wydeangle

You have a PM

Another user in favor of the XIT404 tripod. I use one for my L&M video housing and it works fine.

 

I tried the more conventional tripod/ball head combo from TLC (Technical Lighting Control) and it failed miserably.

 

The difference is the spread out mounting points for the legs under the XIT404 base vs the single point mounting for the TLC.

 

The single point is fine for above water use, but isn't stable at all under water unless you have a very heavy housing; even then it will be more or less overloaded. Also the single point attachment and swivel head design makes it too tall - it is impossible to get the assembly as low on the sand as with a flat base.

 

If you spread the legs on the XIT404 base, it will get the housing flat on the sand. You can't get a stable low position with a single point tripod; it will tend to flop over. How do I know this? Been there, tried that. Won't go back.... Anyone want a TLC cheap

 

Tom

 

Edit: Gates also makes a tripod similar to the XIT404. I haven't used it, but I have seen it in use; it seems to work fine and the user gave it good comments.

Jock,

Absolutely wonderful!

Tom

In the "old days" when we used a Nikonos, Bob Warkentin did, and still does, sell bright orange "storage o-rings" for the Nikonos. His blurb on them is here: http://www.southern-...s.com/parts.htm

I don't know if the o-rings used in more modern housings are made of the same material or not. They are black, mostly, though

Tom

SwiftFF5,

I have the SubSee +5 and +10 diopters with the flip-out holder. I bought them partly on the statement on their web site that reads "virtually eliminate pincushion distortion and chromatic aberration" since they are multi-element lenses. I have used the Century diopters and can recommend them - only above water, though. Wouldn't fit my housing either. The SubSee ones are about as thick as the Centurys.

Alas, no data yet - I haven't tried them.

Maybe someone else who has can chime in here. I plan to try them "real soon now!"

Also, you could query the SubSee folks - Keri and family seem to be pretty straight shooters and could likely answer your specific questions.

Tom