Which Nikon Lens ?

Hi, I am looking for some advice as to which Nikon lens to purchase for my D300, I have a 60mm Macro (which I use all the time), I also have the 12-24mm & 10.5 fish-eye (I rarely use these at the moment) What I am looking for is a zoom, something in between the macro & the wide angle, for photographing Subjects in UK waters that are a bit larger, like say sea-urchins, medium sized fish etc, I find with my 60mm I am having to back of too much to get the whole subject in.

Any help & advice would be much appreciated.

Maybe try the Sigma 17-70mm macro? I haven't used mine underwater yet (hopefully this weekend though), but bought it from the good reccomendations and images I've seen here on wetpixel. Maybe do a search for it, you'll pull up a bunch of info.

Ryan.

Hi, I am looking for some advice as to which Nikon lens to purchase for my D300, I have a 60mm Macro (which I use all the time), I also have the 12-24mm & 10.5 fish-eye (I rarely use these at the moment) What I am looking for is a zoom, something in between the macro & the wide angle, for photographing Subjects in UK waters that are a bit larger, like say sea-urchins, medium sized fish etc, I find with my 60mm I am having to back of too much to get the whole subject in.

Any help & advice would be much appreciated.

The Nikon 17-55DX is a superb lens above and below the water. With a diopter, you can shoot anything from shrimp to whales in crisp focus. Most of the sharks I have seen (Guadalupe, Cocos) would not get close enough for a 10-17mm, or 12-24. With new sensors providing greater exposure flexibility, I would expect that the lens will become even more useful for subjects beyond the range of a strobe.

Hal

Thanks Guys, I have gone for the Nikon 17-55 f2.8, hopefully will be going away for a week in about 10days time so should get a chance to try it out then.

The Nikon 17-55DX is a superb lens above and below the water. With a diopter, you can shoot anything from shrimp to whales in crisp focus. Most of the sharks I have seen (Guadalupe, Cocos) would not get close enough for a 10-17mm, or 12-24. With new sensors providing greater exposure flexibility, I would expect that the lens will become even more useful for subjects beyond the range of a strobe.

This lens is DX only so there are good deals available on them at the moment as many Nikon pro shooters are offloading them. Personally I would not consider this lens as particularly wide, yes you can shoot subjects up to about the size of your buddy, but you will really be pushing it. I imagine that you could take a photo of a whale, but it is unlikely to be a great one. As for shrimps it would have to be a big shrimp.

I have done a few dives with this lens, but ended up buying the Sigma 17-70mm (which I have done more UK dives with this year than any other lens). The Nikon is a better lens, but the Sigma has better close focus and offers amazing performance for the price. It is also a DX lens.

Alex

I have done a few dives with this lens, but ended up buying the Sigma 17-70mm (which I have done more UK dives with this year than any other lens). The Nikon is a better lens, but the Sigma has better close focus and offers amazing performance for the price. It is also a DX lens.

 

Alex

Hi Alex

do you have any comments on how the Nikkor 18-70mm compares with the Sigma 17-70mm?

R

do you have any comments on how the Nikkor 18-70mm compares with the Sigma 17-70mm?

I'm not Alex, but I've used the cheap 18-70mm with a +2D close-up lens, and given up on it, as I find the 60mm much more useful. I have persevered with the 12-24mm and a +2 or +3D close-up lens, and use that a lot for mid-range subjects. The 18-70mm doesn't focus that close, and I strongly suspect that the Sigma is better than the budget Nikon lens, although the Nikon did have a good press when it was introduced.

Tim

I'm not Alex, but I've used the cheap 18-70mm with a +2D close-up lens, and given up on it, as I find the 60mm much more useful. I have persevered with the 12-24mm and a +2 or +3D close-up lens, and use that a lot for mid-range subjects. The 18-70mm doesn't focus that close, and I strongly suspect that the Sigma is better than the budget Nikon lens, although the Nikon did have a good press when it was introduced.

 

Tim

 

Hi Tim

thanks for that; I should have worded my question better to invite all members comments!

I seem to have ended up with a number of lenses and am about to change housing manufacturer, hence the need to 'rationalise' the port/extension rings.

R

Hey Ralph,

I have not used the Nikon, but I'd strongly recommend the Sigma which is both sharp and focuses very close.

Alex

Hi Allex,

Would you recommend that I take the Nikon 17-55mm back & get the sigma 17-70mm instead ? I like the idea of being able to shoot macro with the sigma, as opposed to having to choose between the Nikon 60mm macro or the Nikon 17-55mm,

I am setting up a website selling limited edition U/W prints, so I want to be able to get excellent quality images.

Cheers Paul

The Nikon 17-55 is a high quality lens. And the Sigma 17-70mm is a very good quality lens, but I won't offer full macro capability.

I think that a major key to producing excellent quality images is not to try and photograph everything on every dive. Separate dives focused on macro, fish portraits, wide angle etc will lead to much higher quality results, than trying to find a setup that will capture everything on one dive.

Alex

Thanks Alex,

Swap or Sick? Decisions Decisions

Cheers Paul

Anyone know whether the Sigma 17-70mm will work in a Sea and Sea housing, and if so which zoom ring to use ? I guess that I would be looking at buying the HSM version.

Just got burgled, they stole all my lenses except my Tokina 10-17mm which was inside the housing. For some reason they left the housing and the camera inside it behind. Must have been the two big strobes which made if too heavy to carry

Blucky

Alex, I recall some thread you mentioned using a Diopter for the Sigma 17-70, which one. I shoot a D200.

Thanks

Alex, I recall some thread you mentioned using a Diopter for the Sigma 17-70, which one. I shoot a D200.

 

Thanks

I'm not Alex, but I do use the new HSM for Nikon. Close focus is 20 cm (<8"), so a diopter should not be need for a largish dome port (170 mm?). With a max. lens diameter of 79mm, it may be dificult to fit in some housings.

Bob