I've got a Nikon D70 with two lenses - a Nikon AF NIKKOR 28-85 mm 1:3.5-4.5 and Tamron 90 mm F 2.8 Macro 1:1. I'm going to go with an Ikelite housing. Pretty straight forward to this point. Now for the confusing part (for me).
1. When I order the housing I'm going to have to also buy a port or dome and I don't have a clue as to how one chooses what to get. Can either of these two lenses be used effectively for underwater photography?
2. If not, what mm size should I be looking for. I understand that the less water between the subject and camera, the sharper the image can be. A wide angle lens will fit the bill but how wide is wide?
Hi Hank,
I have a Nikon D70S so I'll jump in here.
1. As to your question if either of the two lenses you have can be used effectively for underwater photography...
I don't own either lens so I can't comment from experience but I will say this: although your Tamron lens is an excellent, fast lens I've heard great things about for topside use, it may not be the best lens to start out with for underwater use. Due to the DX factor, it ends up being a fairly long lens. The 105mm lens, which is more commonly used underwater, is not the easiest lens to use underwater. For that reason alone, I would suggest you wait until you're more experienced with other lenses before you use it underwater.
2. I would strongly suggest the 60mm lens as an excellent first macro lens. It's very easy to use and you can get great results pretty much from the beginning.
For Wide Angle, I see that the 5510.10 Dome Port that Ikelite sells can be used for several different wide angle lenses, all of which are excellent. I own the 10.5 and the 16 Fisheye lenses and they are both excellent. Don't let Fisheye lenses scare you off. There are not usually any straight lines underwater, so the Fisheye lenses don't look too fishy when used underwater. I have heard excellent things about the Tokina 10-17 and was thinking of getting one myself. You can use the same dome port for the Tokina as you would use for the 10.5mm and 16mm. I'll also add that the Sigma 15mm lens would be another choice for wide angle shooting.
When you are using either the 10.5mm lens and/or the Tokina 10-17, you are very close to your subject which goes a long way towards minimizing the amount of water between the lens and your subject.
I don't own the Ikelite housing so don't have any experience there. Perhaps others can jump in with their input. Steve has provided you with a very useful Ikelite chart.
Hope that helps. Feel free to ask away if you have further questions.
Ellen
Have fun!
