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Boxfish LUNA Manual

Camera operations, underwater cinematography drone
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Boxfish Luna Camera Operation
Camera Operations
Manual
R5. All rights reserved. Information and specifications may change at any time without notice.
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Summary of Contents for Boxfish LUNA

  • Page 1 Boxfish Luna Camera Operation Camera Operations Manual R5. All rights reserved. Information and specifications may change at any time without notice.
  • Page 2 Boxfish Luna Camera Operation R5. All rights reserved. Information and specifications may change at any time without notice.

  • Page 3: Table Of Contents

    Initial camera setup ......................8 NTSC vs PAL ....................... 8 HDMI Output Settings ....................8 What types of footage can be recorded with the Luna? ........11 Videos ........................... 11 Photos .......................... 13 Overview diagram of recording options (NTSC) ............ 14 Overview diagram of recording options (PAL) ............
  • Page 4 Boxfish Luna Camera Operation 11.2 When to use the HDMI dongle ................21 11.3 How to connect the Ninja V to Control Station ..........21 11.4 Set up Ninja V with your desired settings ............22 11.5 Recording with the Ninja V ................... 24 11.6...
  • Page 5 Ensure lens can move freely ................45 20.5 Position of camera on rails with different lenses ........45 How to put the camera and tray back into the Luna ........... 46 21.1 Re-secure camera on the mount ............... 46 21.2 Put tray back into ROV ..................

  • Page 6: About The Main Camera Inside The Boxfish Luna

    Boxfish Luna Camera Operation About the main camera inside the Boxfish Luna Supported cameras The Boxfish Luna is designed to contain either a Sony a7S III or Sony Alpha 1 camera. The camera mounting system and robotics within the Luna are designed with the flexibility to swap between these two cameras if you wish.

  • Page 7: Overview Of Recording Devices And Storage Devices

    2 Overview of recording devices and storage devices The diagram below shows the recording and storage devices that may be used with the Luna. Not all devices are necessary; we will explain which devices are required further in this manual.

  • Page 8: Video File Storage Devices

    (requires opening the Luna to access the camera). 2.3 Photo file storage device Regardless of camera type, when a photo is taken by the Luna, the file is temporarily stored by the camera’s internal memory (there is no need for a memory card to be inside the camera).

  • Page 9: Initial Camera Setup

    We will configure your HDMI Output Settings. These can be found on the Setup > External Output > HDMI Output Settings depending on several factors: The tether length of your Luna system (≤ 300m or > 300m) The framerate you wish to record at, which determines the video resolution you can output to the surface (to Ninja and Control Station 17”...
  • Page 10 RAW Output Output Resolution 2160p or 1080p If your Luna has a tether longer than 300m, the tether is too long to transmit RAW data to the surface. We will therefore set RAW Output to OFF on the camera. For the Output Resolution setting, we will select 2160p or 1080p for you at the factory depending on what you prefer to record: 1.
  • Page 11 Boxfish Luna Camera Operation The option to record 8K30p on-camera, while also outputting 2160p to the surface, so you can view 4K images on the Ninja and Control Station, and simultaneously record 4K25p (PAL) / 4K30p (NTSC) on the Ninja if you wish.

  • Page 12: What Types Of Footage Can Be Recorded With The Luna

    You can take both video and photos with your Luna. 4.1 Videos Video recordings you can make with the Luna depend on a few factors: The camera used (Alpha 1 or a7S III), and Your Luna’s tether length (whether it is ≤300m or >300m), and...
  • Page 13 * 4:4:4 colour sampling not available for a7S III cameras ** a7S III video files cannot be sent over the tether, therefore on-camera recording requires opening Luna to get memory card from inside camera. 4.1.2 Video options available for tether length of > 300m...

  • Page 14: Photos

    Boxfish Luna Camera Operation 4K25p / 4K30p with the Ninja simultaneously if you wish. HDMI Output Settings must be set up as follows: RAW Output: Off Output Resolution: 2160p Details Monitoring Recording Storage Retrieval at surface device device device Record on-camera (Alpha 1):...

  • Page 15: Overview Diagram Of Recording Options (Ntsc)

    Boxfish Luna Camera Operation 5 Overview diagram of recording options (NTSC) R5. All rights reserved. Information and specifications may change at any time without notice.

  • Page 16: Overview Diagram Of Recording Options (Pal)

    Boxfish Luna Camera Operation 6 Overview diagram of recording options (PAL) R5. All rights reserved. Information and specifications may change at any time without notice.

  • Page 17: Overview Of Control Station Controls For Boxfish Luna

    7 Overview of Control Station controls for Boxfish Luna The below diagram shows the specific areas of the control station that are used for functions of the Boxfish Luna. We will explain how to use these controls in the appropriate sections of this manual.

