Dome Size Comparison - Choosing the Right Outex Optical Glass Dome Port for Your Needs
Mar 13, 2025
Dome Size Comparisons: Choosing the Right Outex Underwater Housing Glass Dome Port for Your Imaging Needs
Underwater photography is as much about optics as it is about composition. One of the most important choices you’ll make when shooting underwater or capturing split-level shots is your dome port. Here’s a guide to Outex glass domes, their sizes, and the pros and cons of each.
Why Use Dome Ports for Underwater Photography?
Dome ports are essential for high-quality underwater imaging. Here’s why:
- Corrects Distortions: As light travels at different speeds, it behaves differently underwater compared to in over air (above water). Domes correct imaging distortions, reduce aberrations, improve sharpness, and deliver results that flat ports can’t above and underwater, specially for split-level, half over, half underwater shots.
- Size Matters: Larger domes offer better performance—improving focus, focal distance, water level separation, and image clarity. The tradeoff is they are heavier, bulkier, pricier, and take longer to install than flat ports, and larger domes are obviously heavier and bulkier than smaller ones.
- Optical Quality: All Outex domes are made from high-quality American/European glass, superior to plastic or acrylic, and much more durable and resistant to scratches. That's why your lenses use glass and not acrylic.
- Universal Fit: Outex domes work with virtually any lens through adaptable clamps and adaptors, protecting your investment and enabling easy upgrades over time.
- Ideal for Split-Level Shots: While they don’t impact above-water shots, domes excel at underwater and split-level photography.
Dome 120mm vs. Dome 180mm Side By Side Video
Outex Dome Sizes: 180mm, 120mm, and 100mm
Dome 180mm – Maximum Performance
The largest Outex dome delivers superior sharpness, aberration correction, and flexibility for both underwater and split-level photography. It helps cameras and lenses perform optimally in challenging water conditions.
Pros:
- Exceptional underwater imaging quality. Best optical results, and superior to even larger size acrylic/plastic domes from competitors
- Ideal for split-level shots
- Corrects underwater distortions and aberrations
Cons:
- Heavier and bulkier than smaller dome 120mm
- Less travel-friendly than dome 120mm
- Takes longer to install than dome 120mm
Example: Split-level wedding photography showing crisp focus above and below water.
Dome 120mm – The Balanced Choice
The 120mm dome offers a perfect balance between performance and portability. It works with most lenses and provides excellent image quality while remaining easier to transport.
Pros:
- Fits most lenses
- Travel-friendly
- Great for underwater and split-level shots
Cons:
- Slightly less correction than the 180mm dome
- Requires more planning on settings, lighting, framing, etc. compared to the larger dome, depending on conditions.
Example: Stunning over/under shots of wedding photography or underwater wildlife.
The images above were take on Manual settings attempting to eliminate as much variability as possible, and they have not been edited in any way.
Choosing the Right Dome for Your Lens
Outex domes are modular and compatible with all Outex systems and covers. They can be added or upgraded as your lens collection grows.
Adaptor Guide:
- Dome 120mm: Works with Adaptor Type 6 + clamps for unthreaded lenses
- Dome 180mm: Works with Adaptor Type 8 + clamps for unthreaded lenses
Example:
For an 82mm threaded lens (Sony 16–35mm f/2.8) and Nikon 14–24mm f/2.8:
Dome 120mm + Adaptor Type 6-82mm + Adaptor Type 3 + Clamp 3N1
This setup works seamlessly with both lenses, maximizing flexibility and protecting your investment.
All Outex domes are glass, American-made, and compatible with threaded, unthreaded, hooded, curved, and fisheye lenses. Upgrade or expand your system anytime.
For more detailed technical tips, explore the Questions/FAQ page on the Outex website and use keyword search for any topic of interest.
Dome 180mm
Outex's largest dome makes it better/easier for you to capture your desired outcome both underwater and for split level shots. It improves sharpness, aberration, focal distance, and makes it easier for your camera & lens to operate in water conditions/environments.
It corrects or eliminates most of the underwater aberrations described in this post and others within the site, and makes it easier for most cameras and lenses to find focus, deliver sharpness, and operate in water use. But it's not our most travel friendly.
Photos taken using the Outex optical glass Dome port 180mm (diameter size)
Dome 120mm
Outex's 2nd largest dome is a great compromise between performance and transportability. It's large enough to fit any/all lenses, and deliver most of the imaging and aberration-correction benefits mentioned above, and in a travel-friendly, affordable package that goes anywhere.
The above and below effects are amazing, and you may need to plan certain split-level photographs to maximize your desired intent. Below are some examples of pictures taken with the Dome 120mm.
Photos taken using the Outex optical glass port Dome 120mm (diameter size)
Shopping for the Domes
Our domes work with any/all lenses and Outex systems/covers etc., so you can always add a dome at any time or upgrade the rest of the system around it. The domes work with threaded lenses as well as fisheye and hooded lenses with no threads thru Outex clamps that mount onto the adaptors. This way your investment is protected and you can simply purchase the adaptors you need for additional lenses (a la carte or "shop by parts") from our online store and use with the dome you already have. If you have questions or need help contact us.
