1. Manuals
  2. Brands
  3. Gates Underwater Products Manuals
  4. Camera Accessories
  5. PRO ACTION
  6. Setup, use and care manual

Gates Underwater Products PRO ACTION Setup, Use And Care Manual

Hide thumbs
Table of Contents

Advertisement

Quick Links

Download this manual
PRO ACTION Housing
Setup, Use, and Care Guide

Advertisement

Table of Contents
loading
Need help?

Need help?

Do you have a question about the PRO ACTION and is the answer not in the manual?

Questions and answers

Related Manuals for Gates Underwater Products PRO ACTION

Summary of Contents for Gates Underwater Products PRO ACTION

  • Page 1 PRO ACTION Housing Setup, Use, and Care Guide...
  • Page 2 Introducing Pro Action Page 2 Copyright 2017, Gates Underwater Products, Inc. Last document revision: May 2017 Photos by John Ellerbrock 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.

  • Page 3: Table Of Contents

    Monitor Controls ............. 42 Buoyancy Adjustment ............. 43 Adjustable Handles ............45 Port Options ..............46 80 Series Ports and PRO ACTION ......... 47 Cheeseplate Mount (Optional) ........49 Lighting Arm Mounting (Optional) ........50 Lighting Systems (optional)..........51 Travel / Transport ............51 PRO ACTION Maintenance ..........
  • Page 4 Introducing Pro Action Page 4 This page intentionally left blank...

  • Page 5: 1: Introducing Pro Action

    (e.g. your camera and lenses) under any circumstance. We warrant PRO ACTION as an image acquisition tool for a period of 2 years. The Seal Check unit is warranted for 1 year. Optics (Dome and Flat ports) are warranted for a period of 1 year or 100 hours salt water contact, whichever comes first.

  • Page 6: Unpacking Pro Action

    Light System * Necessary for operation Nomenclature In this Setup, Use and Care Guide for PRO ACTION, the following terms are used: DSMC is the first generation RED camera body that includes Epic, Scarlet, and Dragon DSMC2 is the second generation body style that includes Weapon, Epic-W, Scarlet- W and Raven Mini is the ARRI ALEXA Mini camera.

  • Page 7: Required Equipment

    Introducing Pro Action Page 7 Required Equipment The required camera and accessory equipment for Pro Action is: LCD Transvideo Starlite HD5. The HD5-ARRI version of the Starlite may also be used, but requires an adapter cable for power. Contact Gates for additional information.
  • Page 8 Lenses DSLR PL Mount under 102mm diameter or 128T Gear (0.8 MOD or 32 Pitch) Camera Setup (not required in PRO ACTION Housing) DSMC. Any RED LCD or REDMOTE DSMC2. RED LCD *or* REDMOTE (with Gates WRL LINKBOX for DSMC2) *or* foolcontrol (via WiFi) Mini.

  • Page 9: 2: Cautions

    In a later part of this manual, Seal Check Lite will be introduced for verifying seal integrity before diving. You will learn that the vacuum draw on PRO ACTION should be about 100 millibars. This is enough to verify seal integrity.
  • Page 10  CAMERA TRANSPORT INSIDE HOUSING. You can transport a securely mounted camera inside Pro Action IF the system is in your possession and without abusive handling. DO NOT transport a camera inside Pro Action for shipping or checked baggage as forceful and abusive handling can cause damage to both camera and housing.

  • Page 11: 3: Pro Action Setup

    PRO ACTION Setup Page 11 3: PRO ACTION Setup Config Kits In this manual are references to Config Kits, which are a set of cables and control heads specific to the RED DSMC, RED DSMC2 or ARRI ALEXA Mini cameras. A review of thee Config Kit components will be helpful in the following pages.
  • Page 12 PRO ACTION Setup Page 12 RED DSMC RED DSMC2 ARRI ALEXA Mini Control Head User 1/2 Buttons Dummy Head. No Function on Mini. Control Head User ABCD Dummy Head. Buttons No Function on Mini. LEMO-to-LEMO Cable LEMO-to-LEMO Cable LEMO-to-LEMO Cable...

