XL Essential Dome Combo: Universal Underwater Dome Water Housing for Mirrorless and DSLR Cameras
The GDome XL is the ideal housing for any beginner wishing to take their DSLR | Mirrorless camera underwater for the first time while saving money and receiving a full underwater housing package that can be used with a variety of camera brands and lenses. You won't have to buy a new housing or ports when your cameras and lenses improve because our housing is universal (as long as they will fit in our housing).
The first semi-rigid modular underwater housing system in the world.
Yes, this is a lengthy explanation, so we'll break it down for you so you can fully appreciate the importance of this universal underwater water housing.
We really mean it when we claim the GDome XL is universal! Almost any mirrorless or DSLR camera will operate with the GDome XL right out of the box (check the internal sizing chart to confirm this as cameras like Canon 1D could be too tall for our housing).
You might assume this isn't unique because a variety of housings can accomplish it. Because these housings are either completely 'soft' (made of rubberised or PVC material), you won't be able to add dome ports/lens extensions, lights, or GoPros to them.
The 'hard' housings, on the other hand, have highly restricted usefulness (no ability to change settings or functions). Because the housing and ports are injection moulded, and only the back screen is comprised of a flexible membrane, our housing is termed semi-rigid. We may give the user complete access to the camera's rear capability by using a flexible rear screen.
When it comes to modularity, the GDome XL may be tailored to your specific camera and lens requirements with the 80mm or 55mm lens extensions available as extras on our site.
A 40mm dome port extension adapter and dome lens element are included in the Essential Dome Combo box.
The GDome XL ships unassembled as a modular device to save money on shipping.
Prior to using the GDome XL, you must configure, construct, and pressure test the unit.
What's In The Box
- GDome XL Housing
- 1 x Universal Trigger Shutter
- 40mm GDome XL Dome Port Adapter
- 6.1 Inch Dome Lens Element
- Snap-On Suction Dome Lens Cover
- Camera Base Station With Adjustable Mounting Positions
- Rear Side to Side Movement Elimination Plate
- Removable Dual Side Handles
- Wrist Strap
- QR Code For Online Instructions & Camera Setup Guide
- Tool Kit
- Seal lubricant
- Spare Screen Membrane
- 1/4 Stainless Steel Camera Mounting Screw
- 10 x Stainless Steel moulded easy turn finger thumb screws for the rear plate
- 10 x Stainless steel alan-key bolts for the rear plate
- 2 x Universal Trigger Baseplate Mounts.
What Is NOT Included
- Solid Backdoor (optional extra)
- 55mm Lens Port With flat lens
- No Cameras / Lenses or Accessories are included
- 80mm Extension Tube and Flat Port (optional extra)
Limitations
1) Our housing does have 10 rear bolts. Undoing these do take time in order for you to open and close the housing to get to your camera. While other housings may use fewer bolts (2-4) or latch systems, making it much quicker to open and close the housing, we have opted for a much lighter, thinner injection moulded backplate frame in order to reduce the weight, cost and production time of making the housing. While we could have used fewer bolts we opted to rather use more in order to ensure that your housing is sealed fully without a doubt.
2) When your camera is inside the GDome XL, you will not be able to control the zoom on your lens. Thus you will need to set the zoom when you put the camera into the housing before you close it up.
3) The GDome XL is rated for 5m/15ft max depth, we know it can go deeper however we limit the rating for the safety of your camera. The GDome XL is not a dive housing and should not be treated as a dive housing due to the flexible rear membrane. If you would like a housing with a solid backdoor (that will be able to achieve a deeper depth), they are available (optional extra +$35), however, you will need to add your own buttons in order to get the functionality that you require.
If you can accept the above limitations then the GDome XL is definitely the perfect housing for you.
Compatibility
Looking to see if your camera could be compatible with the GDome XL Click Here
Customer Reviews
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
Thanks for this awesome review, Pierre!
We are a huge fan of your work (https://www.instagram.com/pdvimages/) and are beyond proud to know that you are using one of our XL 3 Housings!
We appreciate you!
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
Construction is good I have questions on the wiring of switch when use supplied cables and camera is switched to photo it starts video it does not shoot stills trued two different cameras ,any suggestions??
Hello Kenneth
Thank you for the 5-star review.
The shutter function varies from brand to brand; it sounds like it is a camera setting.
Please reach out to the support team, and we will gladly troubleshoot with you.
This works, but you have to be careful. I have taken some great shots with it. It is suited for surf shots for sure, you cannot take shots two feet down easily due to buoyancy issues. I really like it for what I do.
Thanks for the 4-star review, Robert.
While we would have loved it to be 5 stars, we appreciate your honest feedback.
The XL housing is definitely buoyant out of the box. We have designed the ports to accept internal weights in order to allow our users to adjust the buoyancy of the housing. This will add to the weight of the housing, which is not ideal for those wanting to shoot surf photography, but for someone like you who shoots whales and needs to shoot under water, it is definitely the way to go.
Please drop us a line, and we will schedule a call to assist you in getting your XL dialled in for your use.
