Shooting Macro Underwater with a Dome Port

I know, it’s almost blasphemy even mentioning it. Macro photography underwater = flat port! Is that the only way?

Apparently, shooting with a macro lens inside a dome port can actually produce pretty good results!

I recently got my hands on the Tamron 60mm f/2.0 Macro for Canon and didn’t yet receive the flat port for Ikelite 100D housing (9304.53), so I decided to try out a few dives with the dome port.

As you probably know, the difference between a dome port and a flat port is that due to optical refraction, the flat port decreases the field of view by about 25%, which actually increases the magnification for macro by 25%. That’s why we prefer flat ports for macro. Flat ports also allow easily mounting wet lenses to increase magnification on top of your macro lens, which dome ports would not allow so easily. Other than that, there shouldn’t be a problem using a dome port.

I removed the zoom gear and placed the lens, happy to see that the dome fits perfectly over the 60mm. After a few checks above water, mainly testing out minimum focus range and abilities, I was in the water!

The lens functioned perfectly underwater, focusing very quickly through the dome and allowing a very nice variety of FOV’s, ranging from medium shots of fish to closeups of Pipefish and Blennies. It even allowed a souvenir image of two dive buddies!

Of course you will not get any super macro’s in this setup, but not every macro should be a “super ultra macro” and you can get some great composition when you allow your subject some breathing room around it.

Occasionally, as underwater photographers, we tend to focus on technical issues and sometimes forget the actual art of photography, which is an inseparable part of underwater photography. By creating an FOV which we are less used to, we are forced to be more creative and innovative to create beautiful images. Just like walking around above water with a fixed 50mm prime. It makes you think differently… Try it at home! 🙂

The gear I used for these shots was a Canon 100D/SL1 + Tamron 60mm F/2.0 with an Ikelite housing, dome port, Sea & Sea YS-D1 and Inon S2000 strobes.

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Ran Mor

Sales and Marketing at Mozaik Underwater Cameras

Ran is a professional photographer for over 14 years. His passion for scuba diving and photography has pushed him to combine his profession and hobby and become a professional underwater photographer. Teaching is one of his greatest passions and over the years he has shared his experience with many divers and aspiring photographers. Along with his wife Danielle, an experienced Scuba Instructor, they have founded Dive and More, leading dive trips and UW photo workshops all over the world. Ran is also an electrical engineer and an avid internet marketing specialist.
Visit his personal portfolio at www.ranmorphoto.com.

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