  • Page 13: Pro Action Housing Overview

    PRO ACTION Setup Page 13 PRO ACTION Housing Overview Pro Action has many features with which you will become familiar. Pivoting Rear Monitor Adjustable Handle Grips Stackable Port Rings. Locking, with simple 90 degree bayonet mount. Tactile Record Control Bayonet mount Dome Port (shown) or Flat Port.

  • Page 14: Pro Action Housing Preparation

    PRO ACTION Setup Page 14 PRO ACTION Housing Preparation Handle Grips Install. Four screws secure the Handle Grips to PRO ACTION. You can locate the Handle Grips in several different positions forward / aft on the housing. SHOWN are ULCS mount balls and the carry lanyard brackets.
  • Page 15 PRO ACTION Setup Page 15 Stackable Port Ring (SPR). Remove the SPR’s one at a time or as a group. The lock pin is shown below in the locked and release position. Lock position Release position With the SPR’s unlocked, rotate 90 degrees and separate.
  • Page 16 PRO ACTION Setup Page 16 Rear Shell Removal. Loosen the 4 captive screws on the corners as shown, then slide the rear shell of PRO ACTION away from the front. Loosen these 4 captive screws  TIP: When mating the shells, tip the front shell forward just slightly.
  • Page 17 PRO ACTION Setup Page 17 Install Config Control Heads. As noted previously above, each camera has a Config Kit that includes control heads and cables. At this time verify you have the proper control heads installed on the Assign ABCD and Assign 1/2 Controls.

  • Page 18: Preparing The Camera And Lcd

    User buttons. Each camera requires specific settings within the menu for operation with Pro Action. DSMC. Two user buttons are available on Pro Action for DSMC. These are user 1/2 located on the brain, front of the media bay. If using a DSLR lens, these should be assigned iris up / down.
  • Page 19 PRO ACTION Setup Page 19 Set Sensor Sync Mode to Off Set Camera Setting here as shown GPIO: SETTINGS  SETUP  GPIO/SYNC  GPIO  Set Camera Input, Brain GPI in High, Brain GPI in Low and Camera Output to the setting shown.
  • Page 20 PRO ACTION Setup Page 20 PRE-RECORD. If you plan to use the Pre-Record feature, note that this feature is a two step process. Pre-Record must first be mapped to a user key (e.g. User 1 or @ on the SSD module, or on the Redmote), and then initiated prior to activating Record (via housing Record Trigger or otherwise).
  • Page 21 Transvideo Starlite HD5 Setup. The Starlite HD5 OLED LCD Monitor has a powerful Smart Corners feature. These are assignable touch screen corners for various functions, and are accessible on PRO ACTION. Prepare your Starlite HD5 with the functions you wish to access underwater. Gates...

  • Page 22: Camera Installation

    PRO ACTION Setup Page 22 Camera Installation RED Camera (DSMC or DSMC2) install. Refer to the images below. Set the housing on the front face so you can position the RED camera while securing it in place with the mount screws.
  • Page 23 PRO ACTION Setup Page 23 ARRI Camera install. This is a three-step process. First, install the bridgeplate into the PRO ACTION housing as shown.
  • Page 24 PRO ACTION Setup Page 24 ARRI Camera install. Next, install the mount adapter onto the ARRI camera as shown.
  • Page 25 PRO ACTION Setup Page 25 ARRI Camera install. Last, install the mount adapter onto the ARRI camera as shown. Place the ARRI camera just behind the bridgeplate, and then slide forward to mate with the bridgeplate. Lock with the lever.

  • Page 26: Config Cables Install

    PRO ACTION Setup Page 26 Config Cables Install At this point it’s time to make power and record trigger connections to the housing. Using the table at the beginning of this manual, select the appropriate cables and install as shown in the image below.

