What kind of equipement for a newbie

Can the SWP25 be used as a day to day port (because i don't have a lot of money left for multiple ports) ?

I think the SWP25 has full zoom through so yes it's the only port you'd need. Double check with the Gates site though just in case I'm wrong.

Looks like a nice set up you are going to have there! Make sure you post some videos once you've had a play around with it

Cheers, Simon

I think the SWP25 has full zoom through so yes it's the only port you'd need. Double check with the Gates site though just in case I'm wrong.

Simon,

It is, I have one, full zoom through capability to capture subjects as small as ~1.5in / 38mm in full frame.

Michael,

It is the only port I have, and I am very happy with it.

Thanks guys ! The SWP25 sounds really great but i have to think it over... (convince my wife )

Michael if you get hooked on underwater shooting then you'll become bankrupt like the rest of us!

 

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Cheers, Simon

Now i know what you mean Simon

While he SWP25 is indeed a sweet port, consider the WP25 which is more reasonable on your wallet as well as less bulky...

Although the Gates product page doesn't say the WP25 has full zoom thru capability, I can confirm that you can indeed get full zoom thru with the HC7 Gates and WP25 (telemacro setting). The only problem with this is that the min focus distance of the HC7 at full zoom telemacro is pretty pathetic (long) to make it useful for very small critters.

Good for say, getting a nice face close up of a sleeping reef shark or some other skittish med-big fish.

Good news for me Pakman, because with the SWP25 i couldn't stay in my budget.

And what do you think of the wide angle capabilities of the WP25, is it wide enough ?

WP25 is listed as 80 degree FOV in water (90 in air). Just quickly playing around with it today topside and comparing the FOV to my DSLR, it is comparable on land to roughly 19-20mm on my Canon 40D (1.6x crop sensor) - comparison is not corner to corner but from side to side of the frame. Pretty good I'd say. If I won the lottery, I would love the SWP25, but I just couldn't justify the price.

BTW, there is someone selling a Gates HC7 housing in the classified section right now...