IKELITE WP80 Dome v. Dry WAngle with Dome

Hello subscribers,

I am to implement an upgrade on my video housing and would like to ear from you about:

Option 1

IKELITE WP80 Dome (it is simultaneously a dome and wide angle adaptor)

+: no need to use other lens (dry add-on wide-angle lens).

- : unique 80º angle view underwater, quality of this WP80 on HighDef ???

Option 2

An add-on dry WideAngle lens and a common dome.

+: I can choose any WA factor 0.7 to fisheye and choose any wide angle of view (within the limits of vigneting).

- : ??? quality will be worse than option 1 ???

I can implement any of the two choices, once I plan to build any necessary adapter.

I will thank your answers.

Francisco

Francisco

Do a search on the WP80. I did a write up in a review somewhere. You may wish to check as I think there may be now 2 versions of the WP80. The one I reviewed was not full zoom.

Thank's Drew

Nice review (http://wetpixel.com/i.php/full/mangrove-mvd-l-2-review/).

My overall doubt persists, which is better for quality - a WideAngle dome adapter like WP80 or a HD WideAngle camera addon and neutral dome port?

The underwater video is expensive and normally we choose one configuration (the vendor suggests) not experimenting diferente choices I believe the subscribers do not have experience on that sort of equipment tests.

But I had filming time ago with VX1 and Amphibico, with dome and WA camera addon. The resolution was very good but it was analog video and new Phatom lens are very new.

Just now I have a HC3 and housing with wet WA adapter (Rebicoff).

I tried using simultaneously a Sony WA dry addon (0.7) and wet WA adapter. I have to make some zoom out to avoid vigneting.

Both solutions worse the video quality

I will publish on HDVundersea samples of all three combinations (VX1/Amphibico; HC3 without WA and with WA) of the same underwater subject.

The Fathom lens was designed for HD camcorders. It's not the best WA lens around but for the price, it's good. Apparently there's a new Wp100 or 110, but I haven't kept up in the last 4 mths so I can't say.

Hi Drew, yes Fathom also makes a 110 degree port for the smaller housings. I am not aware of it being available for the Ike housings, but I know it is for Gates and Light & Motion housings.

Hi Drew, yes Fathom also makes a 110 degree port for the smaller housings. I am not aware of it being available for the Ike housings, but I know it is for Gates and Light & Motion housings.

Yes Mike,

From while Phatom have a lot o choices, for most common housings, you can see them in this link:

http://www.thefind.com/electronics/info-fa...imaging#local=0

Some of them are discontinued.

You can learn something about in:

http://www.seafriends.org.nz/phgraph/film.htm

And it is interesting what they write on this report:

"The best dome port is the one that is part of the lens as is the case with the Nikonos wide angle lenses (Nikonos 5 and Nikonos RS). These are noticeably sharper."

May this answer my question ... or not (?)