The new Avast Marine Top-Down Portal photo box is a simple gadget that attaches to the lens of your DSLR camera allowing you to get great top-down photographs of your corals. Unlike traditional top-down photo boxes where manipulating a manual zoom can be tough, the Avast Marine Top-Down Portal attaches to your lens barrel with three thumbscrews so you can just turn the whole housing to zoom the lens. Avast Marine developed the Top-Down Portal in collaboration with reef aquarium expert Tony Vargas
The Top-Down Portal features a machined, textured outer barrel for extra grip and a front ring to protect the acrylic lens from scratches when set face-down. The inner diameter of the housing is approximately 4″ and supports a wide range of lens sizes. Those of you with point-n-shoot cameras also may be able to get in on the Avast Marine Top-Down Portal action since the thumbscrews tighten down to 1.25 in. spacing. The housing length is 3-3/8 in. overall, and the barrel depth is 2.75 in. to the inside of the acrylic lens. Great news on the price too — the company is offering introductory pricing at $29.99.