what lens next

[ozza]

got a 60mm nikon and a 10.5 nikon fish eye, any suggestions on the next lens and why?

 

[Darnold9999]

Personally I went for the 105 macro. Had 10-24 and 60. Found I used the 60 most often and what I was missing was the ability to get really really small stuff without having to be too close. Now most dives are the 60 unless I know it is a macro site then the 105. I only use the 10-24 if I know the dive is wide angle. Not sure I take the 60. Really don't have any desire for another lens.

 

[davelew]

got a 60mm nikon and a 10.5 nikon fish eye, any suggestions on the next lens and why?

First, two warnings: First, although i have some experience with Nikon lenses and cameras, I don't shoot my Nikon underwater, so I'm lacking some experience (not that lack of experience ever stopped anybody from commenting on a message board). Second, the people I know who do shoot their Nikons underwater tend to use a fisheye lens and a 60mm macro lens 90% of the time, so getting a third lens might not prove that helpful for you.

With that said, I'd get the Nikon AF-S 105mm f/2.8 VR Micro.

You have a good wideangle lens, and a good lens for fish portraits or macro of stuff that doesn't move. The drawback I see in your lens bag is the lack of a lens for shy macro critters, which is why I recommend the 105mm macro lens. This will also let you get supermacro images with the cropped sensor camera that I assume you use with the 10.5mm lens.

Other options are getting a wideangle zoom or a midrange zoom. I think the 10.5mm is a great lens (it's popular among photo contest winners, while the Tokina 10-17 is more popular among people not winning those contests, at least in my experience). I also think that the 60mm is a good all-purpose lens. Instead of getting a mid-range zoom, I'd recommend using the 60mm and zooming with your fins.

 

[mjh]

Really depends on what you like shooting and where you dive. I love Wide Angle but I live in low viz, cold water area. So the 105mm is a great lens but not very practical for our area.

For underwater use a very "typical" mix seems to be:

Nikon 60mm
Tokina 10-17mm add a 1.4 tele to this for fish Eye Macro. (I have the 10.5 but have not used it since I bought the 10-17mm and am going to sell it)
Sigma 17-70mm, excellent all around lens
Nikon 105mm

 

[H2O Photo Pros]

If you already have a 10.5 and 60 Id suggest the 105VR for sure. Depending on what you do for wide angle, you might also look at going to the Tokina 10-17 for some versatility.

 

[AussieByron]

Well I am going with alot of other peoples comments already.

I use my 10-17 Tokina and 60mm Macro 95% of the time. I also bought a 105mm AFD macro very cheap and use it once in a blue moon. Same with my Sigma 17-70mm. But again its where you dive and how you want to shoot which makes the decision at the end of the day.

I dont know much about your setup as you might be better off adding other things to your setup like a nice LED modeling light or having two strobe setup if you havnt already. Another item to look at is close up lenses for your 60mm. Sometimes shoot Supermacro a +4 dioptre makes it all worth while.

Maybe ask other photographers to borrow the lenses which they dont use that often.......to see if its worth spending the money?

Regards Mark

 

[Mariozi]

Since you have the old 105 (like me, but I shoot it a lot!) I would suggest the 10-24.
Awesome good lens topside as well.

Good luck!

 

[TomR1]

I shoot mostly in clear water and use the AF-105-VR almost exclusively. To get 1:1 with a 60mm you need to be 3-4in from the critter (lens port-to-subject) while 1:1 with the 105 is 8-9in.

The difference between getting 3-4 inches from a skittish critter and 8-9 inches is huge, trust me.

 

[cim72lando]

Why not try a SubSee magnifier and adapter? Get the +10 and +5 diopters and a dual hinged adapter and get all the praises and envy from your fellow divers. You will be surprised what supermacro can do.