Fantasea F400D User manual

Fantasea F400D
Housing
User's Manual

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Table of Contents
FANTASEA F400D HOUSING ...................................................................................................................1
TABLE OF CONTENTS..............................................................................................................................2
INTRODUCTION.........................................................................................................................................3
INCLUDED WITH HOUSING....................................................................................................................3
RECOMMEND ACCESSORIES (NOT INCLUDED)..............................................................................4
CAMERA MODEL.......................................................................................................................................4
A VARIETY OF USES .................................................................................................................................5
SPECIFICATIONS AND CONTROLS......................................................................................................5
HOUSING ORIENTATION ........................................................................................................................7
CONTROL DETAILS ..................................................................................................................................9
TRAY AND HANDLE SYSTEM ASSEMBLY........................................................................................14
PREPARATION OF HOUSING BEFORE THE DIVE..........................................................................16
CARE & MAINTENANCE........................................................................................................................20
BASIC SHOOTING TECHNIQUES.........................................................................................................22
CAMERA LENSES AND PORTS.............................................................................................................24
FANTASEA F400D WARRANTY ............................................................................................................25

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Introduction
Welcome to the exciting world of underwater digital SLR photography. Your purchase of
the Fantasea F400D housing for the Canon 400D digital camera will set you apart from
other photographers. With this system, you will enjoy the best chance of capturing the
widest variety of superior underwater images. You will find the housing to be easy and
instinctive to use and handle and will have countless dives in which to experiment with
the F400D's advanced imaging capabilities. Fantasea Line Photo is pleased to offer our
help with any of your photographic needs.
The purpose of this manual to is to provide you with the basic introduction to your
Fantasea F 400D, which should get you comfortable with the housing and allow you to
get started taking great underwater images right away. We strongly urge you to
thoroughly read the Canon 400D instruction manual as well, to familiarize yourself with
the most common controls and settings that you will use for your underwater
photography. The Fantasea F400D housing will permit access to most of the important
controls on the camera. To take full advantage of these features, it is best to have a good
command of what each option can do for you, so you will know when you should use
each specific control.
Included With Housing
The F400D housing consists of a front and back shell that latch together to
form the housing body
A screw in standard flat port is included. This port will accommodate the
18-55mm lens. Other optional ports are available for different lenses ( 5
inch super wide angle Dome Port, 60 mm macro/close up port and 100mm
super macro port)
Two Aluminum B and J housing handles come with your housing, (due to
packaging restrictions they may need to be assembled by the customer).
These handles include 1" (25mm) round ball mounts which integrate
nicely with most B and J Arm systems, making for easy integration with
most underwater lighting and flash systems. The handles are easily
assembled by tightening one screw head per handle. They are also
adjustable to fit divers using gloves
Base plate for mounting other tray and arm systems
Zoom Control Guide Band that is attached to the camera lens
Optical viewfinder eyepiece built into the back cover of the housing to
assist the photographer in viewing and focusing
A five-pin TTL flash sync port to connect with the 400D’s hot shoe
Removable camera mounting tray that slides into position with the 400D
attached, positioning the camera in the exact location for perfect control
alignment

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Spare O-Rings for the housing and lens port
Adjustment tools
Wrist lanyard
Warranty and other documents
Instruction manual
Silicone
Cleaning cloth
Lens port cover
Recommend Accessories (not included)
Accessories:
Carry bag (optional)
Red filter (optional)
Extension arm for strobe or video light (optional)
Macro, Wide and Dome ports (optional)
Housings for eTTL Speedlite 580EX (optional)
6 pin eTTL sync cord (optional)
Additional Features:
Visible main O-ring for final pre-dive check
Handles with Flash mounts
Double O-ring design on all controls
Bulkhead and Hotshoe plug for strobe (included)
Camera Model
Fantasea F400D is dedicated exclusively to the Canon 400D camera. The size and shape
of the camera, plus the location of controls for alignment with housing controls requires
this precision design. Together, the 400D camera and F400D housing offer the best
combination of advanced digital photography at an affordable price. No other camera
may be used in the Fantasea F400D housing.
Some Camera Features:
10.1 megapixel CMOS sensor with improved microlens array, fill factor and lower noise
EOS Integrated Cleaning System
oAnti-static coatings on sensor surfaces plus anti-dust materials in the camera body
oSeparate low pass filter with ultra-sonic vibration
oSoftware based dust mapping / removal
Nine point Auto Focus sensor (same as EOS 30D) with F2.8 support

