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Gates Underwater Products MINI LF Setup, Use And Care Manual

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MINI LF Underwater Housing

Setup, Use, and Care Guide

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Summary of Contents for Gates Underwater Products MINI LF

  • Page 1: Setup, Use, And Care Guide

    MINI LF Underwater Housing Setup, Use, and Care Guide...
  • Page 2 Introducing the MINI LF Housing Page 2 Copyright 2019, Gates Underwater Products, Inc. Last document revision: 10-10-2019 Photos © Gates Underwater Products 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

    Introducing the MINI LF Housing Page 3 Table of Contents Setup, Use, and Care Guide ..........1 Introducing the MINI LF Housing ........4 Features ................4 Warranty Disclaimer ............4 ARRI Items Required ............5 Unpacking MINI LF Housing ..........6 Cautions ................

  • Page 4: 1: Introducing The Mini Lf Housing

    Mini LF and ARRI ALEXA Mini camera. Please read through this entire guide to learn about the MINI LF Housing so you can get the most out of this imaging tool. In this section, we’ll introduce you to the features of the housing so you can get started.

  • Page 5: Arri Items Required

    Introducing the MINI LF Housing Page 5 ARRI Items Required The following items are required to operate the MINI LF Camera Housing and are not included with the camera housing:  ARRI ALEXA Mini LF or ARRI ALEXA Mini Camera.

  • Page 6: Unpacking Mini Lf Housing

    Page 6 Unpacking MINI LF Housing After you remove the MINI LF Housing 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 7: 2: Cautions

    This Setup, Use and Care guide contains important detailed procedures for setup and use of the MINI LF Housing. 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 housing and may void your warranty.

  • Page 8: 3: Mini Lf Housing Setup

    MINI LF Housing Setup Page 8 3: MINI LF Housing Setup MINI LF Housing Preparation  Port. Remove the Port by rotating 90 degrees while facing the front of the housing. Pull the port away from the Port Ring.  TIP: Liberal lubrication of the Port o-ring allows easier rotation during installation/removal.
  • Page 9 MINI LF Housing Setup Page 9  Port Rings. Your housing, if upgraded from the Gates MINI Housing, may utilize conventional Port Rings (vs Stackable Port Rings, found in the next section). To remove, release the port lock on the lower left side of the housing, and then rotate 90°...
  • Page 10 MINI LF Housing Setup Page 10 Stackable Port Rings SPR’s. New or upgraded MINI LF Housings will have  SPR’s. SPR port locks are on either left or right side of the SPR. Release the port lock on the side of the SPR, and then rotate 90° CCW and pulling forward.
  • Page 11 MINI LF Housing Setup Page 11  Port Base. Remove 4 screws/washers, then the Port Base. Remove 4 screws and washers, then the Port Base.  Pull out the Power Trigger. The Power Trigger is located on the left side of the Rear Shell.

  • Page 12: Mini Lf Camera Preparation

    MINI LF Housing Setup Page 12  Camera Bridgeplate Removal. Move the lever lock to the unlock position. Slide the camera mount to the rear and free of the housing. Move the lever lock to the unlock position. Slide the camera mount to...

  • Page 13: Gpb-1 Module Preparation

    MINI LF Housing Setup Page 13 MINI LF Camera Preparation  Camera Basics. Strip down the ARRI ALEXA Mini LF or Mini camera to the bare camera body. Remove the following items:  Any additional mounts or brackets  Antenna ...

  • Page 14: Gpio Assignable Setup

    GPIO Assignable Setup  The MINI LF Housing has 12 assignable GPIO buttons located on the side of the housing. Use your Arri Viewfinder to assign the desired function to each button. Please refer to your ARRI Mini camera manual for a list of assignable functions.
  • Page 15 MINI LF Housing Setup Page 15  Use your ARRI Viewfinder to configure the camera's assignable buttons. The pictures bellow illustrate how to setup the user assignable functions. A full list of assignable functions is found on the Gates website: https://www.gateshousings.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/ARRI-ALEXA-Mini-...

