Ikelite Focus Extension for 105mm VR

I just recieved the focus extension part #5510.75 Focus Extension

for the Ikelite modular port system for my Nikon 105mm VR. It works well with the port body intended for the Nikon 12-24mm 5510.22. This combination is preferred if you intend to use diopters. I tested this with the 5T and 6T and there is plenrt of room for either diopter or even both together. The port has just enough room to safely accomidate both diopters stacked but not much more to eat into your very short working distance with this combination. If you do not intend to use internal diopters I would recommend using the 5510.16 port body instead. With this combination the lens alone has less room in front making for a more compact port.

The focus knob works by turning a small paddle that brushes up against the focus ring on the lens. The shaft is slightly skewed and the paddle has a rubber O-ring on it to grip the focus ring. Its a slow operation perfect for precise focus, but not good for fast slewing. I would use this with my diopters but rather use AF and a good focus light if I can. Don't worry if the focus knob requires some pushing in to get it to grip the focus ring on land. Underwater, water pressure will take care of it. I tested this in Rocky Point on the demo last fall and it works great. Thankfully, the focus ring on the 105mm is wide, which makes this focus extension work with both port bodies.

The port comes with an additional spacer for the focus shaft that can be used with Canon 100mm lenses. The spacer allows the shaft to go in closer to the lens to accomidate the narrower lens diameter. To change the spacer you remove the shaft with the provided allen wrench and substitute the spacer.

A recent announcement is requesting users of the 105mm and the modular flat port to exchange their port bodies for a larger diameter version. My old style port body works OK here but its a tight fit and difficult to install without brushing the VR switch. I'll be sending mine back for the free update.

Te next step is to get it into the pool for a real test.

A recent announcement is requesting users of the 105mm and the modular flat port to exchange their port bodies for a larger diameter version. My old style port body works OK here but its a tight fit and difficult to install without brushing the VR switch. I'll be sending mine back for the free update.

Can you clarify the "recent announcement" comment? Has Ikelite issued some kind of port exchange for some 105VR ports?

Take a look here on the Ikelite website:

http://www.ikelite.com/web_pages/newest.html

at the posting for 4/9/08. This notice was also included on a yellow paper inside the port box and was emailed to my dive shop that I bought the port from.

"Special Requirement for Nikon 105mm VR Lens

affects Port Bodies produced before 4/15/08

 

 

Use of the new Modular Flat Port with the Nikon 105mm VR Macro lens requires modification to existing Port Bodies. This modification expands the inner diameter of the Port Body to accept the large base of the Nikon 105mm VR lens.

 

Port Bodies may be returned directly to Ikelite to be modified for use with the Nikon 105mm VR lens. Modification and return shipping within the United States and Canada upon completion is currently being offered free of charge. Any freight charges incurred by the return of the Port Body to Ikelite are the sole responsibility of the customer. No pick-ups or freight reimbursements will be issued.

 

Port Bodies produced after 4/15/08 will include this modification. All compatible Port Bodies will bear the designation "RATED 200FT (60m) LARGE DIA." on the flange that rests against the housing body. Modified Port Bodies will work properly in all other installations. "

I just also received my focus extension and flat port. I tried it for the first time the other day but for the life of me I could not get the lens to AF or MF. I was using the 5510.22 port with the nikon 105 VR lens. It seemed like the setup was just a little too long and the focus extension was not catching correctly on the lens. It seemed like it was positioned on the edge of the manual focus ring. I'm not sure why the lens would not AF. The camera would always think that it was in in focus (the focus point would light up and the shutter would snap) with the camera set to single shot so the camera shouldn't take the shot unless it is in focus. I went ahead and ordered the 5510.16 body which I have to wait for because Reef Photo is waiting for the new modified ones. Anyway, do you think there is something I am doing wrong. I just thought my port configuration was wrong but it seems like you weren't having any of these problems???

Michelle

I just also received my focus extension and flat port. I tried it for the first time the other day but for the life of me I could not get the lens to AF or MF. I was using the 5510.22 port with the nikon 105 VR lens. It seemed like the setup was just a little too long and the focus extension was not catching correctly on the lens. It seemed like it was positioned on the edge of the manual focus ring. I'm not sure why the lens would not AF. The camera would always think that it was in in focus (the focus point would light up and the shutter would snap) with the camera set to single shot so the camera shouldn't take the shot unless it is in focus. I went ahead and ordered the 5510.16 body which I have to wait for because Reef Photo is waiting for the new modified ones. Anyway, do you think there is something I am doing wrong. I just thought my port configuration was wrong but it seems like you weren't having any of these problems???

