Ports: The optical interface

A variety of lenses and ports is essential for great pho­to­gra­phy – above and below the surface. Not only are they the key element of pho­to­gra­phic expres­si­on, but they’re also the photographer’s most important resource.

The interface for achieving perfect images in an under­wa­ter housing is an easily exch­an­geable front port. The SEACAM front port system has been the benchmark for perfect optical imaging quality for years. Only through precisely manu­fac­tu­red and carefully adapted ports for macro, special and wide-angle can high-quality lenses retain their highest per­for­mance, bril­li­ance and sharpness even under water.

The SEACAM port system offers a wide range of high-quality front ports for the demanding requi­re­ments and indi­vi­du­al needs of under­wa­ter pho­to­gra­phy. The curated selection of products is the result of the close, long-term coope­ra­ti­on with expe­ri­en­ced optics manu­fac­tu­r­ers and includes ports for macro and super macro lenses, standard focal lengths, wide angle and super wide angle as well as fisheye and special optics such as the Nikonos RS Con­ver­si­on lenses and ports.

To ensure a special degree of fle­xi­bi­li­ty, our front ports are combined with port exten­si­ons in different lengths. This way, a wide variety of lenses can be adapted to indi­vi­du­al requi­re­ments in just a few quick steps and you can save space when tra­vel­ling as well.

IMAGE QUALITY DELUXE

Light is dif­frac­ted and reflected between air, water and glass. For a high image quality, it is therefore important that all elements of the optical system have maximum trans­mis­si­on and that the position of the lens in relation to the glass is cal­cu­la­ted very meti­cu­lous­ly. We have used optically neutral and hardened mineral lenses for our front port system for years, thus gua­ran­te­e­ing the con­sis­t­ent­ly high image quality that cha­rac­te­ri­zes our products.

The image quality is achieved through precisely measured radii and the extremely precise placement of the lens. Only when every ray of light passes through the glass unbroken, does the lens retain all of its high-quality pro­per­ties such as bril­li­ance, edge sharpness, contrast and angle of view.

The glasses used for our front ports are of the highest trans­pa­ren­cy, precisely cut and carefully polished. In order to achieve a largely reflec­tion-free trans­mis­si­on of light, an inno­va­ti­ve layer is applied to the inside of the lenses. This optical coating ensures a 3–5% higher light output with up to 70% reduced reflec­tion and excellent contrast with every shot.

CRAFTSMANSHIP

Depending on the requi­re­ments, the bases for the ports are made of syn­the­tics or a high-strength light metal alloy. The ports come with a double O‑rings seal and are easy to change. A unique feature is the secure con­nec­tion of a screw thread and bayonet into one unit. Simple, automatic and powerful, the bayonet thread pulls the O‑ring into the sealing surface with just one turn and positions the port exactly at the stop. A second O‑ring provides addi­tio­nal pro­tec­tion against dirt and fine-grained sand. In addition, all SEACAM front ports have an enlarged lens passage to enable the use of large and fast lenses. Pro­tec­ti­ve caps made of plastic or soft neoprene guarantee optimal pro­tec­tion and can be removed quickly and easily.

SYNERGIES

The indi­vi­du­al needs and requi­re­ments of under­wa­ter pho­to­graph­ers are always in the fore­ground for us. But in the case of optics in par­ti­cu­lar, the simplest things turn out to be the most chal­len­ging. Therefore, only close coope­ra­ti­on and an intensive contact with pho­to­graph­ers and experts pave the way to new and improved solutions.

Capturing unfor­gettable moments and the vibrancy, beauty and uni­que­ness of the under­wa­ter world is the goal of every under­wa­ter pho­to­grapher. Only the highest quality standards and constant dialogue with our customers guarantee the perfect imple­men­ta­ti­on and thus an unadul­tera­ted repro­duc­tion of these fasci­na­ting pho­to­gra­phic moments.

With the SEACAM front port system, we stand for the finest optics – the result of decades of expe­ri­ence, uncom­pro­mi­sin­gly high quality standards and con­ti­nuous further development.