1. The first thing to do is to make sure that the camera you are putting in the housing is ready to go with a full card, tape, and battery, and set to the proper settings, mode, exposure, ISO, lens setting, etc.
2. Next, make sure that the main o-ring is clean and well lubricated. The first time you lubricate the o-ring, remove it from the groove, apply a small amount of the silicone lubricant to your fingers, and cover entire o-ring. After initial use, each time you use your housing check that no sand has gotten into the groove. Wipe your finger across the o-ring and make sure that it is nice and slippery. If it doesn’t seem slippery enough, apply a small amount of the silicone lubricant to the necessary area, but only use enough to make the o-ring slippery again. Don’t over lubricate!
3. Check that the controls are sliding smoothly and not getting stuck. If they are sticking, apply some silicone lubricant.
4. Place the camera into the housing. For still cameras, make sure that the cable-release cord is plugged in. Make sure the camera is level and seated properly within the housing and that everything looks as it should. If you are using a zoom lens, and your port has no zoom control, make sure that it is set exactly how you want it for the session.
5. Place the port into position and drop two screws on opposite sides of the housing into place to secure the port so it won't wiggle around. Next, put the rest of the screws where they should be. Do NOT tighten them yet. Just turn them until they are all barely applying pressure to the acrylic plate. Now is the time to seal the housing. One at a time, in a star pattern, incrementally tighten the screws little by little, like the lugnuts on a car tire. Tightening them in this fashion makes sure that the port applies even pressure onto the o-ring, and that the front port does not get bowed in any way. As the bolts get tighter, you will begin to be able to see the seal form, this will appear as a darker section of the o-ring, where it presses against the acrylic plate. Continue this process until all the bolts are finger tight - there is NO need to over-tighten them.
6. Double check that everything looks as it should, that the camera is on, and that all your settings are correct. Scan the entire circumference of the o-ring, to make sure that the seal is complete. Now is the time to figure this out, before you head to the water. All good? Time to get in the water!
Email Now
or call us at (858) 259-5830
