Sealife DIGITAL FLASH User Manual
DIGITAL FLASH
Instruction Manual
with Tips from the Pros
DIGITAL FLASH
Instruction Manual
with Tips from the Pros
1
Contents:
I. SeaLife Digital Flash Features and Benefits.......PAGE 2
III. Picture samples .....................................................P
AGE 5
IV. Preparing your Digital camera and Flash............P
AGE 7
V. How to use Digital Flash underwater ..................P
AGE 25
VI. Tips from the Pros .................................................P
AGE 31
VII. Care and maintenance ..........................................P
AGE 42
VIII. Glossary..................................................................P
AGE 44
IX. Troubleshooting Guide ..........................................P
AGE 46
X. Accessories, and Related Products.....................P
AGE 51
XI. Warranty Statement and service..........I
NSIDE BACK COVER
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I. SeaLife Digital Flash Features and Benefits
Universal Underwater Flash for all film and digital cameras*
• Deeper, richer colors and reduces backscatter
• 5 pre-flash cancellation settings
• Variable power adjustment for correct image exposure.
• Flash Link optical cable connection included
• Includes universal mount to adapt all SeaLife cameras and
other underwater camera housings with tripod mount.
• Flexible, rubberized arm for easy aiming and sure grip.
• Effective underwater distance range up to 8 feet (2.5m)
• Two Digital Flashes can be mounted to the camera.
• Depth rated to 200 feet (60m)
• Approximately 100 flashes with 4 AA batteries (not included)
• Deluxe carry case included.
*Works with digital cameras that have up to 4 pre-flashes
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Without Digital Flash With Digital Flash
Novice and experienced dives alike know that the deeper you dive the
less light penetrates the water column. While this descending drama
adds to your excitement as a diver, you will find that it also will challenge you as an Underwater Digital Photographer. Having an external
Digital Flash allows you to carry your own supplemental light with you.
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The SeaLife Digital Flash is fully adjustable allowing you to control the
brightness of your “sun” as you need.
The variable power adjustment lets you accent
colors and bring out the brightness of a reef
scene or the brilliant blue and yellows of an
Angelfish gliding by you. Plus, the SeaLife
Digital Flash allows you also to choose a preflash setting that will synchronize your cameras’
flash system with that of the SeaLife Digital
Flash making your underwater images sharper
than ever.
By reading and following the simple instructions in this manual you will
be able make your images come to life with colors and details more
brilliant than ever.
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III. Picture samples – you can do this!
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Photos by John Chandler with SeaLife DC310 digital camera, Wide-Angle Lens and Digital Flash
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IV. Preparing your camera and SeaLife Digital Flash
Prepare your camera for use underwater. Here is a simple checklist
that is useful for most popular digital cameras and their housings.
• Insert blank memory card. It’s good practice
to regularly format the memory card. Make
sure card is blank before formatting.
• Insert freshly charged batteries. High mAh
batteries are suggested. Such as the SeaLife
NiMH AA rechargeable batteries.
• Turn camera power on
• Set SeaLife digital cameras
to External Flash
exposure mode (see camera instruction
manual for details)
For non-SeaLife camera’
s:
• Set ISO (start with 200 ISO)
• Set White Balance to AUTO
• Set camera’s Flash to ON (Turn off pre-flash, if possible)
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• Important: Turn off camera’s red-eye reduction.
• Select your desired image resolution.
• Use camera’s manual exposure mode to control aperture and shutter
speed, if possible.
• Read your digital camera instruction manual for how to adjust the
above mentioned cameras settings.
• Inspect and clean camera housing and main O-ring (Make sure
O-ring is not damaged and perfectly clean).
• Insert camera into housing and seal.
• Test fire the
camera to
make sure
camera’s
flash fires.
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Prepare your Digital Flash
Open latch as shown below to access battery compartment and preflash cancellation setting.
Important: Make sure the Flash
(and you) are perfectly dry before
opening compartment
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Caution:
Discharge flash.
Before opening flash housing door, make sure to discharge the
flash by moving the power switch to the “TEST” position, and then
to the “OFF” position.
Magnetic switch.
The switch has small magnet inside to turn flash power ON/OFF
and TEST. Keep away from compasses and electronics to avoid
magnetic interference. Do not force switch beyond its stop point
to avoid damaging the switch.
Sealing Latch.
Grab the sides of the latch in order to open the battery compartment. Make sure the latch is properly closed before each use. DO
NOT apply external force to latch or hinge area to avoid damage.
Check O-Ring to ensure it is clean and not damaged.
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Insert new or freshly charged AA batteries. Use SeaLife NiMH
rechargeable batteries for best results.
To replace batteries, gently press down on the
top front of the battery magazine and slide the
magazine cover down. Replace all 4 batteries
with Alkaline or NiMH type batteries ensuring
the polarity is properly observed. NiMH recycle time and life depends on mAh rating of the
battery. A 2300 mAh NiMH battery will last
longer and recycle faster than a regular alkaline battery. There is also newer high energy
Alkaline batteries available that will have
longer battery life than regular alkalines.
Note: You can remove the entire battery compartment for easy access
to batteries, or for replacement purposes. Push down release tab next
to battery compartment and slide the entire compartment towards the
release tab.
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Setting the preflash cancellation switch.
For all SeaLife digital and film camera’s, set switch to “0” position. For
all non-SeaLife digital cameras, set switch to the # 4 position to start.
• Turn Digital Flash power ON.
Wait for the “ready light” to
illuminate.
• Turn on your digital camera
and take a test picture of the
Digital Flash. Aim camera at the
Digital Flash light sensor.
• Review image on the camera
and see if the Digital Flash firing
is visible in the picture.
If you see the Digital Flash firing
in the picture, keep the switch
set a #4 (this indicates that your
camera uses 4 pre-flashes).
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• If you do not see the Digital Flash firing in the picture, set the switch
to the #3 position and repeat the above test.
• Continue moving switch down one position until you see the Digital
Flash firing in the picture – This will be your permanent pre-flash cancellation setting.
Note: For the above test, keep the shooting distance between the
camera and Digital Flash at about 5 feet (1.5 m). Do this test in low light
conditions, away from bright or direct light. Make sure that one of the
light sensors is exposed (not obstructed) for above test.
Important: If you are using a digital camera other than SeaLife, disable
the camera’s Red-Eye reduction. Set your camera flash to FLASH ON.
Check the camera’s instruction manual for details.
Tip: If you are using a digital camera other than SeaLife, disable the
camera’s PRE-flash, if possible. Check the camera’s instruction
manual for details. This will allow you to use the #0 pre-flash cancellation setting.
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Pre-flash cancellation settings:
The Pre-Flash cancellation switch setting matches the number of preflashes of your camera:
Switch position
Description of setting
0 Instant synchronization mode.
For cameras with No pre-flash.
Use “0” setting for all SeaLife cameras an
other brands that allow you to disable the
camera’s pre-flash.
1 One pre-flash
2 Two pre-flashes
3 Three pre-flashes
4 Four pre-flashes
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Close and seal battery compartment as shown. Make sure O-ring
is perfectly clean and undamaged.
Note: Inspect O-ring for cuts, tears, dirt or other damage. Clean or
replace as necessary. See page 43 for O-Ring care instructions.
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Carefully inspect that the latch is closed and the O-ring is
completely seated into the housing.
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