Gates Underwater Products MINI LF User manual

MINI LF Underwater Housing
Setup, Use, and Care Guide

Introducing the MINI LF Housing Page 2
Copyright 2019, Gates Underwater Products, Inc.
Last document revision: 10-10-2019
Photos © Gates Underwater Products
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]
Fax: [phone]
Web: GatesHousings.com

Introducing the MINI LF Housing Page 3
Table of Contents
Setup, Use, and Care Guide.............................................1
1: Introducing the MINI LF Housing ......................................4
Features...........................................................................4
Warranty Disclaimer .........................................................4
ARRI Items Required........................................................5
Unpacking MINI LF Housing.............................................6
2: Cautions...........................................................................7
3: MINI LF Housing Setup ....................................................8
MINI LF Housing Preparation ...........................................8
MINI LF Camera Preparation..........................................12
GPB-1 Module Preparation.............................................13
GPIO Assignable Setup..................................................14
Camera Installation.........................................................16
Port Base, Port and Port Rings.......................................23
Monitor Mount / Video Connections................................25
Housing Closure.............................................................28
Adjustable Handle Grips.................................................30
Carry Handle/Lanyard Mounts........................................30
Footrails and Adjustments ..............................................31
Stackable Port Rings SPR80 and SPR110.....................33
Lens Knobs ....................................................................35
Final Checks...................................................................36
4: MINI LF Housing Operation............................................37
Right Side Controls.........................................................37
Left Side Controls...........................................................37
Buoyancy Adjustment.....................................................38
Accessories....................................................................40
Port Options ...................................................................42
Lighting Systems............................................................45
Controlling Reflections....................................................45
Travel / Transport...........................................................45
5: MINI LF Housing Maintenance .......................................47
O-Ring Care and Maintenance.......................................47
6: Customer Support ..........................................................48

Introducing the MINI LF Housing Page 4
1: Introducing the MINI LF Housing
Congratulations on owning a new Gates product: the MINI LF Underwater Housing.
You’ve selected an underwater imaging tool that will provide years of value and reliable
service. We designed the MINI LF Underwater Housing specifically for the ARRI ALEXA
Mini LF and ARRI ALEXA Mini camera.
Please read through this entire guide to learn about the MINI LF Housing so you can get
the most out of this imaging tool. In this section, we’ll introduce you to the features of the
housing so you can get started.
Features
The MINI LF Housing has several key features:
Lens flexibility. The MINI LF Housing can accommodate a variety of different LPL
and PL mount lenses with no change to control locations. Focus, Iris, Zoom remain
in the same location regardless of optics used.
Cinema-grade design. Lens choice and control access are just two of the many
features designed into the MINI LF Housing. A/R coated glass optics, optional HD-
SDI surface feed, and Seal Check are a few of the items any professional will
appreciate.
Remote System Control. Surface camera control, lens control (for various LCS
systems), video feed and power are all optionally available.
Warranty Disclaimer
Like any tool the MINI LF Underwater Housing requires knowledge and understanding to
be effective.
Your responsibility is to learn the proper setup, use and care of the MINI LF Housing.
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 the MINI LF Housing 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 the MINI LF Housing, contact
Gates directly. Details are in section 6.

Introducing the MINI LF Housing Page 5
ARRI Items Required
The following items are required to operate the MINI LF Camera Housing and are not
included with the camera housing:
ARRI ALEXA Mini LF or ARRI ALEXA Mini Camera.
GPB-1 GPIO Box (Item # K2.0007642).
Recording Media (CODEX Compact Drive or CFast Card, respectively)
MINI LF Viewfinder (For camera setup only. Not required to operate camera
housing).
V-Lock Battery. A variety of V-Lock batteries are supported in the GATES
MINI LF Housing. A current list can be found at: MINI LF Housing V-Lock
Batteries
Several External Monitor options are available for MINI LF Housing, and they
require an LCD and possibly supporting battery. Refer to the documentation
provided for your selected External Monitor for specifics.