 

Michelle

Hi Michelle,

Its possible that in mounting the port that you bumped the AF/MF button on the lens. The upgraded port bodies are wider in diameter, I presume so that you don't brish the buttons when mounting. For me I only brush the VR switch but I could see that you might have hit the other ones too. In this case, I would expect that you could trigger the shutter, but I would not expect that the green light would be on unless its in focus.

As far as the port length goes, it does look a little long , but the focus wheel/paddle contacts the focus ring albeit on the end. It takes a bit of pressure to make it turn. This is only a problem topside. Once underwater water pressure takes care of it (it says this in the manual too). I had the same problem with the .16 topside as well but when I used it underwater there was no problem.

If all you want to do is shoot the 105mm then the .16 is ideally a better fit. Unfortunately, it won't work with the 6T diopter that way. I prefer using the .22 because that extension works with the 12-24mm and the diopters on the 105mm. I had to send the .16 I tested back to Ikelite.

Try it again with the buttons taped up to see if the MF switch was your problem. Then try it again underwater and see if you are still having trouble.

Happy shooting.

Hi Michelle,

 

Its possible that in mounting the port that you bumped the AF/MF button on the lens. The upgraded port bodies are wider in diameter, I presume so that you don't brish the buttons when mounting. For me I only brush the VR switch but I could see that you might have hit the other ones too. In this case, I would expect that you could trigger the shutter, but I would not expect that the green light would be on unless its in focus.

 

As far as the port length goes, it does look a little long , but the focus wheel/paddle contacts the focus ring albeit on the end. It takes a bit of pressure to make it turn. This is only a problem topside. Once underwater water pressure takes care of it (it says this in the manual too). I had the same problem with the .16 topside as well but when I used it underwater there was no problem.

 

If all you want to do is shoot the 105mm then the .16 is ideally a better fit. Unfortunately, it won't work with the 6T diopter that way. I prefer using the .22 because that extension works with the 12-24mm and the diopters on the 105mm. I had to send the .16 I tested back to Ikelite.

 

Try it again with the buttons taped up to see if the MF switch was your problem. Then try it again underwater and see if you are still having trouble.

 

Happy shooting.

Thanks. I am pretty sure that the MF wasn't getting hit as I kept taking the port off and trying to see what the problem was. I did notice that the VR switch had gotten moved one time. Perhaps the switch was somehow getting hit both when I put the port on and when I took it off, so that when I looked at the lens it seemed like the switch wasn't getting hit. I do want this port setup to work out for me at I want to use my 5T diopter. I did read in the manual about the pressure on the focus knob but it seemed no matter how hard I pushed topside it would not turn. Thinking back I don't even think I tried it underwater. I had determined before my dive that I was just going to have to have a fixed focal length and deal with it. I didn't get any descent pics because the surge made it almost impossible to just stay in one spot. It probably didn't help that this was my first dive with the camera in my drysuit. Thanks for the advice. I will try it out. I plan on sending my 5510.22 back to ikelite for modification once I receive the 5510.16.

Michelle

Wow. Seems like a lot of task loading on one dive. Try it again when you have the opportunity and diving is simpler. I've done the same with similar results. We spend so much time landlocked with these new toys that once we get into the water its everything at once. Not the best way to get good pics. I need less hobbies and WAAAY less gear.

Wow. Seems like a lot of task loading on one dive. Try it again when you have the opportunity and diving is simpler. I've done the same with similar results. We spend so much time landlocked with these new toys that once we get into the water its everything at once. Not the best way to get good pics. I need less hobbies and WAAAY less gear.

I went on a trip to Pompano this past weekend. We were mostly diving wrecks and I was using my wide angle lens but on Sunday I decided to try out the macro lens again. Unfortunately the first dive of the day I flooded my camera. I can't figure out why it flooded. I spent about an hour the night before making sure everything was clean and set. So now it will be quite a while before I get to try out the modular port system. Although I did get the lens to autofocus while in the port. I taped the switches as you suggested.

