Advice needed on best Canon EF lens

[shark_safari_rob]

Hi

I have a Canon 5D and am splashing out on the Aquatica housing with dome port, etc. but I haven't decided on EF lenses to go with the system yet. As I spend a lot of time in the water with sharks (of all sizes), I need a wide-angle, but don't know whether to go for the Canon 15mm Fish eye or a more multi-purpose EF17-40mm f/4L USM zoom.

My feeling is that I'll go for the 17-40mm zoom first for general shark shots, and invest in the 15mm fisheye for the big stuff (whale sharks, whales, etc)

Is my logic correct?

Also is F4 going to be OK for underwater, lowish light situations, or should I consider a (more expensive) faster lens with wider aperture?

cheers
Rob

[wilbo]

Rob,

Can I suggest to also look at posting this question up on Tim Ingmire's forum: DigiGreen - while the forum is geared more to local waters - you might get some good advice..

there is also an American site that specialises in U/W photography.. I'll try to sort out the link..

[ahar]

Be aware that the 5D can have significant vignetting when using wide angle lenses or with the apature wide open, even if they are Canon L glass. This is due to the way that the light falls on to the full frame CCD. Maybe not such a problem on land, but will show up underwater due to the likely continuous colour tones of the water on the edges of the picture.

There has been many a discussion on the AP forums about this. Have a look at Amateur Photographer & What Digital Camera: EOS 5D Woes
for some more info

[Skiver]

Take this with a pinch of salt as I have little experience of underwater photography but have done a fair bit on dry land!!! I've used the 17-40 on my 10D for a while now and have always been pleased with the colour, sharpness and contrast of the images produced. Distortion is well controlled, though this may be more of a problem with the FF sensor. The 15mm Fisheye is a very sharp lens and will give you an extra stop of light with the 2.8 aperture and will show a good deal more distortion, though this can be reduced in post . My feeling would be to go with the more versatile 17-40 (17mm is still really wide on the 5D) and use the excellent iso performance to keep up shutter speeds.

Best wishes
John

[Neil M]

Originally Posted by shark_safari_rob

Hi

I have a Canon 5D and am splashing out on the Aquatica housing with dome port, etc. but I haven't decided on EF lenses to go with the system yet. As I spend a lot of time in the water with sharks (of all sizes), I need a wide-angle, but don't know whether to go for the Canon 15mm Fish eye or a more multi-purpose EF17-40mm f/4L USM zoom.

My feeling is that I'll go for the 17-40mm zoom first for general shark shots, and invest in the 15mm fisheye for the big stuff (whale sharks, whales, etc)

Is my logic correct?

Also is F4 going to be OK for underwater, lowish light situations, or should I consider a (more expensive) faster lens with wider aperture?

cheers
Rob

I am looking at the 17-40 L as well... just not splashed out yet!

Bristol Cameras - Canon Lenses - its 520 here....

I have a 350d, and the 10-22mm lens... works very well u/w (only in EFS mount though!)

[JohnK]

The sigma is an excellent 15mm alternative. Also, the best macro has to be the canon 2.8 100mm usm lens

[ahar]

Originally Posted by Skiver

Distortion is well controlled, though this may be more of a problem with the FF sensor.

The Full Frame sensor is exactly why the problem exists. The larger size means that light falling in the corners is at a less than optimum angle - with an APS-C sized sensor (like the 10D) this is less of an issue as the sensor is that much smaller so the light at the edges does not fall on the sensor (hence the magnification factor).

It will still produce great images, but you have to be aware that when you stop right down (e.g. F4 or F2.8) you will need to correct the image for the darker patches in the corner.

[shark_safari_rob]

Thanks for all the advice guys.

Does anyone have the same set-up? i.e. Canon 5D with Aquatica housing and 8" dome? If so, what lens do you normally use on a dive?

I'd like to get an Inon Z-240 strobe, but can't find one in this country for love nor money!! Any ideas on another strobe option?

cheers
Rob

[uwila]

I have a 5D with the Subal housing and bought both the 17-40 and the 15 fish-eye (which I found 2nd hand quite cheaply). To be honest, the 17-40 covers most situations and has been superb. I do like the results I got with the 15 lens when wreck diving but would say buy the 17-40 first and only buy the fish-eye when cash limits allow. I haven't had problems with vignetting underwater, but I can make it happen. Strangely, I choose not to and haven't found it to be a significant problem. Maybe I'm just not using enough exposure choices! (I do use manual exclusively underwater)

The Sea&Sea YS 90 Auto is a good strobe - I use one in conjunction with a Z-220. Try here:
Alan James - For all you need in underwater photography
Beware of the YS90 Duo - it has no useful manual mode.

Actually, I shall be selling both strobes quite soon as I have 2 Z-240 strobes coming to me shortly (from Japan)

[shark_safari_rob]

thanks for your reply.

I ended up buying the Canon 5D, Aquatica housing, 17-40mm lens and an Inon Z240 and I have to say that I'm more than impressed with the combination. The lens was a revelation as it covered all the scenarios I wanted it for and as I'm primarily interested in big stuff it was perfect. I would have loved to go for the Subal housing and thought long and hard about it, but the huge difference is cost between it and the Aquatica was a big factor, and I was convinced by Fred Buyle who uses the Aquatica.

So, I have just to decide on a true wide-angle now. I am going to Utila for the next 2 months to do whale shark research and so am going to be needing something super-wide for those critters! The Canon fish-eye is top of that wish list at the moment.

I'd be interested in one of your Z220s if you want to sell.

cheers
Rob