U/W Macro photography with a D-70 - a mistake ?

Hi,

A few months ago i purchased a Nikon D-70 camera, planning to use it mainly for macro photography (right now i'm about to order the 105mm lens).

Lately i started to think that i might have made a mistake. After using the camera myself for a while i can say that it's view finder is smaller than the viewfinders on other dSLRS which is not a big problem whens shooting above the water. The problem starts when shoots U/W. I'm planning to buy the an Ikelite housing, and ikelite only povides the regular viewfinder magnifier, which might be a bit small (other companies offer those cool, huge, expansive :? ,magnifiers).

Does anyone here on the forum uses an Ikelite D-70 housing for shooting macro using MANUAL focus ? is the viewfinder big enough ?

Thanks,

Oren

Hi Oren,

I have shot both the Nikon D100 and D70 with standard viewfinders for macro. I would have been able to focus manually if I had to, but I believe AF is better.

I suggest you consider trying AF. I have only used AF and it hass worked fine for me.

The AF on the D100/D70 is not the fastest in the world, but it is accurate.

The mistake that many people make with AF is that they do not get too know it. AF is not just button - you need to ensure when shooting macro in low light that you have a nice contrasty bit of the subject in AF sensor. Also AF likes certain colours more than others - make sure you pplay to its strengths. Nikon AF really hates greens. Not so bad these days, but I remember once being unable toget the AF on a Nikonos RS to lock on huge green napoleon wrasse when shooting wide angle! Thankfully the D70 AF is much much better than the RS!

Probably the clearest example I have of how good AF D100/D70 can be is this pygmy seahorse. This series of shots (there are 4 joined in this composite) were taken with a 105mm and +4 dioptre in the murky waters of the Lembeh Strait. Once locked the D100 AF stayed on the pygmy as it swam from one part of the fan to another. I was not using a focus assist torch for these shots because I have found that it tends to make pygmies turn away:

http://www.amustard.com/temps/birthday4.jpg

For me if AF can do this it can do most things. Hope this helps persuade you that you haven't made a mistake buying a D70.

Alex

Hi Oren,

 

I have shot both the Nikon D100 and D70 with standard viewfinders for macro. I would have been able to focus manually if I had to, but I believe AF is better.  

I suggest you consider trying AF.  I have only used AF and it hass worked fine for me.  

Don't worry, i'm planning to use the AF a lot, it's just that i want to be able to use manual when it's needed. Last weekend, during a night dive i tried to focus on an whiteish-half-transperent nudibranch/slug that was lying on a neon-green sea-grass. I was using my Oly C4000, and as you can probably guess the camera didnt really wanted to focus on the slug (got some nice sharp photo of the sea grass though... :x ). Actually, with all those tiny nudibranch i saw on that weekend (most of them were 0.5-2 cm long), really small frogfish (1 cm long, black) and a tiny squid (2 cm, i think) , i think that neptun was trying to tell me that it's time to get a good macro lens and hosuing for my D-70...

I just remembered that i got another ikelite/macro question - is there enough room in the 105mm flat port for a +3 diopter ?

I just remembered that i got another ikelite/macro question - is there enough room in the 105mm flat port for a +3 diopter ?

Yes, barely....

Alex.....do you still use "C" focus instead of "S"?

Karl

I just remembered that i got another ikelite/macro question - is there enough room in the 105mm flat port for a +3 diopter ?

 

Yes, barely....

 

Alex.....do you still use "C" focus instead of "S"?

 

Karl

Oops, i ment a +4 diopter. And when u say "barely", is it a "Yes" or "no" ? do i need to get a "slim" diopter ?

Also, what's wrong with using AF-C ? it's the object is moving, why not use it ?

Yeah Karl,

I always use AF-C. But I would say that the AF-C vs AF-S argument is mainly subjective.

Alex

Oren, here's a macro using MF with the D70. I'm not going to say (anymore ) MF is better than AF. I'm sure if I dove more, it would become apparent that circumstances might dictate one over the other. Up to this point, I find the MF more to my liking. My Subal has a magnified eyepiece that helps with the focus:

Oren, here's a macro using MF with the D70. I'm not going to say (anymore ) MF is better than AF. I'm sure if I dove more, it would become apparent that circumstances might dictate one over the other. Up to this point, I find the MF more to my liking. My Subal has a magnified eyepiece that helps with the focus:

 

Nice !!!

