Hello,

Is the 5503.50 Dome port is a good option for the Nikkor 12-24 or do I need the new 8"?

Thanks a lot

J-S,

When I shot Nikon I used the 6" extended dome port, #5503.50 to capture many acceptable photos. I DID find zooming ever so slightly to 11-12mm resulted in sharper corners.....This was all without adding any diopter.

Ikelite through very thorough and generous testing by Jonathan Bird has a specific extension for their 8" dome port and the Nikon 12-24mm lens. Plus the recommendation of adding a mild power +2 diopter to improve edge sharpness with this rectilinear zoom lens. Jonathan's photos certainly show this. Although you may limit your capability to shoot over / under shots once you add a +2 diopter.....

If your budget can afford it, especially since you have that expensive sharp glass I'd go for the 8" and appropriate extension and save yourself from having to upgrade down the road!

Good luck!

dhaas


Click to view attachment

I don't have the 6" port for it, I use my 12-24 in the 8" port. It works very well.

What David said

I am not happy with the Nikon 12-24 in the 8" inch Ikelite dome (or the smaller dome for that matter). I've tried it with and without a +2 diopter that the edges are fuzzy no matter what. I'd avoid this lens underwater and get the Sigma 15mm FE lens instead for 1/3rd the price. It takes much shaper pictures and works great in the 8" ikelite dome.

Below are two close focus wide angle photos I took in Roaton. The first with the Nikon 12-24 and the second with the Sigma 15 FE.

Nikon 12-24 /w +2 - Fuzzy Edges, upper left & right really obvious


Sigma 15 FE - Sharp Edges all around

Which 8" dome are you using? And, if the new one, which extension ring?

I am not aware that there is more than one 8" dome available. I bought mine in April 2006. Looking at my purchase order, it looks like I have the #5510.16 Standard Zoom body with my dome, which was the recommend ring for the 12-24 at the time. I see they have another $150 ring available now for the 12-24. I wonder if they take exchanges?

Regardless, I've been much more impressed with the Sigma 15 than the Nikon 12-24. I love the 12-24 above water, but I think it has some issues with UW use.

Can anyone confirm if the newer #5510.22 Nikon 12-24 mm body works any better for corner sharpness? I'm a little skeptical given the previous advise that a +2 was the solution.

Dave

I've never used the .16 ring. I just got my port a month or so ago, so I ordered the .22 ring. I know the .24 rings was recommended for a while as well.

I haven't shot anything UW yet that tests the corner sharpness.