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Continuous shooting burst up to 27 JPEG and 10 RAW images
Single large, bright, 2.5" LCD monitor with 160° viewing angles (horizontal and vertical)
Camera settings and adjustment on LCD monitor
Proximity sensor below viewfinder eyepiece to disable the LCD during composition
New viewfinder view includes 9 AF points as well as EOS 30D style status bar
Picture Styles, larger range of image parameter adjustment (same as EOS 30D)
Improved user interface
Image magnification available in record review
A Variety of Uses
The Fantasea F400D housing is more than just an underwater camera system. It protects
the Canon 400D against damage from such environmental conditions as rain, snow, dust,
sand, and dirt. It is perfect protection for active outdoor sports, where these elements
would normally not allow an advanced camera like the 400D to be used without danger
of damage. The lightweight, compact housing and handles make it easy to hold and use
while sailing, fishing, kayaking, backpacking, or just for fun at the beach or around the
pool. It will also provide a valuable tool for many commercial, industrial, and medical
applications, because it is impervious to most liquids, and sprays.
Specifications and Controls
Specifications:
The main seal between front and back halves is a radial O-ring
The ports are sealed when mounted by 2 O-rings, one Radial and one
Compression type.
Controls use stainless steel shafts and springs
Controls are sealed by double O-rings
Control knobs and buttons are made of molded polycarbonate
Closure Design: Buckles are stainless steel
Body Material: Body and handles are made of molded polycarbonate
Flash sync port is a six-pin type TTL connector
Test Pressure: The Fantasea F400D has a maximum working depth rating
of 200' (60m)
Overall Size: 200 x 300 x 230 mm [LxWxH]
Total Weight: Approximately 2.6 Kg for the housing only
Buoyancy with camera: Approximately neutral in salt water
Controls:
Manual Zoom
ON/OFF
Shutter Release
Mode Control

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LCD Control Panel Illuminator
Aperture/Exposure Compensation Control
Flash Sync Port
AF Point Selection
Playback
Set Control
Erase
AE-L/AF-L
Four Way Multi-Control
oMeter Mode
oWhite Balance
oIso Speed /Set Control
oAuto Focus
Command Dial for Speed and Aperture changes

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Housing Orientation
Top and Front:
6 Pin Flash Sync Port Bulkhead 1
Mode Control/
ON/OFF Control 2
Main Trigger [Shutter] 3
Command Main Dial 4
Interchangeable Port Mount 5
Zoom Lens Control 6
1
2
4
3
5
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Back Side:
Display (On/Off) / Info 7
Menu 8
Jump 9
Playback Control 10
Erase 11
Viewfinder Eyepiece 12
Aperture/Exposure Compensation Control 13
Drive Mode 14
AE-Lock/FE-Lock Control/Enlarge 15
AF Point Selection 16
4 Button Multi Selector 17
oMetering Mode
oISO Speed Set
oAuto Focus
oWhite Balance
Set Control 18
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Control Details
The following is a partial list of the most common uses of housing and camera controls.
For the full list of camera functions and settings accessed by each control, you should
consult your Canon 400D camera instruction manual.
Please note that some of the Fantasea F400D housing controls are designed to operate
more than one camera control.
Flash Sync Port: 
Connect the Canon 6 pin sync cord to this bulkhead connector.
Align the index marks to correctly position cord to seat in flash port.
Push down on cord to seat the O-ring seal, and make connection with the contact
pins.
Tighten collar on sync cord to insure cord does not come loose or separates while
underwater or during use.
oA 6 pin to 5 pin adaptor cord is available for users that have
the 5 pin Nikonos type flashes.
ON/OFF / Mode Control: 
Dual Function Control button:
<On> the power lamp lights, and the camera turns on.
<Off> the camera is off and does not operate. Set to this position when not in use.
The second feature sets the Mode Control; push down and twist to set the mode;
oMode dial is divided into two functional zones: Basic and
Creative.
1. Basic: all you do is press the shutter button
for fully automatic shooting with a choice of
specific subject shooting modes.
2. Creative: can set camera to your specific
parameters. These modes will give you more
control over the result. See Canon 400D
instruction manual for full details.

