Any experience with Dyron WA setup for Ikelite and G12?

[charlesml3]

Gang,

I'm considering changing the stock port on my Ikelite housing to this:

M67 short port for Ikelite housings | DyronStore | Underwater accessories

And adding this:

Wide Angle Dome M67 | DyronStore | Underwater accessories

Does anyone here have any direct experience with this setup? I realize it's rather new so I'm hoping someone here has used one a little and could possibly provide some feedback...

Thanks in advance!

-Charles

 

[FrankPro1]

The M67 Dome only restores the original focus to 28mm underwater. Why change out the ports when you'll get the same results with the WD-4 Dome & original port? The G'series paired with the Ikelite housing isn't the best platform for wide angle. It can however do some stunning things with macro, especially when paired with a strong diopter. If you really want "true" wide angle with the G'series/Ikelite housing check this out:Dyron 8mm circular fisheye lens 8mm for Ikelite G12 & video housings | Bluewater Photo & Video You'll pay a steep price, but it will give you solid results. I currently shoot a G10/Ikelite and have postponed from shooting "true" wide angle till upgrading my system.

 

[charlesml3]

Why change out the ports when you'll get the same results with the WD-4 Dome & original port?

Because the WD-4 is a lousy system. It's supposed to be wet-mount but it's incredibly difficult to remove and install. Using an o-ring to hold a $300 dome onto a port is just not acceptable.

I actually bought a WD-4 and returned it the next day. It was a huge struggle to get it on and off and I was just sitting here in my office. Trying to do that at 60 feet.... I don't think so.

-Charles

 

[FrankPro1]

Greasing or even removing the o-ring allows easier install but of course increases the chances of loss. "Attaching a small tether from the WD-4 to the tray will prevent that"

The main problem with the G'series is its long lens travel / port configuration. While you won't be able to zoom, the Dyron short port might eliminate enough of the lens/port gap to allow attachment of traditional wide angle wet lenses "such as INON's lineup". Ikelite made a short port configuration for the G9 housing that did this.

 

[slowhands]

Gang,

I'm considering changing the stock port on my Ikelite housing to this:

M67 short port for Ikelite housings | DyronStore | Underwater accessories

And adding this:

Wide Angle Dome M67 | DyronStore | Underwater accessories

Does anyone here have any direct experience with this setup? I realize it's rather new so I'm hoping someone here has used one a little and could possibly provide some feedback...

Thanks in advance!

-Charles

This is deja vu. Ikelite used to sell this for its G7 and G9 housings. Nothing wrong with it at all, but you do give up the long end of the zoom range -- which is no loss underwater. This lets the lens be very close to the port glass when wide, allowing more effective use of all M67 wet wide angle adapters. This has always been a problem with the G11/G12, so hopefully this addresses that problem.

As for the dome, it's the same as the $220 Fantasea Bigeye #5137. It is a .7x de-magnifiler. It works OK, but why not try a .56x wet lens or a .3 wet lens, like the Olympus PTWC-01 or the Dyron DY.67WA15? Or some of the really high end Dyron fisheyes? Easy for me to spend your money.

Since you are in the USA, you might want to do business with the sole USA dealer, BlueWater Photo. I have no connection with them but Scott has been extremely helpful on this board. You'd save shipping time and cost vs buying from Dyron in France, and have dealer support just in case.
Dyron | Bluewater Photo & Video

I do have the Dyron DY.67WA15 and it works well on a Canon S90. It's sharp in the center while the corners are a little soft. Still I love the small size for what it does. I can't say how well it works on a G11 because I sold mine due to the wide angle problem.

 

[charlesml3]

Hey gang,

I've been discussing this with Bluewater Photo and we're trying to put together a list of what I need. I was just hoping someone here had tried the combination and could possibly offer some feedback.

I actually did remove the o-ring from the WD-4 and it would slide right on! And right back off... It's like there's no really good solution for this dome. It's either too difficult to get it on or it's too easy for it to fall off. IMHO, Ikelite really needs to redesign this.

Thanks!

-Charles

 

[slowhands]

Hey gang,

I've been discussing this with Bluewater Photo and we're trying to put together a list of what I need. I was just hoping someone here had tried the combination and could possibly offer some feedback.

I actually did remove the o-ring from the WD-4 and it would slide right on! And right back off... It's like there's no really good solution for this dome. It's either too difficult to get it on or it's too easy for it to fall off. IMHO, Ikelite really needs to redesign this.

Thanks!

-Charles

Keep us posted on what you get and how it works. I looked at the BlueWater Photo site and did not see the short port, but I'm sure they can bring them in if the demand is there. Now, if the short port were domed, you would not need a wet lens as much. Never satisfied....

I agree about the mechanism for securing the WD-4. Forget it. But if you get the short port, you have the lesser problem of having to screw on an M67 lens underwater if you need to burp the lens due to bubbles. It's manageable, but a nuisance. This is the price we pay for wanting extra capability.

 

[Indigo Scuba Africa]

Hi

I dived for the first time with the above combination yesterday.

What I did before I went into the water was screw the lense onto the housing, but not fully so that the four holes on the threaded part of the housing were not obstructed by the lense. The lense was certainly screwed on enough to be stable and not to drop off!

When I started descending, the water flooded into the space between the housing and the back of the lense. I gave it a few taps until there were no more bubbles escaping and then fully screwed in the lense.

Not sure how "correct" this is though. I had no problems or bubbles inside.

This might help you too?

:cool2:

 

[slowhands]

Hi

I dived for the first time with the above combination yesterday.

What I did before I went into the water was screw the lense onto the housing, but not fully so that the four holes on the threaded part of the housing were not obstructed by the lense. The lense was certainly screwed on enough to be stable and not to drop off!

When I started descending, the water flooded into the space between the housing and the back of the lense. I gave it a few taps until there were no more bubbles escaping and then fully screwed in the lense.

Not sure how "correct" this is though. I had no problems or bubbles inside.

This might help you too?

:cool2:

Do you mean a G12 in Ike housing with the Dyron short port and Dyron m67 air dome lens? It sounds like it, just checking to be sure. Also, it sounds like the vent holes are blocked when the lens is fully screwed on, is that right? Nuisance!

We'd appreciate it if you would post some pics with your setup. I think that was the original poster's request, how does this setup work in practice.

 

[charlesml3]

I wish I had an update for all of you on this because it seems a lot of people are interested in getting "wider" angle shots with the G11/G12 in an Ikelite housing. I'd been discussing this with Bluewater Photo but they seem to have lost interest in it. I've called them twice and always get something like "Yea, we'll find something and call you back next week..." Nothing from them in weeks now.