What differences might I see between these domes?

[MGustafson 0]

I'm debating between two domes for a mirrorless N85 build supporting a Panasonic 7-14mm shooting mostly video and was curious what sorts of visual and ergonomic differences I might see between them. I'm not trying to start another glass vs acrylic debate. More so I would like to know IF there is much of a visual difference. But more importantly... what other benefits one might find from a particular choice.

 

I'm deciding between:

 

1. Nauticam 6" Acrylic Wide Angle Dome Port with focus knob (36164)

 

2. Nauticam N120 180mm Optical Glass Wide Angle Dome Port (18809) and the Nauticam N85 to N120 Port Adapter with Focus Knob (36052)

 

Obviously there's a pretty substantial price difference between these two options. I'm leaning towards the 180mm dome as it seems a little more future proof, but is it worth the significant price hike? Will the 180mm feel too front-buoyant on a mirrorless setup, requiring excessive counter weights? Is the 6" dome much easier to travel with?

 

I'd love to hear from people who have used both.

 

Also, I really wanted to make the Zen 170mm an option but I can't seem to figure out which n85-n120 adapter w/ focus knob would make for the right amount of extension for the 7-14mm. Any advice on that would be helpful as well.

[troporobo 251]

I can answer only part of your question, but maybe it is useful. I have the same lens and the 6" port, on an EM-1 mk II. This combination is OK in the center and at the longer end toward 14mm but to be honest, I find it too soft in the corners especially when zoomed out to 7mm. The port itself is quite light and not very bulky - i can get it with my full system in a Pelican 1510 carryon. i suspect the larger dome would not fit.

 

I'm curious why you want a focus knob? That lens has huge depth of field and the higher end m4/3 cameras have very good C-AF + tracking capabilities. Is it a video thing, for pulling focus maybe?

[ChrisRoss 150]

The N120 dome option is much more flexible allowing you to use a wider range of lenses in the future including Oly 12-40 and 7-14mm and Pany 8-18mm. I'm using my 7-14mm in the Zen 170mm dome, the type II (no focus knob), the 7mm end I think is always going to be a little soft in the corners, though I've heard the Oly 7-14mm is sharper there. I think the 170/180mm dome is a little small to get the best out of a 7mm focal length and the 6" dome is going to be a little softer in the corners.

 

Regarding buoyancy, the acrylic dome is lighter so will be more buoyant. I have the Zen 170mm dome find it does not give me any buoyancy issues - I just use some float arms to bring it closer to neutral overall.

 

A third option is the N120 version of the Zen 170mm dome with extension recommended in the Zen port chart.: http://www.jaredparsons.com/portchart/zen-only/by-combination-group/nauticam-n85/ It recommends the 60mm N85-N120 adapter which is available without the focus knob which is unnecessary as the zoom knob on the housing is much easier to reach with your left hand. Looking at the Nauticam zoom gear on the 7-14mm it extends to very close to the focus ring - I'm not sure if both focus and zoom gear would fit on the lens If you want to go that way - ask you supplier if both will fit. Though I can't see the need to MF as the lens has huge DOF and snaps to focus very quickly on AF.

[Interceptor121 842]

There are few considerations

 

1. The Nauticam 6" port is too short therefore the field of view is not maximised.

2. In terms of optical quality of glass vs acrylic there are no differences except glass will reflect less if coated

3. Potentially the Zen DP170 type II could offer a wider field of view of the Nauticam port depending on the position of the dome with respect to the nodal point but nobody has scientifically tested this

4. The 7-14mm is soft in corners on land and underwater tends to make subjects skinny and extend the edges like all rectilinear lenses do

 

I do not know what camera you have but for video it makes much more sense to use a zoom lens with the WWL-1 the overall quality is better you can keep the 7-14mm for land use or sell it

[singularone 1]

Planning to build a Nauticam system for my EM-1 MKII that is efficient (fewest number of ports and extensions) yet great optics. I'm considering the Zen 170 glass dome which is compatible with a wide range of Oly and Pany mirrorless lenses. Basically, it will be the only dome port needed.

 

http://www.jaredparsons.com/portchart/zen-only/by-combination-group/nauticam-n85/