9 replies to this topic

[Atobit]

Hello All,

 

I’m switching from a Sony A7 to a GH5/S, and I need a recommendation for a dome.

I have the Nauticam housing for the A7 which I use with the Nikonos 15mm lens so I didn’t needed a dome.

I’m getting the Nauticam housing for the GH5, I’m searching for a dome for the Pana 12-35mm II and Pana 8-18mm lenses.

Nauticam option is the 180mm dome ref. 18809, Zen option seems to be the 170mm dome ref. zen-dp170-n85II.

Price is the same for both domes. I would be tempted by the Zen model because it’s smaller (slightly?).

 

With your experience which one would you recommend?

 

Thanks!

 

Claude

[Architeuthis]

Hi Claude,

 

 

I have the Zen DP170 (N120 mount) with Nauticam housing (NA-EM5II):

 

results with Zuiko 12-40mm (similar to Pana 12-35mm) and Zuiko 8mm FE are great, while the image quality with Pana 7-14mm is not at satisfaction...

 

At least partially the poor image quality is attributable to the fact that the Zen DP170 is too small a section of a sphere to allow correct positioning of the 7-14mm lens at 7mm (the rest is attributable to the intrinsic problem of rectilinear WA lens behind a dome abd cannot be improved, unless radius of the sphere is even larger than r=110mm (Zen DP170 and also the other domes listed below)). I have no peronal experience in comparing different domeports, but see the posts of Phil Rudin, who did extensive comparisons and observes definetely that larger sphere sections (as Zen DP200 and Athena 200) work better with 7mm-14mm:

see e.g.: http://wetpixel.com/...showtopic=59743

 

With the Pana 8-18mm you are in the fortunate situation that correct positioning is possible with Nauticam 180 at 8mm (while still not possible with Zen DP170 at 8mm and also not possible with Nauticam dome at 7mm):

see e.g.: http://wetpixel.com/...showtopic=61447

 

=> Although I will not change my configuration rigth now, as my priority now is to dive and make fotos and not to spent again a lot of money, I would go for:

 

Nauticam 180 with Pana 8-18mm (and of course 12-40mm and FE, but check whether these lenses fit in compatibility chard)

or

Athena 200 with Pana7-14mm (and other lenses, but again, check compatibility).

 

Wolfgang

Edited by Architeuthis, 19 February 2018 - 12:26 AM.

[Atobit]

Hi Wolfgang

Thanks for the feedback.
I've checked the charts compatibility, if I want to use the 8-18mm, the Nauticam 180mm dome is the only option.

Claude


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[bubffm]

I use the Nauti 180 with the GH5 and getting great result. For my choice of lenses, I figured it was the better option.

[Draq]

Zen seems to update their charts only occasionally.  You might want to call and ask about using the 8-18 in the dp-170, if it is of interest to you.

 

Hi Wolfgang

Thanks for the feedback.
I've checked the charts compatibility, if I want to use the 8-18mm, the Nauticam 180mm dome is the only option.

Claude


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[ChrisRoss]

I use the Zen dome with the oly 12-40 and Pany 7-14 and results are fine.  The 8-18 is listed for the zen dome, here is the chart:

 

Go to bluewater photo port chart page and look up the Zen Nauitcam N85 chart.  Paste seems broken with my browser.  The8-18 is in that chart.

 

I believe the issue with the rectilinear wide lenses is the standard isse of insufficient DOF to hold focus at the edges with a smaller dome.

 

On a side note the 12-40 lens is a better fit IMO as it focuses closer at 0.3x filling the horizontal frame with a 55mm long object,   the 12-35 needs a 100mm object to be the same size in frame at min focus distance.

[Atobit]

Thanks Chris for the Bluewater Photo Store info, they have a complete and updated port charts list indeed!

I'll get the dome from them.

 

When I look at the Oly 12-40mm and Pana 12-35 specs, the closest focus distance for the 12-40 is 20cm, 25cm for the 12-35. 5cm is enough to double the size of an object?

 

I'll see if I can test in my camera store the 12-40.

 

I shoot primarly videos so the Pana lens stabilization had my interest.

[ChrisRoss]

It's a little more complicated than just the distance, the Olympus focal length is a touch longer and internal focusing zooms change focal length by different amounts as they zoom, all of which impacts magnification.   The specs say 0.17x max magnification for the Panasonic and 0.3x for the Olympus.  That work out to approx. the sizes I stated. 

 

The new 12-60mm Pany has 0.3x magnification at the long end and probably a touch more working distance and of course has OIS.  May be a possibility?  According to the Nauticam port chart it takes the same port and extension as the 12-40mm, so by inference it should take the same ZEN port as the 12-40mm.  So in that case you need the N120 Zen port, the 55 and 60 mm N85-120 adapters and the 30mm extension to use the 8-18 and the 12-60.

Edited by ChrisRoss, 21 February 2018 - 10:01 PM.

[nudibranco]

Thanks Chris for the Bluewater Photo Store info, they have a complete and updated port charts list indeed!

I'll get the dome from them.

 

When I look at the Oly 12-40mm and Pana 12-35 specs, the closest focus distance for the 12-40 is 20cm, 25cm for the 12-35. 5cm is enough to double the size of an object?

 

I'll see if I can test in my camera store the 12-40.

 

I shoot primarly videos so the Pana lens stabilization had my interest.

 

Have you given a thought to the Panasonic Leica 12-60mm F2,8/4.0?  The Leica should get the same magnification as the 12-40mm.

 

Also this lens will fit into N85 180mm Nauticam port.  Dimensions at 12mm are like the Olympus lens and very slightly longer at 60mm vs- Oly 40mm

Edited by nudibranco, 22 February 2018 - 09:01 PM.

[Atobit]

Thanks guys for the advices
I went to have a look at the camera store.
Indeed the Oly 12-40mm Pro feels very solid as the Pana 12-60mm.
I thought I won't need the 60mm, I might get to shaky footage without tripod.
The 12-35 and 12-40 seems enough, I still can use the GH5 tele converter function if I need longer than 35 or 40mm.
If I use the GH5 I probably don't the lens stabilization.
Hum... I might buy the 12-40mm, it's not that expensive and it use the same port extension and dome as the 12-35mm, of course with different zoom ring.



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