Aquatica 4" Mini Dome 100?

[lsorenson]

I have a D70 with a Tokina 10-17 that I use with an Aquatica housing…

I was going to ask… Does anyone use this setup with the 4” mini? But following a search, I see AussieByron (Mark) is saying good things about the setup…

To those using, does it require an extension ring? Are you pleased with the results? Are you using a Diopter?

I am looking to purchase before I head out to Bonaire for 2 weeks next month and would appreciate any input, positive or negative regarding this setup…

I currently have the 8" dome and AF/MF Macro Port. We travel alot and the 4" mini sounds to good to pass by but at 700.00 I sure would like some feedback on the questions...

Thanks for taking the time... lee

 

[Viz'art]

With the D70 housing you only need the 4" dome port and no extension ring.

I use one personnaly but, being the manufacturer I will refrain from commented on what would be a legitimately biased impression, suffice to say, that there are quite a few out there already and the feedback has been nothing short of positive, and that goes for our competitors version of the 4" dome as well. they are really small even compared to the already small 6" I use to bring along for travelling.

Perhaps AussieByron can chime in, he uses one with his current Aquatica D90.

 

[AussieByron]

I have been playing with the 100mm Aquatica mini dome for a limited time so far. I have used it with both the 10.5mm Nikon and 10-17mm Tokina.

I intend to use it with a 1.4x TC for CFWA work but I will have wait until i buy the extension ring which suits the tokina and TC. It on my list of things to get (Jean if you find an extension which needs a good home to go to I know of a good place ;-)....)

I find the mini dome excellent to use and some reviews state that there is an issue with corner sharpness at wide f-stop (lower f-stop number). I havnt noticed this issue as I shoot at 10mm at big animals mid water with little or no background except for water which doesnt get effected.

The strobe position requires more effort. I find mounting the strobes further behind the front of the mini domes works the best. If your shooting really close mount them close to the housing, far behind the front of the dome and angle them slightly away from the dome. This works on the big stuff when its really close and provides excellent coverage. if you have the strobes out wide you get a shade effect in the middle when the big stuff are close.

I can't wait until I get and use the mini dome with the 1.4x Teleconverter as you really need the mini dome for strobe placement on close up work.

Here is a link to a article by Alex Mustard regarding mini domes in genral to give you more of an idea.

Thoughts on Mini Domes :: Wetpixel.com

The Aquatica 100mm mini dome will be a major part of my kit. It takes up small amount of room compared to lagrer domes like the 8 and 9.25 inch which is ideal for travel and when used with a 1.4x TC makes it a very versatile bit of gear.

Regards Mark

 

[lsorenson]

With the D70 housing you only need the 4" dome port and no extension ring.

I use one personnaly but, being the manufacturer I will refrain from commented on what would be a legitimately biased impression, suffice to say, that there are quite a few out there already and the feedback has been nothing short of positive, and that goes for our competitors version of the 4" dome as well. they are really small even compared to the already small 6" I use to bring along for travelling.

Perhaps AussieByron can chime in, he uses one with his current Aquatica D90.

Thanks Jean for the input but you push a fine product and have good reason to be bias!!! You have treated me well in the past and I see no reason to believe you would steer me wrong here!!!

lee

 

[lsorenson]

I have been playing with the 100mm Aquatica mini dome for a limited time so far. I have used it with both the 10.5mm Nikon and 10-17mm Tokina.

I intend to use it with a 1.4x TC for CFWA work but I will have wait until i buy the extension ring which suits the tokina and TC. It on my list of things to get (Jean if you find an extension which needs a good home to go to I know of a good place ;-)....)

I find the mini dome excellent to use and some reviews state that there is an issue with corner sharpness at wide f-stop (lower f-stop number). I havnt noticed this issue as I shoot at 10mm at big animals mid water with little or no background except for water which doesnt get effected.

The strobe position requires more effort. I find mounting the strobes further behind the front of the mini domes works the best. If your shooting really close mount them close to the housing, far behind the front of the dome and angle them slightly away from the dome. This works on the big stuff when its really close and provides excellent coverage. if you have the strobes out wide you get a shade effect in the middle when the big stuff are close.

I can't wait until I get and use the mini dome with the 1.4x Teleconverter as you really need the mini dome for strobe placement on close up work.

Here is a link to a article by Alex Mustard regarding mini domes in genral to give you more of an idea.

Thoughts on Mini Domes :: Wetpixel.com

The Aquatica 100mm mini dome will be a major part of my kit. It takes up small amount of room compared to lagrer domes like the 8 and 9.25 inch which is ideal for travel and when used with a 1.4x TC makes it a very versatile bit of gear.

Regards Mark

Mark, the link to Alex really helped to understand the pros and cons... I am going to the pool next week to work with the strobes if I can get the port in on time so thanks for the heads up.

What really appeals to me is the size... Airports are getting so tight with what is or is not ok size wise and since we travel alot then smaller is quite beneficial...

Looking at your recent pics (turtles dated Feb 14 & 17 2011)... are they with the Tokina 10-17 and the 100?

Thanks for the time... lee

PS Not sure where you are at in Australia but I spent one hell of a summer in Coogee Bay some 25 years ago!!! Yep, just brought another smile...