How to prevent reflection when using a Dome Port in 2023?
There are several shooting tips you should keep in mind to help you get that perfect eye-catching split shot! A dome port is a highly reflective surface and you need to keep a few things in mind in order to capture the perfect content without any reflection.
The biggest tip that any professional will tell you, is to avoid shooting directly into the sun. We love capturing light rays, but any dome housing is prone to reflections, if you have a reflective lens or surface (such as the back of your phone - especially if it is white.. you will need to make a simple matte tape mod to help you get the shot).
The GDome has a matte finish on the front face to prevent reflections, but occasionally I'll see the reflection of the camera lens(s) in the centre of your shots with certain angles and light conditions.
If you have a white phone with a glass back, we highly suggest getting a black silicone cover that blocks out the high gloss white of the phone and lens area.
These two are great options as you can see they completely remove the white back of the phone and lens area. We do suggest trying to cover the silver reflective circle around the lens in order to maximise the reduction of any reflective parts on the phone.
If you can't find a case that blocks the reflective lenses you can also look at lense protectors like this.
Below are two photos from the same day while shooting the tidepools in New Zealand. As you can see from the two photos, you can clearly see the reflection of the lens when shooting directly into the sun. One technique to combat this is to have a subject block out the light source.
You can also make a custom matt sticker or use a water based matte paint that will prevent reflection from your cameras reflective surfaces (see below video).
With the GDome Mobile, some clients have drastically offset their camera lens away from the centre point of the dome, this can actually reduce reflection when shooting in non ideal light conditions.
IMPORTANT THING TO NOTE:
Do not allow any gap between the phone / action camera and the foam, this will allow light into the dome and is a sure way to get reflection in your footage. Other than these tips, you will need to play with angles if you want to shoot directly into the sun or in poor lighting conditions.
Taping up your lenses to prevent Lens Reflections
Some smartphones and GoPro Cameras have a highly reflective lens / back screen that can cause reflection in your footage. By taping up the rear of your phone / lens area with matte tape or using a silicone cover to block out these reflective surfaces, you will immediately notice a drastic reduction in the reflection in your footage.
Here is a short video showing you how to do the modification.
The membrane back plate system has been a game changer for me. Swimming in the ocean mainly around sunrises gives me the ability to change settings as the light changes. Being able to adapt to fast changing conditions is when the best work happens
Aloha I just got my trigger, I haven’t used it yet, hopefully tomorrow. I like the build and design, built strong and I know it’ll handle in big shore breaks on the north shore on Oahu Hawaii. The trigger mechanism works really well with my GoPro hero 10 camera. I like that there’s an option to put a little o-ring rubber for recoil on the trigger. The only downside I think of this trigger is that it’s on the heavier side. If you get pounded in big shorebreak, you’re going to have to hold it away from you, or you might get knocked out or seriously hurt if it hits your head. Other than that it’s a sick trigger design. Maybe in the future you guys can make a lighter trigger preferably with a stronger plastic or all aluminum?(same design) Just my thoughts here. Keep up the great work! Aloha Richard 😎🤙🏻
Had a few mobile domes before but all didn't last very long from rumble and tumble of travelling. GDome is super sturdy and its build real tough, so far so good!
Have been using the XL surf housing with the dome and flat port for a year or so now and it hasn't missed a beat. Over that time I've had different camera upgrades and I've not needed to change the housing which has been great. Solid and robust and the flexi back door is invaluable when you need to tweak camera settings.
This review is a little bit biassed, as I am the cofounder and developer of the GDome XL range. I started using the GDome XL Surf with my 5D iii and am now using it exclusively with the Sony RX10 iv. The XL requires the 80mm extension port for the RX10 IV. I mainly shoot with the flat port on the 80mm extension port; it is easy to keep water droplets off, and I can still shoot split shots due to the gap between the camera lens and flat port. I have seriously pushed the housing in big, heavy waves, and yes, I only use the Flex back door. It is unbelievable how strong and flexible that membrane is! If you want to see more content, I have taken with the XL, or if you have any direct questions, hit me up on Instagram @BrettEagleZA
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