Gates Underwater Products C300 MKII User manual

C300 MKII Underwater Housing
Setup, Use, and Care Guide

Cautions Page 2
Copyright 2017, Gates Underwater Products, Inc.
Photos 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
Gates Underwater Products, Inc.
13685 Stowe Drive
Poway, California 92064 USA
Phone: [phone]
Web: GatesHousings.com

Cautions Page 3
Table of Contents
Introducing C300 MKII......................................................4
Features...........................................................................4
Warranty Disclaimer .........................................................4
Unpacking C300 MKII.......................................................5
Notes about this Setup, Use and Care Guide ...................5
1: Cautions...........................................................................6
2: C300 MKII Setup..............................................................7
C300 MKII Housing Preparation.......................................7
EOS-C300 MKII Camera Preparation............................11
Camera / Lens Installation..............................................12
Lens Gear Drives (LGD’s)...............................................20
Video Connections (Optional).........................................23
Water Alarm (Optional)...................................................23
Front Bulkhead, Port and Port Ring................................25
Seal Check.....................................................................29
Video Connections (Optional)Error! Bookmark not defined.
Final Checks...................................................................29
3: C300 MKII Operation......................................................30
Right Side / Rear Controls..............................................30
Left Side Controls...........................................................31
Buoyancy Adjustment.....................................................33
Adjustable Handles.........................................................36
Carry Handle ..................................................................36
Port Options ...................................................................37
Tripod Mount (Optional)..................................................38
Tripod Legs (Optional)....................................................39
Lighting Systems............................................................40
Controlling Reflections....................................................40
Travel / Transport...........................................................41
4: C300 MKII Maintenance .................................................42
Housing Care and Maintenance .....................................42
O-Ring Care and Maintenance .......................................43
5: Customer Support ..........................................................44

Cautions Page 4
Introducing C300 MKII
Congratulations on owning a new Gates product: the C300 MKII Housing. You’ve
selected an underwater imaging tool that will provide years of value and reliable service.
We designed C300 MKII specifically for the Canon EOS-C300 MKII digital cinema
camera.
Please read through this entire guide to learn about C300 MKII so you can get the most
out of this imaging tool. In this section, we’ll introduce you to the features of C300 MKII
so you can get started.
Features
C300 MKII Housing has several key features:
Lens flexibility. C300 MKII can accommodate a variety of different cinema and
Canon DSLR lenses with no change to control locations. Focus, Iris, Zoom remain
in the same location regardless of optics used.
Full camera control. All practical controls are accessed directly with the C300
MKII housing, as is the full menu system of the camera.
Cinema-grade design. Lens choice and control access are just two of the many
features designed into C300 MKII. A/R coated glass optics, HD-SDI surface feed,
and Seal Check are a few of the items any professional will appreciate.
Warranty Disclaimer
C300 MKII is a tool that, like any tool, requires knowledge and understanding to be
effective.
Your responsibility is to learn the proper setup, use and care of C300 MKII. Because we
can only provide you with the information necessary to do so, Gates does not warrant
the contents of your housing (e.g. your camera and lenses) under any circumstance.
We warrant C300 MKII as an image acquisition tool for a period of 2 years. The Seal
Check unit is warranted for 1 year. Optics (Dome and Flat ports) are warranted for a
period of 1 year or 100 hours salt water contact, whichever comes first.
Gates does not warrant optical performance or image quality.
If you have any questions about the setup, use and care of C300 MKII, contact Gates
directly. Details are in section 5.

Cautions Page 5
Unpacking C300 MKII
After you remove C300 MKII 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.
Standard Parts
C300 MKII Housing.
External Monitor.
Camera Mount.
Lens Gear Drives (2x Clockwise
and 1x Counter Clockwise).
Hard Sided Rolling Case(s).
Seal Check II system.
Tool Kit with case.
Various assembly and spare parts
for C300 MKII including bolts, set
screws and o-rings.
Spare O-Ring Kit.
Trim Weights (quantity dependent
on configuration).
Port Ring(s) of choice for your
lens.
Port(s) of choice (Dome, either
glass or acrylic, or Flat) and
shade.
Focus / Iris Indicator Rings.
Port Cleaner
Universal set of gears and drive
shafts
Optional Parts
Water alarm.
HD-SDI surface feed bulkhead connector and cable.
Light System.
Carry Handle.
Flex Gears
Notes about this Setup, Use and Care Guide
Some photos in this guide are shared with others, similar housings like the
C300/C500. So while the image may be of a different camera and/or housing, the
illustrated step remains valid for the C300 MKII

Cautions Page 6
1: Cautions
TRANSPORT. NEVER ship or transport your C300 or C500 camera inside the
C300 MKII housing. The housing was not designed for this purpose and severe
damage may result.
USER RESPONSIBILITY. This Setup, Use and Care guide contains important
detailed procedures for setup and use of C300 MKII. 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 MKII and may void your warranty.
Contact Gates if you have questions this manual or using C300 MKII.

C300 MKII Setup Page 7
2: C300 MKII Setup
C300 MKII requires complete and thorough setup prior to use.
C300 MKII 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.
TIP: Good lubrication of the Port o-ring allows easy rotation during
installation/removal.
1
2
Rotate the port 90 degrees
counterclockwise direction, then
gently pull forward to remove.

C300 MKII Setup Page 8
Port Lock. Release the Port Lock on the lower left side of the housing.
Port Ring. Remove the Port Ring by rotating 90° CCW and pulling forward.
NOTE: Some lenses do not require a Port Ring.

