Can I use a 150mm Macro Lens Underwater?

[sunfish]

I am wondering.. I have seen people using 100mm or 105mm macro lens underwater, can I use a 150mm macro lens underwater? I have image stabilizer, dual strobes and lens min. focusing distance is 38cm, any other considerations I have missed out that will be stopping me from using it for underwater macros?

[bighead]

I have seen ppl using 200mm b4 ... but rare .... maybe a gd gage is to see if the underwater casing manufacturers have any ports for it in the first place ... b4 u decide ...

[antacid]

yes you can...can even use the canon 180mm macro underwater. the problem i see is that you're pretty limited to subjects the size of a coin because if you back off to shoot a larger object, strobe power is reduced, and you get a large column of water between you and the subject.

[sunfish]

Thanks for sharing

[eudon]

I use a sigma 150mm.
When used with a 1.6 crop sensor, the magnification can be extreme especially if you fit diopters on it.

Due to the length and fov, the amount of light received is pretty small and hence the focusing is a big issue with this lens in anything but bright sunlight or a good focus light. And its best to set the focus limit to prevent the lens hunting into the longer ranges.

The depth of field is really thin, even with the bigger f stops, and you have to stay pretty still or the focus can move off easily. Always use a high shutter speed with a 150mm.

It is especially good for pygmies thou. Pygmies dont move much and you dont have to get in too close and risk damaging the fragile coral they live in. However due to the small field of view you sometimes spend a lot of time looking through the view finder and wondering which part of the coral you are looking at and which direction to move the lens to find the pygmy!

In short, you can use it, and get some good results, but it takes some practice and can be a frustrating affair.

Here are some of my 150mm shots - all uncropped.







Eudon

[sunfish]

Cool... Thanks for sharing your personal experience. Do you need to add a close up diopter to use it underwater? Are you using Ikelite? Which port are you using for this lens?

Thanks

[eudon]

Yup, i use Ikelite. Flat port #5505.5 is what i use. But the length is very snug. You cant put in any filters. I use a wet diopter. If you want to use a dry screw on diopter you will need the next longer port.

Also bear in mind that ikelite has the new modular port system, however i dont know what combination of bodies are needed for the Sigma 150mm.

Eudon

[sunfish]

Thanks again. Could you share which wet diopter you are using? Woody's?

Are you able to manual focus with the 5505.5 port? I am thinking of getting the flat port with focus knobs (5506.5 or 5507), any thoughts on this?

[eudon]

Yup Woody's wet diopter.

I dont have the manual focus knob, i think the lens may be too wide for that port. But am not sure. Just check with the sales person first or drop a mail to ikelite. they are very responsive to these queries.

Eudon

[eudon]

Having said that, ive also read that people lock the focus to the nearest distance and then focus by moving yourself closer or further. I havent tried this technique before, but sounds reasonable.

[sunfish]

Thanks

[foxwagon]

Originally Posted by eudon Having said that, ive also read that people lock the focus to the nearest distance and then focus by moving yourself closer or further. I havent tried this technique before, but sounds reasonable.

Good idea!

[airforce1]

Originally Posted by eudon Having said that, ive also read that people lock the focus to the nearest distance and then focus by moving yourself closer or further. I havent tried this technique before, but sounds reasonable.

This technique is good for macro especially vr 105mm lenses. Camera focus all set to macro setting 1 estimate measured distance then need to move yourself to get the sharp focus and trigger.

[swishbrade]

Originally Posted by eudon Here are some of my 150mm shots - all uncropped. Eudon

Beautiful shots! Respect!

[limonello]

Eudon. Amazing shots. You must be the zen-master of underwater bouyancy and body control to have got shots like these. Respekt!