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Gates Underwater Products F55 Setup, Use And Care Manual

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F55 Underwater Housing

Setup, Use, and Care Guide

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Summary of Contents for Gates Underwater Products F55

  • Page 1: Setup, Use, And Care Guide

    F55 Underwater Housing Setup, Use, and Care Guide...
  • Page 2 Cautions Page 2 Copyright 2013, Gates Underwater Products, Inc. Last document revision: 7-1-2013 Photos by Lee Peterson / Marine Camera Distributors and John Ellerbrock / 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...

  • Page 3: Table Of Contents

    Unpacking F55 ..............5  1:  Cautions ................6  2:  F55 Setup ................7  F55 Housing Configuration / R5 Recorder ......7  F55 Housing Preparation ........... 8  Sony F5 & F55 Camera Preparation ....... 12  Camera Installation ............13  Lens Mount Adapters ............16 ...

  • Page 4: Introducing The F55 Underwater Housing

    F55 specifically for the Sony F5 and F55 digital cinema cameras. Please read through this entire guide to learn about the F55 so you can get the most out of this imaging tool. In this section, we’ll introduce you to the features of the F55 so you can get started.

  • Page 5: Unpacking F55

    Page 5 Unpacking F55 After you remove the F55 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: 1: Cautions

     USER RESPONSIBILITY. This Setup, Use and Care guide contains important detailed procedures for setup and use of the F55. 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 F55 and may void your warranty.

  • Page 7: 2: F55 Setup

    The F55 requires complete and thorough setup prior to use. F55 Housing Configuration / R5 Recorder The F55 comes in two configuations: one when used without the R5 recorder, and one when used with. The difference is only in the depth of the Rear Shell, as shown in the photos.

  • Page 8: F55 Housing Preparation

    F55 Setup Page 8 F55 Housing Preparation Port. Remove the Port by rotating 90 degrees Counter Clock Wise (CCW) direction while facing the front of the housing. Gently pull the Port away from the Port Ring or Front Bulkhead.  TIP: Liberal lubrication of the Port o-ring allows easy rotation during installation/removal.
  • Page 9 F55 Setup Page 9 Port Lock. Release the Port Lock on the lower left side of the housing. Port Ring. Remove the Port Ring by rotating 90° CCW and pulling forward.  NOTE: Some lenses do not require a Port Ring.
  • Page 10 F55 Setup Page 10 Front Shell. Remove 4 screws, then the Front Shell. Remove 4 screws and washers, then the Front Shell. Rear Shell removal. Release three (3) latches by depressing the lock and pulling up on the latch. Once released the rear shell will remove freely.
  • Page 11 F55 Setup Page 11 Camera Bridgeplate Removal. Release the lever lock on the right and slide the camera mount to the rear and free of the housing. Release the camera Bridgeplate with this lever. Slide rearward out of the housing.

  • Page 12: Sony F5 & F55 Camera Preparation

    Bottom Shoulder Rest Remove any Camera Lens ND Filter Knob. The ND Filter Knob on the F55 camera must be removed, and replaced with a special version by Gates. This is necessary to allow control of ND filter with the F55 Housing.

  • Page 13: Camera Installation

    F55 Setup Page 13 Camera Installation Camera Bridgeplate Installation. The F5/F55 camera is mounted first to a Bridgeplate Adapter with four screws, then to the Bridgeplate with two thumbscrews, as shown. Mate the Camera to the Bridgeplate adapter as shown, then secure the Bridgeplate with two thumbscrews.
  • Page 14 F55 Setup Page 14 Pull out controls on left side of Front Shell. Housing controls on the front shell must be retracted for camera clearance during insertion. Assign, Menu and Option controls will retract. Refer to Section 3 Operation for more details on the housing controls.
  • Page 15 F55 Setup Page 15 The Bridgeplate will slide onto the dovetail here. Slide carefully. Stop if you encounter obstructions. Push in and Check controls.

