Less water droplets on the ikelite 8" Dome Port?

[andrew222]

Hi,

Last year I purchased the ikelite 8" Dome Port specifically for over/under shots in the sea using the Canon 5D MKII & 15mm FE lens.

Using it for the first time in Maui I eventually got accustomed to how everything works but a big problem was the water droplets on the actual dome itself. I had so many pictures that had large drops on them and most just wouldn’t have been worth all the time and effort using the clone tool in Photoshop.

Reading up on this issue I noticed that glass is better to use as it disperses the droplets faster plus there was also spitting on the dome but does anyone have and tips for making my life easier getting the over/unders with the ikelite model please ? To be honest I did try spitting on it while out there but it didn't seem to make any difference.

Many thanks,

Andrew

[andrew222]

How odd, I also posted on the Yahoo digital-photography news group and got several replies. I thought this was the place to get answers on anything 'underwater' related.

Here's some of the advice in case anyone else has the same problem in the future.

http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/digi ... sage/84590

Other than spit it seems like rubbing a potato on the dome may be a solution and taking the picture within the first view seconds of bringing the dome half out of the water . Think I'll try that on my next trip as I couldn't possibly do any worse than my previous attempts.

Thanks anyway,

Andrew

[Zig]

Hello Andrew,

This issue is actually our Featured Resource on our homepage. I hope it helps!

http://www.uwphotographyguide.com/over- ... hotography

[smb2]

I have heard the potato idea as well, but never tried it. (Never have a potato when you need one.) Generally use the "slow rise and quick shoot method" having figured out the exposure first, sometimes with a trial shot.
The people I know with glass ports use RainX. Do not put it on your acrylic port.

[bvanant]

Do not use the normal RainX for your port but you can use standard defog and there is a RAINX formula for marine use that contains no alcohol and can be safely used on acrylic.

Bill

[smb2]

Thanks Bill,
Did not know that and will give it a try. Now I need to go somewhere to practice.