Sea&Sea has announced a new 210mm (8-inch) universal dome port made from a special optical resin called PLANEXT, which features “properties ideally suited for underwater photography.” The company says the material offers better optical performance than either conventional acrylic or glass. Optical distortion is as low as that for optical glass domes, according to Sea&Sea.
Depth-rated to 330 feet, the Universal Dome Port 210 AR features a replaceable bayonet mount made from aluminum alloy that is compatible with Sea&Sea housings, and the dome comes with an additional bayonet that provides compatibility with various other housing brands. The dome is treated with a multi-antireflective coating.
The Universal Dome Port 210 AR is available at Backscatter for just under $1,100.
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Dome produced from PLANEXT®
PLANEXT® is an amorphous bioplastic which helps realize carbon neutrality. In cooperation with TEIJIN LIMITED*, SEA&SEA has succeeded in producing dome ports made from PLANEXT® which provides properties ideally suited for underwater photography.
*PLANEXT® is a Teijin Limited registered trade name.
Compared with conventional acrylic material or optical glass, PLANEX® produces superior or better optical performance.
With high-precision injection molding methods, SEA&SEA has succeeded in producing a dome that has the same curvature as a concave meniscus lens*. The 210 AR dome’s optical distortion is as small as that of optical glass lenses. When used with an internal correction lens, the best image quality required for high-end cameras can be obtained. The dome is treated with a multi AR coating to prevent internal reflection from occurring (see comparison below).
* Lens having convex curvature on one side and concave curvature on the other side.
Because of PLANEXT®’s exceptional cohesive strength (Charpy impact strength) and due to a newly designed base, the dome port’s depth rating is now 100m/330ft.
Compatible with all the wide-angle conversion lenses on the system charts posted on SEA&SEA’s website. The UDP 210 AR is designed with a housing bayonet mount that is easily replaceable. An additional bayonet compatible with a current popular housing manufacturer is also included for user versatility.
The UDP 210 AR has been designed with usability in mind. The dome can be quickly and easily replaced by the user in any environment, therefore even if due to an unfortunate incident domes can be replaced on the spot.