60mm or 105 mm... That is the question

I am loving my first SLR setup and am ready to move to a macro lens. I'm pretty sure that I want one of these two lenses, but an not sure which has the advantage over the other (other than price). I live in hawaii and I would really love to start shooting the little shrimps and really small critters. I wonder if anyone has an opinion on what may work best with my existing setup.

So far, this is what I have:

Nikon D80 in a Sea&Sea DX-D80 Housing

2 @ YS-250PRO strobes

Large Dome Port

Custom Flat Port

22 Extension

40 Extension

Woody's Diopter for Custom Flat Port

Will either the 60mm or the 105mm work better with what I have? Or, is there something else I should be looking at that will work equally well with the equipment that I already own?

Any help would be greatly appreciated !

Hi,

I asked a very similar question recently, maybe have a quick skim over the answers I got: Which Macro Lens...

Small skittish critters in HI. Go with the 105.

Do a search on the forum for both lens and you will find a lot of info.

Thanks for all the help guys. I think I have decided on the 105mm lens. However, I see that Sea&Sea recommends the macro port 50 and the macro port base for the VR version of this lens. Does anyone know if I can use the custom port and extensions that I already own? I would really like to use what I already have instead of investing in new ports. My biggest concern is that the VR lens will be too wide. Anyone have any input?

Did you ever get a reply to that VR lens question, about other than recommended S&S system ports? I have the lens (105 VR) and need to get ports to match. Not wanting to buy all new.

Thanks for all the help guys. I think I have decided on the 105mm lens. However, I see that Sea&Sea recommends the macro port 50 and the macro port base for the VR version of this lens. Does anyone know if I can use the custom port and extensions that I already own? I would really like to use what I already have instead of investing in new ports. My biggest concern is that the VR lens will be too wide. Anyone have any input?

Nope, no answer yet. I did call Backscatter in Monterey CA. They told me that the 105mm VR is too wide to fit into the extension ring and custom port. It seems that the VR controls at the rear are too wide. He told me that is why we need the macro port base and macro port 50. I'm still not sure that I entirely belive this. I would really like to hear from someone who has actually tried to fit this lens in these ports (and not someone who might be trying to sell me something).

I haven't bought the VR lens yet, so I might wimp out and buy the older version (Non-VR) so that I can just use what I have. That is, unless someone has some expereince to share.....

I'm still not sure that I entirely belive this. I would really like to hear from someone who has actually tried to fit this lens in these ports (and not someone who might be trying to sell me something).

cmh,

I'm not going to be any help on the 105mm, I shoot Canon, but I can tell you this. If the guys at Backscatter recommended something you can count on it. They have an enormous amount of experience with the systems and have every reason for you to be happy and satisfied. If you want a second opinion give Ryan at Reef Photo or any of the other sponsors a call. You might have to wait a couple of days though, I think they are all drinking with Eric in Vegas this week.

Good luck!

Steve

Eyematey, Good news! I just got an email from sea&sea. It reads:

You may use either combination for the VR 105mm lens.

DX Macro Port Base (30105) with DX Macro Port 50 (30106) Or Extension Ring 40 (56111) with NX Standard Flat Port (56101) or NX Custom Flat Port (56231) or NX Zoom Port (51101) Any of these combinations will work. Thank you for your inquiry.

----

Sea&Sea Imaging"

Hooray!! That's a few hundred saved!!

Interesting, I also read somewhere on this forum that the SX extension ring (50261) would work along with the standard port (56101) on the 105VR. I bought a used SX ring yesterday and will try it out when I receive it and let you know. May have to get the 40 extension ring. Thanks for your info.

Steve

Eyematey, Good news! I just got an email from sea&sea. It reads:

 

You may use either combination for the VR 105mm lens.

DX Macro Port Base (30105) with DX Macro Port 50 (30106) Or Extension Ring 40 (56111) with NX Standard Flat Port (56101) or NX Custom Flat Port (56231) or NX Zoom Port (51101) Any of these combinations will work. Thank you for your inquiry.

----

Sea&Sea Imaging"

 

 

Hooray!! That's a few hundred saved!!

