Why not to buy the Nikon 10.5?

I'm searching for a wide angle lens for some time, since I don't in a rush to buy it I have plenty of time to bothers you with sillies questions

Until now I thought of the Sigma 15 mm or the Tokina 12-24ת quality behind a small port Vs. versatile, but now I decided to check the option for a real wide: the 10.5 lens, They are all in the same price range (+-) so this factor is irrelevant.

There is always a recommendations to buy as first WA lens the less wide lens, why?

What is so hard with the widest lens? what are the disadvantages of it?

Don't buy one! Otherwise I won't have any advantage over you for wide angle shooting!

Seriously though. Learn to shoot a fisheye and you won't want anything else for divers, wrecks and scenery.

To make a sweeping and inaccurate statement. The only people who think that 180 degree fisheyes aren't essential for UW photography have never shot with one (or never shot with one long enough to get used to it).

Alex

Some people will tell you that the 10.5 is too wide and that you can only shoot CFWA shots with it. I disagree totally. If I could only carry one wide-angle for U/W it would be the 10.5. Here's a recent 10.5 shot I took in Mexico:

I don't think the diver - my wife Millie - looks distorted at all.

Hi!

I don't know her bodily features in person but it looks pretty standard, no abnormal distortions at all ;-)

Stunning to me that even the corners don't show visible distortions or blurrs. Behind which dome do you shoot this lens?

There's something to say about extreme WA and FE lenses. You have to get used to check the finder for things you don't want to see on the image. Your own dangling equipment e.g. or the tip of a fin of the diver next to you.

It took me some time to get used to the extreme (and unusual) perspectives (esp. topside) and to handle them. Once you get used to the lens it's an addiction. I own the Olympus 7-14mm (114° to 75° angle of view) with nearly no distortion at all, a masterpiece of WA design. I'm eagerly waiting for the 8mm FE (180° angle of view) that has been announced recently.

My UW experience with 180° FE comes from the Olympus E-20 with Raynox DCFR180PRO converter. Although this lens was housed poorly (in a bruder housing with a quite wrong positioned dome) the results were not that bad.

The wider the angle, the closer you can get. The closer you can get the more colourfull your pictures. I never ever missed zooming to less than 180°.

Helge ;-)=)

Thank's for the replays but I think you didn't understood my question, I asked why not to buy this lens.

You where supposed to convince me to find something else , now I have no options, I must purchase it, life is so hard...

Arnon:

Extreme wide angle photography is by far the hardest underwater image making process to master. A 10.5 is the ideal tool for this type of work and as others have advised, one you try one you will never shoot another lens.

The difficulty in using such a lens lies in you. You will need to learn to really see, edge to edge filling your frame with intersting subject (s) that turn your image into a story in itself or a compelling image. Wide angle snaps are easy, wide angle head turners are another thing all together. It is much more difficult. Lighting is the other aspect that you will need to master when you go so wide. Two strobes are a must and multiple light sources even better.

Defenitely get this lens, but work hard to break the mold of ordinary wide angle images out there. For more info I can be reached offline mauricio@handlerphoto.com

Good luck

Mauricio Handler

Hi!

 

Stunning to me that even the corners don't show visible distortions or blurrs. Behind which dome do you shoot this lens?

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Helge,

I'm using the Aquatica 8' dome with the Aquatica S2 housing. The 10.5 has very good corner to corner sharpness with this combo.

I just returned from shooting the 10.5 in the 6 inch Ikelite dome on a D100.

Get the 8" dome. There was a reflection of the dome at the edges of most of my shots.

Otherwise, this lens was stellar! Pics to follow.

Dive cheerfully!

Ron

Reflection would be from lens, strobe placement, or angle of surface light; not dome size. The 10.5mm should be very fine in the 6" dome............

Me to think thatt the 10.5 is a great lens. A altenativ is the Sigma 15mm but Nikons 10.5 have some avandages.

Its not only the wide but other factors to.

10.5 is buid especially for Nikon's DX format /sensor

You can focus close to 3cm and have Nikon's Close-Range Correction (CRC) that helps take sharper pictures.

Reflection would be from lens, strobe placement, or angle of surface light; not dome size.  The 10.5mm should be very fine in the 6" dome............

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I agree ... I have more than a hundred (kept) D70/10.5 uw shots with an Ike 6" dome, DS125 strobe and natural light ... there are many flaws in these shots (composition, exposure, conception...), but no reflections off the dome and excellent sharpness to the corners (also true for the Nikon 16FE behind the same dome).

I am fully aware of the advantages of larger domes for many setups, but, in my still naive opinion, the advantages appear small (or nonexistent) for these fisheyes. And the 6" dome is great to pack, a joy to handle underwater, and a good value (for those of us who care).

I just ordered my 10.5 today!!! Hopefully won't take 6 weeks or more to deliver.

Watch out mantas, i am getting closer!!

Here is another example of fish sex - fisheye (10.5 mm) to fisheye (salmon) ! I just became operational for digital UW today, this being an example from today. Spawning sockeye salmon shot with available light: ISO 640 1/250s at f/11. I used the SEACAM Superdome (SD) port. That is a male in the center. He was chasing the female on the left side of the pic. That is a moribund spawned-out salmon in the background between the other two. Pacific salmon die after spawning.

Tom

Cool shot Tom, i really must do that one of these days when i am back at home...on another note, just put on a sweater after looking at that shot!

I just have found the Nikon 10.5mm and 16mm att ebay for approximately US $580

50% less the price that hier in Sweden

Nikon 10.5mm

Nikon 16mm

What do you think?

Hi Lambis,

I'm not sure what your exchange rate is, but I'd be more inclined to get them from B&H where the 10.5 is US$550 and the 16 mm is US$600. Doesn't really look like you are saving much from this Ebay auction, and it probably wouldn't by locally warrantied. Other alternative is to wait for a second hand 16 mm to turn up at KEH where they typically go for around $450 depending on condition. Their condition ratings are very conservative and their Bargain would often be rated as "Excellent" by other sellers.

Finally, I know you are very keen on the Nikon glass, but as others have mentioned before, the Sigma 15 is a fantastic lens and this guy in Hong Kong sells it for a very reasonable $390 including shipping.

Thanks Mike! Actually the air temp was about 80 °F, I was in a t-shirt. I did get splashed a few times with the cold water, however, as the salmon were rather active, typical spawning activity! The difference between the air and water temperature caused the dome port to fog up rather instantly, like an ice cold drink on a warm day!

Tom

Hi Anthony

Yes i am very very keen on the Nikon glass :-)

Sigma Lenses can I found for the same price her in Sweden.

Only the 16mm Nikon Lens are way to expensive in Sweden. I dont know why??

16mm around 1400 - 1500 USD. Its crazy!!!!!

So if i can buy a 16mm Nikon Lens for the same money ass a Sigma I go with Nikon.

The Only think that I must check is Warranty. Thanks for the tip KEH

Thank's for the link to the hksupplies, I just order from there the remote control for the D70.

Do you have any experience with them? (the E-Bay feedbacks looks good)

I've bought from Mr. Poon at HKsupplies and had a good experience. That's how I got the first 12-24DX into the US! :-)

Cheers

James