REVIEW: AVAST Marine XL Porthole

FiReBReTHa

Master Blaster!
HowdyHo!


Today I get to share with you my experience with AVAST Marine's Porthole XL!
http://www.avastmarine.com/ssc/do/product/rigging/Top-Down-Porthole-XL

Shipping was quick to the point that I didn't realize what my maillady was bringing up to my door at first!
To my pleasure it was my Porthole packaged safe and sound.



Unboxing.


Right off the bat I noticed the checkering on the tube which helps with any extra bit of grip you can grab on your camera. The last thing you want is to find out your nice DSLR is not waterproof.







I would recommend laying the camera on its back side so you may look at the lens from above so when you are tightening the tension screws you can maintain your lens being aimed straight thru the porthole and not tilted. I also found it easy to do while it was on a tripod with the lens aiming at your face.





I attached the porthole to my lens's zoom ring which gave me an excellent coverage on the lens for protection and enough room for my fingers to grab the grip.
(The Lens in these photos is a Nikkor 24-70mm)








You can see the notches built into the end of the porthole which allow trapped air to escape that would normally cause you issues. I didn't even think about it as I never had any trapped air. Thanks to the design the air was able to escape on its own during normal usage.

So why should you buy this??
The biggest problem with aquarium photography is REFRACTION! super pain to deal with as the shot you always want to try to get is likely at an angle which then distorts your photo. The only way to get a clear shot thru the tank is for the camera to be straight on at your target. By using the porthole you are then able to shoot straight thru the porthole at any angle because the porthole moves with your lens thru the water above the tank.

Tips and Tricks
Dont crank down the screws too tight. It stays on really well and its not like you need it to support a building.
Rinse it with RO on the outside after using it so salt doesn't dry onto the lens of the porthole.
If you get a small styro box you can store it in there to keep it safe.


How Satisfied Am I?

Check the photos below for an answer...




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Are those all with your 24-70? very nice...

That porthole would be sweet with either a 105VR or a Sigma 150!
 
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