Ports Overview
The Best Camera In The World Can’t Make Up For Poor Optics.
This mantra is the driving force behind the Gates family of ports. The finest underwater images simply require the finest optics. While this may seem obvious, poor optical design and materials introduce compromises -- distortions, low resolution, and ultimately inferior images.
With Gates ports, the days of compromises are over. Our premium line of Precision Ports won’t limit the capabilities of your camera. Sharp, clear and virtually free of image killing distortions they represent the finest optics available for underwater imaging.
Professional to amateur, super wide to macro, the Gates family of ports represent a variety of features and optical designs to suit a wide range of needs, conditions and experience. Of course all ports are backed by our legendary customer support and the same standard of excellence expected of all Gates products.
Port Types – A Selection Guide
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? Trip memories? Broadcast/Cinema? DVD Publication? Entertain friends/family?
With these questions in mind the subsequent summary will guide you through the various port choices.
Macro (Flat) Ports
Capturing the world of ‘small’ requires a Macro Port, which can reveal amazing colors and behaviors of tiny underwater critters. Macro imaging begins at subjects about 2.0 in / 51 mm and smaller. Nearly all Gates Macro Ports utilize a simple flat element of acrylic, and occasionally glass.
Macro Ports allow the use of diopters, too. Sometimes called close-up lenses, they are affixed to the camera and allow imaging of even smaller critters with progressively stronger magnification (+1, +2 and +4 strengths most common).
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: the camera view below water is almost exactly that above water. A standard port is made of optical-grade acrylic or polycarbonate and allows little or no zoom-through capability (the result of being a negative lens underwater, and forcing the camera to focus on a virtual image).
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. Large animals or big reef scenes can be captured with sharp focus on both near and far subjects. They usually have little or no zoom capability, which is a feature only available on Super Wide ports (see the next section). Two versions of Wide Angle Ports are available from Gates: the GP-series (with field replaceable dome) and the WP-series, part of the Gates Precision Port family.
Wide Angle ports are a part of any underwater imaging kit. They are highly recommended for those new to underwater imaging because they make it easy to ‘point and shoot’ with straightforward success.
WP25 Feature Sheet
Super Wide Ports
Gates offers a new category of port, called the Super Wide ports. They are exceptional designs because they provide both super wide (up to 110 degree) field of view, AND full zoom through for macro imaging. The Super Wide Port is nearly an all-in-one solution to capture a vast range of situations with clarity and sharpness through the entire camera zoom range.
Super Wide Ports are a must when this type of flexibility is required with ‘no compromises’ optical quality. Working professionals and experienced videographers are most likely to utilize the full potential of these ports.
SWP44C Feature Sheet
When evaluating wide angle ports the options are a GP or WP model . While both ports utilize the highest quality optical-grade lens components encased in aluminum shells, there are some important differences to consider:
| Feature | GP Ports |
| WP Ports |
| Design for Underwater Use | No Optics designed for air use and adapted for underwater. |
| Yes. Optic designed specifically for underwater use. |
| Resilience | Excellent. Optical polycarbonate dome has anti-scratch coating and inherent resilience. |
| Good. Glass elements with anti-reflective coating are susceptible to scratches and abrasions. |
| Field Serviceable | Yes. Optical polycarbonate dome is field replaceable. |
| No. WP ports must be returned to Gates for service. |
| Resolution | Very Good. Premium AR coated glass elements utilized. |
| Exceptional – always exceeds that of camera. |
| Distortion | Minor. Optical polycarbonate dome has minor inherent edge distortions. |
| None. WP ports are virtually distortion free edge to edge – no compromises. |
Choose a GP 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 WP Port if:
- The sharpest, highest resolution images are required (for 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.