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Austrian manufacturer of high-end imaging equipment SEACAM has unveiled the Optical Precision Port, a “water correction optic” designed to deliver the highest image quality while keeping size and weight as low as possible. According to SEACAM, the port maintains the optical quality of the lens behind it, producing significantly better corner sharpness and depth of field than a dome port. About the same weight as the company’s Superdome but only half the size, the OPP is extremely compact, ideal for travel.

The OPP features an entirely flat front glass element, making the port much less prone to scratching. The multicoated optical element is located inside, and an optical correction lens is screwed onto the lens used. SEACAM says these two parts “form a complete, functional unit, precisely matched to each other, and guarantee the best possible image quality from your lens.” The OPP requires appropriate port extensions and a corresponding optical correction lens, depending on the lens used.

Revealing the OPP during a live broadcast on Instagram, SEACAM Founder Harald Hordosch and his daughter Esther were joined by SEACAM Ambassador Don Silcock, who has been extensively testing the OPP with his Nikon Z8 and 16–35mm lens over the past year. Don’s article, “SEACAM OPP – 12 Months Undercover” offers an excellent sneak preview of the high-quality images that can be achieved with the new port.

Available now, the SEACAM Optical Precision Port will retail for €4,950 (excl. taxes, duties and shipping).
 

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PRODUCT INFORMATION

The new era of optics: OPP Optical Precision Port

Uncompromising image quality has been SEACAM’s greatest challenge and motivator in underwater photography. We have constantly strived to further improve quality and find even better solutions. Our idea behind the new Optical Precision Port is to guarantee the same high image quality underwater as the lens used on land. At the same time, we were also concerned with adhering to increasingly restrictive baggage regulations and keeping both dimensions and weight as low as possible. With the new Optical Precision Port – OPP – we have achieved this very successfully, and after extensive development work, it has now become a reality.

EUR 4950 (excl. taxes, duties and shipping)
 

Optical Masterpiece

The OPP is a water correction optic based on the principle of the Ivanoff-Rebikoff lens system, which has been meticulously revised by our optical engineers and adapted to the requirements of modern optics. The revolutionary concept of the OPP is an integrated system consisting of several lenses that utilize the refractive properties of water, effectively transforming the optics from water to air. The familiar optical quality of the lens used on land is fully maintained – corner sharpness and, in particular, depth of field is significantly improved.
 

The Full System

Consisting of a multi-part lens system, the OPP Frontport establishes direct contact with the water. You won’t find a dome port here – the design utilizes a flat front glass. The multi-coated optical element is located inside, while the front glass surface provides optimal scratch protection. The OPP has a very compact design and is equipped with easily removable lens hoods. Thanks to its small packing size and equivalent weight to our Superdome, the OPP takes up very little space in your luggage, making it extremely travel-friendly.
 

Corrective Lens

To ensure the OPP delivers perfect image quality underwater, an optical correction lens is screwed onto the lens used, forming an integral part of the system. Together, they form a complete, functional unit, precisely matched to each other, and guarantee the best possible image quality from your lens.
 

Flexibility and Balance

To accommodate the wide range of lenses used for demanding underwater photography, our OPP system is flexibly designed. Matching port extensions with the proven SEACAM bayonet mount and corresponding correction lenses allow the use of multiple lenses. We are happy to advise you on which lenses are best suited for underwater use with this system. Thanks to the special shape of these port extensions, your OPP is virtually neutral underwater, making your housing incredibly easy to handle. It’s also worth noting that the port extension can be used for storage during transport. The OPP is supplied with matching lens caps and a neoprene cover.
 

In Action with Don Silcock

For SEACAM, the individual needs and requirements of underwater photographers always take precedence. Especially with optical solutions, however, the seemingly simplest aspects often prove to be the most difficult to realize. Therefore, only close cooperation and intensive exchange with photographers and experts pave the way for innovation and novelty. SEACAM Ambassador Don Silcock has captured a significant amount of images with the new OPP in a year of intensive work and is convinced of the outstanding image quality and handling of the OPP.

His experience and diverse deployments across all oceans prompted us to ask Don to test our new OPP rigorously and intensively. We quickly convinced him to conduct extensive tests under real-world conditions. Read for yourself what he can already say about our OPP after a year of use. Don regularly publishes in various magazines and has written almost 150 articles about his travels and experiences.

12 Months with the OPP