Best top down viewer for smartphone?

[Boxofpurplerocks]

Hey all,

Looking at buying a topdown viewer for my S7, and was wondering which one you guys like best? I know theres the avast porthole with the smartphone attachment. I've also heard of acrylic top down boxes. Which one/product do you all think works best for top down shots with a smartphone??

 

[inktomi]

I use the avast porthole, and I also have their camera lens version. It works pretty well, but I think the porthole is probably nicer than the camera lens one. The camera lens version has some little plastic screws that are kind of difficult to use as they bind up, and sometimes the camera body itself gets in the way.

 

[Feet4Fish]

Melev's reef makes a great one!

 

[Boxofpurplerocks]

I use the avast porthole, and I also have their camera lens version. It works pretty well, but I think the porthole is probably nicer than the camera lens one. The camera lens version has some little plastic screws that are kind of difficult to use as they bind up, and sometimes the camera body itself gets in the way.

Just to confirm, the porthole is this one correct? (with smartphone mount) https://www.avastmarine.com/products/top-down-porthole-smartphone-edition

Is it pretty easy to use with a smartphone and take good photos?

 

[Boxofpurplerocks]

Melev's reef makes a great one!

Is this it? https://www.melevsreef.com/product/smartphone-floater

Do you think itd work better than the porthole? I like the concept.

 

[Feet4Fish]

See below

 

[Boxofpurplerocks]

See below

Got it, I had just found it as well. Thanks! I think I like this better than the porthole as it seems easier to just float the phone, however I guess the only disadvantage would be being limited to only taking photos straight up and down for the most part

 

[Feet4Fish]

Is this it? https://www.melevsreef.com/product/smartphone-floater

Do you think itd work better than the porthole? I like the concept.

Think it works great. Nice touch is the little legs in the bottom that prevent the acrylic from scratches when you set it down on something

 

[inktomi]

Just to confirm, the porthole is this one correct? (with smartphone mount) https://www.avastmarine.com/products/top-down-porthole-smartphone-edition

Is it pretty easy to use with a smartphone and take good photos?

They've changed the design (a lot) since I bought mine. I would be worried about light reflections inside the new version.. Melev's might be a better option since you could get your phone's camera right up against the acrylic and avoid any reflection issues.

 

[Boxofpurplerocks]

They've changed the design (a lot) since I bought mine. I would be worried about light reflections inside the new version.. Melev's might be a better option since you could get your phone's camera right up against the acrylic and avoid any reflection issues.

Got it, thanks for the input, that's I'm leaning towards now.

 

[Leishman]

I use this https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/iphone-dive-housing.591886/#post-6001418

 

[exnisstech]

Old post but I'm wondering if there are any better options these days. The one from melevs has been redesigned for a camera and I want to be able to use my phone. I tried the avast portal but would rather have something like a box I can lay the phone in then use a remote shutter release. I think a black acrylic box with a nice quality clear bottom would be ideal but I'm not good working with acrylic so I am looking for something to purchase.

 

[Katrina71]

Old post but I'm wondering if there are any better options these days. The one from melevs has been redesigned for a camera and I want to be able to use my phone. I tried the avast portal but would rather have something like a box I can lay the phone in then use a remote shutter release. I think a black acrylic box with a nice quality clear bottom would be ideal but I'm not good working with acrylic so I am looking for something to purchase.

Coral Phone Viewer

The Perfect Top-Down Photos of Your Corals, Every Time! Fits all brands and models of mobile phones Handmade, high-quality 100% acrylic construction Compact size Perfect for reef aquarium photography, retail viewing, and frag shows Specifications Dimensions - 7.87"L x 4.72"W x 2.95"H...

www.bulkreefsupply.com

 

[exnisstech]

Coral Phone Viewer

The Perfect Top-Down Photos of Your Corals, Every Time! Fits all brands and models of mobile phones Handmade, high-quality 100% acrylic construction Compact size Perfect for reef aquarium photography, retail viewing, and frag shows Specifications Dimensions - 7.87"L x 4.72"W x 2.95"H...

www.bulkreefsupply.com

Well that looks exactly like the box I described. Me thinks I need to hone my search skills

 

[Katrina71]

Well that looks exactly like the box I described. Me thinks I need to hone my search skills

Nah. I might need to tag you when I need to find a "thingy". It all comes back around here.

 

[DanyL]

Old post but I'm wondering if there are any better options these days. The one from melevs has been redesigned for a camera and I want to be able to use my phone. I tried the avast portal but would rather have something like a box I can lay the phone in then use a remote shutter release. I think a black acrylic box with a nice quality clear bottom would be ideal but I'm not good working with acrylic so I am looking for something to purchase.

You can also try the Flipper top down box.
It's well made and has a removable filter built in for when you want to take a shot under heavy blues.

 

[DIYreefer]

Melev's reef makes a great one!

I second the melevs reef phone box. I just got one about a week ago. It's great.

 

[DIYreefer]

Old post but I'm wondering if there are any better options these days. The one from melevs has been redesigned for a camera and I want to be able to use my phone. I tried the avast portal but would rather have something like a box I can lay the phone in then use a remote shutter release. I think a black acrylic box with a nice quality clear bottom would be ideal but I'm not good working with acrylic so I am looking for something to purchase.

He has both. As such, I recently bought both because I have a dedicated camera I use for coral photos/videos and wanted to also be able to simply use my phone from time to time. Both are excellent products.

 

[exnisstech]

I second the melevs reef phone box. I just got one about a week ago. It's great.

Would you happen to have a link? This is the only one I can find on the site.

 

[DIYreefer]

You were on the right page, just have to scroll down a little. The phone nox is right below the camera box.

Smartphone Floater | Melev's Reef Inc.

shop.melevsreef.com