  • Page 18: How To Start The Camera And Access Camera Controls

    In this case, you can restart the camera by pressing and holding the VIDEO button for 10 seconds. Wait a few minutes for the Luna to power up correctly and for a1 active or a7s III active to appear on Camera Control GUI.

  • Page 19: How To Remotely Change Movie/Photo Settings On The Camera

    Camera Control label on the bottom right of the telemetry screen). 9.1 How to load camera settings upon startup As outlined in the previous section, best practice for the Luna system is to start the Control Station first and then the Luna.

  • Page 20: Rapidly Adjust Iso And Aperture (Optional Feature)

    Note: As you change settings, the Luna will continuously check to see how it has influenced other settings. When the Luna is updating settings, an orange star in the top left will appear.

  • Page 21: How To Change Zoom And Focus

    Turn the dial slowly for best results. 10.2 Focus controls When the Luna is first powered on, no focus mode is set. 10.2.1 Manual focus on/off switch When the switch is set to the OFF position, the camera will change to autofocus mode.

  • Page 22: How To Connect And Set Up The Ninja V (If Using)

    Atomos 500BG SSD, inserted into back of the Ninja (Optional) HDMI dongle (useful only for tether lengths ≤ 300m) Refer to the Boxfish Luna Owner’s Manual, Section 5.6: Accessory Box contents for a description of these parts. 11.2 When to use the HDMI dongle The dongle can be used to change RAW output from the camera to 10-bit.

  • Page 23: Set Up Ninja V With Your Desired Settings

    Ninja and the Control Station 17” screen. Ninja V Recorder attached to the Boxfish Luna Control Station. If the camera is set to RAW output (and tether is ≤300m), you can force the camera to output 10-bit by using the HDMI dongle.
  • Page 24 Boxfish Luna Camera Operation 11.4.1 IN The IN menu has settings for the camera output into the Ninja. Notes for customers with 300m or shorter tethers: Your camera will be set up so that RAW Output is On (see Section 3: Initial camera setup).

  • Page 25: Recording With The Ninja V

    Boxfish Luna Camera Operation HDMI Timecode HDR Out HDR Type Gamut Rec.709 LUT Out 11.4.3 MON Controls how the camera output will appear on the Ninja monitor itself. Select REC 709. 11.4.4 REC We recommend using the ProRes codec. Approximate recording durations are given below for a 500GB SSD –...

  • Page 26: Downloading Video Recorded To The Ninja Ssd

    Boxfish Luna Camera Operation 11.6 Downloading video recorded to the Ninja SSD To transfer video recorded on the Ninja V SSD to your device, use the SATA to USB converter supplied in your Accessories Box. R5. All rights reserved. Information and specifications may change at any time without notice.

  • Page 27: How To Record Video With The Ninja V

    The Ninja records the HDMI output from the front camera. The HDMI output is sent over the tether and input into the Ninja. 12.1 For tethers ≤ 300m For Boxfish Luna systems with tethers ≤300m, the camera will be set up with RAW output on (see Section 3: Initial camera setup).

  • Page 28: Start Recording

    Start and stop recording using the Ninja controls. 12.7 Download recording Use the USB to SATA adapter in your Luna Accessory Box to download the video files onto your computer. R5. All rights reserved. Information and specifications may change at any time without notice.

  • Page 29: How To Take Raw Still Images (Photos)

    Boxfish Luna Camera Operation 13 How to take RAW still images (photos) The Luna can take 12MP images with the a7S III, and 50MP images with the Alpha 1. 13.1 Hardware required USB stick, exFAT format (a 128GB memory stick is supplied in Accessory Boxes from April 2022) 13.2 Insert and initialise USB stick...

  • Page 30: Take Photos And Transfer To Usb Stick

    [YY.MM.DD]-[HH_MM_SS]_[Latitude, Longitude]_[CameraModel]. Notes: Date and time are set to the internal clock of the Luna, which will be the timezone you agreed with us before sending your Luna. Latitude and longitude values are only available with USBL (underwater positioning), and GPS systems attached.

  • Page 31: How To Record Video On The Camera

    For a7S III cameras: the camera does not generate the type of movie files that can be transferred over the tether. Therefore you will need to retrieve the memory card from the camera, which requires opening the Luna. 14.1 Hardware required 14.1.1 For Luna with Alpha 1...

  • Page 32: Prerequisite Camera Settings

    Boxfish Luna Camera Operation Ninja (optional): While recording on-camera it is possible to record with the Ninja at the same time. 14.2 Prerequisite camera settings HDMI Output settings on the camera must be set up correctly: For tethers ≤300m, RAW will be ON by default so the HDMI dongle must be used For tethers >300, RAW will be off by default and the Output Resolution must...

  • Page 33: Start Recording To Camera Card

    OK ( ✓ ) button on the Control Station. 14.6 Start recording to camera card The Luna should be in movie mode upon startup, so press the VIDEO button once to start recording. When the video begins recording a red [REC] symbol will appear in the Camera Control GUI along with the number of minutes and seconds of recording left on the memory card.

