Moving from Nik V to DSLR, advice on new setup

Getting a DSLR and looking for some feedback.

Background

Have been using a Nikonos V, 20mm, 35/ext tubes (1:1, 1:2, 1:3, 2:1) for over 10 years and currently have a SB105. Above water is not a priority for lens selection. Not a looking for a professional solution, for example, I have not experimented outside TTL on the flash with the Nikonos. Hoping with the ease and instant feedback of Digital (instead of film) I will be able to experiment a lot more with settings and it sounds like manual setting on the strobe is the way to go (learn) anyway.

New system plan

D70s

Ikelite housing 6807.1

60mm f/2.8D AF Micro Nikkor AF

Ikelite 5502.41 Flat port

Tokina 10-17 f/3.5-4.5 AT-X 107 DX AF

Ikelite 5503 6" dome

Ikelite 4116.31 sync cord

My thoughts on future expansion of the system

Macro lens like a 105mm

8" dome

Second strobe

Requesting Feedback (take feedback on anything but 3 specific questions)

1) Lens choice - would like WA and some close up capability (the whole range of course )

From all the reading on this and other forums I have done, I know better than to ask "what lens should I get", so I will ask for feedback on these combinations. Note, I would have 1 SB 105 strobe (in case that should effect my lens choice) My current choice priority.

Choice 1) Tokina 10-17 w/ 6" dome and 60 w/ flat port

Choice 2) Sigma 17-70 and 60

Choice 3) Tokina 12-24 and 60

2) Strobe Arms - I have all the components listed above I think I would need except for strobe arms. What are recommendations for strobe arms I should get for the SB 105 ? (what length, style, etc).

3) Accessories - Any other accessories I am forgetting to get started (besides CF card, extra battery/o-rings)

-Zoom adapter ? (is one needed for any of these lens options)

-Diopters ? (not familiar with these but see them talked about a lot. Is there any case with my proposal that require one/some ?)

Thanks for any feedback,

John

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Comment:

I have found it very valuable to see people posting a range of shots with a lens (the close and far end of a zoom's potential for example). It really helps to understand the dynamic range a lens can provide but I typically don't see the dome/port size used. I think providing the dome/size used would be helpful when people provide these samples.

Just a couple I have found very useful:

Example: Sigma 17-70

sample 1

sample 2

Example: whole range of lens sample pics for D70 (all the 60mm pics here showed the exact same size image it seemed, hard to tell if there is much size range for this lens). This site did list port used

sample 3

Getting a DSLR and looking for some feedback.

 

Background

Have been using a Nikonos V, 20mm, 35/ext tubes (1:1, 1:2, 1:3, 2:1) for over 10 years and currently have a SB105. Above water is not a priority for lens selection. Not a looking for a professional solution, for example, I have not experimented outside TTL on the flash with the Nikonos. Hoping with the ease and instant feedback of Digital (instead of film) I will be able to experiment a lot more with settings and it sounds like manual setting on the strobe is the way to go (learn) anyway.

 

New system plan

D70s

Ikelite housing 6807.1

60mm f/2.8D AF Micro Nikkor AF

Ikelite 5502.41 Flat port

Tokina 10-17 f/3.5-4.5 AT-X 107 DX AF

Ikelite 5503 6" dome

Ikelite 4116.31 sync cord

My thoughts on future expansion of the system

Macro lens like a 105mm

8" dome

Second strobe

 

Requesting Feedback (take feedback on anything but 3 specific questions)

1) Lens choice - would like WA and some close up capability (the whole range of course )

From all the reading on this and other forums I have done, I know better than to ask "what lens should I get", so I will ask for feedback on these combinations. Note, I would have 1 SB 105 strobe (in case that should effect my lens choice) My current choice priority.

Choice 1) Tokina 10-17 w/ 6" dome and 60 w/ flat port

Choice 2) Sigma 17-70 and 60

Choice 3) Tokina 12-24 and 60

 

2) Strobe Arms - I have all the components listed above I think I would need except for strobe arms. What are recommendations for strobe arms I should get for the SB 105 ? (what length, style, etc).

 

3) Accessories - Any other accessories I am forgetting to get started (besides CF card, extra battery/o-rings)

-Zoom adapter ? (is one needed for any of these lens options)

-Diopters ? (not familiar with these but see them talked about a lot. Is there any case with my proposal that require one/some ?)

 

Thanks for any feedback,

 

John

----------

Comment:

I have found it very valuable to see people posting a range of shots with a lens (the close and far end of a zoom's potential for example). It really helps to understand the dynamic range a lens can provide but I typically don't see the dome/port size used. I think providing the dome/size used would be helpful when people provide these samples.