I'm so sorry for your loss.... I hope it was insured. Let us know if you find the cause.

Were you using the 105 when you had the flood?

Best wishes.

I'm so sorry for your loss.... I hope it was insured. Let us know if you find the cause.

 

Were you using the 105 when you had the flood?

 

Best wishes.

It is insured. I have a feeling that I may be dropped from my policy after this one. Almost all of my equipment was stolen a couple of months ago and now this. I was using the 105 VR when the flood occured. I didn't find anything wrong with my o-rings although I wasn't the one to open the back of the housing after the flood. The divemaster on the boat did that for me. I'm thinking that the camera got hit on something during the hand down or on the line at the surface. The boat had a line from the boat to a bouy and then down to the wreck. Surface conditions weren't great alghough they were better than the night before. It was choppy out and a decent amount of current. Geting down the line was sometimes difficult. The night before I got my masked knocked down by the bouy. That is the only conclusion that I have come to. That or one of the o-rings in the port system was pinched or something. Didn't see anything when I opened each one of them up. Now I just have to wait for the whole process of dealing with getting the ttl circuitry fixed and the camera and lens replaced.

Michelle

I just also received my focus extension and flat port. I tried it for the first time the other day but for the life of me I could not get the lens to AF or MF. I was using the 5510.22 port with the nikon 105 VR lens. It seemed like the setup was just a little too long and the focus extension was not catching correctly on the lens. It seemed like it was positioned on the edge of the manual focus ring. I'm not sure why the lens would not AF. The camera would always think that it was in in focus (the focus point would light up and the shutter would snap) with the camera set to single shot so the camera shouldn't take the shot unless it is in focus. I went ahead and ordered the 5510.16 body which I have to wait for because Reef Photo is waiting for the new modified ones. Anyway, do you think there is something I am doing wrong. I just thought my port configuration was wrong but it seems like you weren't having any of these problems???

 

Michelle

I have the new / modified wide body, and the original control would not actuate the focus collar of the 105 VR. I snt it back to Ikelite and the put the "old style" control with a larger rubber sheath (instead of an o-ring) in the focus port. Now it works fine.

I have the new / modified wide body, and the original control would not actuate the focus collar of the 105 VR. I snt it back to Ikelite and the put the "old style" control with a larger rubber sheath (instead of an o-ring) in the focus port. Now it works fine.

I just recently got everthing fixed and back from my flood incident. I was in Roatan last week and tried out the 105 VR again. Even with the new wider port, I still have to be very careful putting the port on so that the M/A swich doesn't get moved. For the life of me I still can't get the lens to manual focus at all. I think that I will give ikelite a call as soon as I get back from my Canada trip. Maybe they need to modify mine also.

Michelle

Wow. Seems like a lot of task loading on one dive. Try it again when you have the opportunity and diving is simpler. I've done the same with similar results. We spend so much time landlocked with these new toys that once we get into the water its everything at once. Not the best way to get good pics. I need less hobbies and WAAAY less gear.

Hey Chris,

Sorry that it has been a while, but I have had my head in the sand a bit lately...

I'm curious as to your intended targets for the 105mm VR with the diopters?

Good to see you back in print...

Bruce...

Anything very very small or even select features of normally small creatures. For me photography is about seeinmg things in a new way so taking underwater creatures we don't see all that often then showing only a small distinct portion of that object can make a really interesting photo.

So say the corner of a christmas tree worm, or the spiky features of a nudi, or coral polyps or the head of a bleny. Let your imagination go wild and experiment. Look for colors and textures, always making the item distinctive and recognizable--like the suction cups on an octopus.

Or very tiny small critters like a small sea horse, small crab etc. Anything about the size of a US quarter or smaller. It doesn't have to be 1:1. The dioper can give you a bit of range on the 105mm at the expense of restricting infinity focus and slowing/preventig AF.

I just moved and my house is still a sea of cardboard boxes so I haven't had time to play with my gear. I still have to send the port back to exchange for the larger size. The one I have seems to work fine though. It works better when you have it under and the water pressure helps the control adhere to the focus ring. My control has a rubber paddle on the end of it, like a metal disk with an o-ring glued to it that turns the focus ring. The one I demoed had a solid rubber pad on the metal disk instead.