Wide Zoom Search

[fotodiver]

I recently made the cross over from u/w film to digital with the purchase of a D200. Love the camera. I still have not made my decision on housing, but this question is about wide angle zoom choice. I would like to get people's opinions. Is it necessary to get a DX lens? I've heard discussions that film camera users liked the Nikon 17mm-35mm f2.8, but now mostly I hear folks praising the Nikon 12mm-28mm DX f4. Also, how critical is the loss of viewing area when a digital camera turns the 12mm setting on your zoom to approx 18mm?
Thanks, Steve

[chris bangs]

Hello I use the Nikon 12-24 mm as my primary wide angle lens. It produces wonderful results behind a 8" dome. I have shot mantas, Humpbacks, sharks etc with very good results.

below are a few links. the WA photobucket images were shot with the 12-24 as well as all the humpback images on the other sites

http://www.scubaboard.com/gallery/showgallery.php?cat=500&ppuser=20620

http://dpforums.com/dpgallery/showgallery.php/cat/500/ppuser/22

http://s32.photobucket.com/albums/d20/chris_bangs/

http://dive.scubadiving.com/members/profiles/card.php?pp=3&dir_id=51925

[Sealizard]

Chris, nice sites - especially the DPForum.

I've had good luck with the 12-24mm myself. This is one of my first attempts using ambient light and the 12-24mm with a six inch dome. It may be a bit dark, but I think it speaks to the crispness of the lens.

I bought this lens 'used' (hard to find) at the recommendation of someone is pretty discriminating. Their advice was 'you will really love this lens'. And I do.

However, in regards to fotodiver's implied question about using DX lens versus older non-DX lens, I can only suggest that a *soft* old lens is still a *soft* lens. And a *crisp* old lens is still a good lens.

I use the Nikon 60 mm and love it's clarity. The 105 also gives wonderful results based on a firend's work.

I am not so thrilled with with some of the DX zoom lens and have had disappointing soft topside results. Lesson learned was a solid *prime* lens is worth the cost whether it is a DX lens or not.

Bottom line for me was to try a few lens and pick what I liked and not to worry too much if it was DX or not. Some DX lens are fabulous, others are, well, not so hot.

Still the 12 -24mm DX lens is a hands-down *must have* in my opinion.

[fotodiver]

Thanks for your input guys. I agree with Sealizard, choose the right lens for the job whether it be DX or not. Chris, a second Sealizard, great photos. The photos of the whale shark in the Maldives, what time of year was those taken? I was there a few years ago in early March but were not blessed by any whale shark encounters.
Thanks again, Steve

[chris bangs]

Thanks for your input guys. I agree with Sealizard, choose the right lens for the job whether it be DX or not. Chris, a second Sealizard, great photos. The photos of the whale shark in the Maldives, what time of year was those taken? I was there a few years ago in early March but were not blessed by any whale shark encounters.
Thanks again, Steve

Thanks for the nice words about the images. The DP forum site shows what I do when I am at my home in the mountians of Japan.

I fully agree with Sealizard. Good glass is good glass! All of my macro lenses have served me well for over 10 years.

The whale shark was taken in December along Ari Atoll. The boat crew was so confident we woud find one they briefed how to work with them at breakfast that day. but as you can see from the images ALL the boats know the spot.