Aquatica D200 - Manual (Page 13)

FOCUSING MODE
NOTE :
Select the proper focus mode M / S / C with the focus mode selector prior to closing the housing. For more detailed
information concerning the operation of the different focus modes consult the Nikon instruction book for the D200 camera.
USING THE HOUSING
Whenever changing ports or O-rings, it is highly advisable to perform a simple seal test without the camera
inside. Strapping a weight to the housing and lowering the unit to a depth of 30 to 50 feet of water for at least 10 min-
utes will assure you that the seating of the new port or o-ring is proper. This test, though time consuming and often consid-
ered unnecessary, may save your camera equipment from irreparable water damage.The housing is now ready for the
dive.
CAUTION:
Never jump into the water with the housing. It is best to have the system handed to you after you have made your
entry, or have it lowered to you on a rope. Make certain that ropes of other equipment stay clear of the system.
When photographing, be sure to respect the environment. Avoid damaging marine life or manipulating sea creatures
to obtain a pleasing photo. The housing is slightly negatively buoyant so that you can lay it down on the bottom, but
avoid laying it on living coral or other delicate marine life.
Changing the memory card
Always take care to thoroughly dry the housing before opening it to change memory card. Wipe the housing off with
a dry towel. If possible it is suggested that the housing be blown dried by directing an air nozzle around the main o-ring
before opening.
Rest the housing on its front with the lens facing down, be carefull to protect the port surface, release the top latch first
then the two side latches simultaneously. Lift the rear part of the housing and place it in a secure location. This mini-
mizes the possibility of any residual water falling into the housing and on to the camera when the housing is opened or
damage to the sealing surface.
TRANSPORTING THE AQUATICA Pro Digital housing
Store the AQUATICA Pro Digital housing in a sturdy, shock proof container.
When travelling by air, remove or loosen the port. This allows for equalization of the air pressure inside the housing to
the external air pressure. Failure to do so may cause serious damage to the acrylic ports. Avoid travelling with the cam-
era mounted in the housing. If you must do so, remove the lens as external pressure can damage the camera.
CARE AND MAINTENANCE
Of the housing:
After each and every salt water dive, your housing system should be soaked or rinsed in fresh water. The housing sys-
tem should soak in fresh water for at least 30 minutes. During this soaking period reach into the water and operate all
the controls several times.
Be sure to remove the housing's main o-ring and clean it after every use. Refer to Maintenance: Of the O-rings. To
ensure that the hand grips won't fuse on to the housing due to the exposure to salt water, it is also a good practice to
occasionally remove the hand grips. Clean and lubricate the bolts with a small amount of WD-40.
WARNING:
Use WD-40 carefully, sparingly and only on metal to metal surfaces. WD-40 can damage the acrylic on
the ports, the optical surfaces on lens as well as the O-rings.
Of the Ports:
Care should be taken with the Dome Port and Macro Port to avoid scratches on the lens surface. The acrylic port is
softer than glass so minor exterior scratches are often unavoidable. However, since the indices of refraction for acrylic
and water are almost equal the scratches will not seriously impair image quality. Internal scratches(air side) must
be avoided as they do not fill in with water and will affect the quality of the image.
Clean the dome using only products recommended for cleaning acrylic such as Mirror glaze #17 Professional Plastic
Cleaner and a soft lint free cloth. Dust on the interior surfaces of the port can be removed with a soft camel hair brush
or a blower brush. Caution must be taken when using aerosol devices as not to spray the lens material with the
liquid propellant as this may seriously affect the optical properties of the port. The
ports should be removed and serviced after avery dive.
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