Light & Motion Bluefin SR12 User manual

BLUEFIN SR12 / 11
Owner’s Manual
www.uwimaging.com

Standard Warranty
Light & Motion provides a limited warranty to the original purchaser for the Bluefin SR12/11
housing against all defects in original workmanship and material, under normal use and service,
for one year from the date of purchase with the following exceptions: Lamps are warranted for
30 days, batteries are warranted for 90 days, and battery chargers are only warranted for
use in the US and Canada. Using a battery charger in conjunction with a voltage converter is
NOT considered normal use, and chargers will not be warranted under such conditions.
Light & Motion will not be liable for any further loss, damages, or expenses, including incidental
or consequential damages directly or indirectly arising from the sale or use of this product.
Products not manufactured by Light & Motion, such as strobes, strobe arms and lenses are not
covered under the Light & Motion warranty. These products are covered by the Terms and
Conditions set forth by their respective manufacturers.

Welcome
Congratulations on your purchase of a Bluefin SR12/11 video housing.
Please inspect the packaging of your product to verify that there was no damage during
shipping.
If you are not familiar with your camera’s features, please take time to become familiar with
the camera before you proceed in this manual. This manual assumes you have a working
knowledge of your camera and will only cover operational procedures related to the Bluefin
SR12/11 video housing.
Periodically refer to the website for instruction revisions: http://www.uwimaging.com
Caution - Caution - Caution - Caution
2
To increase your enjoyment and the life span of your equipment please take an extra minute to
review common errors which will result in equipment damage or destruction.
• Always remove batteries from battery pods before storage or travel.
Failure to do so may result in inadvertent ignition of lighting system and
possible heat or fire damage.
• Checktheoperationofallyourequipmentseveralweekspriortoyourtrip.Ifmaintenance
or repair is necessary, then time is available for both shipping and repair scheduling.
• Nevertransportorshipthehousingwiththecamcorderinside.Thismaydamageyour
camcorder.
• Neverleaveyourhousingintherinsebucket.Itmaybedamagedbyotherequipment.
• Whenremovingthecamcorderfromthehousingafteradive,dosoinadrycontrolled
environment away from other Scuba related equipment. This prevents water from other
equipment or water from another diver accidentally entering the housing.
• Ifabatterypodisflooded,immediatelyremovethebattery.POD:rinsewithfreshwater
(good) or rubbing alcohol (better). Shake vigorously, towel dry, and leave the pod where
 itcandrainexcessmoisture.BATTERY:Drythebatteryoff,blowanywateroutofthe
connectors, and then shake the battery to remove remaining moisture. If there is water
inside the battery do not attempt to use it again. If the battery seems dry inside,
allow it to dry for at least 24 hours, away from flammable items. Then, on land, charge the
battery and test your lights before attempting another dive.

Table of Contents
Getting Started ............................................................4
Camera Preparation ........................................................5
Mounting the Camera in the Housing ..........................................7
Attaching the Monitor Back ..................................................7
WhiteBalance&OtherTouchScreenOptions ..................................8
Operation of the Bluefin ....................................................10
Using the Bluefin in VTR Mode...............................................12
LEDStatusInfo ...........................................................12
Lens Installation / Removal ..................................................13
Reversing Smart Grip Functions ..............................................13
Bluefin Light Systems - Getting Started ........................................14
Charging Batteries .........................................................14
Installing Batteries .........................................................16
Removing Batteries ........................................................16
Mounting Battery Pods .....................................................16
Connecting Lights to Battery Pods ............................................17
Light Operation ...........................................................17
Pre-DiveChecklist.........................................................18
First Time Use ............................................................18
AfterDivingCare .........................................................18
Housing Storage...........................................................18
Replacing Handle Batteries ..................................................19
O-ring Care and Maintenance................................................20
O-ring Parts ..............................................................20
Other Maintenance ........................................................21
Returning Products for Care.................................................22
Contact Light & Motion ....................................................22
Bluefin Accessories ........................................................23
3

4
Getting Started
Illustrated below are the locations of Bluefin’s features and functions. Take time to familiarize
yourself with the housing.
Light Arm Base
Lens Lock
ON/MODEButton
Monitor Back
Menu Control Knob
Touch Screen Controls
Flip Filter Lever
Manual Button
Camera Control Knob
Self-Locking Rotary Latch
(one on each side)

5
Camera Preparation
1. Install a fully charged Sony InfoLithiumH-seriesbatterypack.WhileanyH-series
battery is compatible with the SR12/11, we recommend the NP-FH100 for extended
battery life.
 2. Openthecamcorder’sLCDscreen.RotatetheLCDscreen180degreessotheLCD
  screenisfacingawayfromthecamcorder.ClosetheLCDscreenagainstthecamera
body so the screen is facing outward.
3. If a Memory Stick is desired for still images instead of using the camera’s hard drive,
  installaMemoryStickPRODuoandcompletethefollowingsteps:
a. Enter the “Home” Menu
b. Navigate to the “Manage Media” tab and select “Photo Media Set”
c. Select “Memory Stick” and then “Yes” (fig. 1)
Now all still images will be recorded on the memory stick and not the hard drive
4. The Flash option must be deactivated through the camera’s menus to prevent it from
reflecting back into the lens. To deactivate the flash, complete the following:
a. Enter the “Options” menu
b. Navigate to the tab labeled “Camera Toolbox”
c. Select “Flash Mode” and then select “Off” (Fig. 2)
5. Return to the camera’s “Home” menu and navigate to the tab labeled “Settings”. Here
you will need to confirm or change the following settings:
a. Scroll to “General Set”
i. Change the setting under “Remote Ctrl” to “On” (Fig. 3)
ii. Change the setting under “Rec Lamp” to “Off” (Fig. 4)
    b.Scrollto“OutputSettings”andchangethesettingunder“DispOutput”to
“V-Out/Panel (Fig. 5)
The monitor back will display the camcorders icons, remaining battery time,
remaining recording time and other information.
(Fig. 1) (Fig. 2)