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Main Trigger [Shutter]: 
Depress halfway to set the focus and fully depress to activate shutter.
oHalfway depression activates auto-focusing [AF] and
automatic exposure [AE] setting shutter speed and aperture.
oDepressing completely releases the shutter and takes the
picture.
Shutter Speed and Aperture Control [Command Main Dial]: 
When a creative zone is chosen, the Command Dial is used.
This is a double function button:
oSets the shutter speed
oSets the aperture in AV mode
oTo activate aperture change in the manual mode you must
depress the Aperture Compensation Control button [13] in
back of camera and then rotate the main dial [Speed
Aperture Command Control dial--Reel #4]. Check with
Canon Instruction manual for details.
Interchangeable Port Mount: 
Allows the use of different ports to match different interchangeable lenses for
creative imaging control. Carefully check that both O-rings mounted on the port
thread areas are properly seated, cleaned and lubricated prior to installing the lens
port.
Zoom Lens Control: 
Operates the zoom control function: see the section called Attaching the Zoom
Control Guide Ring in the chapter "Preparation of Housing" for details on attaching
the Zoom Control Guide Ring.
Display (On/Off) / Info: 
The LCD monitor can display the camera setting screen, menus screen and image, etc.
When shooting, press the button to turn the LCD display screen on/off.
In Playback mode, press the display button to switch the display format: Single
image display with/without basic info and shooting information display.

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Menu control: 
Menu: by setting various optional settings with the menus, you can set the image
recording quality, the date/time, LCD monitor brightness. While viewing the LCD
monitor and pressing this [Menu] button you can make selections with the Multi
Button Selector [17] in conjunction with the Set Control [18] button on the back side
of the housing.
Jump: 
When the CF card contains many images, one can browse through them by 10 or
100 images at one time. Additionally, when images are shot on different days it is
possible to browse through them by date.
oPress the Jump button.
Select the Jump function with arrows [up/down]: 10 images, 100
images or jump by date.
Pressing the arrow keys [left/right] will allow the images to
"Jump".
Press Jump again to curtail Jump mode.
Playback Control:
When this button is pressed, the last captured image will be displayed.
oTo view images captured last, press the left arrow button of the Multi
Selector button; pressing the right arrow button will offer image viewing
of the oldest [first shot] shots you took.
oWhen the Display [7] is pressed, you can select the display format you
choose.
Pressing the Playback Control again will return to the camera setting display.
Erase:
You can select and erase images one at a time or all in one batch. Protected images
will not be erased.
oTo erase one by one, you press the left or right Multi Selector button to
select the image you want erased; then press button 11.
Select “Erase” to erase only the showing image, or “All”to erase
all images, and then press the Set Control button [18]. The showing
image or all the images will be erased.
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10

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Viewfinder Eyepiece
View the image you want captured through this opening.
In order to prevent the LCD screen from being turned off automatically by
the eye sensor beneath the cameras eye piece, which senses the back door of
the housing and prevents the LCD from displaying information, it is
important to disable this function through the MenuShooting Options
LCD auto offDisable.
Aperture/Exposure Compensation Control: Dual Control:
In the manual mode- you can set both the shutter speed and aperture. Set the Mode
Control [2] to M [manual].
oTo set the shutter speed, turn the Command dial [4].
oTo set the aperture, hold down the Aperture button [13] and
turn the Command dial.
In any other mode than manual- hold down the Exposure Compensation
Control button [13] and turn the main dial to make the photograph
darker/brighter.
This is for two different functions: Aperture in manual mode, and exposure
compensation control in any other mode.
Drive Mode Selection:
This button is for choosing single shooting, self timer or continuous shooting.
oPress the Drive Mode button.
oUse the arrows (left/right) to choose the drive mode.
AE-Lock/FE Lock Control/Enlarge control:
Use the AE lock when you want to take multiple shots at the same exposure setting
or when the area of focus is to be different from the exposure metering area. When
the button is pressed, you lock the exposure—then you can recompose and take the
shot.
The FE lock locks the flash exposure setting over the desired area of the subject.
oPress and Hold the AE-L/AF-L button to lock exposure and
focus prior to recomposing a scene. The original exposure
value and focus distance will remain set after re-
composition.
During image playback, press the enlarge control to magnify the image.
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13

