Phenom dome port scratch

Hi all,

I just returned from a great two week trip to Egypt where we dove and filmed a newly discovered wreck at 85 meters. The Phenom was great but the lens didn’t survive the plane trip home. Although it was wrapped in bubble plastic and inside an explorer case, it ended up with a big scratch in the middle of the dome port. It makes you wonder how it was handled by the airline.

I already sent an email to JC (Amphibico) but was wondering whether anybody here has experience with Phenom dome port repairs.

Thanks,

Peter

This is a contant problem with checking your gear. Most of us don't have a choice but it should be avoided if possible. I have heard and seen countless instances where this has occurred - usually something not put back properly after inspection and rolling around loose inside dome ports straching them all up.

Sorry i cant offer any advice on repairs but if the scratch is on the outside, you may still be able to use it underwater. I have used very badly scratched filters and seen no evidence of it on the footage unless you shoot at the wrong angle to the sun, then it shows up badly.

I know that is no substitute for repair but if you have a dive planned and can't wait for repair, you may be able to salvage something. Of course if the scratch is on the inside, you are stuffed. Sorry.

The scratch is on the outside so I'm hopefull. It is not urgent either, since I have no filming planned for the next couple of weeks and I have the standard port as well.

But this will be the last time I check in my housing. Next time I will hand carry it again.

Thanks for the reply.

The scratch is on the outside so I'm hopefull. It is not urgent either, since I have no filming planned for the next couple of weeks and I have the standard port as well.

 

But this will be the last time I check in my housing. Next time I will hand carry it again.

 

Thanks for the reply.

The housing may be too much to ask but the lens and camera should be ok for carry-on. Not too many check-in clerks are prepared to argue with expensive-looking camera gear.

I don't think the acrylic dome is reparable because of the coatings Amphibico uses to deal with reflections and CA. In fact, it may be that coating that is scratched and not the acrylic itself. Do a search in the forums about that.

Housings as cabin luggage create their own problems as you have to deal with walking around with your housing and going through X-ray machines etc. Overhead compartments are sometimes not big enough to handle a housing. You will also have to disassemble the housing (arms etc). If you put the camera in the housing for transport. Take out the o-rings and put t-shirts or something to take the stress of that single screw.

Josh, I don't know about check-in staff in Oz, but it's usually the airport security that seem to hassle me all the time. Especially out of Perth and Brissie, I have to go to the airlines to get a 'pass' to get on the plane. That's one thing I don't like about Oz, the darn airport security.

On my trip Amsterdam to Singapore (Air France/KLM - Business class) I had no problem taking the housing as hand luggage. I got some weird looks at the airport but nobody complained or asked questions.

Every time I go through any airport i have a tough time, regardless of where i am. I always wear cargo pants with lots of pockets and a camera vest with big pockets too. I can load hard drives and lots of other heavy stuff into them if i have to. I've never had to get a pass from the airlines, but i will keep it in mind. The worst i have found is the security guys at Heathrow - they are totally unyielding.

For do-it-yourself repairs of scratches in plastic ports, the best thing I've found is Micro-gloss Polish (UK reseller here). It has tiny diamonds in it and can give a very smooth finish. For deeper scratches use Brasso metal polish first and then switch to Micro-gloss for the final polish (don't use the same cloth you used for the Brasso!).

You will rub off an area of the coating around the scratch, and the port will never be quite as perfect as a pristene coated port, but the result is far better than having the scratch. I have used this stuff loads of times and lent it to lots of other people too and they've all been chuffed with the result.

And yes, UK airports suck and basically you just can't get hand baggage heavier than 7kg onto the plane these days.

Thanks for the info Nick. I'll order some just in case.

I received word from Amphibico. It can be fixed for around 400 cdn$. It can even be done in the field by the user after purchasing a tool for around 120 cdn$. I think I'm going to do it myself. Sending the dome port from Belgium to Canada will cost more than the tool.

Now I'm waiting for DEPP to come back to me about the insurance.

Peter

BTW. The wreck was awesome. A teaser will be released shortly.

So it's a replacement port they supply you? How does the repair work?

So it's a replacement port they supply you? How does the repair work?

The scratched outer dome will be replaced, not the lens itself. DEPP informed me that I have to sent the housing to Amphibico. So no chance for me to work on it.