Received that SX extension today and I found that the 105mm VR fits lengthwise perfectly BUT that small half round node near the glass hits the lead edge of the lens. Well that was it and with dremel tool in hand I ground the node off and now it all fits together just great! No need to buy the "40", happy camper here. :::::><)))))*,>:::::::::><)))))*,>

Interesting, I also read somewhere on this forum that the SX extension ring (50261) would work along with the standard port (56101) on the 105VR. I bought a used SX ring yesterday and will try it out when I receive it and let you know. May have to get the 40 extension ring. Thanks for your info.

Steve

Good to hear. I am ordering the lens today. Hopefully I won't have to resort to Dremel tool remodeling with the 40 extension.

I would have gone with the 60 personally. It's much more versatile as you can do fish portraits and 1:1 macro too. You will get the same magnification as the 105 but you will have to be a lot closer (which is what you should be doing anyway). The 105 is great for skittish subjects such as some gobies or jawfish though...

Hi, its been such a long time since I posted but tuned in today and found this thread. I just returned from the Red Sea which is billed as wide angle shooting, Foooy! Only saw three sharks and two dolphins. What a bust, but I used my 60 mm and was perfectly happy. Only one occasion would I have needed the 105 which was safely tucked away at home. Do recommend when funds allow you, get the 60 mm it is my work horse. When in doubt use the 60 mm. M

Thanks for all your input gang. I finally decided to empty my bank account and go for the big ol 105. having only dove it a couple times now, I am deliriously in love with it. I will admit, at times it feels like I sniping these fish, rather than photographing them, and does a lot of searching on the autofocus, but the ability to capture the images from a distance is a great advantage. The fish here in Hawaii are not at all cooperative (too many divers harrasing them already), so having a little distance to avoid spooking them is great. Plus, the VR feature is really nice to have. I feel like I get a lot more of the fish facing me shots rather than the fish running away shots. However, I do have a woody's diopter, which does allow me to get a little closer than I would be able to otherwise. This has helped me produce some great nudibranch shots. I think the versatility of this combo is going to work really well for me.

Thanks again for all your help!

I got a 60mm Macro and I love it - I do think however given the choice again I would opt for 105mm.

I think you need both. The Nikon 60mm is the most versitile and useful lens for me, and I love the 105 when I only want to capture the small stuff. As mentioned, the 60mm is good for Fish Portaits and super close up macro. With the 60mm, you can literally focus on nearly touching the port. With the 105 you need about 12 inches distance to focus.

One Tip: Use the same port for both the 105 & 60mm lens. Fewer ports or extensions to carry or equipment swaps needed. The 60mm will work perfectly in most ports for the 105 lens.

The 60mm is also a good portait lens for above water use.

Dave

I got a 60mm Macro and I love it - I do think however given the choice again I would opt for 105mm.

Thanks for all your input gang. I finally decided to empty my bank account and go for the big ol 105. having only dove it a couple times now, I am deliriously in love with it. I will admit, at times it feels like I sniping these fish, rather than photographing them, and does a lot of searching on the autofocus, but the ability to capture the images from a distance is a great advantage. The fish here in Hawaii are not at all cooperative (too many divers harrasing them already), so having a little distance to avoid spooking them is great. Plus, the VR feature is really nice to have. I feel like I get a lot more of the fish facing me shots rather than the fish running away shots. However, I do have a woody's diopter, which does allow me to get a little closer than I would be able to otherwise. This has helped me produce some great nudibranch shots. I think the versatility of this combo is going to work really well for me.

Thanks again for all your help!

If you haven't yet, drop by the monthly meeting of the Underwater Photo Society of Hawaii (UPSH). We meet the second Wednesday of every month at 7:00 pm at the Waikiki Aquarium education room. Members and non-members always welcome. We have a bunch of very knowledgable folks who can help with technical and non-technical questions.

Mele Kalikimaka me ke Haoli Makahiki Hou.

Dave

I have the 60 and have only used it for one trip but the 105 is being purchased before my coz trip in feb. I'll let you all know what I think. Scott

I used the canon 100 mm 2.8 macro lens today for the first time with the ikelite flat port. I am pleased with the results (on my site, section Mauritius), but i was a bit surprised about the distance i had to keep between the lens and object. On dry land, i can get much closer. Underwater need to keep more distance, and from time to time i had the feeling i had the object not 'big enough', because i couldn't get closer.

I've already read something on wetpixel about using a 'woody wet diopter' Were i live, nobody has ever heard of it. Anyone has a usefull link to get some more info on this?

Tx,

Jochen