Wide angle conversion struggles

Well, I want to setup my photo gear to allow wider angle pics. As I sort through the options, the words ‘easy to choose’ seem to be missing. I have a G9 and OEM housing, D90 (with no housing and no reasonable u/w lens) and two Z-240’s with UCLS arms.

Option 1) get the Ikelite G9 housing, Inon UWL-100 and matching dome for about $1300. I like the fiber optics with the Z-240’s. I was surprised to see the size and weight of the Ikelite G9 housing is almost as large/heavy as the D90 housing- until you add the dome weight.

Option 2) get the ikelite D90 housing, Tokina 10-17, 6” or 8” dome but I lose the fiber optics. The 8” dome is bigger/heavier-no travel fun. All for about $2300 (w/6” dome). The learning curve for manual only flash is a consideration as well since I only get to dive a few weeks a year.

Option 3) go for the Nexus D90 housing and Tokina 10-17 for $4000 and keep the fiber optics. Smaller, lighter and nicely checkbook consuming.

My wife says, “What do you really want? So we buy it once and not have to keep spending money on this.” I gurgle, sputter and try to keep from mentioning the “NEED” for a micro 60 and port for any of the DSLR choices….the ‘NEED’ to start taking photo u/w trips such as the Shearwater.

Any great words of wisdom related to this struggle from the community?

Besides checking the limit on your Platinum Card, I'd go for window #3. I've been very happy with my Nexus D70 & now D300 setups. Fiber optics has been great. No o-rings, no electronics, fast assembly. You can get by with 2 ports (FP170 dome & 60mm macro port) & a couple of extension rings that will handle several lenses. Currently I'm using the 170 for the Tokina 10-17mm & 12-24mm. 60 macro port also works with 105/105VR lens with extension ring. FP170 is ~ 6.75" dia dome. Nexus has a custom port for the Tokina for ~$900, but I believe thats the only lens you can use it with. Your Z-240's will be fine. You do need at least the 60mm macro. And you do need to meet Emma someday soon. She's the big friendly tiger shark on the Shearwater trips. Have fun.

Currently I'm using the 170 for the Tokina 10-17mm & 12-24mm.

Do you use your 12-24 much and which brand did you get? I am wondering if the 10-17 will be so wide I have little that gets close enough, except for coral.

I hope to dive north carolina wrecks with sand tigers in Sept and wondering if I will be able to get them close enough to do justice to the 10-17.

Thanks for the tip on the 170 dome. I will check to see if that is the quote I obtained.

Did you get your Nexus from the US or Asia?

Do you use your 12-24 much and which brand did you get? I am wondering if the 10-17 will be so wide I have little that gets close enough, except for coral.

 

I hope to dive north carolina wrecks with sand tigers in Sept and wondering if I will be able to get them close enough to do justice to the 10-17.

 

Thanks for the tip on the 170 dome. I will check to see if that is the quote I obtained.

 

Did you get your Nexus from the US or Asia?

I mostly use the Nikon 12-24 for big stuff, which I don't shoot very often. Put a +4 diopter on it to sharpen the edges & corners. Never sure how close you'll be able to get to sharks, except on a Shearwater trip. Although my 12-14 has been working pretty good with that. 10-17 good for really close & different effect of fisheye lens. Bought all my Nexus stuff from Marine Camera Distr in San Diego. They're the US importer.