  • Page 27: Mount Lens

    PRO ACTION Setup Page 27 Mount Lens If your lens requires Flex Gears, install those first and then mount the lens to the camera.

  • Page 28: Lens Gear Drives (Lgd's)

    Lens Gear Drives (LGD’s) General Notes. This section addresses the installation of two Lens Gear Drives (LGD’s) in PRO ACTION. This is relatively straightforward, using only two parts for each lens control: a drive shaft and drive gear. Select drive shaft length. Several lengths of drive shaft are included with the PRO ACTION kit.
  • Page 29 PRO ACTION Setup Page 29 1. Loosen these two screws to allow the Lens Gear Drives to pivot and mate with the Flex Gears. 2. Pivot the LGD’s to mate with the Flex Gear. Ensure a good gear mesh. 3. When positioned, tighten the screws to secure the LGD’s in...

  • Page 30: Pivot Monitor Setup

    PRO ACTION Setup Page 30 Pivot Monitor Setup PRO ACTION’s pivoting rear external monitor is assembled with the Transvideo Starlite HD5 LCD as shown. Install the Starlite HD5 as shown. Connect the SDI and Power connectors and loop the cable inside the shell as you seat the LCD.

  • Page 31: Mount V-Lock Battery

    PRO ACTION Setup Page 31 Example: SDI connection to DSMC2 Camera Power connection to Transvideo Starlite Mount V-Lock Battery PRO ACTION can accommodate a variety of v-lock batteries. See Gates PRO ACTION web page for the most current list of compatible batteries.

  • Page 32: Functional System Check

    Page 32 Functional System Check Before the next step – mating the PRO ACTION shells – this is a good time to do a full system check. Activate the System Power switch and verify all components operational. Camera auto boot (DSMC2 and Mini. DSMC requires power-on via the Assign ABCD control) Starlite HD5 boot.

  • Page 33: Housing Closure

    PRO ACTION Setup Page 33 Housing Closure After verifying full function of the system, it’s time to close the housing. Similarly to separating the shells in the earlier preparation section, the rear shell will be mated with the front shell and secured. Refer to the image below.

  • Page 34: Configure Spr's And Port

    Gates Lens Compatibility Matrix. Gates has gathered extensive lens data for decades and can provide SPR configuration guidance for any given lens to use with PRO ACTION. This lens data is summarized in a Compatibility Matrix. It can be found on Gates Website.
  • Page 35 PRO ACTION Setup Page 35 A Flat Port is used commonly for macro lenses, and also for medium to long focal length lenses. The focal range that works best starts at approximately 20-35 mm. Referring to the image, setup the SPR’s to extend just past the end of the lens.
  • Page 36 PRO ACTION Setup Page 36 A Dome Port is used commonly with wide angle and fisheye lenses, typically 8mm at the shortest (35mm equivalent) to about 20-35mm. Referring to the image, setup the SPR’s so the end of the lens – either the lens body or glass element –...

  • Page 37: Water Alarm (Optional)

    Change when indicated. CAUTION: You must wait a minimum of 30 seconds between battery insertions to allow the unit to fully discharge. The red LED alarm signal will appear here on PRO ACTION.

  • Page 38: Seal Check

     CAUTION. Draw only about 100 millibars vacuum (Seal Check Lite and Seal Check II kits) or 3 in Hg (Seal Check I) on PRO ACTION. More vacuum can inhibit the transfer of heat away from the housing. Note that Seal Check Lite – included with PRO ACTION – requires about 100 cycles of the hand pump to reach 3 in Hg / 100 millibars vacuum.

  • Page 39: Final Checks

    PRO ACTION Setup Page 39 Final Checks Visual Inspection. Look closely at all seal mates – Port, SPR’s, and main Housing seal – for gaps. Look over the housing one final time. Verify operation. As a final check, power on the camera and verify all controls are...

