D700 with Converted Lenses?

I own 8 extremely good Nikkor lenses that I bought in 1970. One is a fabulous 20mm, and another is the 50mm macro, both probably suitable for underwater work. All these lenses were bought and used for decades on my Nikkormat and Nikon FTn film cameras with great results.

I am considering upgrading to a D700 from my D70. I just learned that my 1970s lenses can be converted for use with the D700 in FX mode (and if I don't mind sensor cropping, with the 700 in DX mode or the D70).

Is anyone using converted lenses like this under water with a housing? If so, any significant downsides?

I'm sure there are port size issues, and I will check closely with the housing manufacturer I select (probably Ikelite). It may not be possible to change the aperture under water, unless there is a dedicated aperture ring. I also assume there are manual focus issues, since the converted lenses will also lack autofocus functions. But it is my understanding that otherwise, the 700 can use them in aperture priority mode with all the other functions available for modern lenses.

What are the flaws in my strategy? Conversion is between $25 and $35 per lens. In return I get great glass for a song.

Thanks for any advice.

Most modern housings don't provide access for aperture gear direct to the lens - so this will be a major disadvantage. Going down to take photos without the ability to change your aperture seems to me to be a major restriction on photography.

Focus should be less of a problem. Although you might choose to make a aperture gear that will work of a the focus/zoom control on the housing - in which case it might be a choice between focus and aperture!

A friend of mine is considering similar madness - and is planning on using an old Sigma 15mm fisheye (the one which has three colour filters inside - that can be moved in and out of the optical setup) on his D700. He's getting his housing at DEMA. I am curious as to whether he will ever actually take that Sigma underwater - or whether he'll just stick with his 16mm Nikkor!

Also lens design has come a long way in those 35-40 years. Lenses that were once considered world beaters can often be fairly average against modern glass. You have spent all that money on a camera with one of the best sensors out there. I wouldn't restrict it with these lenses.

Sigma make a great 20mm lens - which might be a cheaper option than the nikons.

Alex

Alex:

Thanks for the very helpful reply. I just got off the phone with the Ikelite guys, and they confirm that it's doable but does leave you without aperture control. You basically have to pre-set the aperture and use the zoom knob to focus.

The real decision that I am trying to make is between the D700 and the new Canon 5D Mark II. If the old Nikon lenses are candidates for use, then I have a substantial investment that is hard to walk away from. Without those, the scales are a bit more even, since the only modern lens I own is attached to my D70. I've been a Nikon owner (one kind or another) for 38 years, but the early words on the 5DII is enough to make me consider Nikon adultery.

Of course, that doesn't mean I can't use them topside with great results. But I am quickly coming to the realization that they are not suitable for underwater. As the Ikelite guy said, time is your enemy under water. If you spend half of it fiddling with controls, you lose a lot of shots . . . and a lot of fun diving.