Canon 180mm Macro Lens . . . Thoughts?

[tarczy]

I'm lookin' at acquiring this lens for a land based use, but was wondering about its usefulness for underwater photography.

Specs on this lens are . . .

Focal Length & Maximum Aperture: 180mm 1:3.5
Lens Construction: 14 elements in 12 groups
Diagonal Angle of View: 13¦ 30'
Focus Adjustment: Inner focusing system with USM
Closest Focusing Distance: 0.48m / 1.6 ft.
Max. Diameter x Length, Weight: 3.2" x 7.3", 2.4 lbs. / 82.5 x 186.6mm, 1,090g

Currently Ikelite's maximum length for a flat port is 6.1" - which means I'd probably have to beg Ikelite to manufacture a 7.5" port for this lens, or find and convince someone to manufacture a special port for this lens.

I'm just curious if there is any advantage or disadvantage to having a macro lens with a minimum focusing distance of 1.6 ft. in underwater shooting situations. My current 100mm macro lens has a minimum focusing distance of 1.0 ft. and I found that in some situations, with a +3 diopter added, I needed to get soooo close to a subject that the subject retreated into its hidey hole until I went away (i.e. Jawfish).

Thoughts? :confused:


http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i284/mongo255/Miscellaneous/180mm-Macro-Lens.jpg

[Jonathan Bird]

It will have extremely limited usefulness underwater, but in those cases where it is useful, it will probably be really cool. I would say that if you are going to get the lens for land use anyway, no reason not to try and get a port for it for underwater. Making you an extended flat port is no biggie. You may have to wait a while, but Ikelite will make you one.

Before you order the port, find out how far this thing extends when focused as close as it will go. It may get quite a bit longer!

Jonathan

[chris bangs]

I have had Ike make some VERY long ports so that is not an issue, The lens Diameter is what can be a problem.

Cheers

Chris

[Paul Young]

I have used the Nikon 200mm macro lens with a film camera. I
think the Canon 180 would be similar.


The port is long and light and affects the boyancy of the
outfit. In particular the housing wants to tip the lens end up.


The minimum focus distance is pretty long.


There is more drag than with a shorter port.

When I'm shooting small macro here in New England I need to
anchor myself or the camera somehow. This is especially so
with the 200mm because of the long port. Often, I'll find a
dead spot and hold on with my left hand. Then I'll put the
housing on my left arm and use my right hand to control the
camera and press the shutter.

This does not work with the 200! The minimum focus distance
is too long (or my arm is too short). I tried it once, that was
enough.

The lens can be useful for shy subjects that live on the bottom
in calm water. I've taken photos of shrimp/goby pairs that way.

But unless I know I'm going someplace where I will be doing lots
of macro stuff (like PNG) I leave the 200 at home.