Fathom Imaging SWP44 Super Wide Port

If I finally plump for the Gates Z1 or HVX200 housing I'll probably buy a Fathom Imaging SWP44 Super Wide Angle port to go with it.

But before I pawn the family silver and sell my kidneys to make this possible, can anybody give me any feedback on it?

In particular, what realistic chance do I have of not trashing it on staghorn coral during its first outing.

John Ellerbrook (Gates owner) told me Fathom charge 700USD to fix them when they're scratched. That's a lot of DVDs!

The supplied guard looks pretty good but I might even make a secondary plastic guard out of the bottom of a small bucket or something, wider than the supplied guard but just out of the field of view.

Nick

Nick.....

You must be selling more DVDs than me!

Nice as far as i have ever heard...

Let's just say one has to be a little optimistic with the business plan in order to justify the expenditure.

He who dares, Rodders, he who dares...

Doug Allan said he was very impressed with the Fathom SWA..

If his opinion is any use !!!!

Dive safe

DeanB

Nick, you will be extremely happy with the SWP44. I have used them and sold them to many customers who are doing production work and all have had nothing but the best to say. Yes, they are a little easier to scratch, but I am sure you do not plan on bumping it too often (although i know how easy it is to do).

For what you are doing, the SWP is your best option. The standard port just wont cut it.

I have heard from those who have them that the Fathom standard wide port is great. Why do you say it won't cut it against the super wide?

Steve

We tried the standard wide, but for us at least the superwide is really awesome. As for scratching it, I am not sure that any protection short of a goalies mask will keep you from head on collisions, but the attached guard is pretty good. You will need strong wrists though to keep it level, it is pretty heavy.

Bill

Bill is right, it is heavy, but the two floats from gates make it nicely balanced. The lens itself is great - even the macro ability is very good if you can get close enough to your subject - you can zoom through no problems. The lens cap that comes with it is very solid and I keep that on until I am in the water to avoid bumps on the boat. Underwater, I have knocked the guard many, many times and have still never touched the lens (well no scratches anyway).

You will love this lens - the price tag is a bargain for the happiness it will bring

Having said all that, if and when I scratch mine, there will be tears.

So Josh, the only real way to scratch it is if you loan it to a really crazy south african who squeezes himself into a WWII minisub with an empty tank.

You off the Naia now?

So Josh, the only real way to scratch it is if you loan it to a really crazy south african who squeezes himself into a WWII minisub with an empty tank.

You off the Naia now?

Mostly yes, still doing some relief and dives shows for them. Trying full time video for ourselves now - www.underseaproductions.com what are you up to?

Josh, I just checked out your homepage and was completely blown away by your video. The quality of your work is incredible. What camera did you shoot it with? Also wondering why you went for a near-square aspect ratio.

You can put me down for one of your forthcoming DVDs for sure.

Josh, I just checked out your homepage and was completely blown away by your video. The quality of your work is incredible. What camera did you shoot it with? Also wondering why you went for a near-square aspect ratio.

 

You can put me down for one of your forthcoming DVDs for sure.

Thanks for the kind words Nick

That stuff is a few years old, all shot with the Sony TRV 900 - it is in PAL and compressed with Quicktime, and thats the shape it comes out at - 1:1.25 instead of 1:1.5 for NTSC.

Our HD showreel will be online as soon as I get my laptop back from DELL - stay tuned.

PM me your email address, I will let you know when the DVDs hit the stores.

Cheers

Hey Nick,

Been a while but I'm back in town.

You will love the SWP44, Ive been using it in Palau for the best part of two or so month now. It is a beast that takes a while to get used to. The extremeties are also a lot greater than anything else I have swum with on a daily basis so you also have to learn those, normally at the expense of the guard. Fortunately the guard is sufficient in size to take a couple of good dings. I have a few wounds on mine even after such a short time in the water.

HOWEVER, I am now actually taking a back step with regards to using this as a daily lens. Not for the fact that its a large, cumbersome, heavy and fragile piece of Glass, its just that the FOV is too damn wide !!! For a planned shoot to war wrecks, Jellyfish Lake, caves, whales or for any other aesthetically pleasing site the lens is absolutely top dog choice. However for me here in Palau my daily bread and butter cash comes from dailies. Composition with the lens is a breeze but a lesser FOV will at least allow the viewer / client to actually see those sharks in their group shot !!

Just my experiences.

Cheers,

Mark.