  • Page 16: Lens Mount Adapters

    MTF Services Gates Iris Gear Adapter. This adapter is available from Gates. It provides a gear interface between the MTF services adapter and the F55 Housing. Install the MTF FZ to Nikon adapter (blue) to the F5/F55 camera first.
  • Page 17 Gear Rings When using a DSLR lens, a gear ring is required to slip over the focus or zoom rings on the lens, which in turn interface with the F55 Housing. Gear Rings are very specific to a given lens. Contact Gates for details on the appropriate Gear Rings for a specific DSLR lens.

  • Page 18: Lens Gear Drives (Lgd's)

    You will install guide bars and drive shafts that match the lens of your choice. A lens cross reference is included in your F55 documentation package and is updated on a regular basis. Visit GatesHousings.com or contact Gates for a current cross reference.
  • Page 19 F55 Setup Page 19 LGD’s mounting. Install the LGD’s in their proper orientation with pivot gear screws facing forward. Slide it onto the guide bar and drive shaft, then line up the LGD with the lens gear you wish it to access.
  • Page 20 F55 Setup Page 20 Set the focus/iris indicators. The left and right side Gear Controls have indicator rings. These shipped in the parts kit. These are white plastic for marking focus / iris indications. Secure the ring with the two set screws in the knob as shown.

  • Page 21: Water Alarm (Optional)

    F55 Setup Page 21 Water Alarm (Optional) If you have the optional water alarm installed there are three alarm conditions to know: Condition Siren New Battery Bright Intense blink Ascending tones played 4 times (Insertion) while siren plays Water Intrusion Bright Intense Blink Grating Warble sound.

  • Page 22: Check Operation

    F55 Setup Page 22 Check Operation At this point check operation of the system before closing the shell and installing the Front Bulkhead, Port Rings and Ports. Power on the camera and check the following: Clear Image on EM50 External Monitor.

  • Page 23: Front Shell, Port And Port Ring

    F55 Setup Page 23 Front Shell, Port and Port Ring Inspection. Before installing the Front Shell, Port Ring and Port, 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 Front Shell mates) and Port bore where the o-rings seal.
  • Page 24 F55 Setup Page 24 Lubrication. Lubricate the black 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 easy rotation during installation/removal.
  • Page 25 F55 Setup Page 25 Install the Port. Similarly, the Port will mate with the Port Ring and then rotate 90 degrees clockwise to its normal position where it will stop. Carefully mate the Port to the Port Ring (or Front Shell if no Port Ring is Used), and assure alignment.

  • Page 26: Monitor Mount / Video Connections

    Tighten the brass collar until snug. Connect to the camera. An HDMI adapter cable is supplied with your F55 kit to make the final connection to the camera from the EM50 monitor cable.
  • Page 27 F55 Setup Page 27 Insert the EM50 Monitor Cable into the F55 housing as shown. Tighten the brass collar until snug.
  • Page 28 F55 Setup Page 28 HD-SDI Connection. An HDMI adapter cable is supplied with your F55 kit to make the final connection to the camera from the EM50 monitor cable. (Photo TBD showing connection to camera) HDMI Connection (for EM50 or other HDMI video...

  • Page 29: Housing Closure

    F55 Setup Page 29 Housing Closure General. The Rear Shell slides from the rear onto the foot rails, over the camera and mates with the Mid Shell. If there is obstruction at any time during this process – stop! – remove the shell and locate the obstruction.
  • Page 30 F55 Setup Page 30 Latches. Once properly mated, secure the 3 latches. Visually inspect there are no gaps around the perimeter.  CAUTION. Faulty Latches can lead to a wet camera! Replacements for faulty latches are available at no charge from Gates.

  • Page 31: Adjustable Handle Grips

    F55 Setup Page 31 Adjustable Handle Grips The F55 housing has adjustable handle grips. These are assembled to the housing from the rear and set with the thumbscrew. If necessary, tighten with the supplied 3/16 hex tool. Slide the Handle Grips onto the top dovetails from the rear.

  • Page 32: Seal Check

    F55 Setup Page 32 Seal Check Seal Check Manual. Follow the procedures in the Seal Check manual for verifying integrity of the housing.  CAUTION. ENSURE THE FITTING PLUG IS INSTALLED PRIOR TO SUBMERSION! FAILURE TO DO SO WILL RESULT IN A Final Checks Visual Inspection.

