Getting closer to the subject

Hello Everyone:

I bought an Ikelite housing, 5503 port and two ds-125 for my Digital Rebel/Kit lens in June. So far I've made about 20 dives with the set up. The problem is I can not focus the subject at a satisfying close distance.

I read that the kit lens can work well with 5503 port without the diopter. And some people have the experience with the port scratched with the added diopter. So is there any solution to achieve the closer focus distance? Can I use very slim filter?

Thanks a lot!

Which lens are you using?

If this chart says you need a diopter, you need it. Otherwise you don't.

http://www.ikelite.com/web_pages/2port_canon.html

Then, properly set up, if you want to focus closer you will need a different lens e.g. my favorite Nikon lens is the 10.5mm lens because it focuses down to about an inch in front of the lens. I don't know what the Canon equivalent is for this lens.

Peter, do you use the 10.5 for close ups only or for macro too?

I have a 60mm and find that I cant get close enough (I have a D70).

What is your experience/way to getting those little things that is about 5mm long?

This is as small as I go with the 10.5.

http://www.splashdowndivers.com/photo_gall...~5mm_FF_640.jpg

But these are more like what I usually shoot with it.

http://www.splashdowndivers.com/photo_gall...2005/frames.htm

Impressive close up Peter.....I see that I'm not using the full potential of my 10.5mm

Karl

Peter - was there NO cropping on that nudibranch ? Do u use a dome port or can one use the macro port if you only want to use the 10.5 for macro?

If that is the case I am buying a 10.5 tomorow!

I cropped about 50%. As for ports, I used a dome and can't imagine how a flat port would work.

And, although no one asked, here's a shot taken with the 60mm in my dome when the rest of my dive and camera gear was delayed by the airlines. Used a small extexnsion ring ahead of the dome:

Rand....you are the king of cleaning stations

Karl

I am not sure which route to go to get closer to my subjects with my 60mm - do I get an extension tube or do I get a 2x converter or do I buy a new lense, and if so, which one? I want to get to small things about 5mm in size

Wow..sorry I did not get back promptly...

The lens I am using is EFS 18-55mm. I am also using 18mm. Well I think it's another story for close-up lens. But for wide-angle, do I really need a ~10mm? Will adding a diopter to wide-angle will help it focus closer?

Weiwei

@bluepixel: The best way is: Get closer! If you are already touching the port, you could use Woody's diopter. I don't know which brand of housing you use, but a converter could work fine, although you have to extend your port most of the time.

@Weiwei: A slim filter might work

Bluepixel: Go with the 105mm, perhaps add some close up filters as well.

The 10.5 is not a macro lens but a super wide fisheye...

If I go with the 2x coverter, extension tube or 105 I need to extend my port (I have a Sea&Sea).

Which of the two would you recommend to enable me to take pictures of an amphipod? I cant get closer with the 60mm, it wont focus so close. I have heard that the 105 has to be kept very very steady - we have lots of surge

I am not sure which route to go to get closer to my subjects with my 60mm - do I get an extension tube or do I get a 2x converter or do I buy a new lense, and if so, which one? I want to get to small things about 5mm in size

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Hi,

I am using the 60 and 105 and had similar questions as you have.

Please check out the topic "Macro". There are some very helpful explanations.

If you want to get closer to your subjects you, the only way is to use an extension tube. You will only lose a little light and your close focussing distance will decrease.

As a result, the reproduction ratio increases to e.g. 1,5:1 or 2:1, depending on the length of the tube.

The disadvantage is that you are tight to super-macro for the whole dive. Your lens will not be able to focus to infinity anymore.

If you want to use a diopter, you will suffer from the some disadvantage of inflexibility. The close up distance will remain the same, but your subject will be magnified.

After questioning the forum members, Nikon dealer and well a known photographer, I decided for a 2x converter. Your 60mm 1:2,8f will be converted to a 120mm 1:5,6f which may cause trouble with AF. The lense's close focussing distance will be the same as before, which lets the reproduction ratio increase to 2:1. I think that is what you want.

FYI the matching Nikon converters are only MF. In case you want AF, you should use another brand. My suggestion is the Kenko AF 2x Teleplus MC7.

The 105 will not match your needs. It has a longer focal length, but a bigger close focussing distance as well. The reproduction ratio is the same as the 60 (1:1)

Unfortunately all theoretical because I am still waiting for the converter and port extension...

Anyone having more/better advice?

Thilo

Thilo

Thanx you for your comments - at last someone knows what I want!

If you can get the same ration with the extension tube (2:1) but can get closer than you can with the converter, why do you opt for the converter? Is it not better to rather get closer to your subject (less water) ? The price of the coverter and ext tubes here is about the same, I am not sureif the coverter will need an additional port, but then again, if I want 2:1 ration with ext tubes, it might be too long for my port in any event.

Bluepixel,

I do not know the Sea&Sea port-system, but for sure you will need a port extension. Depending on what you choose, the tubes or converter or diopter will extend your lens by 5mm up to 45mm (Converter).

Closer distance / less water sounds good,- but there is a limit somewhere.

The closer you go the earlier you subject will flee.

If you have swell/surge, you may hit your port and the strobes.

If you are very very close, how will you position your strobe(s) properly.

Specially when the subject is hiding between the coral/rocks it is very difficult at times to get close to it and position your strobes without having ugly shadows.

When I used to try close ups with my old Coolpix 995, I very often scratched the housing and the strobes frontglass.

Nowadays, when I try close ups with my 12-24, I am always scared to scratch my superdome. Using macro setup, I have always a safe distance.

I f you use an extension tube instead of a converter, you stuck up with super-macro for the whole dive.

With a converter you have full AF from close to infinity. This allows you to shoot fish behaviour and portraits as well. I prefer the flexibility of the converter.

Cheers

Thilo

I guess the first question is how long have you been shooting? Most entry level photographers have not mastered the art of getting close. It could be your technique on approach and not the camera. Techniques like staying close to the bottom, holding your breath ( ), moving the camera out and away from your face closer to the subject while still keeping an eye on the view finder are some techniques. You can get pretty tight with a 60mm lens, like almost filling the frame with a nickle. Don't go haywire on spending doe on more equipment until you are sure you need it.

Practice on land and see what your camera will do. Then you will have an idea of your system's capability prior to your next dive.

Joe

If have been at it for a while, but no matter no long you have been shooting, you will NOT get an amphipod of 3mm to fill your frame !

I got the 2x coverter today (on loan) as well as an extended port. I will be trying this tomorow - so lets see! I will report back