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Gates AX700 Setup, Use And Care Manual

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AX700 Underwater Housing

Setup, Use, and Care Guide

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Summary of Contents for Gates AX700

  • Page 1: Setup, Use, And Care Guide

    AX700 Underwater Housing Setup, Use, and Care Guide...
  • Page 2 Introducing the AX700 Page 2 Copyright 2018, Gates Underwater Products, Inc. Last document revision: April , 2018 This manual and current revision is available in 8.5 x 11 size and full color at http://www.gateshousings.com/documentation.html Gates Underwater Products, Inc. 13685 Stowe Drive Poway, California 92064 USA Phone: 800.875.1052 toll-free in the U.S.

  • Page 3: Table Of Contents

    Changing Ports ............... 29 Cleaning Ports and Filters ..........30 Diopters ................31 Buoyancy and Trim ............32 Tips for Shooting Video with the AX700 ......33 Housing Care and Maintenance ........33 O-Ring Care and Maintenance ........33 Customer Support ............34...

  • Page 4: 1: Introducing The Ax700

    Sony AX700, PXW-Z90, and NX80 digital video cameras. Please read through this entire guide to learn about the housing so you can get the most out of this imaging tool. In this section, we’ll introduce you to the features of the AX700 so you can get started.

  • Page 5: Unpacking The Ax700

    Page 5 Unpacking the AX700 After you remove the AX700 from its shipping container, carefully inspect it for missing parts or damage that may have occurred during shipment. If you discover any discrepancies, contact Gates or your dealer immediately for assistance.

  • Page 6: 2: Cautions

     USER RESPONSIBILITY. This Setup, Use and Care guide contains important detailed procedures for setup and use of the AX700. It is the user’s responsibility to read, understand and employ these procedures. Failure to do so can result in poor or non-operation of the AX700 and may void your warranty.

  • Page 7: 3: The Ax700 Setup

    3: The AX700 Setup Handle Installation If the handles are not already installed on the AX700 Housing, perform this step first. Secure the handle arms to the housing using the 10-32 x 0.5”L socket cap screws. Tighten with the supplied 5/32 hex tool.

  • Page 8: Ax700 Housing Preparation

    Page 8 AX700 Housing Preparation Open the AX700 shell. Three stainless steel safety latches secure the housing halves. They have a positive locking feature. To open them you must first depress the center bar release while lifting the rear lever.

  • Page 9: Camera Preparation

    The AX700 Setup Page 9 Camera Preparation Your Sony camera will need some preparation before installing into the housing. Remove any lens caps, filters, external lenses, or lens hoods you may have added to the front of the camera. Remove the Hand Strap from the camera.
  • Page 10 The AX700 Setup Page 10 When using Z90 Camera Secure “SDI OUT” cap onto the SDI out connector. CAUTION: Failure to make sure this cap is attached may prevent the controls on the rear of the housing from functioning or prevent the housing from sealing.
  • Page 11 The AX700 Setup Page 11 Switch to “MANUAL” if Viewfinder must be ND filter fully locked into the control is forward position. needed. Insert Card(s). Switch ND FILTER to “CLEAR”. Insert fully charged battery.  Install Dovetail Mount onto camera with ¼-20 screw.

  • Page 12: Installing The Camera Into The Housing

    The AX700 Setup Page 12 Installing the Camera into the Housing Pull out Focus, Custom, and LCD pivot controls. The Focus and Custom control need only be retracted ~ 1in / 2.5cm. The LCD Pivot should be gently retracted until it stops.
  • Page 13 The AX700 Setup Page 13 Slide camera onto dovetail until it stops. Rotate Cam Lock clockwise to secure.
  • Page 14 The AX700 Setup Page 14 Slide the Focus and Custom control knobs back in. Unfold the LCD panel. Rotate LCD Pivot Control to align with the LCD panel then push in.

  • Page 15: Closing The Housing

    CAUTION: The safety latches must be closed and locked prior to use to avoid opening underwater. It is your responsibility to make sure the latches are secure, locked, and in good condition. DO NOT enter the water with a faulty latch. Gates will replace a damaged or faulty latch free of charge.
  • Page 16 The AX700 Setup Page 16 Install the back half of the housing. Close both side latches at the same time. Close the top latch after closing the side latches.
  • Page 17 The AX700 Setup Page 17 Carefully inspect the parting line between front and rear housing. If this line is not even all the way around, remove the back and determine the reason. (O-ring out of place, hand strap interference, etc.) Failure To Do This May Result In A Wet Camera! Power up the camera.

  • Page 18: Water Alarm (Optional)

    The AX700 Setup Page 18 Water Alarm (Optional) If you have the optional water alarm installed there are three alarm conditions to know: Condition Siren New Battery Bright Intense Ascending tones played 4 times (Insertion) blink while siren plays Water Bright Intense Warble sound.

