canon 17-85mm lens

[BUDMANOK]

need some assistance

I currently have a Canon 17-85mm lens for topside shooting. thinking about using it underwater. this would require a new port and a +4 lens to the tune of $250 to $300.

worth the investment? or should I just buy the canon 60mm and a flat port? will the 60mm work with the 6" dome port from ikelite?

thanks for your help.

btw currently shooting 10-24mm only so macro is new to me.

 

[craracer]

You can't beat the bang for the buck with the 17-85. I should warn you that the 60mm and the 17-85 are quite different lenses, hence the reason I have both. I tried shooting macro with the 17-85, but was never very pleased with the results. I've tried shooting portrait with the 60, but it really doesn't work.

Sorry, I'm not sure about the Ike housings.

 

[Doubler]

17-85 is a middle of the road lens that takes decent underwater photos, I shoot it behind my 6 inch and 8 inch dome. I use it for video also. I also have a 60 mm and you have to have the flat port. I had a custom flat port made so I could mount my ring strobe, great combo.

 

[PatW]

If you want macro, you can do one of three things.

First, you could get the similar Sigma 17-70 Macro lens. It is not really a true macro lens because it only allows an image that is 1.2 times life size on your sensor. True macro gives you a 1 to 1 image size on your sensor. But it is close. So you get a lens capable of doing close ups that is still pretty flexible. I think the sigma lens would be more flexible than the canon lens.

If you want to do true macro, you can go with a 60 mm macro lens. This lens will give you true macro. It is also a mid range lens so it has a bit of general use.

Finally, you could go with a 105 mm macro lens. These lenses are good for macro. They give you more stand off range than the 60 which can be a good thing with shy subjects. The stand off distance is not good on very low vis situations. The 105 is also a lens that allows you to get a wet diopter lens and get involved in super macro. Super macro is taking dramatic close up images of tiny subjects. It is a very specialized application but it can be a pile of fun.