It's a pitty that ikelite don't have this magnified eyepiece. How much does it cost anyway ? (housing and eyepiece)

Not sure what the latest pricing is. I purchased mine last year. Ryan from Reef Photo and Video, a site sponsor, sells both housings and could give you current costs.

http://www.reefphotovideo.com/index.php

 

Nice !!!    

It's a pitty that ikelite don't have this magnified eyepiece. How much does it cost anyway ? (housing and eyepiece)

The Subal housing for the D70 costs about $2,500 and the eyepiece an additional $900. The Ikelite housing costs about 1,200.

Hi Oren!

I think that D70 is a good choice for macro. First of all, because the D70 is a great camera and the second reason is because it's quite small comparing to all the other SLR's.

I use it for macro in manual focus and auto focus and I get really good results.

My housing is Aquatica, the viewfinder is quite similar to the one on Ikelite housings. I'm glass wearing and my eyes are tired, even though I shoot and I see everything thru the viewfinder. I surely would be happy to get a magnifier like Subal, Seacam or Sealux have, but I'm sure that all the A70 housings owners will persuade Blake from Aquatica to build such a piece.

If you're ready to pay some more for your housing, Sealux make really nice housings with glass ports and great viewfinder!

Good luck!

Michel

I've shot an n90s for more than 10 years. Used ikelite housing, with their super-eye. I would for sure say you are almost limited to AF only.

To me, it seems clear that a high end P&S digi will be more useable underwater, once Sony gets their RAW cycle time down, or once Canon gets the AF as good as Sony's...

Right now, my top 2 choices would be the Pro1, and the V3. I was hoping for something new at PMA, but it isn't looking good, other than the new Rebel-XT...

Don

[My housing is Aquatica, the viewfinder is quite similar to the one on Ikelite housings. I'm glass wearing and my eyes are tired, even though I shoot and I see everything thru the viewfinder. I surely would be happy to get a magnifier like Subal, Seacam or Sealux have, but I'm sure that all the A70 housings owners will persuade Blake from Aquatica to build such a piece.  

Okay Blake, pressure is on my friend. Do Aquatica users have any chance of seeing an eyepiece magnifier like this for our D70's from Aquatica??

It really sounds like you could sell more than a few.

To me, it seems clear that a high end P&S digi will be more useable underwater, once Sony gets their RAW cycle time down, or once Canon gets the AF as good as Sony's...

 

Don

Wow Don, that's quite a statement....I can't imagine an easier rig to use underwater than the D70/Ikelite combo....maybe not be a full sensor, 13 mp pro rig, but certainly several steps up from any P&S

Karl

I think that D70 is a good choice for macro. First of all, because the D70 is a great camera and the second reason is because it's quite small comparing to all the other SLR's.

I think this is an important point. Not only are small cameras great for travel. But small camera equals small housing.

I know some people criticise the 20D and 350D for being too small in the hand. For the underwater photographer, who rarely touches the camera with their hands, this is a great bonus.

In terms of shooting, small housings can make it easy to get in closer to the subject. And also lower on macro subjects on the sand. I think that this is a potential drawback of the 1D and D2 series cameras.

Alex

I've shot an n90s for more than 10 years.  Used ikelite housing, with their super-eye.  I would for sure say you are almost limited to AF only.

 

To me, it seems clear that a high end P&S digi will be more useable underwater, once Sony gets their RAW cycle time down, or once Canon gets the AF as good as Sony's...

This is an incredibly personal choice. I do know of two people who switched from compact cameras to slr systems and weren't happy. While I don't have an exact count, I can think of many many more who have related they would never go back to their "view from the moon cameras" again.

FWIW, I use manual focus only. My housing has a gear allowing me to switch from A/M underwater, but I rarely install it... I don't have one of those fancy eyepieces Rand has been bragging about, either.

Not bragging, just feel it would not be right to post sharp macro photos and not mention the gear used to obtain them. I've gotten a few nice shots without the eyepiece on occasion.

Rand

Thanks guys, you helped. a lot. I think it's finally time to order the macro lens.

Since i don't do that much diving when i study (uni...) i think i'll wait a bit more before ordering the housing. Maybe i'll be lucky enough to get an Ikelite housing with a iTTL convertor for the D70 not that i don't like shooting manual (i really do), but i do get lazy sometimes (especially when diving in a large group) and i want to be able to shoot with TTL.

I agree. I think SLR housings are easier to use than P&S because of their size but the smaller the SLR body the better for UW use.