Fantasea Remora Flash User manual

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Table of Contents
1. Introduction ........................................................................................................ 3
2. Included in the Kit ............................................................................................ 3
3. Identification of Parts...................................................................................... 4
4. Installing and Removing Batteries............................................................. 5
5. Setting the Proper Pre-Flash Program for Your Camera ...................6
6. Closing the Back Port of the Remora Flash ............................................ 8
7. Mounting the Remora Flash on a Flex or Ball & Joint Arm...............9
8. Taking Photographs with the Remora Flash.........................................10
9. Using a Fiber Optic Cable with the Remora Flash (optional).........11
10. Using a Focus Light with the Remora Flash (optional)..................13
11. Care & Maintenance ....................................................................................14
12. Specifications .................................................................................................15
13. Related Items ................................................................................................16

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1. Introduction
The Remora Flash has been especially designed for compact
digital housings. It is a slave flash which triggers in sync with
the camera’s internal flash, and features 4 different pre-flash
settings, to cover the needs of all compact digital cameras in
the market. The Remora Flash has a guide number of 20, and
therefore compatible for both macro and wide angle shots.
The power output can be manually adjusted to provide the
most accurate amount of light in all conditions and a short
recycle time ensures quick responsiveness even when using
the maximum power output. The Remora Flash also features a
built-in Y-S Mount for attaching a focus light on top of the
flash, sparing the need for an additional arm.
2. Included in the Kit
Remora Flash
Removable Flash Diffuser
Diffuser String
Arm Screw
Silicone Grease
Spare O-ring
Nano Fiber Optic Adaptor Kit
Instruction Manual
Warranty
Please read this instruction manual carefully prior to using your
underwater flash. Only with a thorough understanding of this
manual’s content, will you be able to use the flash correctly.

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3. Identification of Parts
Flash
Diffuser
(Removable)
Back Port
See image below
Y-S Mount
Power Switch
Flash Slave Sensor
Y-S Connector
Output Control
Battery
Compartment
Ready Light
Pre-flash
Settings
Nano Fiber Optic Adaptor

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4. Installing and Removing Batteries
A. Make sure that the power switch is set to the OFF (0)
position.
B. Turn the back door of the flash counterclockwise until it
can be removed.
C. To open the battery compartment, gently slide the knob on
the battery compartment door all the way to the left. Once
the knob is positioned to the left, the battery compartment
door can be removed. Carefully pull it out, using extra
caution not to damage the flange on the left side of the
battery compartment door.
D. Install 4 new or freshly charged batteries according to the
+ and - marks. Make sure that you are inserting the
batteries in the correct direction. Do not mix new and old
or different types of batteries as this may lead to an over-
discharge of the weaker battery, resulting in gassing or
leaking of fluid from the battery.
E. Reinstall the battery compartment door. Start by inserting
the flange on the door to the left side of the battery
Battery
Compartment
Battery
Compartment Door

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compartment, aligning the markings on the battery
compartment door with those on the left side of the battery
compartment, and proceed by carefully pushing the door
against the batteries. Once the door is properly aligned,
gently slide the knob to the right side in order to secure
the closure. Make sure that once you stop applying
pressure on the battery compartment door, it remains
closed.
F. Turn the flash on by setting the power switch to the ON (I)
position. If batteries were installed properly, the Ready
Light should turn on after a few seconds.
G. When the Ready Light is on, the flash can be tested by
turning the power switch to TEST ( ). Make sure to set
the power switch to OFF (O) after the test.
5. Setting the Proper Pre-Flash Program for Your Camera
Please note that watching the Remora Flash fire does not
mean it triggers on the right timing. If it is not synchronized
with your camera, this will usually result in underexposed
images.
What are Pre-Flashes?
Pre-flashes are one or more flashes given out to assist in the
focusing and exposure setting of the camera before the actual
picture-taking primary flash is fired. It is important to set the
Do not allow any drops of water to enter the battery compartment
when installing or removing batteries.

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Remora to the correct pre-flash setting so it fires in sync with
the primary flash of the camera.
The Remora Flash features 4 different pre-flash settings:
0 –For cameras with no pre-flash
1 –For cameras with 1 pre-flash (and cameras with rapid-fire
pre-flash)
2 –For cameras with 2 pre-flashes
3 –For cameras with 3 pre-flashes
4 –For cameras with 4 pre-flashes
In order to properly synchronize it with your camera, you
should first determine which pre-flash program on the Remora
Flash is the most suitable with your camera's internal flash:
A. Place your digital camera in front of the Remora Flash
within a distance of approximately 1 meter, so they are
facing each other.
B. Set your camera built-in flash to ON.
C. Turn the Remora Flash on by setting the power switch to
ON (I).
D. Start with the pre-flash set to “4” and take a picture. If
the strobe does not fire, move the pre-flash to the next
setting downward and take another picture. Repeat until
the strobe fires, and this will be the correct setting. Do
not set the pre-flash to any lower value.
4 Pre-Flash
Settings

