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Nikon 20mm 1.8 for white sharks?

Started Sep 27, 2019 | Discussions
Apexwildlife New Member • Posts: 7
Nikon 20mm 1.8 for white sharks?

Hey, going white shark diving. I just wanted to kmow will this lens produce sharp images underwater in a dome?

daveco2
daveco2 Contributing Member • Posts: 953
Re: Nikon 20mm 1.8 for white sharks?

Will you be going deep enough to need strobes or will you be able to work with ambient?

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PHXAZCRAIG
PHXAZCRAIG Forum Pro • Posts: 19,651
Re: Nikon 20mm 1.8 for white sharks?

I would imagine the lens is quite sharp -  if you have the right extension and dome size.

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OP Apexwildlife New Member • Posts: 7
Re: Nikon 20mm 1.8 for white sharks?

i will only be in a surface cage, ambient light should be more than enough. Since it’s my first time taking photo underwater. I wanted to steer away from a zoom lens. I’m stuck between Nikon 20mm and sigma 15mm and maybe a few others. I want to be sure I can get the entire white shark in frame if it’s a bit farther back and possible get its full head when it come close to the cage.

kelpdiver Veteran Member • Posts: 5,564
Re: Nikon 20mm 1.8 for white sharks?

should specify the camera (FF or crop), and the dome.

the dilemma with Guadalupe is you get some close cage passes, but often they're 10-30ft away.   The tendency of the operators to have narrower openings on the cages now makes the strobe arms a PITA, so going ambient is a lot easier and most of the time correct anyhow.

The more time you're willing to spend in the cage, the better your potential outcome.  But that can mean 2+ hour stints with a lot of dead time.

The other challenge to deal with is all of the bait fish that hide by the cages.

James809 Senior Member • Posts: 1,386
Re: Nikon 20mm 1.8 for white sharks?

Apexwildlife wrote:

i will only be in a surface cage, ambient light should be more than enough. Since it’s my first time taking photo underwater. I wanted to steer away from a zoom lens. I’m stuck between Nikon 20mm and sigma 15mm and maybe a few others. I want to be sure I can get the entire white shark in frame if it’s a bit farther back and possible get its full head when it come close to the cage.

What housing are you planning to use? My housing dictates at least 50mm due to the barrel of the housing, otherwise I get vignetting that I need to crop away later.

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kelpdiver Veteran Member • Posts: 5,564
Re: Nikon 20mm 1.8 for white sharks?

James809 wrote:

What housing are you planning to use? My housing dictates at least 50mm due to the barrel of the housing, otherwise I get vignetting that I need to crop away later.

change housings then.   You essentially have a macro only housing then.

James809 Senior Member • Posts: 1,386
Re: Nikon 20mm 1.8 for white sharks?

kelpdiver wrote:

James809 wrote:

What housing are you planning to use? My housing dictates at least 50mm due to the barrel of the housing, otherwise I get vignetting that I need to crop away later.

change housings then. You essentially have a macro only housing then.

Fortunately I have several 50mm and 35-70mm lenses, so it's far from a problem. Just pointing out to the OP that if his lens isn't long enough, he'll have a similar issue.

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kelpdiver Veteran Member • Posts: 5,564
Re: Nikon 20mm 1.8 for white sharks?

James809 wrote:

What housing are you planning to use? My housing dictates at least 50mm due to the barrel of the housing, otherwise I get vignetting that I need to crop away later.

change housings then. You essentially have a macro only housing then.

Fortunately I have several 50mm and 35-70mm lenses, so it's far from a problem. Just pointing out to the OP that if his lens isn't long enough, he'll have a similar issue.

And I'm pointing out that this is a compromised setup.  It seems to be the biggest knock against cheap housings with limited port options.

The first edict of UW photography is get close.   Less water clarity concerns, and better lighting.   Once you're past about 6', you're shooting with ambient light.

If I'm not shooting macro, the longest lens I have is a 24mm equivalent.  (7-14 on a 4/3rds)

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