  • Page 16: Camera Installation

    Camera Installation  Camera Bridgeplate Installation. Mount the MINI LF camera to the Bridgeplate Adapter with the four supplied screws. Install 4 screws to secure the mount to the camera. Note: ALEXA Mini Camera shown  Install GPIO box. Slide the GBP-1 GPIO box into the housing cradle as shown below.
  • Page 17 MINI LF Housing Setup Page 17  Insert Camera into housing. Gently slide the camera fully forward on the housing dovetail. The camera should move into the housing without obstruction. CAUTION: AVOID OBSTRUCTIONS. The camera should insert freely without obstruction. Stop If an obstruction or resistance is encountered. Remove the camera and find the obstruction before trying again.
  • Page 18  Connect the GPIO/Record cable The 3 way GPIO cable connects the GPIO box to the MINI LF EXT connector. It also connects to the housing's run stop switch.  Connect the Power Cable to the cameras power input located upper right inside the housing.
  • Page 19 MINI LF Housing Setup Page 19 Lens Gear Drives (LGD’s) The MINI LF includes three  General Notes. This section LGD’s – 2x CCW and 1x CW. addresses the installation of three LGD’s – 1 x CCW (Counter Clock Wise) and 2 x CW (Clock Wise).
  • Page 20 MINI LF Housing Setup Page 20 The sequence of tightening screws on the LGD’s is important.  Step 1. Tighten the LGD mount screw securing it to the guide bar. Critical: the drive shaft/gear hub must be centered with the opening on the bracket.
  • Page 21 MINI LF Housing Setup Page 21  Verify Operation. Once positioned and secured, check operation of the Focus, Iris and Zoom controls. They should rotate freely – but with slight resistance – in both directions and through the entire range of travel. If not, repeat steps 1-3.

  • Page 22: Check Operation

    MINI LF Housing Setup Page 22 Check Operation At this point check operation of the system before closing the shell and installing the Port Base, Port Rings and Ports. Power on the camera and check the following:  Clear Image on External Monitor. (See separate SU&C guide for more details on the External Monitor) ...

  • Page 23: Port Base, Port And Port Rings

    MINI LF Housing Setup Page 23 Port Base, Port and Port Rings  Inspection. Before installing the Port Base, Port and Port Rings, visually inspect the o-rings for dirt or other foreign matter that may compromise the seals. Do the same with the Front Shell face (where the Port Base mates) and Port bore where the o-rings seal.
  • Page 24 MINI LF Housing Setup Page 24 Lubrication. Lubricate the yellow Port o-ring with silicone grease. Also liberally lubricate the Port bore. This will greatly aid installation of the Port.  TIP: Liberal lubrication of the Port and Port Ring o-ring allows easier rotation during installation/removal.
  • Page 25 MINI LF Housing Setup Page 25  Install the Port. The Port will mate with the Port Ring and then rotate 90 degrees clockwise to its normal position.  Verify seals. Inspect the Port Base, Port Rings and Port are fully seated with no gaps.

  • Page 26: Monitor Mount / Video Connections

      Insert the Monitor Cable into the MINI LF Housing. Refer to the illustration. The External Monitor cable is a 'pass through' type that inserts into bulkhead opening on the upper right side of the housing. Insert the cable connectors and route to the rear of the housing to the position shown in the next illustration.
  • Page 27 MINI LF Housing Setup Page 27  Connect the HDSDI cable from the monitor to the cameras SDI 1 output.  Connect the Monitor Power Cable (if applicable) into the V-Lock Plate's D-tap power output. If your monitor requires an external power source, a D-tap adapter cable will be supplied with the monitor housing.

  • Page 28: Housing Closure

    MINI LF Housing Setup Page 28 Housing Closure  Pull out the Power Trigger. The Power Trigger on the side of the housing must be pulled out in order for the rear shell to be installed freely. Retract the Power Control before installing the Rear Shell.
  • Page 29 MINI LF Housing Setup Page 29  Latches. Once properly mated, secure the 3 latches. Verify that the two shells are mated evenly and consistently around the sealing line of the housing.  CAUTION. Faulty Latches can lead to a wet camera! Replacements for faulty latches are available at no charge from Gates.

  • Page 30: Adjustable Handle Grips

    MINI LF Housing Setup Page 30 Adjustable Handle Grips The MINI housing has adjustable handle grips. These are inserted onto the housing from the rear and set with the two top thumbscrews. Each handle grip is adjustable forward/back and left/right.

  • Page 31: Footrails And Adjustments

    Page 31 Footrails and Adjustments The MINI LF Housing has two different foot rail types. One is the original MINI Housing foot rail, and second is a modified version for use with SPR110 port rings. When using SPR110’s, it will also be necessary to utilize foot risers, as shown, which allow the housing to rest on the feet, and not on the SPR110-10 Port.
  • Page 32 MINI LF Housing Setup Page 32 Both foot rail types can be set in three different positions on the housing. Changing the footrail position may be warranted for clearance or balance depending on the configuration. Place the housing on a flat surface before tightening. This will prevent the housing footrails from sitting uneven and / or rock when at rest.

