Gates C300 User manual

C300 / C500 Underwater Housing
Setup, Use, and Care Guide

Cautions Page 2
Copyright 2012, Gates Underwater Products, Inc.
Last document revision: September 27, 2012
Photo 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] toll-free in the U.S.
858.391.0052 outside the U.S.
Fax: [phone]
Web: GatesHousings.com

Cautions Page 3
Table of Contents
Setup, Use, and Care Guide.............................................. 1
Introducing C300/C500...................................................... 4
Features............................................................................. 4
Warranty Disclaimer .......................................................... 4
Unpacking C300/C500....................................................... 5
1: Cautions............................................................................. 6
2: C300/C500 Setup .............................................................. 7
C300/C500 Housing Preparation....................................... 7
EOS-C300 and C500 Camera Preparation ..................... 11
Camera / Lens Installation ............................................... 12
Lens Gear Drives (LGD’s) ............................................... 16
Video Connections (Optional).......................................... 19
Water Alarm (Optional) .................................................... 19
Gemini RAW External Recorder (Optional) ..................... 21
Check Operation.............................................................. 25
Front Bulkhead, Port and Port Ring................................. 26
Housing Closure .............................................................. 29
Seal Check ...................................................................... 33
Video Connections (Optional).......................................... 33
Final Checks .................................................................... 34
3: C300/C500 Operation...................................................... 35
Right Side / Rear Controls ............................................... 35
Left Side Controls ............................................................ 36
Buoyancy Adjustment ...................................................... 38
Adjustable Handles.......................................................... 41
Carry Handle.................................................................... 41
Port Options..................................................................... 42
Tripod Mount (Optional)................................................... 43
Tripod Legs (Optional) ..................................................... 44
Lighting Systems ............................................................. 45
Controlling Reflections..................................................... 45
Travel / Transport ............................................................ 45
4: C300/C500 Maintenance ................................................. 47
Housing Care and Maintenance ...................................... 47
O-Ring Care and Maintenance ........................................ 48
5: Customer Support............................................................ 49

Cautions Page 4
Introducing C300/C500
Congratulations on owning a new Gates product: the C300/C500 housing. You’ve
selected an underwater imaging tool that will provide years of value and reliable service.
We designed C300/C500 specifically for the Canon EOS-C300 and EOS-C500 digital
cinema cameras.
Please read through this entire guide to learn about C300/C500 so you can get the most
out of this imaging tool. In this section, we’ll introduce you to the features of C300/C500
so you can get started.
Features
C300/C500 has several key features:
 Lens flexibility. C300/C500 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/C500 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/C500. 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/C500 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/C500. 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/C500 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/C500, contact Gates
directly. Details are in section 5.

Cautions Page 5
Unpacking C300/C500
After you remove C300/C500 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/C500 Housing.
 Camera Mount.
 Lens Gear Drives (2x Clockwise
and 1x Counter Clockwise).
 Hard Sided Rolling Case(s).
 Seal Check system.
 Tool Kit with case.
 Various assembly and spare
parts for C300/C500 including
bolts, set screws and o-rings.
 Spare O-Ring Kit.
 Carry Handle.
 Trim Weights (quantity
dependent on configuration).
 Port Extender(s) of choice for
your lens.
 Port(s) of choice (Dome, either
glass or acrylic, or Flat) and
shade.
 Focus / Iris Indicator Rings.
 Guide Bars and acetyl drive
shafts for your lens of choice.
Optional Parts
 Microphone or Hydrophone.
 Water alarm.
 HD-SDI surface feed bulkhead connector and cable.
 Light System.
 External Monitor.