Nauticam WACP (Wide Angle Corrector Port)

Manufacturer: Nauticam Type: water contact optics / wide-angle corrector port Year introduced: 2017 Maximum FOV: 130° (at 28mm lens) Price: $3,250

Overview

The Nauticam Wide Angle Corrector Port (WACP) is an optic that replaces the combination of a wide-angle lens, large dome port, and extension ring for underwater wide-angle photography. Rather than using a dome port to create a virtual image near the lens, the WACP uses fully corrected water-contact optics to achieve a 130° field of view with superior corner sharpness compared to dome ports — especially relevant as camera sensor resolutions climbed above 40 megapixels.

The WACP was reviewed by Alex Mustard in September 2017, in a detailed article that explained both the optical philosophy and the practical performance of the system (^[1]). Mustard framed the review around the fundamental bottleneck in underwater image quality: not the camera sensor, but the air-water interface at the dome port. He argued that as sensors exceeded 40MP (pointing to the recently announced Nikon D850), the optical degradation from dome ports — particularly corner blur on full-frame rectilinear lenses — became the binding constraint. The WACP addressed this by using water-contact optics to eliminate the dome’s virtual image plane problem.

The WACP was designed for use with mid-range zoom lenses such as the Nikon 28-70mm f/2.8, providing a focal range from 130° (at 28mm) to 57° (at 70mm), offering wide-angle versatility without lens changes. Mustard tested the WACP in the Red Sea (June 2017) and Cuba (August 2017) using a Nikon D5 in a Subal ND5 housing.

The product was featured at DEMA 2017 (^[2]).

Significance

The WACP represented a conceptual shift in underwater optics: instead of adapting land-based lenses for underwater use via dome ports, it introduced an optic purpose-designed for the water environment. The higher price point ($3,250) compared to a dome port, plus the need for compatible zoom lenses, positioned it as a premium option for serious full-frame shooters. However, the elimination of multiple accessories (dome port, extension ring, wide-angle lens) meant the total system cost comparison was more complex.

Mustard’s review was widely read and became a key reference in discussions about optical quality in underwater photography through 2017 and beyond.

Reviews & Discussion

• ^[3] — Alex Mustard’s comprehensive review covering optical theory, practical testing in multiple locations, and image portfolio. Article (editorial source).
• ^[4] — Featured at trade show. Article (editorial source).

References

• ^[5]
• ^[6]