Nikon D40/Ikelite Wide Angle Question

Buying my first wide angle lens for my D40x in an Ikelite housing, and a little unsure of which way to go. From what I can tell, there are 4 options that will autofocus with the D40, and they all seem to have some drawbacks.

Nikon AF-S DX 10-24mm f/3,5-4,5 - main drawback being the price. Almost double the others.

Sigma 10-20mm - this apparently has no zoom control in an ikelite housing. How big a deal is this? Does lack of zoom control defeat the purpose of this lens, or would I keep it fixed at 10mm 99% of the time?

Tokina 12-24 f/4 AT-X 124 PRO DX II - this needs a separate port from the standard 6" dome, which costs an extra $200

Tamron 10-24mm f/3.5-4.5 Di II LD - this lens apparently has the weakest optics of the 4

Any thoughts? Do I really need to spend $800 for the Nikon, or is the Sigma fixed at 10 (or 12) a decent option?

Help!

Eric

Don't forget the Tokina 10-17 fisheye zoom...I know there are issues getting canon mount ones at the moment but fairly sure you can pick up a nikon mount one. (please correct me if I am wrong!) If you don't get one now you will in the future!!!

As for ports, if you can cope with the size for traveling go for the modular port system. At least then you can just add extensions instead of having to buy a new port every time.

Don't shoot nikon myself so others will be able to advise you on the other lenses.

Rgds

Duncan

Unfortunately, The Tokina 10-17 won't autofocus on the D40....

I currently have the modular port system, with one for the 60mm, and a 6" dome which I currently use for the 18-55mm, but will also fit 3 out of those 4 wide angle lenses.

Don't forget the Tokina 10-17 fisheye zoom...I know there are issues getting canon mount ones at the moment but fairly sure you can pick up a nikon mount one. (please correct me if I am wrong!) If you don't get one now you will in the future!!!

 

As for ports, if you can cope with the size for traveling go for the modular port system. At least then you can just add extensions instead of having to buy a new port every time.

 

Don't shoot nikon myself so others will be able to advise you on the other lenses.

 

Rgds

 

Duncan

The Tokina 12-24mm f/4G ED-IF DX AF-S D 5503.51 5510.16 • +2 diopter not required but may improve corner sharpness works with the 6" port 5510.51. This is the same port as the 5503.50 except that the inside is just a little larger to make some extra room for the lens.

Right. Unfortunately, I already own the 5503.50, which I have been currently using with the 18-55mm. Hoping to avoid buying two 6" dome ports....

The Tokina 12-24mm f/4G ED-IF DX AF-S D 5503.51 5510.16 • +2 diopter not required but may improve corner sharpness works with the 6" port 5510.51. This is the same port as the 5503.50 except that the inside is just a little larger to make some extra room for the lens.

A lot of people forget that the cheaper cameras rely on lenses having built-in focus motors thereby causing the owner to buy the more expensive proprietary lenses.

As I stated the same port just a little more room. You might take a dremel tool and clean up the interface between the inside of the clear plastic tube and the black plastic that flares out to the dome and it should fit. If you have access to the lens you could do a test fit. It is my understanding that the manufacturing process is to take a 5503.50, chuck it up in a lathe and remove the taper from inside of the clear tube section and clean up that joint. Another alternative would be to purchase a 5503.51 and sell your 5503.50 as the inside diameter is the only difference.

this is why i tell people not to buy the cameras lacking focus motors. personally i wouldn't put any rectilinear superwide behind a 6" dome, fearing the corners would be mush. i'd say if you can find a fisheye wiht a focusing motor but i'm not sure there are any. none of the standard ones: nik 10.5mm, 16mm, sigma 15mm, tokina 10-17mm have one. you will get much better performance out of a 6" dome with a fisheye over a rectilinear.

but if those really are you only options, just spring for the nikon, with optics you get what you pay for. i'll bet that lens is much sharper than any of the 3 party ones. Cheers,

Chris

I had a feeling this was the answer... It seems like the other option is to sell the d40 and housing and spring for a D90 and housing. Don't know if I'll have time to do that before my next trip in 3 weeks, unfortunately...

Sounds like the Nikkor is the (expensive) way to go...

I'm a little hesitant to start dremeling my port...

Eric

this is why i tell people not to buy the cameras lacking focus motors. personally i wouldn't put any rectilinear superwide behind a 6" dome, fearing the corners would be mush. i'd say if you can find a fisheye wiht a focusing motor but i'm not sure there are any. none of the standard ones: nik 10.5mm, 16mm, sigma 15mm, tokina 10-17mm have one. you will get much better performance out of a 6" dome with a fisheye over a rectilinear.

 

but if those really are you only options, just spring for the nikon, with optics you get what you pay for. i'll bet that lens is much sharper than any of the 3 party ones. Cheers,

 

Chris