I've been shooting my Fujifilm XT-3 in a Nauticam NA-XT3 housing for a few years now, and last trip the unthinkable happened.. I neglected to replace the dome cap before handing my camera back up to the boat, and as a result I've ended up with a circular scratch about 1.5-2mm diameter on my dome. See attached photos where you can see an obvious black dot. There are also two less obvious artifacts which appear in the same spot on other photos. I'm not sure whether they were from something else on the lens, or some sort of refractive or reflective artifact from the main scratch.

Either way, it looks like I might need to spring for a new dome.

So here's my quandary.

I have the Fujifilm XF80mm which is great for macro. That doesn't change.

I use the XC15-45 kit lens with WWL-C for wide angle. It works well, and despite being a kit lens is a little gem, despite some quirks.

I have the correct port extension and zoom ring for the 10-24mm (and it's one of my favourite lenses topside), but I don't have the 180mm dome to take it underwater.

When I originally bought the housing I contacted Nauticam who suggested that the 15-45 with the WWL-C would offer a similar FOV but sharper results than the 10-24 with the 180mm dome.

So do I simply replace the WWL-C and stick with what I know?

Or do I go ahead and get the 180mm dome and go with the 10-24mm?

For travel, the dome is larger than the WWL-C, so I'll need to rethink my packing, which is already tight to fit into my flight case.

In theory it'll open up over/under shots (which have never really grabbed me anyway), although from my understanding not as good as a 230mm dome.

Plus I still have the WWL-C, which I could still choose to use if I don't think the blemish will have an effect, or can edit out in post.

Thankyou for listening to me externalise my thought process, and I welcome any further opinions :)

(Also tagging @KevinLee and @wetdreams because I know you also shoot Fujifilm!)

Try to polish it gently with a microfiber towel. It might not be a scratch, but a deposit of metal. Scratches tend to flare in bright light, not leave black dots.

Failing that contact Nauticam.

I don't know that the 15-45 would necessarily be sharper than the 10-24 in a dome, only could happen if it was significantly sharper in air at least in the centre. Having said that rectilinear lens is not really a substitute for something like the WWL which has barrel distortion and goes wider and I expect probably focuses closer, though at 240mm min focus the 10-24 shouldn't be too bad.

I would also try to check why it showing a black dot, try pointing it into a light source and taking an image to see if it flares and try as Dave suggests to see if will polish off. Also give your dealer a call to see if you can get a quote for replacing the dome. I see a complete WWL-C is cheaper than a 180mm dome in N100.

Hey stiebs

Urgh, that’s pretty upsetting.

Good suggestion from Dave.

Although it might not feel like it at the moment, the mark isn’t that large. It’s not in a great location admittedly, but using something like LR you should be able to remove it successfully from many images.

If polishing doesn’t remove it, and depending on repair costs from Nauticam, I’d be tempted to continue to use it with edits and see how you get on. Then decide what to do.

A Nauticam service center can replace the glass.

I would get the lens repaired. It is too nice of a piece of kit not to. Of course it will costs some $$ to do so.

I keep my port cover on with my WWL-1 going in and coming out. I clip the plastic dome cover off to my crotch strap (scooter D-ring) and it floats up between my legs it seems. In any case, I never notice it during a dive but it sure adds peace of mind when the dingy crew piles dive gear on my housing like during a LOB in the Red Sea.

Thanks for the responses.

9 hours ago, Dave_Hicks said:

Try to polish it gently with a microfiber towel. It might not be a scratch, but a deposit of metal. Scratches tend to flare in bright light, not leave black dots.

Failing that contact Nauticam.

It is most definitely a scratch, and looking through a jewelers loupe I can see the etch marks. I have tried to polish it with a microfibre cloth, also with a bit of toothpaste as well, to no avail. I'm not keen on trying anything more abrasive lest I do more harm than good.

It looks like it another camera right might have been put next to it, and a sharp corner of a tray or something rubbed up and down. It is a circular shape, not just a single linear scratch.

My housing is due for a service, so maybe an opportunity to send the WWL-C off with it for a front element replacement.

7 hours ago, Nemrod said:

I would get the lens repaired. It is too nice of a piece of kit not to. Of course it will costs some $$ to do so.

I keep my port cover on with my WWL-1 going in and coming out. I clip the plastic dome cover off to my crotch strap (scooter D-ring) and it floats up between my legs it seems. In any case, I never notice it during a dive but it sure adds peace of mind when the dingy crew piles dive gear on my housing like during a LOB in the Red Sea.

Repair will no doubtedly be less than the cost of a new one, and certainly less than the cost of a 180mm dome.

My original post also implied but didn't explicitly state that's exactly what I do (although the cap usually goes in my drysuit pocket). That's why I used the phrase "I neglected to replace the dome cap before handing my camera back up to the boat"

2 hours ago, stiebs said:

It looks like it another camera right might have been put next to it, and a sharp corner of a tray or something rubbed up and down. It is a circular shape, not just a single linear scratch.

That's pretty bad if that's what happened. Don't know what your boat arrangement is but I generally have the crew take my camera get out then as soon as I've dropped by dive gear go and grab the housing to keep other people doing bad things to it. When travelling I've been taking a collapsible cooler bag, on the local dive boat in Sydney I have my own tub, so I can look after the gear myself. I know it's 20/20 hindsight, but I'd much prefer to be the one looking after my gear on the boat.

2 hours ago, stiebs said:

My original post also implied but didn't explicitly state that's exactly what I do (although the cap usually goes in my drysuit pocket). That's why I used the phrase "I neglected to replace the dome cap before handing my camera back up to the boat"

Yes, despite my elaborate and practiced in and out routine, last year in Cozumel at the Devil's Throat after the camera was handed into me the first thing I do (assuming I do not go in with it myself already clipped) is to clip off the entire rig to my scooter ring. I somehow missed the scooter ring, thought I was clipped, a friend was frantically waving at me, I look down to see my camera 20 feet or more below me and headed away in the current fast 😱. I probably broke several speed records. S--t happens as they say no matter how careful we try to be.

Sounds like a plan to get the lens repaired when you do the housing service 😀.

Edited June 24Jun 24 by Nemrod

I got the front glass of my WACP-C replaced by Nauticam. It was 700.- plus tax… annoying but worth the money.

Thanks for the suggestions. I've sent my housing off to be serviced (hasn't been serviced since I bought it just over 4 years ago, so it's probably due :) .. and sent my WWL-C along with it for a new front glass. Estimate is 700 Aussie pesos to fix the lens. About 40% of the price of a new one, and less than 1/3 of the price of a 180mm dome.

16 hours ago, stiebs said:

Thanks for the suggestions. I've sent my housing off to be serviced (hasn't been serviced since I bought it just over 4 years ago, so it's probably due :) .. and sent my WWL-C along with it for a new front glass. Estimate is 700 Aussie pesos to fix the lens. About 40% of the price of a new one, and less than 1/3 of the price of a 180mm dome.

Good to hear you are getting it sorted. What was the damage for the housing service? Assume it's a Nauticam?

8 hours ago, Chris Ross said:

Good to hear you are getting it sorted. What was the damage for the housing service? Assume it's a Nauticam?

Yes, Nauticam NA-XT3. As expected with anything Nauticam, not cheap!

Base price is AU$800 which is full break down, inspection, clean and every o-ring replaced and moving parts lubricated. Does not include replacement of any parts (eg, bent pins, shaft, levers, worn gears etc).