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Gates C300 Setup, Use And Care Manual

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C300 / C500 Underwater Housing

Setup, Use, and Care Guide

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  • Page 1: Setup, Use, And Care Guide

    C300 / C500 Underwater Housing Setup, Use, and Care Guide...
  • Page 2 Cautions Page 2 Copyright 2012, Gates Underwater Products, Inc. Last document revision: September 27, 2012 Photo by Lee Peterson / Marine Camera Distributors and 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...

  • Page 3: Table Of Contents

    Unpacking C300/C500 ............5 Cautions ................6 C300/C500 Setup .............. 7 C300/C500 Housing Preparation ........7 EOS-C300 and C500 Camera Preparation ..... 11 Camera / Lens Installation ..........12 Lens Gear Drives (LGD’s) ..........16 Video Connections (Optional) .......... 19 Water Alarm (Optional) ............

  • Page 4: Introducing C300/C500

    We designed C300/C500 specifically for the Canon EOS-C300 and EOS-C500 digital cinema cameras. Please read through this entire guide to learn about C300/C500 so you can get the most out of this imaging tool. In this section, we’ll introduce you to the features of C300/C500 so you can get started.

  • Page 5: Unpacking C300/C500

    Cautions Page 5 Unpacking C300/C500 After you remove C300/C500 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 C300/C500. 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 C300/C500 and may void your warranty.

  • Page 7: 2: C300/C500 Setup

    C300/C500 Setup Page 7 2: C300/C500 Setup C300/C500 requires complete and thorough setup prior to use. C300/C500 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.
  • Page 8 C300/C500 Setup Page 8 Port Ring. Remove the Port Ring by rotating 90° CCW and pulling forward. NOTE: Some lenses do not require a Port Ring. Rotate the Port Ring 90 degrees counterclockwise direction, and then gently pull forward to remove.
  • Page 9 C300/C500 Setup Page 9 Shell removal. Release three (3) latches by depressing the lock and pulling up on the latch. Once released the shell will remove freely. Step 3. Slide the shell back until free from the housing.
  • Page 10 C300/C500 Setup Page 10 Camera Tray Removal. Loosen 2 thumbscrews and slide the camera mount to the rear and free of the housing. Loosen two thumbscrews and slide the camera mount to the rear, and free of the housing.

  • Page 11: Eos-C300 And C500 Camera Preparation

    C300/C500 Setup Page 11 EOS-C300 and C500 Camera Preparation Camera Basics Strip down the C300 and C500 cameras to the bare camera body. Remove the following items: Entire LCD Monitor unit Hand Grip Unit Tape measure hooks WFT Attachment Bracket...

  • Page 12: Camera / Lens Installation

    Notice also two alignment pins that will mate with the camera. Locate the screw and pins to the C300 / C500 camera bottom as shown. Tighten the screw firmly with a tool or coin.
  • Page 13 C300/C500 Setup Page 13 Pull out controls on left side of Front Shell. Housing controls on the front shell must be retracted for camera clearance during insertion. All but the three geared controls (top left, bottom left, and top right) will retract. Refer to Section 3 Operation for more details on the housing controls.
  • Page 14 C300/C500 Setup Page 14 Check Front Shell Controls. This is a good time to verify operation of all Front Shell controls. Push in each control on the left side, confirming that the control touches and operates the associated camera function (see Section 3 Controls for more information).
  • Page 15 C300/C500 Setup Page 15 Plug in External Monitor Connector. If you are using the Gates EM43 External Monitor, plug in the BNC Connector to the Sync Port on the camera. It will be necessary to set the Sync Port to output composite video. This can be done in the menu settings as follows;...

  • Page 16: Lens Gear Drives (Lgd's)

    A lens cross reference is included in your C300/C500 documentation package and is updated on a regular basis. Visit GatesHousings.com or contact Gates for a current cross reference. Secure Guide Bars. Insert the guide bars by threading them into the front bulkhead.
  • Page 17 C300/C500 Setup Page 17 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 18 C300/C500 Setup Page 18 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 19: Video Connections (Optional)

    C300/C500 Setup Page 19 Video Connections (Optional) If you have the HD-SDI option installed, no special camera setup is required. You need only connect the HD-SDI surface feed cable to the bulkhead connector as shown in the photo. HD-SDI Surface Feed...
  • Page 20 C300/C500 Setup Page 20 The alarm can be tested anytime by shorting the detection contacts that lead to the water alarm transducer. The water detection condition will activate for 6 seconds. If the battery is drained the low battery condition will sound.

  • Page 21: Gemini Raw External Recorder (Optional)

    Purchase, technical and warranty support for the Gemini RAW are provided directly by Convergent Design. (http://cd.contentpros.org/Products/GeminiRAW.aspx). An optional mounting and connection kit for the Gemini RAW is available from Gates. Installation of this Gemini RAW to the C300 / C500 housing follows.
  • Page 22 C300/C500 Setup Page 22 Mount Gemini RAW assembly to Camera Mount. A special pivot bolt is provided to mount the Gemini RAW assembly to the Camera Mount, as shown in the illustration. Insert Charged Battery. Set a charged battery into the holder as shown. The battery wires should exit the holder slot to the lower right of the illustration.
  • Page 23 C300/C500 Setup Page 23 Connect BNC cables to camera. Two coax cables with BNC type connectors will connect between the Gemini RAW and the EOS-C500 camera. At this writing the EOS-C500 camera is not yet available to provide specific details of the connections and required camera / recorder settings.
  • Page 24 C300/C500 Setup Page 24 Operation. The Gemini RAW recorder display is visible through the rear window. Two pushbutton controls are on the window to activate last clip playback on the touchscreen. To the left of the window is the Gemini Power. Depress this to turn the Gemini on / off.

