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Sealife SL961 Instruction Manual

Digital pro flash
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DIGITAL
PRO FLASH

Instruction Manual

www.sealife-cameras.com/onlineguide/manuals.html
Español - Deutsch - Français
Italiano - Nederlands - Türkçe

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Summary of Contents for Sealife SL961

  • Page 1: Instruction Manual

    DIGITAL PRO FLASH Instruction Manual www.sealife-cameras.com/onlineguide/manuals.html Español - Deutsch - Français Italiano - Nederlands - Türkçe...

  • Page 2: Table Of Contents

    Pre-dive checklist ...30 After each dive ...31 Care and maintenance ...31 Great pictures made easy ...32 XII. Troubleshooting Guide XIII. Specifications XIV. Parts and service www.sealife-cameras.com/onlineguide/manuals.html Español - Deutsch - Français - Italiano - Nederlands - Türkçe ...35 ...38 ...39...

  • Page 3: Safety Warnings

    Observe all SCUBA dive safety rules and control your buoyancy at all times. Consult your dive instructor for dive safety questions. Visit www.sealife-cameras.com for updates to this manual and techniques on underwater photography. Check out the online guide called Great Pictures Made Easy.

  • Page 4: Ii. Introduction

    II. Introduction Thank you for purchasing the SeaLife Digital Pro Flash. Novice and experienced divers alike know that the deeper you dive, less light penetrates the water. While this descending drama adds to your excitement as a diver, you will find that it also challenges you as an underwater digital photographer.

  • Page 5: Preparing Your Camera

    Here is the basic camera set-up for SeaLife and most other popular digital cameras and their housings. 1. Insert blank memory card. It’s good practice to regularly format memory card, but be careful, because this will erase all images on the card.

  • Page 6: Preparing Your Flash

    IV. Preparing your flash Important: • Make sure the flash and you are perfectly dry before opening the waterproof door. • Open the waterproof door with the door pointing down, so any water trapped around the o-ring does not drip inside the flash. Unlock the latch by sliding down the safety lock.
  • Page 7 Insert 4 new or freshly charged AA batteries. Open the battery compartment cover and insert batteries according to the polarity markings above the battery compartment.
  • Page 8 Set the Pre Flash switch to the “0” position for all SeaLife cameras. For non-SeaLife digital cameras, set switch to the #4 position to start. More information will be provided later in this manual on finalizing the Pre Flash Setting for your non-SeaLife camera.
  • Page 9 50 millisecond delay between the first pre-flash and the primary flash. More information on how to calibrate the pre-flash setting for your non-SeaLife cameras will be described later in this manual. (continued) Description of setting Cameras with no pre-flash...
  • Page 10 Set the Auto mode switch to the “1” position for all SeaLife cameras and “4” position for all Non-SeaLife digital and film camera’s. More information will be provided later in this manual on how to make the correct Auto mode setting for your camera.
  • Page 11 Close and seal the waterproof door. Make sure the O-ring is perfectly clean and undamaged. Carefully close the waterproof door to make sure nothing gets trapped near the o-ring and make sure o-ring slips into position and does not get pinched. Make sure the waterproof door is completely closed.
  • Page 12 Attach camera (housing) to the flash’s mounting base. Carefully hand-tighten the mounting screw. Do not over tighten! Important: Only attach the flash to cameras/housings with minimum thread depth of 0.250” (6.4mm) and using standard Never force or over-tighten the screw, or you may damage the housing seal and threads.
  • Page 13 Rotate each flash head so they are aiming in the forward direction as shown. Note: A longer mounting screw is required when mounting two flash units. Item #SL96022–for two flashes. Contact your local SeaLife dealer to order a longer screw.
  • Page 14 Connecting Flash Link optical cable to the external flash The Digital Pro Flash includes the Flash Link optical cable (item #SL962). The optical cable is used to transfer the light from the camera to the light sensor under the external flash head. When the flash light sensor senses the light coming from the end the cable, the external flash will fire.
  • Page 15 Attach the other end of the optical cable to the camera adapter included with your SeaLife camera. The following example shows the optical cable being connected to the SeaLife DC500/DC600 camera adapter. 1. Loosen one of the two set screws of the camera adapter with the small Allen wrench provided.
  • Page 16 Connecting Flash Link optical cable to NON-Sealife cameras For NON-SeaLife cameras: Attach the other end of the optical cable to the universal camera adapter provided as shown below. 1. Remove the tape backing of the hook-and-loop tape provided. 2. Stick the tape over the flash window of your camera housing.
  • Page 17 Connecting Flash Link optical cable to NON-SeaLife cameras (continued) 3. Loosen the set screw of the universal adapter with the small Allen wrench provided. 4. Insert the optical cable into the hole as shown above and push the cable as far as possible without the cable sticking out on the other side of the adapter.
  • Page 18 Secure the Flash Link optical cable to the flash arm Use the two Velcro ties provided to secure the optical cable to the top and bottom of the flash arm.
  • Page 19 Finalize Pre-Flash setting for non-SeaLife digital cameras Follow these steps to determine the correct Pre-Flash setting for your non-SeaLife camera: 1. Set the pre-flash setting to #4. 2. Power on the camera and flash. a. Make sure the camera settings are set as described in section III of this manual.
  • Page 20 8. You have now finalized the Auto mode setting. Note: Once you have determined the correct Auto mode setting for your camera, you should not have to change it again unless you change cameras. Most SeaLife cameras will perform best in the #1 position).

