When selecting a port for use with your Gates housing, the most important questions relate to the subject and purpose of your images. Consider the following questions to help simplify your choice:

Subject – What subject(s) are you imaging? Are they small or large? Or both? Will they let you close or must you be at a distance?
Purpose – How will the images be used? Broadcast TV? Trip memories? DVD Publication? Entertain friends/family?

With these questions in mind the subsequent summary will guide you through the various port choices.

Macro Ports
Capturing the world of ‘small’ requires a macro port, which can reveal amazing colors and behaviors of tiny underwater critters. Macro imaging starts at subjects about 2.0 in / 51 mm and smaller. Gates offers two choices for macro imaging: a simple Flat Port; and a Fathom Imaging Super Macro Port, which can image down to as small as 0.28 in / 7 mm.

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Standard (Dome) Ports
Gates Standard Ports (sometimes called a dome port) are optically corrected to provide a normalized view of the underwater world. That is, they compensate for distortions or magnifications inherent to the underwater realm so the camera view below water is almost exactly that above water. A standard port is made of optical polycarbonate and allows little or no zoom-through capability.

The Standard Port is recommended as a budget option. They are sometimes compatible with third party lenses from Sony, Century Optics or others. (contact Gates for compatibility).

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Wide Angle Ports
Wide Angle Ports contain several lens elements to encompass a larger underwater view. It is by far the most commonly used port as it affords a very broad field of view and large depth of field. That is, large animals or big reef scenes can be captured with sharp focus on both near and far subjects. They also have little or no zoom capability, which is a feature only available on Hi Performance ports (see the next section). Two versions of Wide Angle Ports are available from Gates including our own GP-series and the WP-series from Fathom Imaging.

Wide Angle ports are widely used and a part of any underwater imaging kit. They are highly recommended for those new to underwater imaging because Wide Angle ports make ‘point and shoot’ imaging quick and easy.

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Click here to learn about the difference between Gates and Fathom Imaging Wide Angle Ports.

Super Wide Ports
Gates offers a new category of port, called the Super Wide ports. They are exceptional designs because they provide both 110 degree super wide field of view, AND full zoom through capability for ~1.5in / 38mm macro. This is unprecedented in underwater imaging. A single Super Wide port supports a vast range of shooting situations with no loss of clarity or sharpness through the entire camera zoom range.
Super Wide Ports are a must when this type of flexibility is required with no loss of optical quality. Working professionals and experienced videographers are most likely to utilize the full potential of these ports.

Click here to learn more about Super Wide Ports

When evaluating wide angle ports the options include a Gates wide angle port or one manufactured by Fathom Imaging. While both Gates and Fathom ports utilize the highest quality optical-grade lens components encased in aluminum or acetyl port shells, there are some important differences to consider:

Choose a Gates port if:
• The equipment will see extreme service conditions and require a resilient port dome;
• Replacement of the optical polycarbonate dome in the field is practical and/or necessary;
• Very good image quality is acceptable.

Choose a Fathom port if:
• The sharpest, highest resolution images are required (video productions, broadcast TV, etc)
• Care can be exercised to protect the glass dome element from scratches and abrasion;
• It is easy/convenient to return a damaged port for repair, or a second port can be acquired
  for backup.