The first lens most photographers purchase with the camera is the 35 mm standard lens this lens can be used both above and below the surface. It has apertures fro f2.5 to f22 and can be focused from 2.75 feet to infinity. Although the picture angle of the 35 mm lens is 62 degrees on land, underwater due to refraction it is only 44 degrees. That means that the distance of three apparent feet it covers an apparent picture area of about two by three feet. This is excellent for photographing fish, large anemones or a head and shoulder portrait of a diver.
Beginners sometimes get blurred pictures because of the limited depth of field.
When set to 4 feet at f5.6 the depth of field extends from 3.5 feet to 5 feet. Depth of field can be increased by using a higher ISO film which allows the use of smaller apertures. The built in viewfinder in the Nikonos V was designed for the 35 mm lensens. To ensure that the subject will fill the frame completely move in until the subject appears too close to the frame lines. After seeing the results on the first roll of processed film composition can be fine tuned.