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AF Point Selection:
In the Image Zone modes, all AF points are active. Usually the AF point covering
the closest subject will be selected to focus the subject you want.
In the creative zone, you can select one AF point to focus on. Press the AF Point
Selection button, and press one of the 4 Multi Selector buttons to select an AF point.
oWhile looking through the viewfinder, you can also select
the AF point by turning the Command Dial button [4] until
the desired AF point flashes in red. Press the Set Control
button [18] to toggle the AF point selection between the
center AF point and the automatic AF point selected.
Four-Way Multi-Control:
This four way button offers you the following functionality in the shooting mode.
To alter one of the following, press the appropriate arrow, and use the four-way
multi control to choose the value. Press the shutter button half way when done.
oMetering Mode—left arrow
The metering mode is the method of measuring the brightness of
the subject.
oWhite Balance Selection—bottom arrow
White balance is for making the white areas look white instead of
having a color cast.
oISO Speed Set—top arrow
Set the ISO speed to suit the ambient light level.
oAuto Focus—right arrow
You change the AF mode to suit different subjects:
One-Shot AF for stills and portrait.
AI Focus AF for unpredictable movement [wildlife].
AI Servo AF for sports photography.
Set Control
Set Control: the center button set in the middle of the Multi Selector Control buttons.
Used to set and confirm changes to the Multi Control Selector settings and the Menu
button.
When the Set button is pushed, you can select a "Picture Style" by pushing the top
or bottom Multi Selector buttons.
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Tray and Handle System Assembly
The Fantasea F400D Camera Housing comes with an easy to assemble Tray & Handle
system. Please follow these instructions in order to assemble your system correctly.
The Assembled System
Step 1 –Attaching the Tray to the Camera Housing
1. Hold the Housing (Item #1) so its bottom side is facing up.
2. Position the Tray (Item #2) on top of the housing, so the three screw holes on the
Tray are parallel to the three screw holes on the Housing's black attachment plate.
Please note that the tray should be positioned in a way that the socket on the tray
is facing down, towards the housing and handles. The conical side of the Tray
screw holes should be facing up.
3. Use a Philips screwdriver in order to screw the three screws you have received
with the Housing into the three screw holes on the Tray. It's important to tighten
the screws only after all three screws are in place.
Item #2
Tray
Item #1
Housing
Item #3
Handle
Item #3
Handle
Item #4
Handle Screw
Item #4
Handle Screw

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Step 2 –Attaching the Handles to the Tray
1. Place a Handle (Item #3) on top of the end of the Tray. The Handle and Tray
feature sockets that should connect to eachother.
2. Position the handle in a comfortable distance from the Housing. Please note that
positioning the Handle too close to the Camera Housing will interfere with
opening and closing the Housing's buckles. On the other hand, positioning the
Handle too far from the Camera Housing might make it difficult to reach the
Housing's control buttons while still holding the Handles.
3. Insert the Handle screw (Item #4) from the bottom of the Tray, through the track,
into the Handle, and tighten the screw.
4. Do the same for the other Handle on the other side of the Tray.
You can also find these instructions in our Customer Support Section on the website-
http://www.fantasea.com/technical.asp