  • Page 33: 3: F55 Operation

    F55 Operation Page 33 3: F55 Operation Right Side Controls Iris / Focus / Zoom HD-SDI Bulkhead Connector (Optional) Assign 1/2 Comm Input Power (Optional) ND Filter Roller / Select Menu / Option...

  • Page 34: Left Side Controls

    F55 Operation Page 34 Camera File AU/TC Item (6) View Cancel / Back Left Side Controls Seal Check Fitting Record / Stop Iris / Focus / Zoom Iris / Focus / Zoom Accessory Port 1 Microphone (Optional) (Optional).

  • Page 35: Buoyancy Adjustment

    F55 Operation Page 35 Buoyancy Adjustment The F55 features adjustable buoyancy and trim. 4, 8 11 and 16 oz trim weights can be secured to the housing – both inside and out – to adjust the housing precisely to your liking.
  • Page 36 F55 Operation Page 36 Top accessory rails. The top of the shell has three rails (used for handles and monitor) that can accommodate 4 and 8oz weights. Port Rings. The top and sides of the Port Rings can also accept 4 and 8oz weights.

  • Page 37: Accessories

    Carry Handle (included) A carry handle is included in your F55 kit. it can go on any of the top rails for a convenient way to move your housing. If you plan to place it on the center top rail, it must go on prior to installing the Front Bulkhead.
  • Page 38 As a Tripod Adapter, it provides 1/4-20 and 3/8-16 mount holes for your tripod. It also is specifically designed to accept an Arri standard dovetail clamp. (WC Dovetail Clamp) As a Crane Mount, allows securing the F55 to a Jib or Boom. See the illustration below for mount point details. Crane Mount Tripod Mount...
  • Page 39 F55 Operation Page 39...
  • Page 40 F55 Operation Page 40 Tripod Legs (optional) Gates Tripod Legs are three extensible legs mounted to the housing for stabilizing your shots. They pivot in all directions, and allow collapsing close to the housing when not in use. The front Tripod legs...
  • Page 41 F55 Operation Page 41 Light Bar (optional) The Light Bar is a convenient method to mount lights forward and to the outside edges of the housing. It accepts a wide variety of Ultralight Controls Systems ball mounts and bases. The EM50 External Monitor will secure on the top of the Light Bar as shown.

  • Page 42: Port Options

    Port Options At this time of publication Gates SP80 Dome and FP80 Flat Port options are available for the F55. When choosing a Port consider the following tradeoffs and limitations.  The optical interaction between any given lens and a Dome or Flat Port is NOTE: unpredictable.
  • Page 43 F55 Operation Page 43 Flat Port Optical material: Optical grade acrylic. 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 44: Bracket Mount Locations

    F55 Operation Page 44 Bracket Mount Locations The bottom and top of the F55 Housing has mount points for brackets or accessories of your own design. All are 1/4-20 threads Bottom of Mid Shell Top of Mid Shell...

  • Page 45: Lighting Systems

    The F55 has provisions to utilize a variety of lighting systems. Ball mounts for the light arms may be located in several locations on F55: 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

    Travel / Transport The F55 requires several preparations for travel.  CAUTION: No Camera. DO NOT transport your F55 or F5 camera inside the housing. Severe damage may result.  CAUTION: No Trim Weights. DO NOT transport the F55 housing with trim weights installed.

  • Page 47: 4: F55 Maintenance

    In addition to the guidelines in the Care & Maintenance guide is one additional maintenance item specific to F55. Gear controls. To lubricate the Gear control shafts requires removal of a snap spacer. Refer to the photo below for the location of this spacer. After removing the spacer, retract the control shaft and lubricate liberally.

  • Page 48: O-Ring Care And Maintenance

    F55 Maintenance Page 48 O-Ring Care and Maintenance Your Gates housing has 3 serviceable o-rings: Housing Main Seal (ORANGE ); Port (YELLOW); and Port Ring (YELLOW). Servicing the o-rings is easy and covered in the “Housing Care and Maintenance” document in this package. It can also be found on the Gates website at www.gateshousings.com.

  • Page 49: 5: Customer Support

    Customer Support Page 49 5: Customer Support Should you have any questions about the F55 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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