  • Page 21: Testing Your Camera And Flash

    V. Test the camera and flash [above water] Now that you have made all the correct settings to your flash and camera, take a few more test pictures to make sure the camera and external flash fires together. 1. Power on the camera and flash. a.

  • Page 22: Adjusting Your Camera Exposure And Flash Brightness

    VI. Adjusting your camera exposure and flash brightness This section will show you to make quick and easy adjustments to your camera and flash for achieving the best picture color and brightness. Make sure you become familiar with these basic adjustments before you dive with your new external flash.

  • Page 23: Camera Adjustments

    For SeaLife digital cameras, set the scene mode to Ext Flash. For information on how to set your SeaLife camera’s scene mode, please refer to your SeaLife camera instruction manual.
  • Page 24 EV value to darken pictures. Just like ISO, higher EV values will result in more grainy pictures. For SeaLife cameras, set the camera to Ext Flash mode and leave the EV Compensation at “0”. Your SeaLife camera is pre- programmed to automatically select the optimal EV value for underwater flash pictures.
  • Page 25 Almost all digital cameras allow you to select the flash setting to Auto, Force ON, Force OFF or Red-Eye Reduction. For SeaLife cameras, set the camera to Ext Flash mode. The camera’s flash will always fire. Pressing the flash button will toggle the camera between Normal Flash, Far Flash and Macro Flash, which is described later in this manual.

  • Page 26: External Flash Adjustments

    External Flash adjustments: Now that you are familiar with camera adjustments that effect picture color and brightness, this section will describe how to adjust the external flash. Flash Brightness control You can manually or automatically control the flash brightness of the external flash by adjusting the brightness control knob located on the backside of the flash head.
  • Page 27 Please refer to page 13 of this manual for information on how to add a second flash. For more tips and techniques on underwater photography, visit www.sealife-cameras.com Great Pictures Made Easy. and check out the online guide called...

  • Page 28: Maintaining A Waterproof Seal

    How to inspect the o-ring and sealing area 1. Do not remove the o-ring or gasket. If o-ring or gasket is damaged and needs to be replaced, please contact the SeaLife service center in your country. See the end of this manual for service information.
  • Page 29 (C), sand (D) or other debris. 4. Inspect the o-ring’s apposing contact surfaces for scratches or other damage that may interfere with the waterproof seal. Contact the SeaLife service center for repairs if the sealing surfaces are damaged.

  • Page 30: Viii. Pre-Dive Checklist

    VIII. Pre-dive check list 1. Insert new or freshly charged batteries into your camera and flash. 2. Check that the camera and flash settings are correct and that the Flash Link optical cable is securely attached. 3. Inspect the o-ring and clean off any dirt, sand or debris. Carefully close the waterproof door making sure nothing is trapped in the sealing area and the o-ring slips into position.

  • Page 31: After Each Dive

    This will keep the inside dry and free of corrosion or mildew during storage. 5. Routinely inspect the flash for any worn or damaged parts. Contact your local dive shop, or the SeaLife website for available replacement parts.

  • Page 32: Great Pictures Made Easy

    (2.4m) depending on water visibility. Keep your shooting distance inside of 6 ft (1.8m). 4 ft (1.2m) is ideal. Consider the SeaLife Wide Angle Lens accessory which allows to keep a closer shooting distance and fit everything into the picture.
  • Page 33 3. Move calmly and control your buoyancy Control your buoyancy at all times and set yourself up in the ideal position before taking a picture. This allows you to hold the camera steady and control your shooting distance. Good buoyancy control will help you avoid stirring up the sandy bottom which will cloud-up the water and cause backscatter.
  • Page 34 b. Get the entire subject into your picture frame. Don’t cut- off the hands, fins or head of your subject. You can always crop you image later on your computer if you want. c. Learn the compositional rule of thirds . The rule states that an image can be divided into nine equal parts by two equally-spaced horizontal lines and two equally- spaced vertical lines.

  • Page 35: Xii. Troubleshooting Guide

    Test or replace batteries if necessary. c. If above does not correct the problem, contact your local SeaLife dealer or SeaLife Service Center in your country. For a list of dealers, please visit 2. Digital Pro Flash fires as tested above, but does not fire when triggered by camera.
  • Page 36 Check that your camera settings are correct. i. For SeaLife digital cameras, set to External Flash mode. Make sure camera’s ready-light is on. ii. For other camera brands, set camera to Flash ON.
  • Page 37 Never use detergents when cleaning the flash arm. c. Test flash arm flexibility underwater. The flash arm will become stiffer underwater. 7. For updated trouble shooting information, refer to the SeaLife website at www.sealife-cameras.com SeaLife dealer or service center for help.

  • Page 38: Xiii. Specifications

    Weight: Dimensions: Watt seconds: Note: Specifications subject to change without notice. SeaLife Digital Pro Flash (item # SL961) 20 (meters on land) at full power setting: 1.5m (meters on land) at low power 8% to 100% (Auto or Manual mode)

  • Page 39: Parts And Service

    If it is determined that the product requires servicing, a return authorization number will be issued. Please contact your local SeaLife dealer or the importer in the country where the product was purchased for return information. Your local authorized SeaLife Dealer can also assist with product servicing and ordering replacement parts.
  • Page 40 Pioneer Research, 97 Foster Road, Moorestown, NJ 08057 USA www.sealife-cameras.com Item #SL96154 3rd edition Revised May 1, 2008...

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