So again, or should I say, as usual, I couldn't wait till christmas to buy myself my present. However, this time I can legitimize my purchase because I'll be going on a business trip to Dubai and arranged 3 days diving in Musandam on the weekend.

So I bought the 60mm+port for my D70.
Anybody good good hints and tips as to what I might or will be running into?

I read quite a few stories on focus using AF, anything I should consider to make things go as smooth as possible? Extra focus light or something?

Hi Yzer

I've been using my 60mm on a D100 in a Subal housing very happily for 12 months or so.

As I have written in another thread somewhere, I find it an excellent "get used to the dive site" lens - not too big as a housing/port combination (compared to WA), pretty good for fish portraits or getting close. And very sharp.

I have not found any particular problems using it: the AF is fast. Like many lenses it can hunt a bit if trying to pick something up in a gloomy corner - but generally it is very good and I have got some excellent results. I have found the focussing light on my Inons very useful in helping the lens; and I have just bought an additional ULCS clamp to attach a UKL light on top of the housing to provide that bit extra.

I'm sure you will enjoy using it. And a business trip to Dubai eh? Tough, all that marble, all those so-so restaurants....... I used to pass through there about every 2 months working in Afghanistan. Luxury. Have you tried the Spectrum on One restaurant at the Fairmont? Just wicked.

Hi Tim,

nope haven't tried the Spectrum, but since I'm there for 2 weeks I'm sure that I'll have a chance to goo over and see what they serve .

I was playing around with the lens yesterday evening and noticed the hunting behaviour in low light conditions.
So I will go to my dive store and see if they have a nice small focus light that easily attaches to the housing, just in case.

Thx for both tips.

Pieter

Its a great lens. But, i find it hard to fill the frame with little critters at times. You might think of getting a set of + diopters before you leave.

I like using them with the 60 for nudis and what not

Hello All ,

My comments mirror Tims & Mike's

I personally use a Mini Q40 as my focus light which is mounted to my housing.

But have used SL4's in the past, but i found those to be a little too strong at times with 60mm as you need to be quite close as Mike says to fill the frame.

As you know Tim I tend to use my 60mm alongside my 2X TC as well, a couple of stops of light loss but nothing to worry about.

All that is required is a 40mm extension ring to soak up the 2x TC

This lens is nice a sharp, not the fastest kid on the block , but a real gem.

I tend to use settings of 125/ F16 180/F13 whilst shooting macro in Manual Mode.

Just a few images shot with my 60mm & 2X TC

remember that your DOF whilst shooting Macro will be quite shallow at times, so make sure that you are critical with your focus.

I've used AF-S and AF-C, you'll find the one that suits you as start to play around with the lens and subject matter


Click to view attachment Click to view attachment Click to view attachment

I'm sure your going to run into our usual little fellow the anemone fish, among many other critters. I tend to look around for textures and shapes also, as the middle picture of these three, just reminded me of an ALIEN FACE...

Have a great time , i'm off to the Maldives myself next week... going to give one of Alex's Magic filters a Hard testing.

regards

craig

Nice pics, Craig!

Pieter, if you get time check out the dive store I used to use, Scuba Dubai, which is about 100 yards down from the Fairmont on the opposite side of the road. Really nice people and very helpful - although I'm not sure they would have your focussing light. They stock Scubapro though - and prices are VERY competitive for small bits and pieces compared to Europe. All those quality clippy-things we all need cost very little. Say the British bloke from Afghanistan says hi! They always gave me a really nice discount....... (I think they felt sorry for me)

Hi Craig,

I have a Sea&Sea housing for my D70 and I have found that a 60mm with Kenko 2x using 40mm extension and 60mm port just bumps the glass at full extension. Do you find this as well or are you using a different combo ?

Cheers,

Mark

HI Mark / Tim

I use the following combo

60mm, Kenko Pro 300 2x TC.

Port combo is

Compact macro port base.
40 Extension ring
Compact macro port (s)35 sea & Sea code 56211

I guess that if your having issues mark, if your using a different port rig than me or your 2x TC is larger.

I use this setup as it allows me to carry only 2 ports around with me to cover all the lenses. That Being.

Compact dome port (WA)
Compact Macro port Base and the 35 (S) port

the above combo will accept the following

All my wide angle stuff including the 18-70 AF-S and Wide zoomers if i ever get one, as i just mount the dome onto the extension ring.

Folk may laugh at the 18-70 AF-S, But i actually find it a really nice lens to use , it produces excellent images. I tend to use this when i dont know what to expect underwater. see the attached all shot with the 18-70mm & +4

Click to view attachment Click to view attachment



using a combo of the (s) port and base with or without the extension ring i can use

60mm Micro
105mm Micro
60mm with 2x TC
105mm with 1.4x TC

they all fit into this simple to carry setup.

regards

craig