Next best "fish" & turtle lenses?

Just returned from 10 days in Indonesia (near Sumbawa) - had a great time...

gear: Nikon D200, Aquatica housing, & 2 Ike 160 strobes

I was shooting w/my 60mm for macro and my 10-17 for W/A. I'm now at the point where I'm pretty comfortable w/both the 60mm and 105mm for Macro, and getting more comfortable w/the w/a set up.

I leave for the Big Island of Hawaii in about 4 weeks (I've dived there a number of times before). There is good macro in places, but I think I want to see if I can get some interesting fish behavior shots and possible turtle cleaning shots on this trip.

The 60mm is too narrow for many of these types of shots, and the 10-17 is too wide for many of the subjects (except for a few of the most curious/patient turtles), so I'm looking for suggestions on a more flexible fish lens, and possibly a slightly narrower "turtle" lens (narrower than the 10-17).

Looking for both suggestions and real experience (w/ports) if available...

Thanks,

- Matt

Matt,

You may have answered your own question - how about a 17-60?

That exact size may not exist, but Sigma make a 17-70 (I have one). I find it fits well between my other two (a 10-20 and a 70).

Can't help much with the Aquatica port as I have Ike.

The 17-55 or 18-35 sounds bout good for that.

or sigma 28-70

gear: Nikon D200, Aquatica housing, & 2 Ike 160 strobes

I was shooting w/my 60mm for macro and my 10-17 for W/A. I'm now at the point where I'm pretty comfortable w/both the 60mm and 105mm for Macro, and getting more comfortable w/the w/a set up.

 

I leave for the Big Island of Hawaii in about 4 weeks (I've dived there a number of times before). There is good macro in places, but I think I want to see if I can get some interesting fish behavior shots and possible turtle cleaning shots on this trip.

 

The 60mm is too narrow for many of these types of shots, and the 10-17 is too wide for many of the subjects (except for a few of the most curious/patient turtles), so I'm looking for suggestions on a more flexible fish lens, and possibly a slightly narrower "turtle" lens (narrower than the 10-17).

 

Looking for both suggestions and real experience (w/ports) if available...

 

Thanks,

 

- Matt

Let's consider the FoV of some DX lenses:

Tok, FE 10-17 [100-180]

Nik 12-24 [61-99] ?

Sig 17-70 [23-80]

Tok w. 1.4 TC [70-120] ???

With the Sigma or Nikkor lenses you will need a new dome port and may be a port extension. Also, a diopter for the Nikkor. Adding a 1.4 TC to the fish eye that you have will be much cheaper. Likely you can use the same port and may require a small extension. Check with Jean at Aquatica. If a turtle decides to French kiss your port, you can still take the shot.

I am headed for to the big island about this time next year. A really good book, "Hawaii The Big Island Revealed" was recomended to me.

Please give us a complete trip report!

Bob