Introducing the MINI LF Housing Page 6
Unpacking MINI LF Housing
After you remove the MINI LF Housing 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
MINI LF Underwater Housing.
Port(s) of choice. 8 or 10 in
Dome Port, either glass or acrylic,
or FP80 Flat Port.
Stackable Port Ring(s) of choice
SPR80 or SPR110 size.
Camera Bridgeplate and Mount.
Lens Gear Drives (2x Clockwise
and 1x Counter Clockwise).
Universal set of Guide Bars and
drive shafts.
Hard Sided Rolling Case(s).
Seal Check system.
Tool Kit with case.
Various assembly and spare parts
for the MINI LF Housing including
bolts and set screws.
Spare O-Ring Kit.
Lanyard Handle.
Lanyard Mounts.
Trim Weights (quantity dependent
on configuration).
GPIO / Record Cable.
Focus / Iris Silicone Marker
Rings.
External Monitor Housing System
with Shade Extension.
Optional Parts
HD-SDI surface feed bulkhead
connector and cable.
Lens Gear Knob Extensions.
Light System.
Tripod Adapters.
Crane Mounts.
Comm. Input.
Additional Port Ring(s) for different
size lenses and LCS systems.
Remote System Control
•Lens Control.
•Camera Control
•Surface Feed Power.
•Surface Power
Extended Battery Shell (For double
stacked batteries).

2: Cautions
TRANSPORT. NEVER ship or transport your camera inside the MINI LF Housing. The
housing was not designed for this purpose and severe damage may result.
TRANSPORT –TRIM WEIGHTS. NEVER ship or transport the MINI LF Housing with
trim weight attached. Severe damage may result.
USER RESPONSIBILITY. This Setup, Use and Care guide contains important detailed
procedures for setup and use of the MINI LF Housing. 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 the housing and may void your warranty.
Contact Gates if you have questions this manual or using the MINI LF Housing.

MINI LF Housing Setup Page 8
3: MINI LF Housing Setup
MINI LF Housing Preparation
Port. Remove the Port by rotating 90 degrees while facing the front of the housing.
Pull the port away from the Port Ring.
TIP: Liberal lubrication of the Port o-ring allows easier rotation during
installation/removal.
1
2
Rotate the port 90 degrees then pull
forward to remove.

MINI LF Housing Setup Page 9
Port Rings. Your housing, if upgraded from the Gates MINI Housing, may utilize
conventional Port Rings (vs Stackable Port Rings, found in the next section). To
remove, release the port lock on the lower left side of the housing, and then rotate
90° CCW and pulling forward.
NOTE: Some lenses do not require a Port Ring.
Release the Port Lock
1
2
3
Rotate the Port Ring 90
degrees counterclockwise
direction, and then gently
pull forward to remove.

MINI LF Housing Setup Page 10
Stackable Port Rings SPR’s. New or upgraded MINI LF Housings will have
SPR’s. SPR port locks are on either left or right side of the SPR. Release the port
lock on the side of the SPR, and then rotate 90° CCW and pulling forward.
NOTE: Some lenses do not require an SPR.
Release the Port Lock(S)
1
2
3
Rotate the Port Ring 90
degrees counterclockwise
direction, and then gently
pull forward to remove
each SPR.

MINI LF Housing Setup Page 11
Port Base. Remove 4 screws/washers, then the Port Base.
Pull out the Power Trigger. The Power Trigger is located on the left side of the
Rear Shell. It must be fully retracted in order for the rear shell to be removed without
obstruction.
Rear Shell removal. Release three (3) latches by depressing the lock and pulling
up on the latch. Once released the rear shell will remove freely.
Remove 4 screws and washers, then the
Port Base.
Slide the rear shell back until
it's free from the housing.
Retract the Power Control before
removing the Rear Shell.

MINI LF Housing Setup Page 12
Camera Bridgeplate Removal. Move the lever lock to the unlock position. Slide
the camera mount to the rear and free of the housing.
Move the lever lock to
the unlock position.
Slide the camera mount to
the rear and free of housing.

MINI LF Housing Setup Page 13
MINI LF Camera Preparation
Camera Basics. Strip down the ARRI ALEXA Mini LF or Mini camera to the bare
camera body. Remove the following items:
Any additional mounts or brackets
Camera Lens
Antenna
GPB-1 Module Preparation
Remove the GPB-1 Module's threaded standoffs and replace with the supplied
4-40 x 5/16" pan head screws as shown below. This will allow the module to be
properly seated in the housing carrier.
Remove the standoffs.
Replace with supplied
4-40 x 5/16" pan
head screws.
ALEXA Mini LF
ALEXA Mini

MINI LF Housing Setup Page 14
GPIO Assignable Setup
The MINI LF Housing has 12 assignable GPIO buttons located on the side of the
housing. Use your Arri Viewfinder to assign the desired function to each button.
Please refer to your ARRI Mini camera manual for a list of assignable functions.
The Pushbutton Plate
is marked with 1-12 to
show where each
button is assigned in
the camera's menu.
The housing has GPIO 7-12
marked with the following
camera functions: FN, Camera
1-3, Peaking and Auto White
Balance.
The white marker plate can be
marked by the user to indicate
the assigned function for GPIO
1-6.

