Z3 Operation
Page 49
Port Options
At this publication a Dome and Flat Port options are available for Z3: When choosing a
Port consider the following tradeoffs and limitations.
Dome Port
✓
Optical material:
Anti-reflective coated glass or acrylic.
✓
Purpose:
Wide to super wide imaging.
✓
Advantages:
•
Retains FOV.
Corrects for field of view distortions inherent
in Flat Ports.
•
Wide FOV capable
. Up to 180 degree fisheye are possible
depending on the camera lens capability.
✓
Disadvantages:
•
Little or no zoom. Domes inherently limit zoom through and varies with
camera lens employed.
Flat Port
✓
Optical material:
Optical grade acrylic or glass.
✓
Purpose
: Medium to macro imaging.
✓
Advantages:
•
Zoom through. Flat Ports retains the zoom capability of
a lens.
•
Macro. Flat Ports are excellent for macro shots and the
use of close up diopters to capture small subjects.
✓
Disadvantages:
•
No wide shots. By their nature, Flat Ports do not allow wide shots.
•
Loss of FOV. Like a SCUBA mask, Flat Ports decrease FOV by 25%.
Note: The optical interaction between any given lens and a Dome or Flat Port is largely
predictable, however distortions and aberrations can occur with either Port. As such,
Gates does not warrant optical performance or image quality.
Gates endeavors to collect data from the field and our own testing as a resource to
customers, but you should always characterize your lens of choice for use underwater.
