Aquatica Digital AD300 User manual

INSTRUCTION MANUAL FOR
AQUATICA AD300
Housing for the Nikon D300

FOREWORD
Thank you for having selected the AQUATICA Digital Camera Housing System
for your underwater photography.
The AQUATICA Digital Housing is the result of a long and continuing relationship with the most demanding underwater photog-
raphers in the world. Each housing is handcrafted, quality checked and pressure tested to 300 feet by a small group of specially
trained individuals, each of whom takes the utmost pride and satisfaction in offering the best underwater camera housing in the
world.
The Aquatica Digital Housing was designed for optimum technical and optical performance and to provide easy and efcient
underwater access to essantials functions and controls of the Nikon D300 DSLR.
This manual assumes that the User is already familiar with the Nikon D300. If not, please read the Nikon instruction Manual
before attempting to use the housing.
With basic care and maintenance, your AQUATICA housing will give you a lifetime of enjoyment and satisfaction in
producing underwater images.
Please read this manual carefully before using your housing for the rst time and note that: wherever cited the right hand is your
right when using the housing.
SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
Improper transportation handling or use of this housing might cause a ood or malfunction.
Please read and follow the following precautions:
• Store and transport the housing in a sturdy, shock proof container and avoid travelling with the camera mounted inside the housing
as impact forces especially on the external push buttons will be transferred to the camera.
• When travelling by air, either remove the port or open the housing.
• Never change a port or open the housing in a location where sand or similar foreign material might come in contact with an O-ring.
• Use of accessories or modications and alterations unauthorized by the manufacturer may result in ooding or poor functioning of
the controls
• Be careful when opening the housing as the pressure buildup inside the housing will exaggerate the force of the latch spring. Keep
ngers away from the path of the latches.
• Whenever changing ports or O-rings, perform a simple seal test with out the camera inside.
• Avoid scratching the acrylic or glass ports and windows.
• Make sure that all ports remain properly attached before rinsing the housing, especially when rinsing without a strobe make sure
the Bulkhead connector is sealed with its plug.
• Never attempt to operate the camera in autofocus mode with the lens mounted focus gear engaged with the housing gear.
• The main O-ring seals should be maintained and cleaned on a regular basis. Read and follow the Care and maintenance instructions
on this manual.
• Ensure that the spring loaded secondary lock is properly engaged to prevent the accidental opening of latches.

1. SHUTTER RELEASE LEVER
2. SUB -COMMAND INPUT KNOB
3. MAIN COMMAND DIAL CONTROL
4. MODE SELECTOR / FORMAT BUTTON
& EXPOSURE COMPENSATION / RESET BUTTON KNOB
5. ON / OFF ILLUMINATOR CONTROL KNOB
6. FOCUS/ZOOM KNOB
7. GRIPS (X2)
8. HOLES (1/4” X 20) FOR ARM’S BASE BRACKETS
9. FLASH EXPOSURE / FLASH MODE CONTROL
10. ACCESSORY MOUNTING HOLE (1/4” X 20)
11. HOTSHOE CONNECTOR
12. BAYONNET MOUNTING FLANGE
13. MOUNTING TRAY (REMOVABLE)
14. ISO / WB / QUAL/RESET CONTROL KNOB
15. RELEASE MODE DIAL KNOB (LIVE VIEW ACCESS)
16. RELEASE MODE LOCK KNOB (LIVE VIEW ACCESS)
17. MAIN BULKHEAD FOR FLASH CONNECTOR (*A)
18. SECONDARY BULKHEAD FOR FLASH CONNECTOR (*B)
19. AF ON BUTTON
20. TOP LCD DISPLAY WINDOW
21. AF / AE LOCK LEVER
22. LATCHES (2X)
23. FOCUS AREA / MULTI SELECTOR BUTTONS
24. AUTOFOCUS MODE SELECTOR KNOB
25. VIEWFINDER
26. REAR VIEW DISPLAY WINDOW
27. OK BUTTON
28. PLAYBACK ZOOM IN BUTTON
29. THUMBNAIL / PLAYBACK ZOOM OUT BUTTON
30. PROTECT COMMAND BUTTON
31. MENU ACCESS BUTTON
32. DELETE / FORMAT BUTTON
33. PLAYBACK BUTTON
34. RELEASE MODE SELECTOR WINDOW
35. FOCUS MODE SELECTOR LEVER
36. LENS LOCK RELEASE LEVER
37. RUBBER ANTI SKID PADS
38. SACRIFICIALANODES
39. MOUNTING HOLES (1/4” X 20) FOR STROBE TRAY
*A: Bulkheads are available in different conguration and may vary from illustration.
*B: The secondary bulkhead can be used in conjunction with remote control # 19300
to trigger the camera .