  • Page 34: Stop Recording To Camera Card

    (as the camera can only be in one mode at a time). 1. Press the PHOTO button once to put the camera into photo mode. When the Luna is ready to take a photo, Photo-Manual will appear in green text on the Camera Control GUI.

  • Page 35: View Files

    However, the date, time and position information of capture and the media capture info may be lost. Date and time are set to the internal clock of the Luna, which will be the timezone you agreed with us before sending your Luna.
  • Page 36 Boxfish Luna Camera Operation To power the camera back on, hold the VIDEO button on the Control Console down for 6 seconds and wait for the Camera Control GUI and video feed to reappear. R5. All rights reserved. Information and specifications may change at any time without notice.

  • Page 37: Shutting Down The Camera Before Turning Off Rov

    Boxfish Luna Camera Operation 15 Shutting down the camera before turning off ROV Before you power off the ROV with the magnetic key, please turn off the camera to avoid any corruption of files. 1. Press and hold the Eject USB button for two seconds. A message will appear in the Camera Control GUI asking you to confirm shutdown.

  • Page 38: Troubleshooting

    Boxfish Luna Camera Operation 16 Troubleshooting 16.1 USB device does not appear in Camera Control GUI If the USB device does not initialise correctly, an error message will display on the Camera Control GUI. If a USB device is not connecting properly, it is likely because it has not been formatted correctly (ensure it is exFAT).

  • Page 39: How To Open Your Boxfish Luna To Access Front Camera

    17 How to open your Boxfish Luna to access front camera Follow these instructions if you should need to access the front camera inside the Luna - it can be accessed by removing the tray from the Luna. The tray can be taken out from the rear of the ROV.
  • Page 40 17.1.3 Or, if you don’t have the levers, open tray with bolts in place First, open the tray while the bolts are still in place. 1. Ensure Luna is powered off and vacuum removed. 2. Loosen the 4x hex head bolts holding the rear lid of the ROV to the ROV body.
  • Page 41 17.1.4 Put lens cap on camera We recommend putting the lens cap on while the tray is out of the Luna. R5. All rights reserved. Information and specifications may change at any time without notice.

  • Page 42: How To Slide Camera Forward / Back On Rails

    Boxfish Luna Camera Operation 18 How to slide camera forward / back on rails You will need to slide the camera forward/back to: Change lenses Change settings on the camera Insert/take out memory cards. 18.1 Take off front plate surrounding lens The anti-reflective plate usually needs to come off before working with the camera.

  • Page 43: Loosen Hot Shoe Clamp

    Boxfish Luna Camera Operation 18.3 Loosen hot shoe clamp Loosen the hot shoe clamp on the top of the camera. This holds the camera to the top rails. Don’t loosen this clamp completely, just enough to allow the top sled to slide along top rails.

  • Page 44: How To Adjust Settings On The Camera Itself, Insert Card And Format Card

    Note: You will need to format the card after recording on-camera and transferring files over the tether. We are working on a solution so that you don’t have to open the Luna and access the camera itself, but this is still a work in progress.

  • Page 45: How To Swap Between Camera Lenses

    Boxfish Luna Camera Operation 20 How to swap between camera lenses 20.1 Preparing for lens swap 1. Find the lens and the surrounding anti-reflective plate that fits this lens. 2. Take front plate off 3. Loosen hot shoe clamp 4. Loosen 2x screws on each side of the sled so that camera can slide forward on the bottom rails.

  • Page 46: Ensure Lens Can Move Freely

    Boxfish Luna Camera Operation 3. Ensure no cables are pinched. 4. Remove lens cap! 20.4 Ensure lens can move freely 1. Fit the new lens plate (that fits the new lens) to rails and secure with fasteners. 2. Put tray back inside ROV 3.

  • Page 47: How To Put The Camera And Tray Back Into The Luna

    Boxfish Luna Camera Operation 21 How to put the camera and tray back into the Luna 21.1 Re-secure camera on the mount Ensure the camera is securely attached to the mount 1. Ensure 2. Slide the sled on the bottom rails back into position. The ideal position of the camera on the rails depends on which lens is on the camera –...
  • Page 48 Boxfish Luna Camera Operation 2. To install the tray, hold the top bar with one hand and support the tray with one hand underneath the tray. 3. Align the tray with the ROV. You will see two internal rails that the tray will grip onto.

  • Page 49: Document History

    20/4/2022 Added instructions for how to swap lenses and perform other tasks on the camera inside the Luna. 3/5/2022 Clarified that Control Station must be started up before Luna is powered on so that camera controls can start properly.
  • Page 50 Boxfish Luna Camera Operation R5. All rights reserved. Information and specifications may change at any time without notice.
  • Page 51 Boxfish Luna Camera Operation R5. All rights reserved. Information and specifications may change at any time without notice.

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