in-dive changeable ports

[np251]

Hi all


Have found a pretty good US supplier of custom domes (for Cassini and ROV’s no less) for much cheapness…so that’s sorted.

http://www.globalplastics.ca/domes1.htm

All I need now is some way of making a combined flat port + dome port unit that could be changed during a dive- thinking of some sort of circular arrangement (with a dome and flat port on separate sides of the same face) which can be rotated so that the preferred port is in front of the lens. Probably sealed with double o-rings.

Has anyone tried this or does anyone know of any manufacturers that have ‘in-dive’ port change ability?

Cheers

Thanks for all the other input in the other threads too- helps a lot.

 

[diversteve]

Has anyone tried this or does anyone know of any manufacturers that have ‘in-dive’ port change abilility?

Gates does:

http://www.gateshousings.com/multiport.html

They use a flat glass port with a bayonet mount to receive the different ports. Your idea might work as long as you can keep the water out as you cycle between ports, otherwise you'll end up with water or bubbles between the surfaces. I have a external red filter and am not too careful about this, twice I've had video ruined because I didn't check both surfaces for small bubbles b4 filming. I noticed Gates mentions this also so it must be an issue with their setup as well.

Might also look at some of the DSLR housing mfr's for ideas. I think some of the better housings have wet ports also.

Edit: removed the Subal info referred to below, Swankenstein is correct.

 

[np251]

hi

i had seen the gates and subal set-ups but didnt like the 'wet' swap- all that water and bubbles messing with the light path cant be good.

i'll keep brain-storming and see what i come up with

 

[MarkH]

Gates does:

http://www.gateshousings.com/multiport.html

Also Subal:

http://www.subal.com/portse/content.htm

Similar ideas though, they both use a flat glass port with a bayonet mount to receive the different ports. Your idea might work as long as you can keep the water out as you cycle between ports, otherwise you'll end up with water or bubbles between the surfaces. I have a external red filter and am not too careful about this, twice I've had video ruined because I didn't check both surfaces for small bubbles b4 filming. I noticed Gates mentions this also so it must be an issue with their setup as well.

Might also look at some of the DSLR housing mfr's for ideas. I think some of the better housings have wet ports also.

The gates "ports" are actually wide-angle adapters with their own lens inside (not a dome port). The Subal ports are real dome ports, but can't be changed underwater unless you are strong enough to overcome the water pressure and don't mind flooding your housing. I'm curious about why you would need to use two ports on the same dive with the same camera.