CONTROLS IN DETAIL
1. SHUTTER RELEASE LEVER: Pulling the shutter release lever back part way activates the camera meter and auto focus. Pulling the
lever back all the way res the camera.
2. SUB-COMMAND INPUT / APERTURE KNOB: Rotates clockwise and counterclockwise. Use alone or in combination with other
controls to select or set various camera functions or modes. In “Manual” the exposure mode controls the aperture settings (see camera
manual).
3. MAIN-COMMAND INPUT KNOB: It rotates clockwise and counterclockwise. It can be used alone or in combination with other con-
trols to select or set various camera functions or modes. Refer to camera manual for in depth use.
4. EXPOSURE MODE & COMPENSATION CONTROL KNOB: Lift knob and position over setting to be modied, when done lift knob
and reposition in neutral position. EXPOSURE MODE SELECTOR / FORMAT: Press to access the exposure mode (P,S,A,M), rotate
Main Command Knob to select proper exposure mode. This button when pressed at the same time as the delete button (31) will format
the card inside the camera. EXPOSURE COMPENSATION / RESET: press to engage the Exposure compensation control [+/-]. Rotate
the Main-Command knob to set the desired exposure compensation value. The value will appear in the Top LCD panel and in the
Viewnder. This button when pressed at the same time as the Quality Selector button (25) will reset the camera settings to its default
position.
5. ON / OFF / ILLUMINATOR KNOB: Rotate to switch camera on or off or to engage illuminator.
6. FOCUS/ZOOM KNOB: Turning allows manual focus of a single focus lens or rotation of the zoom mechanism of a lens.
7. HAND GRIPS (X2) : Left and right grip allowing the mounting of strobe arms and accessories.
8. MOUNTING HOLE: These are 1/4-20 TPI holes that are ready to accept TLC Base Brackets or TLC Base Ball for strobe arms or
accessories.
9. FLASH SYNC MODE / EXPOSURE CONTROL BUTTON: Turn to activate the ash mode selector function, rotate main command
knob to desired ash sync mode. Exposure compensation is not accessible on non TTL strobes.
10. MOUNTING HOLE FOR ACCESSORIES: A 1/4”-20 TPI hole is supplied ready to accept TLC accessories.
11. HOT SHOE CONNECTOR: connects the camera to the Flash Bulkhead. Slide this Connector into the camera Hot Shoe. When
detaching do not pull the cord as this might damage the electrical connections.
12. BAYONNET MOUNTING FLANGE: allows the mounting of different ports and extension rings on the housing.
13. MOUNTING TRAY: This sliding tray is removable to allow easy access and mounting of the camera.
14. ISO / QUAL / WB CONTROL KNOB: Lift knob and position over setting to be modied. When done lift knob and position in neutral
position. ISO CONTROL: Position to select ISO, use in conjunction with Main Command control knob (# 3).WHITE BALANCE : Posi-
tion to access white balance functions, use in conjunction with Main Command knob (# 3) and sub command dial control (# 2). IMAGE
QUALITY SELECTOR CONTROL: Position to access the different image quality available on the camera, use in conjunction with Main
Command knob (# 3) and subcommand dial control (# 2).
15. RELEASE MODE DIAL KNOB: allows access to the cameras various release modes including Live View
16. RELEASE MODE LOCK KNOB: Used to release the locking mechanism of the release mode dial. Must be engaged prior to rotat-
ing the release mode dial knob (#15).

Controls in detail, continued
17. MAIN BULKHEAD CONNECTOR: Two connectors are supplied as standard and are for connecting Nikonos type Sync Cord. This
is the main connector and can be ordered in 5 pins (for use with TTL converter) or 2 pins (default for manual strobe operation) and in
Ikelite versionn of 5 pins (for use with TTL converter) or 2 pins (for manual strobe operation).
18. SECONDARY BULKHEAD CONNECTOR: This connector is available in 2 pins for manual operation in a Nikonos type, it is dicon-
nectable and can be used in conjunction with the remote control # 19300 for remote triggering of the camera underwater.
19. AF-ON BUTTON: Press to activate auto focus, refer to camera manual for a description of the different options.
20. TOP LCD WINDOW: displays essential camera operating data.
21. AF / AE LOCK LEVER: Press down lever to engage auto focus or/and auto exposure, see camera manual for the different options
associated to this button.
22. LATCHES: Two heavy duty latches are provided with safety locks to protect against accidental opening.
23. FOCUS AREA / MULTI SELECTOR BUTTONS: These buttons have multiple uses. They allow the selection of the focus area, in
the menu mode, they are used to scroll up or down and left to right to choose from your menu selection and they are used in the delete
mode.
24. AUTOFOCUS MODE SELECTOR SWITCH: Rotate to select the desired focusing pattern of the camera.
25. VIEWFINDER: A full view of the illuminated camera viewnder displays all necessary information. It is removable and can be replaced
with the Aqua View Finder # 20054 for enhanced viewing.
26. REAR VIEW DISPLAY WINDOW : allow viewing of menu and images
27. OK BUTTON : Press to acknowledge selected function.
28. PLAYBACK ZOOM IN BUTTON: Press to zoom in the image.
29. THUMBNAIL BUTTON: Press to zoom out and/or display images in “contact sheets” of 4 or 9 images.
30. PROTECT BUTTON: Press to protect selected image from accidental deletion.
31. MENU BUTTON: Press to activate menu, use multi selectors buttons (21) to navigate, press enter button (25) to choose a selec-
tion.
32. DELETE BUTTON: Press to delete images, use multiple selector buttons to select and press the enter button to delete. Used in con-
junction with mode selector button (14) to format the card inside the camera
33. PLAYBACK BUTTON: Press to activate the monitor and review images.
34. RELEASE MODE SELECTOR WINDOW: Allows viewing of the different selector options.
35. FOCUS MODE SELECTOR LEVER: Rotate to select between manual, single or continuous focusing. SELECTOR LEVER FORK:
Must be in M (manual) position when sliding camera in the housing, once installed, desired focus mode can be selected.
36. LENS RELEASE LEVER: activates the lens release button on the camera allowing easy removal of the lens.
37. RUBBER PADS: Those four pads are supplied to prevent your housing from skidding on wet surface
38. SACRIFICIAL ANODES: (3X) zinc anodes are installed to protect your housing against salt water corrosion; theses are made to de-
teriorate easier than the other strategic part of your housing, hence the name sacricial anodes. These anodes will need to be replaced
as needed.
39. MOUNTING HOLES: Two 1/4” X 20 holes are provided for mounting strobes trays or accessories.