  • Page 40: 4: Pro Action Operation

    PRO ACTION Operation Page 40 4: PRO ACTION Operation Right Side Controls Record Trigger. Activates record start / stop on all cameras. Lens Control. These two controls can be mapped to any lens to for focus, iris or zoom. Assign ABCD. For DSMC2 camera, activates the user buttons on the Sidekick module.

  • Page 41: Left Side Controls

    PRO ACTION Operation Page 41 Left Side Controls Master Power. Provides power to all system components – Camera, LCD and Housing Assign 1/2. (DSMC and DSMC2) Activates the user buttons on the front left of the camera. Assign 1/2/3. (Mini). Activates the user buttons on front left of camera.

  • Page 42: Monitor Controls

    Page 42 Monitor Controls The Pivoting rear monitor on PRO ACTION has four pushbuttons that activate Smart Corners on the Transvideo Starlite HD5 touch screen. As noted in a previous section, Smart Corners can be assigned a variety of functions like peaking, magnify and waveform to assist focus and exposure.

  • Page 43: Buoyancy Adjustment

    Buoyancy Adjustment PRO ACTION features adjustable buoyancy and trim. Gates has designed custom trim weights that can be secured to a variety of locations to adjust PRO ACTION buoyancy and trim precisely to your liking. See the image below showing the various trim weight mount locations.
  • Page 44 PRO ACTION Operation Page 44 Rear Housing Shell. Trim weights can also be secured to the SPRs as shown. Trim Weight Mount Boss on SPR. Trim Weight secured with Thumbscrew...

  • Page 45: Adjustable Handles

    Page 45 Adjustable Handles PRO ACTION includes adjustable handle grips. They slide forward and back on the top rails for positioning exactly as you desire. Loosen the mount screws to slide back and forth about 1/2 inch. For greater adjustment,...

  • Page 46: Port Options

    PRO ACTION Operation Page 46 Port Options At this publication a Dome and Flat Port options are available for PRO ACTION: When choosing a Port consider the following tradeoffs and limitations. Dome Port Optical material: Anti-reflective coated glass. Purpose: Wide to super wide imaging.

  • Page 47: 80 Series Ports And Pro Action

    Page 47 80 Series Ports and PRO ACTION Gates larger port series – the 80 series – can be used with PRO ACTION. The 80 series port system includes both SP80-8 in and SP80-10 in spherical diameter dome ports. This can be useful in certain applications where the benefits of a larger dome are realized.
  • Page 48 PRO ACTION Operation Page 48 Install the taller feet.

  • Page 49: Cheeseplate Mount (Optional)

    PRO ACTION Operation Page 49 Cheeseplate Mount (Optional) An optional Tripod / Cheeseplate Mount is available for tripod, crane, jib, grip handle and pole-cam mounting. The Cheeseplate Mount can be secured to the either top of base of the rear shell. It includes standard 1/4-20 and 3/8-16 threads on 1 inch centers.

  • Page 50: Lighting Arm Mounting (Optional)

    Page 50 Lighting Arm Mounting (Optional) PRO ACTION has provisions to utilize a variety of lighting systems. Strong, secure ball mounts for the light arms are located on the handle grips as shown in the image. . Ball Mounts for light arms...

  • Page 51: Lighting Systems (Optional)

    Travel / Transport PRO ACTION requires several considerations for travel. Camera. It is OK to transport the camera / lens inside PRO ACTION *ONLY IF* you are in control of the equipment. DO NOT ship or place in checked airline baggage with the camera inside as rough handling can cause damage.

  • Page 52: 5: Pro Action Maintenance

    PRO ACTION Maintenance Page 52 5: PRO ACTION Maintenance Housing Care and Maintenance Proper care of your Gates housing is important to provide you reliable operation and long life. You’ll find all the guidelines in the “Housing Care and Maintenance” document included with your Gates housing.

  • Page 53: 6: Customer Support

    Customer Support Page 53 6: Customer Support Should you have any questions about PRO ACTION 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...

Table of Contents