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Preparation of Housing Before the Dive
Make Common or Required Camera Settings:
Prior to inserting camera in housing, it is recommended that Menu Option settings be
made according to the preferences of the user. Most of these choices are ones that will
remain unchanged for most of the time while diving, and therefore it will be more
convenient and less time consuming to make the settings prior to diving.
Mount Housing Port:
Clean & Lubricate (periodically) Port O-rings
1. In order to properly maintain the port you must periodically remove port
O-ring from channel using only your fingers.
2. Push and lift the O-ring from its channel.
3. Do NOT use any sharp instruments, such as knives or dental picks, to
remove O-ring. You may accidentally cut the O-ring causing a potential
leakage.
4. Inspect the O-ring visually and by feel for any cuts, nicks, flat spots,
stretching, or any debris, such as sand, dirt, lint, hair, or other matter that
could compromise the integrity of the seal.
5. Clean O-ring by soaking in fresh water until all debris is removed.
6. Dry O-ring with a soft clean cloth. Be careful it does not leave any lint on
the O-ring.
7. Lubricate the O-ring with the supplied silicone grease. Do not over-grease
the O-ring. It only requires enough grease to allow it to slip into place and
make a seal. It should be slippery and shiny but without any abundance or
build-up of grease. A teardrop amount is usually sufficient for proper
lubrication.
8. Inspect the O-ring channel for any debris or foreign matter that could
damage the O-ring or cause it to lose its seal.
9. Clean the O-ring channel using a damp cloth or Q-tip. Be careful not to
leave any lint behind.
10. Replace the O-ring in the channel by lifting it over the end of the port until
it sits in its channel. Be sure the O-ring is not twisted or deformed and out
of position in any way.
11. Mount the port on the housing body by aligning the threads on the end of
the port with the mount on the housing and screwing clockwise until it is
FULLY screwed in place.

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Note 1:
The F400D lens port uses 2 O-rings (one Radial O-ring and one
Compression seal O-ring) for a watertight seal. Radial O-rings are
affected by friction when closing the seal as it rubs against a housing
wall. Compression O-rings are not affected by friction as there is no
movement or rubbing against any wall. It is a direct face-to-face seal.
Therefore a radial O-ring, such as the O-ring on the port, requires
lubrication.
Note 2
Lubrication of an O-ring does not improve the seal. It only reduces the
amount of friction on the O-ring when it is being moved into sealing
position. The amount of lubrication required on the port O-ring is only
enough to allow it to slip into place without friction, so it does not twist or
become dislodged. More grease is not better, and could in some cases
have a negative affect if it is applied in large amounts to form a build-up
that could trap any debris or foreign matter.
Note 3
The Latching Buckles:
Provides water tight closure to the housing. The 3 Stainless Steel
buckles have a safety latch lock which should be manually pressed into
the lock position and then carefully checked to ensure that the buckle
cannot open by mistake during the dive. This can be checked by
physically trying to open the latch without depressing the lock release. If
the latch does open then you must try again to lock it down so it cannot
open
Open Housing:
Release all three latches at same time, and lift off back half to open housing.
Opening the levers- To overcome the friction of opening, two levers are
used to push against the lid with a cam action. See picture attached.
Important!
Be sure they are inserted all the way flat to the
housing before turning to avoid damaging the
protrusions on the lid.

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Inspect and Clean Main O-Ring:
Use a clean wet cloth. Use only water to clean the o-ring's sealing surface.
Do not remove the o-ring unless there is evidence that there is a need to clean
the underside surface, or the channel it sits in.
If the O-ring does need to be removed for cleaning or replacement, use your
two thumbs and at the top corner of the housing where the O-ring groove is,
push up from both side until a corner of the O-ring raises above the groove
and gently grasp this O-ring section and pull it off the housing.
When replacing the O-ring, place it back into the groove starting at the same
corner and gently put it in by pressing it into the groove all around the
housing until it is all sitting in the groove and no part of it is sticking up or
out of the groove. You can then apply a slight layer of silicone if you have
not done this yet. Be sure it is completely seated in the channel for a proper
seal.
Attaching the Zoom Control Guide Ring:
Attach the Zoom Control Guide Ring to the lens. This is attached using the
Velcro strip. Insure that the projected nub is directly on the bottom.
oThe Camera and tray are inserted in such a way that the nub
of the Zoom Control Guide Ring is sandwiched between
the two projections found on the lens port. All are pointed a
downward direction. The Zoom Control is operated when
camera is installed in housing is this manner.
Insert 400D Camera and Lens into Housing:
Mount camera with lens on the removable tray, using the tripod screw to
fasten.
oSlide the tray and camera into the housing tray slot. Make
sure it is completely inserted. You will have to raise the
On/Off /Mode Control while inserting tray with camera.
Slide the flash sync cord into the F400 D's hot shoe; gently push to the end.
Align the housing controls with the corresponding buttons on the camera.
Take caution to insure the flat sync cord does not get caught in the housing
seal by storing the slack alongside the left side of the camera.
oPlace back cover on the housing and align the both surfaces
of the housing and the o-ring, forming a proper seal.
Position all three latches over latch hooks in ready position.
oClose all three latches at one time. If it is not possible to
close all three latches at the same time, close the bottom
latch first, maintaining pressure on the other side. Then
close the two top latches simultaneously.
Inspect the o-ring seal for proper closure. The o-ring can easily be seen
through the transparent housing.
Take a Test Dive:

