Acquiring coverage to cut an underwater sequence requires a variety of shot sizes and shot angles, from wides to tights.
Because you can't change lenses underwater, you have to use a zoom lens to get the requisite coverage.
Here are my favourite lenses for a one-camera underwater setup:
Nikon AF-S DX 10-24mm F3.5-4.5G ED
- Resolves incredibly well across the zoom behind the Nautiocam 230 or 9-inch dome.
- Great focal length for capturing really wide establishing shots or huge underwater spectacles.
- Useful for making the visibility look cleaner than it is.
- Tend to shoot wider than 14mm to avoid subject distortion if subjects such as a whale are close in frame.
- Will go to 11 for master establishing landscape-wide.
- Very rarely used in a one-camera setup as zoom differential is not optimal for creating coverage.
AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 17-55mm f/2.8G IF-ED
- The one zoom I have used the most in my career.
- Resolves beautifully behind a 9inch Nauticam Dome.
- The Zoom retracts when zooming in so ideal for getting the best image quality out of the dome on both the long and short end
- Great focal range for any subject larger than 20cm
- Small and compact resulting in a smaller overall housing setup.
- Can be a little tight on the wide end for a massive spectacle.
- Not-so-great flaring characteristics.
Canon CN-E 15.5-47mm T2.8 L S
- A Cine grade lens which resolves extremely well behind my 10-inch Nuticam Dome.
- The great focal range for any subject bigger than half a meter.
- Par focal characteristics means you can crash zoom from wide to tight and still be in focus.
- My current go-to lens for whales and bait balls.
- Great flaring characteristics.
- Translates into a big underwater housing package
Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8E ED VR Lens
- A zoom I am increasingly using as my go-to wide-angle zoom for many sequences.
- Resolves beautifully behind a 9-inch Nauticam Dome.
- Wide enough to create beautiful wides while offering a tighter look on the long end which is always appreciated by directors and editors.
- Compact zoom which translates into a smaller overall housing size.
- Decent flaring characteristics.
For more perspective, visit www.rogerhorrocks.com.
