September I shot a fair bit of WA as it was great. May depend on where you are diving each day. If you have sunshine and it is not bad I would put it on.

Cheers

Todd

I live in Seattle and my favorite year round lens is by far the 60mm. You should get somewhat better visibility up in BC but not so good at that time of year to fully take advantage of the 10.5.

Actually the 10.5x may be the best wide angle lens to use in poor vis. Due to it's extreme close working distance. Same way the Nikonos 15mm was the best wide angle lens for poor vis.

Hi

I have been on the Nautilus Explorer many times in BC waters and also made their Alaska trip.

Bring the 10.5 as you'll likley dive with sea lions at some point... Marli is right that the vis may be variable, but it is possible to shoot wide angle in lower vis. Also the 60mm rules in colder water for macro. The 105 is great if you plan on looking for smaller nudibranchs, etc. The 60mm is good for fish photography. The 105 is only needed on rare occasions for certain fish that are more skittish..

Have a great trip! Captain Lever will do his level best to ensure it is a memorable one.

Cheers, Jett