MINI LF Housing Setup Page 15
Use your ARRI Viewfinder to configure the camera's assignable buttons. The
pictures bellow illustrate how to setup the user assignable functions.
A full list of assignable functions is found on the Gates website:
https://www.gateshousings.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/ARRI-ALEXA-Mini-
GPIO-Functions-R2.pdf
Enter Menu and
select User buttons.
Select GPIO user
buttons.
Select GPIO box 0.
Configure assignable 1-6 as
desired. Assignable 7-12 should be
setup as shown above to match
functions pre-marked on the
housing.

Camera Installation
Camera Bridgeplate Installation. Mount the MINI LF camera to the Bridgeplate
Adapter with the four supplied screws.
Install GPIO box. Slide the GBP-1 GPIO box into the housing cradle as shown
below. Install the GBP-1 with the Arri logo face up so the connectors can mate
properly.
Insert the Monitor Cable into the housing. Refer to the Monitor Mount / Video
Connections section of this manual for details.
Install 4 screws to secure the mount
to the camera.
Note: ALEXA Mini Camera shown
Slide the GPIO box
into housing cradle
with Arri Logo facing
up.

MINI LF Housing Setup Page 17
Insert Camera into housing. Gently slide the camera fully forward on the housing
dovetail. The camera should move into the housing without obstruction.
CAUTION: AVOID OBSTRUCTIONS. The camera should insert freely without
obstruction. Stop If an obstruction or resistance is encountered. Remove the
camera and find the obstruction before trying again.
Lock the camera into position with the locking lever.
The Bridgeplate will
slide onto the dovetail
here. Stop inserting
the camera if you
encounter
obstructions.
Move the lever lock to
the lock position.

MINI LF Housing Setup Page 18
Connect the GPIO/Record cable The 3 way GPIO cable connects the GPIO box to
the MINI LF EXT connector. It also connects to the housing's run stop switch.
Connect the Power Cable to the cameras power input located upper right inside
the housing. This is a BNC type connector.
GPIO/Record
Cable.
GPIO Connector.
Housing Run
Stop connector.
MINI LF EXT connector.

MINI LF Housing Setup Page 19
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 CW
direction and the other in a CCW
direction, The LGD’s are marked
CCW and CW.
You will install guide bars and drive
shafts that match the lens of your
choice. Information on which guide
bars, drive shafts and port rings to use
for your lens is available on the
support page at
http://www.gateshousings.com/.
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.
The MINI LF includes three
LGD’s – 2x CCW and 1x 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
over tighten.
Note: Different Gates housing shown.
Thread the Guide Bar into the
front shell and tighten by
hand.

MINI LF Housing Setup Page 20
The sequence of tightening screws on the LGD’s is important.
Step 1. Tighten the LGD mount screw
securing it to the guide bar. Critical: the
drive shaft/gear hub must be centered with
the opening on the bracket.
Step 2. Pivot the larger gear onto the lens
gear such that it makes intimate contact.
Carefully observe that the gear is still
properly aligned and the drive shaft/gear hub
is centered with the LGD bracket (see photo).
Tighten the two pivot screws gently to secure
it in position.
Step 3. Firmly tighten the screw that couples
the drive gear hub to the drive shaft.
TIP. The gear hub / drive shaft coupling acts
like a clutch –the drive shaft will ‘slip’ when
reaching the end of travel in either direction.
Tightening the screw more will allow less slip.
Adjust this amount of slip at your discretion.
Set the focus/iris indicators. The left and
right side Gear Controls have silicone bands. The white silicone can be marked to
indicate focus / iris position.
Center the drive shaft/gear hub to the
bracket. Tighten the screw and secure
the LGD to the guide bar.
With the drive shaft/hub centered, pivot
the larger gear to make intimate contact
with the lens gear. Gently tighten 2 pivot
screws.
Couple to Drive Shaft .