Hi Folks, I've recently bought an EOS 5D, which I intend to buy a housing for shortly. I'd been intending to go for the Ikelite system, however I know that one of my favourite lenses- the sigma 12-24- has too large a diameter to fit in the ikelite domes.
I now see that Sea & Sea are bringing out a 5D housing, so wondered if anyone would know whether the Sig 12-24 will fit in a Sea & Sea large dome port? Max diameter of the lens is a fraction over 3.4". Even if I could fit it in without use of the zoom it would be something.

If not I guess I'll go for the ikelite system, sell the 12-24 and go for the Canon 17-40...
I know the 17-40 seems to have a few corner sharpness issues when used behind a dome, but there doesn't seem to be much alternative in the way of a wide zoom. Or does anyone have any other suggestions?

Thanks

Fergus

Several systems offer wide throated ports. Aquatica is one that immediately springs to mind.

Alex

I can not remember hearing of anyone sucessfully housing the sigma 12-24, so no help for you there.

Other canon wide zoom is 16-35.

I would not worry about the quality of either of canon's wide zooms. No they are not as sharp as a prime, but I would bet you that either would be better than the sigma in the corners. The sigma's clame to fame is that it is 12mm, not because it has extremely sharp FF corners. If you are happy with the sigma, you will love the canon zooms.

That said, I would recomend primes over zooms anyway. You said you would be happy with the sigma even if you could not zoom it. Sounds like you would be willing to accept a prime, and image quality of even a cheep prime is equal or better than that of the most expensive zooms.

I can't answer your question about the Sea&Sea port diameter.
I just know that almost all manufactures do not offer a zoom gear for this lens, most of them due to the diameter, making it impossible. I think James used this lens with modified Ikelite gear in his Seacam housing.

I use this lens in a Sealux housing. The port throat is quiet big (~ almost 5" diameter), but the zoom gear is still very thin, but works flawlessly:







The wider the lens gets, the more corners problems you will get with rectilinear lenses behind dome glasses. No matter if the lens is good topside in the corners or not. AFAIK, the Sigma 12-24mm is the widest rectilinear SLR lens ever built (122°), you would get more corner trouble at 12mm compared to the Canon 17-40mm. However, this is a special lens on the 5D, fun to use.

Julian

Thanks alot for the fast responses, guys. The Sealux looks pretty interesting- given that it can definitely accomodate the 12-24 and they now do a 5D housing, i might have a look into them.

There was a post here some time ago where someone was using that lens in a Sea & Sea d30/60 housing, w/ a rubber belt over the lens so it would interface with Sea & Sea's drive gear.

The Sigma 12-24 works well on the Subal housings. Subal's zoom drive gear (the part of the housing that meshes with gears to turn them) rests on the lens' zoom ring, allowing it to be used without a gear.

The 40mm extension ring should be used.

The sigma should fit the sea & sea port opening - the opening is 3 7/8" (9.75cm) in diameter. I should have an Aquatica 5D housings in my hands soon - if a review doesn't get posted by the time mine arrives, I'll put one up.

I've used the Sigma 12-24 on my D60 in a S&S DX30/60 housing.

I used the large dome port without a ring. It may need a ring as some of the corners were very soft focus.

I did not find a zoom ring. As the previous post mentions someone did take a sewing machine belt and make it work with the zoom.

The distance between the lens and the zoom gear is very small. Adding a thick rubberband may provide enough friction for the zoom gear to turn the lens. I was on a liveaboard so didn't have any supplies to experiment.

I am looking at getting a S&S 5D housing for my 5D also. I'll probably get Canon 17-40L as it seems like a better match for full-frame camera. I'll keep the 12-24 and use it for ultra-wide and if I can't figure out zoom solution for 5D, fixed 12 underwater.

Hope this helps.

Thanks again for all the replies. Good to hear you can get the 12-24 accomodated in a number of different systems. Helpful to know I might be able to cobble together a way of get in the zoom gear to operate.
Can't wait to get the 5D underwater!