Nikkor 8-15 with Kenko 1.4TC: Subal Zoom Ring

Sounds a good plan, Carol

I'm not sure if the Nikkor/Kenko zoom gear is custom made - I don't think so. Maybe worth asking Reef Photo or Backscatter if they can price one for you? At least then you know the costs involved.

Good on B&H having them. That's a better deal than I could get in Netherlands.

Keep in touch for sure - intriguing stuff!

Tim, does your Subal 100mm (4 inch) dome allow the shade to be removed? Im thinking not with the Subal ones but Im not sure. The Zen ones Ive seen with removable shades are all for type 4 mounts only. I have type 3 so it limits some things.

I think the 8-15fe + Kenko 300 1.4x DGX combo is valid for the wide angle macro or CFWA shots. These type shots always have some distortion inherently so I dont see why the excellent 8-15 plus the 1.4 TC would make them worse. I think you are on the right track Tim.

Ive already asked at ReefPhoto when I was over there a few weeks ago and they couldnt get the info from Subal on the correct zoom ring. They said they would make me one but I havent pursued it. My next step, if I want to go that direction, is to get the DGX TC and see how it performs with the 8-15 at a fixed focal length. See if I like it. I may also need the small dome too so I really have to look at how much Ill use the combo and if I want to go down that road. C

I'll have to check if the shade can be removed, Carol. I've got the Subal Type 4 DP100 and have never tried removing the shade.

On the zoom ring, ask Reef Photo if they can contact Vladimir, the Sales Manager. He knows all about the zoom ring. I talked to him about it at Boot in January, then we exchanged a number of emails. Stefan at Onderwaterhuis.nl can probably help as well. At one point he, Vladimir and I were exchanging emails about the combination and the necessary EXRs, zoom rings etc. But trying the setup without a ring to see if you like it does sound a good plan.

On 7/16/2019 at 7:32 AM, TimG said:

To update this.....

 

I received the Kenko 1.4 DGX version yesterday, attached it to my D500, attached the Nikkor 8-15.... and Bingo, world perfectly. Camera doesn't produce an Err message, all the usual displays appear and the camera focuses and the shutter fires happily.

 

Now I need to get it underwater.

 

Just out of interest, a local reputable camera dealer told me the Nikkor 8-15 doesn't work with the 1.4 DGX; and it does not appear as a valid combination on the Kenko website. But, as Eduardo sets out above, and as I've found so far... it's a good 'un.

 

And I have a DG version for sale in the Classifieds

Nice reading.

Tim, does the DGX version work on d500 and tokina 10-17? What apertures is the AF working on? Would like to test the setup. Any suggestions for a zoom-ring for the sea&sea mdx housing?

Hi Scotzh

Yep, the DGX version works with the Tokina 10-17 and the D500. I usually use f8 or maybe f11.  
 

Sorry, can’t help on a Sea&sea zoom ring. You need one that  that fits the circumference of the 10-17 but is 20mm longer.