  • Page 19: Hydrophone (Optional)

    Seal Check Manual. Follow the procedures in the Seal Check manual for verifying integrity of the housing and monitor.  NOTE. Pulling a vacuum on the AX700 will take only a few seconds. Be careful to avoid excessive vacuum greater than 100 mbar. Seal Check fitting location.

  • Page 20: Carry Handle (Optional)

    Light Mounts (Optional) The top of the handle grips each have a 1/4-20 threaded insert for mounting lights, such as the Gates GT14. The Ultralight Control Systems (ULCS) AD-1420 ball mounts thread directly into this location. UCLS AD-1420 for mounting lights.
  • Page 21 Page 21 Tripod / Tripod Adapter (Optional) The Gates Tripod is a useful accessory for steady, locked down shots, particularly for macro imaging. The Gates Tripod has extendable arms up to 18in/ 45cm long that collapse close to the housing when not in use.

  • Page 22: Final Checks

    The AX700 Setup Page 22 The asymmetric version of the Gates Tripod uses 1/4-20 x.75”L flat head screws to mount the adapter, and 1/4-20 x .5”L flat head screws to mount the tripod plate. NOTE: only the Gates Tripod plate is shown. The extendable legs and clamps are omitted for clarity.

  • Page 23: 4: Ax700 Operation

    They either rotate and/or depress to provide smooth and consistent operation. (see ‘Housing Care and Maintenance’ section). The housing controls are designed by Gates engineers, to the extent possible, to feel and behave like the camera controls. With time and use, the housing controls will become quite familiar and easy to use.

  • Page 24: Right Side And Front Controls

    Clockwise rotation activates assignable button 4. AX700 users: The AX700 can take a still photo using assignable button 4. The camera must be switched to photo mode to take a picture. SHOOTING MODE must be mapped to assignable button 5 or 6 in order to switch between photo and video modes.
  • Page 25 AX700 Operation Page 25 Record/Photo control activates assignable button 4, marked FOCUS MAGNIFIER. Zoom. The Zoom control is blue and operates with a momentary rotation. TIP: The Zoom control operates free and smooth when well lubricated. This should be done after storage and often during heavy use (as much as every 2 or 3 dives).

  • Page 26: Left Side / Rear Controls

    AX700 Operation Page 26 Left Side / Rear Controls Iris, Gain and Shutter buttons activate Iris, Gain or Shutter. Once selected they are controlled with the Custom Dial. Power Control switches camera on and off. ND Filter toggles between ND3, ND2, ND1 and ND Off.
  • Page 27 AX700 Operation Page 27 Auto/Manual Focus Focus Power, WB, Iris, Control. Ring. Gain, and Shutter buttons. LCD Pivot. ND Filter. Custom Dial.

  • Page 28: Changing Filters

    AX700 Operation Page 28 Changing Filters The color correction filter in your housing may be changed to accommodate different gradient filters. “Blue water” and “green water” are the two most common, recognizable by their orange and purple color, respectively. Removal. The color filter is held in place by a tension screw in the filter holder.

  • Page 29: Changing Ports

    AX700 Operation Page 29 Changing Ports Gates offers several ports for your AX700 housing, which attach with a bayonet-style mount. Port changes are easy and straightforward: Removal. You will see alignment dots on the housing and on the port. When aligned, the port is fully engaged and ready for underwater use.

  • Page 30: Cleaning Ports And Filters

    (such as cotton balls and cotton fabric) may scratch the glass and/or coating of Gates ports and will void the warranty.  TIP: Gates offers approved cleaning solutions and lint free cloths as accessory items. Use of these materials will not void your warranty.

  • Page 31: Diopters

    AX700 Operation Page 31 Diopters Hoya 62mm diopters may be used with the AX700 housing and the FP34A Flat Port for close up/macro imaging. There is sufficient space between the camera and port to utilize one diopter on the camera.

  • Page 32: Buoyancy And Trim

    AX700 Operation Page 32 Buoyancy and Trim To achieve proper trim balance please install the 4 ounce weight included in your kit using the hook and loop fastener, CAUTION : DO NOT TRAVEL WITH TRIM WEIGHTS INSTALLED IN HOUSING. Press the 4 ounce weight down FIRMLY in this location.

  • Page 33: Tips For Shooting Video With The Ax700

    Note however, that the auto focus capability of the AX700 and Z90 cameras is remarkably good. If your subject has detail and contrast, the camera will accurately track focus.

  • Page 34: 5: Customer Support

    Customer Support Page 34 5: Customer Support Should you have any questions about the AX700 and its operation, please contact Gates at the numbers below. Email: Customer.srvc@GatesHousings.com Web: www.GatesHousings.com Phone: 858.391.0052 Fax: 858.391.0053...

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