allan 0 Posted September 1, 2010 I've just purchased a Nauticam housing for the Nikon D700 and I'm waiting for the back order for a Zen 9 inch glass dome port. Reef Photo is telling me that Nauticam makes their own 9 inch dome port using the Zen glass. I'm extremely hesitant in switching to the Nauticam port, yet I have no real reason to doubt that it is just as good. The price seems to be the same. Does anyone have any adivce? Should I go for the Nauticam? thanks Allan Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tdpriest 115 Posted September 1, 2010 I can't see why the Nauticam would be inferior if the glass is the same and the centre of curvature has the same relationship to the focal plane as the Zen dome. Tim Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Drew 0 Posted September 2, 2010 If the Zen 9" retained the 8" modular mount, then that would be the differentiator. With a Nauticam mount, should you switch brands, you'd have to dump the port or use a thicker adapter, which may preclude the use of fisheye. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
meister 1 Posted September 2, 2010 Does anyone have any adivce? thanksAllan I'm most hesitant to reply to this thread, but from my experience Ryan is of the most highly experienced people you could talk to and get advice about digital underwater... And that's where you're making your purchase from and you're also now subsequently asking advice about that purchase on this forum? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Alex_Mustard 0 Posted September 2, 2010 Depends what lens you want to use. Alex Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Drew 0 Posted September 2, 2010 Alex What do you mean by which lens? Is the curvature on the Nauticam different from the Zen? Are either one optimized for different lenses? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Alex_Mustard 0 Posted September 2, 2010 AlexWhat do you mean by which lens? Is the curvature on the Nauticam different from the Zen? Are either one optimized for different lenses? Not sure. I have only see the Nauticam 9" acrylic dome. Not see their glass one. Alex Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pmooney 6 Posted September 2, 2010 (edited) My understanding is the glass on both ports is the same. Edited September 2, 2010 by pmooney Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ryan 48 Posted September 2, 2010 Whoah... Lots of ifs here. Zen DP230 does not use a a modular mount. It uses a one piece mounting plate, like Nauticam. Nauticam are offering a 9" glass dome which is exactly the same piece of glass as the Zen DP230, the only difference is which company does the finish work. The difference is that the base of ZEN Port is designed to be interchangeable with different manufacturer's port systems while the Nauticam 9" glass port is designed and therefore optimised to work with the Nauticam Housings & Extension Rings. If your purchasing a Nauticam housing it makes good sense to purchase the Nauticam dome. This is not true on DP230, which uses a one piece mount. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
allan 0 Posted September 2, 2010 I'm most hesitant to reply to this thread, but from my experience Ryan is of the most highly experienced people you could talk to and get advice about digital underwater... And that's where you're making your purchase from and you're also now subsequently asking advice about that purchase on this forum? Meister Perhaps I didn't make myself very clear in my original post. The Zen dome from Zen is out of stock for an indeterminate amount of time. Ryan at reef photo has the Nauticam built dome in stock and has offered to sell me the Nauticam instead of the Zen manufactured port. I had been advised that the zen built dome is the finest one available and since the prices are identical between the Zen and Nauticam, my question was whether it was a good choice to switch manufacturers or wait until Zen finishes production. (I have a trip planned shortly and wish to practice wide angle in a pool beforehand) I am in no way questioning Ryan's knowledge. I am confused as to your question. Is this not a forum to trade information between fellow divers and underwater photgrapher enthusiasts? Have I crossed some line here? It has been over 15 years since I've taken underwater photos and the enormous expense and the inability to try out equipment prior to purchase leaves me no choice other than to ask questions from those more knowledgeable than myself. Please let me know where I have gone wrong. Allan Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pmooney 6 Posted September 2, 2010 Whoah... Lots of ifs here. Zen DP230 does not use a a modular mount. It uses a one piece mounting plate, like Nauticam. Nauticam are offering a 9" glass dome which is exactly the same piece of glass as the Zen DP230, the only difference is which company does the finish work. This is not true on DP230, which uses a one piece mount. Thanks for the correction. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Drew 0 Posted September 2, 2010 Allan you are most welcome to ask questions in this forum. That's the spirit of Wetpixel. Unfortunately there'll also be "personality" clashes. It's part of the being online. So feel free to ask as many questions as you like. As you can see, the community at large are generally a helpful bunch. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
allan 0 Posted September 2, 2010 Allan you are most welcome to ask questions in this forum. That's the spirit of Wetpixel. Unfortunately there'll also be "personality" clashes. It's part of the being online. So feel free to ask as many questions as you like. As you can see, the community at large are generally a helpful bunch. Thank you, Drew. Just got off the phone with Ryan and I am having him send the Nauticam built 9 inch Zen dome. Thanks Allan Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
