nikkor 15mm UW with digital body?

I posted another thread about comparison between the nikonos and digital. I am reluctant to admit that I was too quick to jump into film without doing enough research. After reading some of your responses, I see that although film has a lot to offer, it is too costly and has already caused me to miss out on a few great shots. However, I got a great deal on my equipment and really love everything about the Nikonos setup. I have found that several digital bodies can accept the Nikonos lenses and was wondering which one is best. I know that sony has a few on the list but have never actually used any of them. Also, I am wondering if the ikelite strobes that I have for my nikonos are useable on a digital setup as well as I really like them and feel they perform really well. I think the Nikonos set up is incredible. Especially for its age. However, in the end I will spend too much time and money developing film and have found that the results are pretty much the same as digital. Thank you in advance for any advice. (to those who have read my first thread, I am not going to house my 5d II because I can not justify spending 4,000 on just the housing let alone new lenses ports etc) I love my 5d but it will stay above water.

-Jim

I posted another thread about comparison between the nikonos and digital. I am reluctant to admit that I was too quick to jump into film without doing enough research. After reading some of your responses, I see that although film has a lot to offer, it is too costly and has already caused me to miss out on a few great shots. However, I got a great deal on my equipment and really love everything about the Nikonos setup. I have found that several digital bodies can accept the Nikonos lenses and was wondering which one is best. I know that sony has a few on the list but have never actually used any of them. Also, I am wondering if the ikelite strobes that I have for my nikonos are useable on a digital setup as well as I really like them and feel they perform really well. I think the Nikonos set up is incredible. Especially for its age. However, in the end I will spend too much time and money developing film and have found that the results are pretty much the same as digital. Thank you in advance for any advice. (to those who have read my first thread, I am not going to house my 5d II because I can not justify spending 4,000 on just the housing let alone new lenses ports etc) I love my 5d but it will stay above water.

-Jim

I have decided that I will probably go with the NEX-5 or 3. Has anybody had any experience with either and could shed some light on them? I know that they accept the niknos lenses but am wondering if they will also except the strobes as well? I had another dive wasted today because the battery in my Nikonos died so My strobes would not fire. Needless to say, I am sticking with digital.

The NEX cameras have great sensors. The controls will be very different from your 5D ii. Simple things require you to go into the menus.

Of the NEX-5 housings, only the Nauticam allows you to use the Nikonos optics. With an adapter. Remember that the NEX has an APS-sized sensor. The 15mm UW Nikkor would end up more like the equivalent of a 24mm.

The NEX cameras can only trigger strobes with Fiber Optic connections. Ikelite does have a fiber optic adapter, you will loose TTL functionality though. The 15mm UW Nikkor is a great lens, there are 2 things to remember, the FOV of the UW 15 is equal to that of a topside 20mm. Then, given that the NEX cameras have a 1.5 crop, you then go to a 30mm FOV equivalent.

Depending on your diving conditions, 30mm UW isn't that wide at all. You will also not have AF ability, the Sony NEX lenses have hypersonic motors so AF is very fast. You may be better served by going with the 16mm pancake with a fisheye adapter, the 18-55 zoom that comes with the NEX-5 at least gives you a 27mm FOV. I (well, my wife) owns the NEX-5 and it now has the Aquatica AN-5 housing. While my comments could be declared biased as I am an Aquatica dealer, this housing is awesome. What's nice is the button layout is near identical to the actual camera, even the operation of the rear dial/joystick.

Here's a photo comparing the Aquatica AN-5 Housing to the Aquatica 7D housing. This is set up with both handles with the idea of shooting video. However, it will likely be set up for a single strobe as that's what my wife is comfortable with. The AN-5 Housing with the 18-55 6" Dome is about the same size as my gripped 5dmk2 with the EF24-105L.

Cheers

S.

The NEX cameras can only trigger strobes with Fiber Optic connections. Ikelite does have a fiber optic adapter, you will loose TTL functionality though. The 15mm UW Nikkor is a great lens, there are 2 things to remember, the FOV of the UW 15 is equal to that of a topside 20mm. Then, given that the NEX cameras have a 1.5 crop, you then go to a 30mm FOV equivalent.

 

Depending on your diving conditions, 30mm UW isn't that wide at all. You will also not have AF ability, the Sony NEX lenses have hypersonic motors so AF is very fast. You may be better served by going with the 16mm pancake with a fisheye adapter, the 18-55 zoom that comes with the NEX-5 at least gives you a 27mm FOV. I (well, my wife) owns the NEX-5 and it now has the Aquatica AN-5 housing. While my comments could be declared biased as I am an Aquatica dealer, this housing is awesome. What's nice is the button layout is near identical to the actual camera, even the operation of the rear dial/joystick.

 

Here's a photo comparing the Aquatica AN-5 Housing to the Aquatica 7D housing. This is set up with both handles with the idea of shooting video. However, it will likely be set up for a single strobe as that's what my wife is comfortable with. The AN-5 Housing with the 18-55 6" Dome is about the same size as my gripped 5dmk2 with the EF24-105L.

 

 

Cheers

 

S.

Ok, I guess it just makes more sense to house my 5d II. No sense in spending all this money on a second camera and lenses housing etc, when I can just spend the money on my 5d II and get better pictures. Hopefully I can find one used somewhere. It is insane to me that the housing can cost more than the camera...

Good choice,

Insanity is a fundamental prerequisite for any good underwater photographer. Would any normal person put $2500 worth of delicate electronics and optics in saltwater?

Welcome to the club.

Cheers,

Steve

Good choice,

Insanity is a fundamental prerequisite for any good underwater photographer. Would any normal person put $2500 worth of delicate electronics and optics in saltwater?

 

Welcome to the club.

 

Cheers,

Steve

Haha that is a very good point. Thank you.

I agree with Steve, good choice! If it helps, I used my Dad's ikelite strobes previously used with his Nikonos V with my 5DII with no problems in manual mode.

I agree with Steve, good choice! If it helps, I used my Dad's ikelite strobes previously used with his Nikonos V with my 5DII with no problems in manual mode.

That's good news I will definitely have to try that. I had three ikelite strobes but one flooded on my last dive. It might be time to replace the whole set anyway.

That's good news I will definitely have to try that. I had three ikelite strobes but one flooded on my last dive. It might be time to replace the whole set anyway.

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