faq_kits

Discovering the best underwater housing system for cameras for professional underwater use. Plastic bags are cheap and unprofessional. Hard camera housings are bulky, heavy, expensive, and camera specific. The Outex waterproof housing system combines the best of both worlds, offering an universal waterproof flexible case that fits any camera make and model, as well any any type of lens, from wide-angle to telezoom. The case's patented seal works with optical glass ports, including domes for professional optical results that are second to none, in a lightweight, compact, travel friendly, and affordable design that grows with one's needs over time, and is compatible with lighting, flash, triggers, strobes, cables, tethering, tripods, mounts, pistol grips, etc. It's the best camera waterproofing solution for all environmental conditions.

What Outex Cover Sizes are Available? Which One is Best for my Gear? There are currently three Outex underwater housing cover sizes available: 100, 110, 130. Larger covers can be used for smaller cameras, but not the other way around.  Small (Entry Kit)  This kit is designed for compact and mirrorless cameras, but works with DSLR. The Entry Kit ships with Cover 100X (Small). "X" denotes no opening for the glass Medium (Pro Kit Regular) This is the most common and fits most cameras (other than full-body). The Pro Kit ships in regular or large sizes (110, and/or 130), depending on your camera or specific choice.   Large (Pro Kit Large) Our largest kit works with full body cameras or cameras using a battery grip.  All Pro covers work with all/any rear and or front glass options. 

The Outex front glass ports match your lens filter thread diameter size. The front lens filter thread size is not your focal length or zoom range. The Outex front glass will thread onto your lens just like an UV filter or polarizer would, and it becomes one with the lens, moving with it and producing the best optical results.

Why use Dome ports for Underwater Photography?  Domes make it better - Domes help correct aberrations that occur when light travels thru water as opposed to air. Domes can deliver better results compared to flat ports, and also make it easier or possible some results that flat ports would not capture.  Size matters - Bigger domes are better than smaller domes, for a number of reasons. The tradeoffs are; heavier, bulkier, pricier than smaller domes.  Glass is optically superior - Glass domes are optically superior to plastic or acrylic, and they do not scratch as easily. All of the Outex ports, including its domes, are American-made glass ports.  Universal fit protects your investment - Both Outex glass domes are designed to fit any/all lenses thru adaptors and brackets. This design protects your investment and optimizes your usability and upgradeability over time. Our Waterproof Camera Housing Dome Kit supports both threaded, unthreaded, hooded, curved, and fisheye lenses.  Domes are ideal for split-level and underwater use - While dome ports will not take anything away from your work above water, their impact or difference above the surface is irrelevant. Domes are ideal for split-level and underwater work. For additional information, explore our underwater camera housings and photography FAQ's to learn more about domes and this subject. 

Entry Kit - good option, however, limited use of viewfinderPro Kit - best option, unlimited access and use of all camera functions 

Selecting the Rear Glass; Viewfinder or Tripod-Mounted There are two types of rear glass options the viewfinder mount or Tripod-mount: Viewfinder Mount Option The viewfinder-mounted option is available for most standard camera brands, makes, and models such as Canon, Nikon, Sony, and Pentax. It combines an adaptor that slides or threads onto your camera's viewfinder eyecup and then holds the rear glass (LCD window). Our patented design allows it to pivot/swing back and forth so it can be moved out of the way of your access of buttons, knobs, and functions.  And you can use both the viewfinder and LCD screens accordingly. Tripod/Mirrorless Mount Option The tripod-mounted option is called the mirrorless viewfinder and is universal to all camera makes brands and models as long as they have a tripod mount at the base or bottom of the camera. It uses a provided adjustable bracket and screw that also allows for a positioning that fits your camera and the position of your LCD screen and viewfinder. This allows you to use both LCD screen and viewfinder. The only exceptions are very large camera bodies (such as the Canon 1D series, Nikon 5D), where the tripod mount is rather far away from the viewfinder. For these types of cameras, we suggest the viewfinder mount option. The below video and images showcase both examples for various cameras.There's no right or wrong solution as it is your personal preference as to which option is best. The kit defaults to the viewfinder mount option for cameras listed as having that option available but chose the tripod/mirrorless mount option for all other cases. If you have a specific preference, you have to specify it accordingly in the shopping cart comments section. There's another option that many customers opt for which we call the floating option. Floating Option It is possible, and some people prefer to simply float the rear glass window (either mirrorless or LCD provided in the first two options) by simply leaving it unattached to the camera. In this scenario, the rear glass is simply held in place by the cover itself, and possibly the strap holder. This option gives you even more freedom of movement for the rear glass if/when needed. All 3 options work well and use depends on personal preference.

Can I Use the Outex System for Multiple Cameras and Lenses? Yes. The Outex underwater camera housing system is modular and the covers, lenses, viewfinders, and accessories work with all brands, makes, and models of cameras and lenses. This including accessories such as tripods, tripod mounts, triggers, lighting solutions, cabled solutions, tethering, pistol grips, etc. Here are some additional considerations:

Operating your Control Using the Outex Underwater Housing System Outex housings are optimized for tactile feedback and for complete control of any and all functionality above or below the water. Think of this in the same way that a surgeon can conduct brain or heart surgery using gloves. Our 2nd generation transparent covers make it even easier to see and operate all functions of any gear inside the housings; from cameras and lenses, to accessories and add-ons such as lighting and triggers.Outex's proprietary compound is engineered to maximize control, tactile feedback, grip, handling, elasticity, and durability. We're constantly working with our customers to improve usability. The 2nd generation transparent covers last longer, are easier to install and remove, and have a longer lifespan than the 1st generation blue covers. They allow you to stretch, twist, turn, zoom, operate in all modes, and push any buttons, levers, or knobs you may need to access, including mirrorless, SLR, film, or medium format cameras.  Visit our YouTube Channel for addition videos.

Underwater split level photography tutorial explains the advantages and differences between flat and dome glass ports. All Outex products use American-made glass - not acrylic/plastic.  Glass is optically superior to acrylic and delivers a more professional result.  Making the most of your underwater and half-and-half split level still and video capture with digital cameras and Outex waterproof systems.

What Are the Available Outex Underwater Photography Camera System Configurations? The Outex underwater camera system supports virtually any lighting configuration you may need thru the use of add-on accessories. These include flash and strobe triggers, mounted lights, remote wired or wireless lighting, and/or tethering configurations. The Outex mirrorless underwater housing system can modularly support all of these applications through its patented, modular, configurable design. By adding covers with different openings and different Outex accessories, you can build virtually any underwater application that may require tripods, lights, cables for power, data, audio, and video, such as synch cables, HDMI, USB, etc. 

Outex is Compatible with all Cameras and Lenses Outex waterproof camera housing system is compatible with virtually all mirrorless, DSRL, and even most film and medium format cameras and lenses. It's a one-size-fits most system, and we offers variants of cover sizes and glass to accommodate ALL.   The covers come in SMALL, REGULAR, and LARGE.   The front Ggass supports all standard filter thread sizes in the market. The rear glass options can be used for all cameras.

Outex underwater housing glass dome ports work modularly with the rest of the Outex waterproof systems - both Entry or Pro Kit covers.  The domes optimize photo and cinematography results underwater, and especially split-level videos or stills.