Thank you for these videos! There is so much valuable information for beginners like me. I received a used Seafrogs housing with an 8" dome port for my old Sony a7rii full frame camera yesterday. I tried it with a Viltrox 16mm f/1.8 at home at the pool and everything seems to all working quite well (as far as I can tell without any experience in underwater photography). Corners start to look good from f/11 and great from f/13. However, the lens has a minimum focus distance of 27 cm. I wonder I could run into problems in certain circumstances. Unfortunately, you did not quantify how close a lens would need to focus in order to be a great performer underwater. What tests would you recommend to find out whether a lens performs well with a certain dome port? Kind regards
Great to have this resource to come back to - thanks!! Quick question for you: how often do you see port extension recommendations from the main players (Nauticam, Aquatica, Zen, etc.) that are wrong? Alex has mentioned that he's seen many ports incorrectly placed - but is this user error or incorrect manufacturer guidelines? Asking as I've recently followed guidelines to put my R5 and 15-35 behind a 230mm dome and I'm almost certain the extension is short by ~3 cm (not a trivial amount as you know).
It is an interesting point. I think the manufacturers (often) will recommend the extension that is the closest to the exact length required. The reality is that it is impossible for them to produce extensions that are the exact length needed for each lens/port combination.
@@Wetpixel-Live Thanks! I agree: Nauticam for example recommends the same 70mm extension for both their 180 and 230mm domes. I posted details re: my 15-35 lens position (3cm off) on the WP forums - either I'm wrong or the port guide is (so far nobody has poked any holes in my reasoning :/
Thank you for very informative video again. For at least some acrylic domes you can get a replacement "glass" with afraction of the cost of the port. This is a teasonable option to get new life for the port if you have polished it a few times (operation ehich requires some guts first time you do it).
Thank you for these videos! There is so much valuable information for beginners like me. I received a used Seafrogs housing with an 8" dome port for my old Sony a7rii full frame camera yesterday. I tried it with a Viltrox 16mm f/1.8 at home at the pool and everything seems to all working quite well (as far as I can tell without any experience in underwater photography). Corners start to look good from f/11 and great from f/13. However, the lens has a minimum focus distance of 27 cm. I wonder I could run into problems in certain circumstances. Unfortunately, you did not quantify how close a lens would need to focus in order to be a great performer underwater.
What tests would you recommend to find out whether a lens performs well with a certain dome port?
Kind regards
Excellent - thanks again
Glad you enjoyed it
Great to have this resource to come back to - thanks!! Quick question for you: how often do you see port extension recommendations from the main players (Nauticam, Aquatica, Zen, etc.) that are wrong? Alex has mentioned that he's seen many ports incorrectly placed - but is this user error or incorrect manufacturer guidelines? Asking as I've recently followed guidelines to put my R5 and 15-35 behind a 230mm dome and I'm almost certain the extension is short by ~3 cm (not a trivial amount as you know).
It is an interesting point. I think the manufacturers (often) will recommend the extension that is the closest to the exact length required. The reality is that it is impossible for them to produce extensions that are the exact length needed for each lens/port combination.
@@Wetpixel-Live Thanks! I agree: Nauticam for example recommends the same 70mm extension for both their 180 and 230mm domes. I posted details re: my 15-35 lens position (3cm off) on the WP forums - either I'm wrong or the port guide is (so far nobody has poked any holes in my reasoning :/
Is there any way to remove the focus knob from the Nauticam ports? They get quite in the way of strobes..
I would post this on the Wetpixel forum (wetpixel.com/forums/) I am sure someone on there will know!
Thank you for very informative video again. For at least some acrylic domes you can get a replacement "glass" with afraction of the cost of the port. This is a teasonable option to get new life for the port if you have polished it a few times (operation ehich requires some guts first time you do it).
As always, avoiding the scratches is the best option for the wallet and the environment.