300d/d70

Will find a lens to see if we can get the 12-24mm Sigma done. We can machine ports to accommodate its 3.4" diameter............

ike is fantastic! PAste, maybe we will get your "abborrar' and "gaddor" in a wa shot after all! :wink:

I shoot Canon UW and have used the following lenses:

EF 15mm FE (works great behind a 6" dome...no need for a bigger, more expensive dome) Check out www.naturescapes.net for a shot taken with this lens.

EF 16-35L

EF 28-105 (full zoom range behind a flat port) used in conjunction with Woody Mayhew's push on diopter

EF 50mm F2.5 Macro

Tamron SP90mm F2.8 Macro (I have no issues with AF, much slower than an EF but what lenses aren't when compared to a ring USM?)

Don't feel the need for a 12-24 really as the 15mmFE is wide enough....besides, I'm still holding out for a cheap full frame DSLR from Canon...yeah right!

Stu

I am a full newbie to Digital Underwater photography. However, I have been taking pictures with my Nikonos V for the last 5 years.

99% of my underwater photography is Macro and I use a 35mm with extention tubes with a sub-strobe 50.

I would like to continue to take Macro photography, increase my lens selections, and move into the digital arena.

However, I am confused on a couple of issues.

1. Is the Flash-Sync on digital cameras needed for macro uw photography?

2. Will I be using a strobe or a different type of flash unit with my digital camera?

3. Is TTL needed for digital macro uw photography?

I am leaning towards the Nikon D70, since I already have 2 Nikon SLR (film Cameras) and several lens.

Will the D70 meet the needs of UW MACRO Digital Photography and what kind of flash or stobe unit do you recommend?

Regards,

Jamene

So because Ike does not house the 12-24 you suggest that they get a completely different camera?

 

 

Absolutely!!!! I do think that the DX fisheye and 12-24 DX should be major considerations for anyone investing in a dSLR right now. Short of the 1Ds, these F mount lenses are arguably our best options for superwide angle digital. We aren't talking about switching systems here - we are talking about choosing a system for those that don't have much invested in either mount.

 

A year ago I was shooting my D100 with a 16mm fisheye, the 12-24 is soooo much nicer and the 10.5 is dreamy.

 

The quality of image capture is very similar between DSLRs, and I feel that we are finally getting beyond megapixels and bits back to picking a system that offers you lenses and accessories that suit your needs best. Since I love super WA photography, that leaves me between the 1Ds, and Nikon's DX format. If your interest is in macro photography and you prefer TTL - the aquatica housing might sway you the other way (although don't you need extensions to increase Canon's macro lenses to 1:1?).

 

As far as the TTL advantage - remember that this is no feat of Canon. It is equally likely that Nikon's iTTL will be figured out and applied by a housing mfr. Frankly, I would wait to see this in action. Remember how much trouble the early Ike TTL systems had....

 

Personally, the 1Ds is calling my name - but I have way too much invested to switch systems. I've persuaded 3 different people to purchase the 300D and Ike housing since it came out - at the time it was the best buget system out there. Right now, however, I've changed my tune to the D70.

1. Is the Flash-Sync on digital cameras needed for macro uw photography?

All cameras have some type of flash sync. Current DSLR have a max sync speed of 1/125 to 1/250. This sync speed will not matter for macro photography. The flash will be the light source for the scene. The duration of the flash is far less than the shutter speed. Changing shutter speed will not effect the exposure.

2. Will I be using a strobe or a different type of flash unit with my digital camera?

Strobe

3. Is TTL needed for digital macro uw photography?  

It is not needed, but sure comes in handy. I miss it.

Will the D70 meet the needs of UW MACRO Digital Photography and what kind of flash or stobe unit do you recommend?

Absolutely. I would recommend any of the following: Ikelite DS125, Sea & Sea YS90DX or INON 220.

While it is physically possible to use your SS50, you will only get a full dump in manual mode, since you cannot use TTL. It is possible to use it as a slaved second strobe.

The Nikon SB800 and older SB's take 4 AA batteries, so they are about as powerful as a DS50 or a Sea and Sea YS90

 

Hope that helps,

James Wiseman

The SB80DX is quoted as having a guide number of 38m at 100ASA for a 35mm lens. Using the old "divide by about 3" this would give a GN of approximately 12m underwater.

This compares to an SB105 which gives me a GN of about 8 from experience (ie f8 at 1m for a M Full exposure).

So there might be one F stop in it.

One advantage of the SB80DX for macro is that the zoom lens is that the flash head zooms with your lens (if it is a zoom lens) or sets itself to the focal length of the lens you arte using.

The not only increases the effective GN at longer focal lengths, but more usefully for me, it means that when shooting on DTTL I use much less battery power (because flash is not wasted on a wide beam - that isn't needed for macro. I use Energiser Lithiums in the SB80DX and they last for nearly a week of diving. Very impressive.

Alex