Question about lenses

[ScubaDiva]

Well I know nothing about lenses. Could someone point me in the direction of a simple description of the use and function of different lenses for underwater - e.g. why a fisheye or a normal wide angle?

Have a canon ixus 80 and housing - so presumably to attach a lens I would need the lend plus say an adaptor?

Also sine there are different lenses for different kinds of shots presumably I have to at least do some planning on what I want to shoot before I get in the water?

Ta.

[decosnapper]

Two sorts of lenses are useful underwater:-

1. Wide angle lenses. Used to shoot big things like sharks, bigger fish, people and wrecks. On an SLR anywhere from around the 24mm range to a fisheye lens. Fisheye = 180 degrees of cover across the corners of the frame (approx).
2. Macro lenses. Used for shooting small things like clown fish, tompot blennies, hermit crabs.

Both lenses achieve one thing; get as much of the water out of the way between the lens and the subject.

Know the posting is in compacts, but the same rule applies to all UW photographers, regardless of kit. Maria Munn knows more about compacts than I will ever learn, so if there is anything specific it might be worth asking her.

[ScubaDiva]

Thanks DS!

Am I right in thinking that if I go and buy nice lenses and adaptors that fit on my compact housing that they are not transferable if I then move to a dSLR and housing - so I would have to go and buy a whole new set of lenses?

[Cussy]

Originally Posted by ScubaDiva

Thanks DS!

Am I right in thinking that if I go and buy nice lenses and adaptors that fit on my compact housing that they are not transferable if I then move to a dSLR and housing - so I would have to go and buy a whole new set of lenses?

I'm afraid you are correct!

However, I bought a wide angle for my compact (second hand) and sold it on for exactly what I paid. I know people that have sold theirs on for a profit a few years later.

Wet WA lenses rarely come up on eBay, so always get a damn good price. So while a couple of hundred quid may sound a lot, you stand a good chance of getting a lot of it back.
Rob

[KenByrne]

Fisheye lenses give a wider angle of view so let you get closer to your subject. The cost of this is distortion straight lines are no longer straight. Fortunately there aren't many straight lines underwater. I normal wideangle keeps things looking more normal. If I had to choose one I'd probably go for the fisheye. I have both and tend to use the fisheye more when I'm diving.

[ScubaDiva]

Originally Posted by Cussy

I'm afraid you are correct!

However, I bought a wide angle for my compact (second hand) and sold it on for exactly what I paid. I know people that have sold theirs on for a profit a few years later.

Wet WA lenses rarely come up on eBay, so always get a damn good price. So while a couple of hundred quid may sound a lot, you stand a good chance of getting a lot of it back.
Rob

Damn it! I had noticed that there was slim pickings on ebay which is where I normally buy stuff - oh well.

Originally Posted by KenByrne

Fisheye lenses give a wider angle of view so let you get closer to your subject. The cost of this is distortion straight lines are no longer straight. Fortunately there aren't many straight lines underwater. I normal wideangle keeps things looking more normal. If I had to choose one I'd probably go for the fisheye. I have both and tend to use the fisheye more when I'm diving.

I was thinking of just getting a fisheye and one macro lens - inon probably but any other suggestions?

Although I could just be naughty and start acquiring dSLR stuff (it never bloody ends)!

[decosnapper]

Originally Posted by ScubaDiva

Although I could just be naughty and start acquiring dSLR stuff (it never bloody ends)!

If you think your photography will end up DSLR then just go for it. Its been 18 months since I bought camera kit. 2 bodies, 1 housing, macro lens and port, fisheye lens and port plus 2 x strobes is "all" you need. Come to think of it,most of the time the macro lens stays in the pelicase....so one lens and port would do. Second camera body is only a backup so that could go too.