2
Rotate the Port Ring 90 degrees
counterclockwise direction, and then
gently pull forward to remove.
3
Release the Port Lock
1

C300 MKII Setup Page 9
Port Base. Remove 4 screws, then the Front Bulkhead.
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.
Remove 4 screws and washers, then
the Front Bulkhead.

C300 MKII Setup Page 10
Camera Tray Removal.Remove 2 thumbscrews and slide the camera mount to
the rear and free of the housing.
Remove two thumbscrews and slide
the camera mount to the rear, and
free of the housing.

C300 MKII Setup Page 11
EOS-C300 MKII Camera Preparation
Camera Basics Strip down the C300 MKII cameras to the bare camera body.
Remove the following items:
Entire LCD Monitor unit
Hand Grip Unit
Tape measure hooks
WFT Attachment Bracket
Rear Viewfinder Unit
The C300 MKII should look
like this when ready to insert
into the housing.
Tape measure hook
(one on each side)
Hand Grip Unit
Remove the camera lens.
Note: C300
Camera
shown

C300 MKII Setup Page 12
Tighten firmly with a
screwdriver or coin
Camera / Lens Installation
Camera Mount Installation. The Camera Mount is secured to the C300 MKII
camera by on mounting screw on the bottom. Notice also two alignment pins that
will mate with the camera.
Locate the screw and pins to the C300 MKII camera bottom as shown. Tighten the
screw firmly with a tool or coin.

Mate the Camera
Mount to the camera.

C300 MKII Setup Page 13
Connect Record / Stop (R/S) Control. As shown in the image below, connect the
included R/S cable between housing and camera. The camera-side plugs into the
location where the grip was removed earlier. Note how the R/S cable is positioned
when the camera is fully inserted into the housing.
The R/S Cable will connect
here on the camera, and the
opposite BNC end to the
housing as shown.
NOTE: When the camera is
fully inserted to the housing,
the R/S cable is positioned
as shown.

C300 MKII Setup Page 14
Insert Monitor Cable into the C300 MKII Housing. Refer to the illustration. The
Starlite monitor cable is a 'pass through' type that inserts into bulkhead opening on
the upper right side of the housing. Insert the cable connectors and route to the
rear of the housing to the position shown in the next illustration.
Tighten the brass collar until snug
Insert the monitor cable into the camera
housing as shown. Tighten the brass
collar until snug.
Route cable to rear of
housing and out of the way
until a later step.

C300 MKII Setup Page 15
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.
Locate camera to housing. Position the camera as shown, with the front lip
resting on bottom of the housing.
Insert Camera into housing. Gently slide the camera on the Tray into the housing
until fully seated and the rear ‘wings’ of the Mount are under the thumbscrews. The
camera should move into the housing without obstruction. Tighten the thumbscrews
by hand first, then with the 3/16 tool firmly.
CAUTION: AVOID OBSTRUCTIONS. The camera should insert freely, without
obstruction. If obstructions or resistance are encountered, stop. Remove the camera,
find the cause of the obstruction, and try again.

Position the camera on the
Mount as shown, and slide
into the housing until fully
seated.
If you encounter any
obstructions, stop and
investigate. Then try again.
Retract all
controls on the
front shell
except three
geared
controls.

C300 MKII Setup Page 16
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).
Tighten the
thumbscrews by hand,
then with the 3/16 ball
driver.
Push in each control and verify
camera function.

C300 MKII Setup Page 17
Connect External Monitor and SDI surface feed (optional).Refer to the image
below. Make three connections:
External Monitor video;
External Monitor Power
SDI surface feed (optional)
Install LP-E6 battery as shown. (This is power to the External Monitor)
SDI surface feed
connection.
External Monitor
video connection.
External Monitor
Power connection.
LP-E6 Battery
(External Monitor
Power).

C300 MKII Setup Page 18
Close Rear Housing. Carefully mate the rear shell to the housing.
CAUTION: AVOID OBSTRUCTIONS. The Rear Shell should slide freely, without
obstruction. If obstructions or resistance are encountered, stop. Remove the rear
shell, find the cause of the obstruction, and try again.
When fully mated, close and lock all three latches. Visually inspect there are no
gaps around the perimeter of the seal.
Carefully mate and latch the rear shell.

C300 MKII Setup Page 19
Mount lens. Mount the lens you plan to use at this time.
Mount the lens to the C300
MKII camera.

C300 MKII Setup Page 20
Lens Gear Drives (LGD’s)
General Notes.This section
addresses the installation of three
LGD’s – 1 x CCW (Counter Clock Wise)
and 2 x CW (Clock Wise). These
designators are applied because two
LGD’s point in a CCW direction and
the other in a CW direction, The LGD’s
are marked CCW and CW.
You will install guide bars and drive
shafts that match the lens of your choice.
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. Tighten firmly by hand – no tools are required but
wrench flats are provided on the guide bars should this be necessary.
Install Drive Shafts. These are ¼” black delrin and have a flat spot milled into one
end. This end inserts into the drive coupler at the face of the front bulkhead.
Secure gently with the set screw on the coupler. Do not overtighten.
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.
C300 MKII includes three
LGD’s – 1x CCW and 2x CW.
Insert the drive shaft into the
coupler. One end of the shaft
will have a small flat spot.
Align this with the set screw,
and tighten gently. Do not
overtighten.
Note: Different Gates housing shown.
Thread the Guide Bar into the
front shell and tighten by
hand.