Port Compatability amongst housing manufacturers

Considering our ongoing quest to house new DSLRs and in consideration of my bank manager, I have a question regarding port systems from various manufacturers.

When getting a new type of housing we typically have to buy new sets of dome and flat ports which ends up costing big $s. Is there currently any compatability amongst the major housing manufacturer's ( Ikelite, Sea & Sea, Aquatica, Subal, Seacam, UK-Germany, Sealux, Jonah etc, etc) port mounting and size?

I suspect the answer is probably very little if any at all. But if anybody has this information it would certainly be useful in consideration of housing future cameras.

Which brings me to the second question. Does anybody manufacture any port adaptors to address this issue? I would think there is a nice niche for someone with some manufacturing skills.

Thanks, Andre

( Already have S&S housed film camera, Canon 10D in UK-Germany housing, and now looking to house my 20D - hopefully without being killed by my spouse or bank manager!!)

There is very little cross compatability between manufacturers. But independent manufacturers do make port adaptors etc which can let you fit one brand on another. I know two people who do this in the UK, but for obvious reasons I don't know anyone in Canada!

This problem is a good reason why it is worth taking time when you first buy a housing. Getting into a good brand, that is likely to support future cameras you may want, will save you money in the long term - even if it is more expensive long term. In your case, Andre, I would stick with UK Germany:

http://www.uk-germany.de/english/uwg_digit...non_eos20d.html

Alex

I think (and I may be wrong here) that I remember reading that you could specify Light and Motion's Titan housing to accept different ports.

The Light & Motion adaptor ring is a good solution

Titan Port Conversion Rings

Part#

Titan Sea & Sea Port Conversion Ring 854-0122

Titan Aquatica Port Conversion Ring 854-0130

Titan Subal Port Conversion Ring 854-0121

• 60mm Focus Selector Gear 854-0150

• 105mm Focus Selector Gear 854-0151

I have the Light & Motion Titan housing and I use Subal ports. They make several conversion rings for different manufactured ports. That saved me a few buckos' because I already had Subal ports. I just wish the Subal ports had beefier o-rings..those damn ports use pencil thin o-rings that are sensitive to the elements (they leak easily).

Joe

Thanks for the replies guys

I know two people who do this in the UK, but for obvious reasons I don't know anyone in Canada!  

Could you let me know how to contact these folks pease Alex

In your case, Andre, I would stick with UK Germany:  

I will probably end up doing that. My only reservations about this system are:

- Does not come with the option of one of these nice big viewfinders

- Zoom control is on right side of housing

- * control a bit difficult ( but possible ) to control with thumb

Having said that, it is othewise a a very robust and functional housing

BTW I have the Matthias Heinrichs converter indstalled in my UK-Germany 10D housing. It tested superbly in the pool. I am off to Fiji in two weeks for the real test!

You also need zoom and focus gear compatibility, so port adapters and compatibility is a tricky thing. You also need to worry about throat diameter and offset. I wouldn't expect this to happen any time soon.

I love the Nexus port system bit they'll never support very many bodies. I agree with Alex---you have to choose your housing and port system carefully. In fact, I think it's more important than your choice of body. Remember, it's the housing you operate underwater, not the camera.