  • Page 25: Check Operation

    C300/C500 Setup Page 25 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 the Magnified Viewfinder and operation of External Monitor (optional).

  • Page 26: Front Bulkhead, Port And Port Ring

    Do the same with the Front Shell face (where the Front Bulkhead mates) and Port bore where the o-rings seal. See the separate document “Housing Care and Maintenance Guide” for more details.  NOTE: Some lenses do not require a Port Ring. Refer to Gates Lens Compatibility Matrix for details. ...
  • Page 27 C300/C500 Setup Page 27 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 28 C300/C500 Setup Page 28 Install the Port. Similarly, the Port will mate with the Port Ring and then rotate 90 degrees to its normal position where it will stop. Carefully mate the Port to the Port Ring (or Front Bulkhead), and assure alignment when fully seating the Port Ring.

  • Page 29: Housing Closure

    Front Shell. If there is obstruction at any time during this process – stop! – remove the shell and locate the obstruction. Tilt Camera Viewfinder. The Magnified Viewfinder on the C300/C500 housing will work with the camera viewfinder unit tilted between zero and 15°, which is optimal.
  • Page 30 C300/C500 Setup Page 30 Retract / position controls. If you are using the Gemini RAW recorder (optional), position the rear controls as shown prior to mating the Rear Shell. If you are using the Gemini RAW recorder, perform the following before mating the Rear Shell to the Front Shell.
  • Page 31 C300/C500 Setup Page 31 Latches. Once properly mated, secure the 3 latches. Visually inspect there are no gaps around the perimeter. Mate the shells and close latches. Inspect the seal line for gaps. If necessary, push in and rotate three controls to their operation position: ...
  • Page 32 C300/C500 Setup Page 32 Mount the EM43 monitor (optional). Secure the monitor to the top of the main shell, as desired and tighten the thumbscrews to secure. Plug in the monitor. On the housing right side near the gear control is a bulkhead connector.

  • Page 33: Seal Check

    C300/C500 Setup Page 33 Seal Check Seal Check Manual. Follow the procedures in the Seal Check manual for verifying integrity of the housing.  NOTE. Ensure the fitting plug is installed prior to submersion! Failure to do so will result in a wet camera.

  • Page 34: Final Checks

    C300/C500 Setup Page 34 Final Checks Visual Inspection. Look closely at all seal mates – Port, Port Ring, Front Bulkhead 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 functioning normally.

  • Page 35: 3: C300/C500 Operation

    C300/C500 Operation Page 35 3: C300/C500 Operation Right Side / Rear Controls Focus / Iris This is a geared lens control and can be used for either focus or iris lens control. Refer to the previous section ‘Lens Gear Drives’ for specifics on setup.

  • Page 36: Left Side Controls

    Note that a similar control on the right side can also be used for either focus or iris lens control. Assign 1/2 and Assign 3/4. Both controls activate assignable buttons 1-4 on the C300 and C500 cameras. ND Filter. Depress this control on the + or – button to move through ND filter options.
  • Page 37 C300/C500 Operation Page 37 Zoom. This control is geared just like the Focus / Iris controls (left and right side). It is only used with a zoom lens. White Balance / Playback. Depress this control over the corresponding camera buttons to set white balance or to review the previous clip.

  • Page 38: Buoyancy Adjustment

    C300/C500 Operation Page 38 Buoyancy Adjustment C300/C500 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 39 C300/C500 Operation Page 39 Shell Base. The base of the main shell has two accessory rails for securing 4, 8 and 16 oz weights. They are secured and adjusted forward and aft for trim. 8 and 16 oz trim weights secured to the bottom rails.
  • Page 40 C300/C500 Operation Page 40 Port Rings. The top and sides of the Port Rings can also accept 4 and 8oz weights.  CAUTION. Do not place weights where they will interfere with housing or camera operation. Trim weights can be mounted...

  • Page 41: Adjustable Handles

    Carry Handle A carry handle is included in your C300/C500 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 42: Port Options

    Distortions and aberrations can occur with either Port. As such, Gates does not warrant optical performance or image quality. Gates endeavors to collect data from the field and our own testing as a resource to customers, but you should always characterize your lens of choice for use...

  • Page 43: Tripod Mount (Optional)

    C300/C500 Operation Page 43 Tripod Mount (Optional) An optional Tripod Mount (for use with third party tripods) can be secured to the base of the shell. The Tripod Mount has additional ¼-20 threaded holes for mounting other items as you need.

  • Page 44: Tripod Legs (Optional)

    C300/C500 Operation Page 44 Tripod Legs (Optional) Tripod Legs are optionally available to mount directly to the C300/C500 housing. Rear Tripod Leg is installed as shown on a bracket with two ¼-20 bolts to the housing. Front Tripod Legs are secured to the front foot as shown. First install the ball mount and secure very tightly with a wrench to prevent accidental unthreading.

  • Page 45: Lighting Systems

    C300/C500 has provisions to utilize a variety of lighting systems. Ball mounts for the light arms may be located in several locations on C300/C500: 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

    Page 46 Travel / Transport C300/C500 requires several preparations for travel. No Camera. DO NOT transport your EOS-C300 or C500 camera inside the housing. Severe damage may result. No Trim Weights. DO NOT transport the C300/C500 housing with trim weights installed.

  • Page 47: 4: C300/C500 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. You can also find it on Gates web site at www.GatesHousings.com.

  • Page 48: O-Ring Care And Maintenance

    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.  CAUTION: Do not lubricate the large ORANGE o-ring! It is a special silicone o- ring and can be damaged by petroleum-based lubricants.

  • Page 49: 5: Customer Support

    Customer Support Page 49 5: Customer Support Should you have any questions about C300/C500 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...

This manual is also suitable for:

C500

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