 

Just a couple I have found very useful:

Example: Sigma 17-70

sample 1

sample 2

Example: whole range of lens sample pics for D70 (all the 60mm pics here showed the exact same size image it seemed, hard to tell if there is much size range for this lens). This site did list port used

sample 3

Hi John

Although I havn't used the Tokinas, I started with the same lens specs on my D100/Subal system: a 12-24 and a 60mm macro (I had Nikkors). I really liked what they could produce and am still happy with them - though I have now moved to a D200. I think adding a 105mm after makes good sense. And you might also like to take a look at the 10.5mm which can produce some amazing results. It would be worth planning your port purchasing so that you don't necessarily have to buy new ports if you go to more extreme lens choices (like the 105 and 10.5)

On strobe arms, I've been really happy with Ultralight 8" plus a 5" for each strobe. I started with a single SB-105 on the Ultralights. No problems and I was happy with the combination.

I'm not familiar with Ikelite ports but I would imagine you would need a zoom adaptor ring for any zoom lens. I use them on my 12-24 and 18-70. This then links the lens zoom ring to some form of control mechanism on the housing.

Diopters? I don't use one with the 12-24 or 60mm. But one or two Wetpixelers do use a diopter with the Nikkor 12-24.

Very best of luck with it all

Looks like a pretty solid setup to me too.

Since you are starting w/ a D70s there are many opportunities for you to get a used housing system. I STRONGLY recommend you have a look around - here in the Classifieds and on Ebay. Send the housing directly in for service after you buy it but you will still save a lot of money.

Your lens selection looks great.

Cheers

James

many opportunities for you to get a used housing system. I STRONGLY recommend you have a look around

John,

The suggestion James made about a used housing system is right on. I own a D70S and it was the camera I moved up to, like you, after using the Nik V. I considered several housings, but just recently purchased a Subal housing (ND70) for my camera. It cost me $1400 (note that does not include ports) for the used housing instead of $2800 new. Another poster on wetpixel recently sold his Nexus housing for the D70 on Ebay and that was a good buy, too, for some lucky D70 user.

Ellen

Unless you already have a D70s, get a D80 or even a D200. With the speed of technology today, its already obsolete. The D70s is discontinued and many stores don't even sell them anymore. I'm sure a D80 won't be much more. It makes no sense to buy a new D70s now unless you get a whole used rig super cheap.

The tokina 10-17mm and nikon 60mm sound like good choices to cover all the basics. I would definitely get that combo over your other 2 choices. If you get a lens requiring the 8" dome in the future, you may never again use the 6" and regret buying it.

I would also consider the 10.5mm since it is so sharp and really 'pops' compared to the tokina zoom. You sacrifice versatility but I love the way its pics just jump right out at you. They will both be way wider than your old NikV 20mm, though the 17mm end of the zoom (or the nikon 16mm FE - also 'pops') will be closer.

Either way, I'm sure you'll have fun experimenting with digital. Cheers,

Chris

Unless you already have a D70s, get a D80 or even a D200. With the speed of technology today, its already obsolete. The D70s is discontinued and many stores don't even sell them anymore. I'm sure a D80 won't be much more. It makes no sense to buy a new D70s now unless you get a whole used rig super cheap.

Well actually I might have to follow up on that one. The used (cheap) D70s I had an eye on at B&H is gone now, so the D80, although a lot more expensive, maybe is a better option than getting something that is becoming more scarce.

On the stobe arm options, has anyone had experience with the Ikelite Nikonos arm adapter that connects to the Ikelite housing tray ? Ikelite 0301.85 May be a good starter solution to limit the costs that are adding up I am curious if anyone has any experience with it and how it worked out.

Thanks,

My tip is to get the Ultralight arm(s) they are much easier to control undereater that the ike and nikv arms...

And this is very important. I guess that when yoou shot with your nikonos v you didnt change the position of the strobe that muchb , but with instant feedback you can se how the lighting is on the picture you just took and are able to make corrections for the next one.

A 8inc and a 5inc is a good solution.

Well actually I might have to follow up on that one. The used (cheap) D70s I had an eye on at B&H is gone now, so the D80, although a lot more expensive, maybe is a better option than getting something that is becoming more scarce.

 

On the stobe arm options, has anyone had experience with the Ikelite Nikonos arm adapter that connects to the Ikelite housing tray ? Ikelite 0301.85 May be a good starter solution to limit the costs that are adding up I am curious if anyone has any experience with it and how it worked out.

 

Thanks,