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E. Slide the pre-flash setting knob to the proper position,
according to your testing results. Please note that as long
as you are using the Remora Flash with the same
camera, there is no need to perform this test again and
the pre-flash setting knob should be left in the same
position.
F. Turn off the Remora Flash by setting the power switch to
OFF (O).
6. Closing the Back Port of the Remora Flash
A. Prior to each closure of the back port cap, the Gasket seal
and O-ring, positioned on the cap, should be visually
inspected. If there is any debris present, including dirt,
sand, dust, hair, grease or other matter, they must be
cleaned to insure a proper watertight seal. Cleaning the
Gasket seal or O-ring is a simple matter of wiping it with a
damp, soft cloth to remove the foreign matter. Be careful
the cloth you use does not leave any of its own material
behind, as this can also affect the effectiveness of the seal.
B. Please note that while the O-ring should be
periodically lubricated, the Gasket Seal is a face-to-
face compression seal and is not subject to friction.
Therefore, the Gasket seal should not be lubricated.
Lubricating it might interfere with the watertight
seal of the flash.
C. It is recommended to apply a slight layer of silicone on the
O-ring only. Please note that the amount of lubrication
required on the O-ring is only enough to allow it to slip into
place without friction, so it does not twist or become

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dislodged. More grease is not better, and could in some
cases interfere with the watertight seal of the flash.
D. When replacing any of the seals, place them back into the
same groove you have taken them out of. Be sure they are
completely positioned in the channel for a proper seal.
E. Reinstall the back port
cap by turning it
clockwise until you
encounter resistance
and the arrow on the
back door is aligned with
the arrow on the flash
(see illustration). Please
do not continue
screwing the back door further than this point, as this will
make it difficult to unscrew it after the dive. Make sure that
nothing is jamming the closing of the door and in any
respect, do not dive with the strobe if the back door is not
closed properly.
F. After closing the back port of the Remora Flash, always
test the flash in a shallow water pool prior to diving with it,
in order to verify that it is perfectly watertight sealed.
Make sure no bubbles are escaping from it and that no
water is entering.
7. Mounting the Remora Flash on a Flex or Ball & Joint Arm
A. Remove the screw from the Y-S Connector at the bottom of
the Remora Flash by unscrewing it all the way out.

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B. Position the Remora Flash on top of the Flex or Ball & Joint
Arm Set so that the Y-S Mount on top of the arm is aligned
with the Y-S Connector at the bottom of the flash.
C. Install the screw all the way through the Remora Flash
and arm. Tighten it enough to keep the Remora Flash in a
fixed position.
8. Taking Photographs with the Remora Flash
A. Turn the Remora Flash on by setting the power switch to
ON (I).
B. Position the flash in a way that it is pointed at your
subject. Also, make sure that nothing blocks the slave
sensor at the bottom of the flash, so it can synchronize
with your camera’s internal flash.
C. Set your camera built-in flash to ON (“flash always”).
D. Take a photograph by pushing the shutter-release button
of the camera. The camera’s built-in flash fires and triggers
the Remora Flash as well.
E. Adjust the output of the Remora Flash by turning the
output control on the flash (10-100%) to achieve the
desired exposure in your photograph.
F. Please note that the output control also serves as the lid of
the pressure release valve located underneath. In case of
battery leak and accumulating gases, this control will be
automatically pushed out for safety reasons and for
releasing the pressure inside the flash. However, this
knob should never be forcefully removed underwater
as it will cause flooding and irreparable damage to
the Flash.
G. Always shoot pictures with the Ready Light fully lit up.

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H. It is highly recommended to install the diffuser when
shooting wide angle or extreme macro images. In wide
angle photography, the diffuser can be used in order to
spread the light more evenly and in a way that it covers a
greater angle. In macro photography, the diffuser can be
used to absorb part of the light when the flash is too
powerful, even when set to the lowest output.
I. When the Remora Flash is not in use, it is best to turn it off
in order to prevent exhaustion of the batteries.
9. Using a Fiber Optic Cable with the Remora Flash (optional)
Although the Remora Flash
features a slave sensor and
is capable of synchronizing
with the camera's internal
flash without using any
cables in most diving
conditions, a fiber optic
cable ensures the best
synchronization between the
camera internal flash and the Remora Flash at all angles and
in various diving conditions, especially in shallow clear water
with bright ambient light.
The Remora Fiber Optic Cable Kit (#6315) can be separately
ordered. For further information, Please refer to the Fantasea
website, www.fantasea.com.
In order to use a fiber optic cable with the Remora Flash,
please follow the instructions below.