  • Page 33: Stackable Port Rings Spr80 And Spr110

    MINI LF Housing Setup Page 33 Stackable Port Rings SPR80 and SPR110 The MINI LF Housing can optionally use two different sizes of Stackable Port Rings. SPR80’s are for use with the internal Lens Gear Drive system, providing diver operation and FIZ control.
  • Page 34 MINI LF Housing Setup Page 34 110-size Port Base and set of SPR110 Stackable Port Rings Note the 110 size Port Base requires special sealing screws. Note also that use of SPR110 Port Rings and 10” Port require the modified foot rail and foot risers.

  • Page 35: Lens Knobs

    Page 35 Lens Knobs The MINI LF Housing has 3 way adjustable Lens Knobs. They can be configured close, far or double stacked on the housing. Refer to the drawings below on how to configure the knobs to fit your application.

  • Page 36: Final Checks

    MINI LF Housing Setup Page 36 Seal Check  Seal Check Manual. Follow the procedures in the Seal Check manual for verifying integrity of the housing.  Seal Check both Housing and external monitor. The external monitor also has a Seal Check fitting.

  • Page 37: 4: Mini Lf Housing Operation

    MINI LF Housing Operation Page 37 4: MINI LF Housing Operation Right Side Controls Record Focus/Iris/Zoom Focus/Iris/Zoom...
  • Page 38 MINI LF Housing Operation Page 38 Left Side Controls Focus/Iris/Zoom Assignable 1-12 Assignable Marker Plate Power On/Off Port Lock Record...

  • Page 39: Buoyancy Adjustment

    Page 39 Buoyancy Adjustment The MINI LF Housing features adjustable buoyancy and trim. 4 and 8 oz trim weights can be secured to the housing to adjust bouyancy and trim precisely to your liking. Three general locations are available to add/remove and adjust trim weights.

  • Page 40: Accessories

    MINI LF Housing Operation Page 40 Accessories HD-SDI Surface Feed Cable (optional) If you have the HD-SDI option installed, there are three steps:  Camera connection. See the previous section Video Connections for details connecting the HD-SDI surface feed to the camera inside the housing.
  • Page 41 Arri standard dovetail clamp. (WC Dovetail Clamp)  As a Crane Mount, allows securing the MINI LF Housing to a Jib or Boom. See the illustration below for mount point details. Crane Mount Tripod Mount...
  • Page 42 MINI LF Housing Operation Page 42...

  • Page 43: Port Options

    At this time of publication Gates SP80 Dome (8” size), SP80-10 (10” size), SP110-10 (10” size for SPR110) and FP80 Flat Port options are available for the MINI LF Housing. When choosing a Port consider the following tradeoffs and limitations.
  • Page 44 MINI LF Housing Operation Page 44 Flat Port  Optical material: Optical-grade acrylic or anti-reflective coated glass.  Purpose: Medium to macro imaging.  Advantages:  Zoom through. Flat Ports retains the zoom capability of a lens.  Macro. Flat Ports are excellent for macro shots and/or the use of close up diopters to capture small subjects.

  • Page 45: Lighting Systems

    The MINI LF Housing has provisions to utilize a variety of lighting systems. Ball mounts for the light arms may be located in several locations on MINI LF Housing: a) threaded into the top of the Handle Grips: b) on the Foot Rails; or c) onto accessory mounts that slide onto the same dovetail slots as the handle grips.

  • Page 46: Travel / Transport

    CAUTION: No Camera. DO NOT transport your ARRI ALEXA Mini LF camera inside the housing. Severe damage may result.  CAUTION: No Trim Weights. DO NOT transport the MINI LF Housing with trim weights installed. Severe damage may result. ...

  • Page 47: 5: Mini Lf Housing Maintenance

    MINI LF Housing Maintenance Page 47 5: MINI LF Housing Maintenance O-Ring Care and Maintenance Your Gates housing has 3 serviceable o-rings:  Housing Main Seal (ORANGE );  Port (YELLOW); and  Port Base (ORANGE). Servicing the o-rings is easy and covered in the “Housing Care and Maintenance”...

  • Page 48: 6: Customer Support

    Customer Support Page 48 6: Customer Support Should you have any questions about the MINI LF Housing 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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