Posted by Paul Schutt (66.87.145.76) on March 26, 2004 at 12:07:15:
In Reply to: sea and sea standard dome port w 17mm posted by scott leslie on March 25, 2004 at 17:25:03:
: Hi,
: This may be a difficult question but does anyone know if the angle of view on the sea and sea STANDARD dome port is wide enough for the newest tokina 17mm ATX pro. This port was originally made for the Nikkor 20mm 2.8 (which I have) and is not a fisheye port (although the actual radius-not the diameter- is the same)but the one with the metal port body between the actual dome and the housing. They don't market this dome anymore, I think. I realize that correction may have to be made with the 17mm, but I'm wondering if the port is simply wide enough with no vignetting. I THINK it is wide enough because the newest tokina is 23mm longer than the nikkor 20mm and therefore extends further into the dome. Any answers or suggestions would be greatly appreciated, since I already have the port and don't want to spring the $600 for a fisheye dome, if I don't have to right now. Thanks in advance. Scott
If the new lens sticks farther into the dome port, you will not get uniform focus across the field of view. A lens must be properly centered in the port to get the right field of focus across the entire field of view. Usually if a new wide angle is a longer lens than the existing lens, you need to add an extension ring to move the dome farther out (this distance is critical to good performance).
Check with Dan at Sea & Sea (TABATA) in California for technical details of the port you now have. I think you will need a new port for your new lens.
Paul Schutt
HelixCamera.com