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A. Attach the fiber optic cable to the Remora Flash:
I. Insert the exposed end of the fiber optic cable (the
end without the fitting) into the small hole of the
Nano Adaptor unit until the fiber optic cable reaches
the end of the adaptor.
II.Using the tool that comes with the Nano Adaptor kit,
tighten the screw on the adaptor. Tighten it enough
to stabilize the fiber optic cable inside the adaptor,
but don't tighten it too strongly. Tightening the
screw too much might damage the fiber optic
cable.
III.Carefully but firmly insert the black adaptor inside
the fitting around the Remora Flash slave sensor.
Insert it all the way to the end, and do not use force
once you encounter any resistance.
B. Attach the fiber optic cable to the camera housing:
I. The other end of the fiber optic cable attaches to the
outside of the camera housing - opposite the
camera's internal flash - by using both sides of the
Velcro strip included in the kit. The white plastic
fitting normally comes with the Velcro tape attached
and therefore you are only required to apply the
other side of the Velcro strip on the housing to attach
it. If your housing features a built-in flash diffuser,
the Velcro strip should be attached beneath it,
directly to the housing. If possible, place the Velcro
strip between the built-in flash diffuser and the
housing. If necessary, remove the built-in flash
diffuser in order to place the Velcro strip in front of
the camera internal flash. Please note that it’s mostly
recommended to totally block out the internal flash
of the camera when using the fiber optic cable, and

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therefore removing the built-in flash diffuser will
have no affect on lighting.
II.It is preferable to totally block out the internal flash
of the camera after attaching the camera side of the
cable by putting black electrical tape over the fiber
optic connector attached to the housing case. This
effectively achieves two things: it diminishes the
effects of backscatter, as well as avoiding any
shadowing effect while using wide angle or macro
accessory lenses.
III.Once the fiber optic cable is installed, you can test
the synchronization by photographing the Remora
Flash (as described in step number 5).
10. Using a Focus Light with the Remora Flash (optional)
The Remora Flash features
a Y-S Mount, which
enables mounting a focus
light on top of the flash
unit, sparing the need for
an additional arm and
enabling the mounting of
another flash unit on the
second arm. A focus light
better enables the
camera’s auto focus,
especially in low light conditions and during night dives.
For the different Fantasea focus lights available, please refer
to our website, www.fantasea.com.
To mount a focus light on top of the Remora Flash:
A. Remove the screw from the Y-S Connector at the bottom
of the focus light by unscrewing it all the way out.

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B. Position the focus light over the Remora Flash so that the
Y-S Mount on top of the flash is aligned with the Y-S
Connector at the bottom of the focus light.
D. Install the screw all the way through the focus light and
Remora Flash connectors. Tighten it enough to keep the
focus light in a fixed position.
E. During the dive, tilt the focus light so that it is pointing at
your subject.
11. Care & Maintenance
The Remora Flash requires only a minimum amount of care for
reliable performance. The following tips will enable you to get the
best results.
A. Submerge the strobe in fresh water for about 20
minutes after every dive in order to dissolve the salt
water crystals from around the controls and openings
of the flash. Manipulate each of the movable controls
to assist the removal of salt particles from these tight
areas.
B. Allow the flash to dry thoroughly before packing it
away for the day or for the trip home. You may use a
soft towel or cloth to dry the flash. Be sure there is
no grease or other debris on the towel.
C. Visually check the condition of the O-ring and Gasket
seal before every dive. If they are dirty, clean them
with fresh water and dry them with a soft cloth as
described above. If they are damaged in any way,
such as cut or perforated, replace them immediately.
D. It is recommended to slightly lubricate the radial O-
ring periodically. It's important to note that the
amount of lubrication required on the O-ring is only

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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
interfere with the watertight seal of the flash.
E. Do not use any lubrication on the Gasket seal.
F. Do not drop the flash on hard surfaces. It is not a
shock absorber, and could crack, affecting its
watertight integrity. It could also cause damage to
the electronic components inside.
G. When travelling, remove batteries, leave back door
loose or unassembled and pack in protected fashion
in a padded case or bag.
H. Never dive with the Remora Flash to a depth greater
than 55 meters/180 feet.
12. Specifications
Continuous Adjustable power output (10%-100%)
4 designated pre-flash settings
Powerful 42 W-second flash-tube
Guide Number 20 (ISO 100/air)
Removable flash diffuser included
Uses 4 x AA batteries (alkaline or rechargeable)
Approx. 240 flashes per set of batteries
Quick recycle time
Slave sensor Attachment for fiber optic cable*
Beam angle 60 degrees horizontal
Color temperature 5400K
Y-S Mount for focus light*
Depth rated to 55m/180 feet
* Fiber optic cable and focus light are not included with the flash. They can be
ordered separately.

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13. Related Items
The following items are useful when using the Remora Flash, in
order to take full advantage of its functions.
F
Fi ib be er r O Op pt ti ic c C Ca ab bl le e K Ki it t ( (# #6 63 31 15 5) )
F
Fl le ex x A Ar rm m 3 30 0 ( (# #3 30 04 40 0) )
N
Na an no o F Fo oc cu us s L Li ig gh ht t ( (# #6 60 02 22 2) )
L
LE ED D 4 44 4 L Li ig gh ht t ( (# #6 60 09 95 5) )
X
XL L S St ta ay y S Sl lo ot t T Tr ra ay y ( (# #2 20 03 30 0) )
For further information please contact us at www.fantasea.com/contact
or visit our website www.fantasea.com.