INSTRUCTION FOR AQUATICA A30D Housing for the Canon 30D
Instruction for the AQUATICA A30D HOUSING Table of Contents 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 8. 9. 10. 10. 11. 11. 11. 12. 12. 12. 13. 13. 13. 12. 13. 13.
SAFETY PRECAUTIONS Improper transportation handling or use of this housing might cause a flooding or malfunction. Please read and follow the following precautions: - Store and transport the housing in a sturdy, shock proof container and avoid travelling with the camera mounted inside the housing as impact forces especially on the external push buttons will be transferred to the camera. - When travelling by air, either remove the port or open the housing.
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FEATURES The Aquatica A30D is the world’s most technologically advanced underwater housing, ergonomically designed to place all the essential camera controls under your finger tips and features the following: - Large ergonomic and easy to operate controls for most of the manual and computerized camera functions. - The essentials controls for picture taking can be easily accessed underwater, these includes: A. Shutter release B. Main Dial. C. Mode Dial D. Focus and/or Zoom E. AE/FE control D.
CONTROLS IN DETAIL 1. SHUTTER RELEASE LEVER: Pulling the shutter release lever back part way activates the camera meter and autofocus. Pulling the lever back all the way fires the camera. 2. MAIN DIAL KNOB: It rotates clockwise and counter clockwise. It can be use alone or in combination with other controls to select or set various camera functions or modes. Refer to your camera manual. 3.
CONTROLS IN DETAIL, CONTINUED 22. VIEWFINDER: A full view of the illuminated camera viewfinder displays all necessary information. 23. ACCESORIES MOUNTING HOLE: These are 1/4-20 TPI holes that are ready to accept TLC Base Brackets or TLC Base Ball for strobe arms or accessories. 24. MODE DIAL KNOB: Rotate to change the exposure mode (P, Tv, Av, M...) and access camera user settings . 25. MODE DIAL VIEWING PORT: permit visual contact with Mode Dial position. 26.
PREPARATION OF THE HOUSING 1. Attach Grip Bracket to the housing: The housing comes with two hand grips which should be installed on the sides of the housing with the supplied screws and Allen key. Occasionally remove the grips and lubricate the screws (see Care and Maintenance: of the housing.) Depending on which strobe system you are using, you can mount the necessary shoes or brackets onto the 1/4”-20 threaded holes on the top of the hand grips. The AQUATICA TLC strobe arm system is recommended.
PREPARATION OF THE LENS Depending on the lens used, there are a number of gear options possible. Using the right gear (s) and correctly mounting them on the lens is very important for a smooth housing operation. Use the following chart to determine which gear(s) to use and follow the installation directions for each gear carefully. Since the aperture control is achieved through the SubCommand Dial, the use of AF types of lenses is mandatory. The focus/zoom gear can vary from one lens to the other.
CAMERA PREPARATION AND INSTALLATION 1. Set the Focus Mode Selector on the lens to the proper setting AF or MF if using a focus gear 2. Important Note: Small “D” Clips and strap attachments that are used for the camera strap must be removed or moved out of the way before closing the housing. 3. Remove the rubber eye cup from the camera before closing the housing 4.
CLOSING OF THE HOUSING Before closing the housing always ensures that: 1. The main O-ring on the front half of the housing is clean, lubricated and properly seated for a positive seal. 2. The sealing surface on the rear half of the housing is clean and free from any scratches or physical damage. 3. All cords or wires are tucked in so that they do not interfere with the closing of the housing. 4.
The AQUATICA A30D Housing System features a bayonet mount. To mount the port or extension ring simply: 1. Place the housing on its back on a soft steady surface. 2. Place the port or extension ring inside the main port of the housing. Align one of the four alignment notches with the opening of the housing. 3. Place your hands on opposite sides of the port or extension ring. 4. Push on one side of the port or extension ring until you feel it snap into place.
FOCUS MODE Make sure to select the focus mode (manual or auto focus) on your camera prior to the dive. The location of the MF/AF selector on the lens prevent access trough the AQUATICA A30D Digital housing. AF: The camera will find, lock and hold focus as long as the shutter trigger is partially depressed. MF: You need to manually adjust the focus. The green dot in the information bar of the camera’s viewfinder indicates the proper focus setting for the target subject.
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 system 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 SERVICE O-RINGS Of the housing Main O-Ring, Ports and Extension Rings 1. Remove the O-ring. It is important never to use a sharp instrument when removing an O-ring as this may damage the O-ring groove or the O-ring itself. A bobby pin or edge of a credit card works well. 2. Once the O-ring is removed, it should be examined for damage. Check to make sure that the O-ring is free of nicks and cuts and that it retains its original round profile.