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Make the first dive without the camera in housing. This will give you a
chance to inspect the housing seal for proper closure. In this case, any
mistakes will not result in the loss of the camera.
Operate all controls under pressure in the water and inspect for watertight
seal.
Before all dives, immerse the housing in the camera rinse tank, and press
all buttons, to visually inspect for any leakage.
While descending on every dive carefully observe the housing. If you see
any bubbles rising from it or water entering surface immediately while
holding the lens port in a downward position. Once on dry land carefully
open the housing, take out the camera and dry it off if any water is on it and
check to see if there is any damage. Please inspect the housing, rinse it in
fresh water, dry it out and then take a dive without the camera in the
housing to check for leaks or other malfunctions.
Recommended Initial Camera Settings:
Set 400 D on M (Manual) Exposure Mode
oThis is to keep the built-in flash from trying to pop up in
low ambient light.
oThe Auto Exposure Modes are not always appropriate for
underwater photography.
Set camera and lens to AF focus mode
Use menu option to set camera for Focus Priority Release mode.
Set Camera to Single Advance Mode
Choose Evaluative light metering. This is the camera's standard metering
mode suited for most subjects even under backlit conditions. After
detecting the main subject's position, brightness, background, front and
back lighting, etc., the camera sets the proper exposure.
Set ISO to desired sensitivity setting. Use ISO 200 for the least amount of
noise (digital grain), when possible.
Set personal preferences by using camera menus.
Using External Strobes:
Compatible Strobes include any that can use the standard six pin sync. These strobes will
have to be used in the Manual Flash Exposure mode.
If you have a 5 pin sync cord you can obtain a 5 pin to 6 pin converter cord from our
website (www.fantasea.com).
Connect the strobe sync cord to housing's bulkhead sync port. On the side
of the housing port notice a simple alignment indicator [dot] The 6 pin cord
contains a small white dot. You must insert the cord into the port so the
white dot is aligned with the indicator of the housing. This assures proper
alignment. Hold firmly in place while fastening locking screw. Tighten the
collar to secure the cord in place.

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The O-ring on the end of the sync cord should be inspected, cleaned and
lubricated in the same way the port O-ring was treated.
Using different B and J arm systems can be accommodated by attaching to
the 1" (25mm) Aluminum ball on the top of the FD-400's handles.
Fantasea offers a full range of Aluminum B and J arm sets and fittings.
Care & Maintenance
Before a dive:
oProtect the Fantasea F400D from sun and heat. This will
reduce the possibility of fogging due to condensation of the
warm, moist air inside the housing when immersed in the
colder water. It also reduces the possibility of sun damage
to the polycarbonate. An insulated camera bag is a good
means of protection from overheating.
oProtect the Fantasea F400D from accidental impact damage.
Secure the housing and camera in a safe location on the
boat or in any vehicle, so it does not bounce around or
bump into other cameras and housings. The insulated bag
mentioned above should be padded for this reason. Do not
leave the camera and housing in a camera rinse tank or
bucket on the boat in route to the dive site. Rough
conditions can cause impact damage and photo gear can
often get tangled if too many systems are together in the
tank.
oInspection of all user serviceable O-rings should be a
routine pre-dive check. Required maintenance for the main
O-ring involves cleaning only (if there is no damage
requiring replacement). Some O-rings may require
lubrication. Use the silicone grease supplied with the
housing. Use only enough grease to lightly cover the O-ring
to reduce friction as it is put into its place and the seal is
made. Over-lubrication should be avoided and can result in
debris accumulating on the O-ring, and compromise the
seal.
oIt is highly recommended that the housing be immersed in
the rinse tank or in shallow water before every dive and all
its controls operated to visually confirm that it is watertight
before descending to depth.
After a dive: