Lens Recommendation for D850?

Hello everyone!

Getting started in underwater photography—I own the D850, and I have my eye set on the Nauticam housing and two Sea & Sea strobes. What wide-angle lens should I get? I want good glass - the D850 doesn't do too well with bad glass. Seems the overall consensus is that despite its topside performance, the Nikkor 14-24 isn't great underwater.

Any suggestions would be really helpful! Also, suggestions for what lens dome to get with that lens for the Nauticam housing.

Thanks,

Max

Hey Max

No, the consensus seems to be the Nikkor 14-24 isn't great underwater.

If you're looking for rectilinear, I've found the Nikkor 16-35 works well with the D800 - as long as you have a 230 dome otherwise the corners are soft and, for my setup (Subal), a +2 diopter.

Are you considering an FE? If so, maybe the Sigma 15mm or Nikkor 8-15mm? According to the manufacturer's charts I have seen, both work with either a 230 or 170 dome.

Hi Max,

I would have a search around the subject. There are a bunch of relevant topics and posts about the D850.

One such is here: http://wetpixel.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=61325

All the best

Adam

Sigma 15FE

If you are going wide then the big 230mm dome is necessary to get corner performance. The alternative is to look into the Nauitcam WACP with an older 28-xxx lens. The story is that the dome port, even a large one degrades image quality and a lens like an 28-80 consumer style lens can potentially out resolve the finest glass when it's behind a dome port if you use it with a specifically designed water contact optic like the WACP. If you believe that then it would seem that pixel peeping among the better wide angle offerings based on above water tests may not be productive. If you interested in fisheye lenses then the smaller domes work quite well.

Also are you set on Sea and Sea strobes? given the number of stories about S&S strobes failing I've seen here and elsewhere, I would look in the direction of INON strobes.

I plan to use: Nikon, 105, 60/2.8D, 20/2.8D (maybe), 16-35/4, and Sigma 15FE with the macro port, zen 170, and a big dome (tbd)...unless i decide to try the WACP - the size primarily, and somewhat the cost, are the blockers for me on the WACP, though.

Since I acquired the 16-35, my 18, 20, and 24mm lenses have been sitting on a shelf. I shoot it behind a 230mm dome. Unless you already own the 20, you might save a few rubles by forgoing purchasing one just yet.