(Fig. 3) (Fig. 4)
(Fig. 5)
(Fig. 7)
(Fig. 9)
(Fig. 8)
(Fig. 10)
(Fig. 6)
Camera Tray Release

7
Mounting the Camera
1. Remove the monitor back by pushing the Latch Locks in and rotating the latches down
and forward of the housing body (Fig. 6).
2. Remove the Camera Tray. The Camera Tray is spring loaded and will slide out of the
housing.
a. Push forward on the Camera Tray.
b. Press the Camera Tray Release Latch down (Fig. 7).
3. Position the Camera Tray underneath the camera. The camera’s alignment hole
(forward of the camera’s threaded hole) should fit over the pin in the camera tray.
4. Use the Mounting Screw to secure the Camera Tray to the camera body. It is
important that the screw be snug to prevent the camera from moving.
5. Open the connector cover to the right of the power switch and plug the end of the
yellow cable into the “A/V R” jack. (Fig. 8)
7. Connect microphone (Fig. 9).
8. On the housing, pull the CAM CTRL knob out and rotate it slightly until it catches in
the out position. You need to do this each time the camera is installed or removed
from the housing.
9. Align the front of the Camera Tray with the base of the housing.
10. Slide the Camera Tray forward until the latch engages.
11. Rotate the CAM CTRL dial slightly until it returns to its inner position.
Attaching Monitor Back
1. Release the O-ring holding the battery pack and remove pack from the rear plate.
2. Place four (4) fresh “AA” rechargeable batteries into the holder (note that batteries
are not included).
 3. InserttheDCpowerconnectorintotheverticalDCpowerjackonthemonitor
back. (Fig. 10)
4. Place battery pack into battery holder pocket on the inside of the monitor back and
secure into place with the O-ring. (Fig. 11)
 5. NexttotheDCpowerheaderarethe“Power”and“BatterySelect”switches.Make
sure that the “Power” switch is set to the “Battery” and that the “Battery Select”
switch is set to “4-cell”. (Fig. 12)
6. Replace the monitor back by aligning the guide pins and connector into the base of the
camera tray.
7. Rotate both latches evenly. Ensure that the monitor back is pulled in straight and that
the latches engage and lock.
NOTE: Light & Motion recommends using new 2,400 mAh rechargeable NiMH batteries for
the Monitor Back. These batteries should be replaced or recharged every second dive.
Alkaline batteries may be used in emergency situations, but may not yield the same life
expectancy as the NiMH batteries.

8
White Balance & Other Touchscreen Options
Below you’ll find an outline of the options that are accessible through the housing’s manual
buttons while the camera is on:
White Balance
 1. Withthecamerain“Video”mode,usetherotarycontroltoselectthe“Options”
menu. (Fig. 13)
2. Press the F2 button on the Bluefin housing to access the “Camera 3” tab.
 3. Twisttherotarycontroldialtoselect“WhiteBalance”.
4. Select “One Push”. (Fig. 14)
 5. Userotarycontroldialtoselectthe“SetWB”icon.Press“OK”toexit.
6. Pressing the “Return” button will exit the setup menu.
(Fig. 11)
(Fig. 13)
(Fig. 12)
(Fig. 14)
NOTE: Use the F1 button to return to a previous menu or to exit the main screen.

9
Tele Macro
1. Use the rotary control dial to select the “Options” menu and again to select the
“Camera 1” tab.
2. Continue down the menu and select “Tele Macro” to toggle this function on/off.
3. Press the F1 button twice to exit the setup menu.
Smooth Slow Recording
1. Use the F1 button to enter the “Home” menu and rotate the dial to select the
“Camera” tab.
 2. Rotatetherotarycontroldialagaintoselect“SMTHSLWREC”.
3. To activate other options for smooth slow record, use the rotary control dial to
  selectthe“Options”menuandagaintoselectthe“SMTHSLWREC”toolboxto
modify the options here as needed.
4. Use the F1 button to return to normal recording.
  Whileothermenusandoptionsmaybeaccessiblethroughourtouchscreen 
interface, these options are not supported in this manual.

Operation
Left Smart Grip Controls (Fig. 15)
Far - Moves focus point further from camcorder.
Near - Moves focus point closer to camcorder.
Photo-RecordsstillvideocapturetoMemoryStickorHDD
(in video or photo mode).
Light - After initial power up from battery pod, cycles Light & Motion lights through
three output levels. Press and hold for three seconds to turn lights off.
Info - Removes or displays screen information
Right Smart Grip Controls (Fig. 16)
Tele - Zooms camcorder to telephoto.
Wide - Zooms camcorder to wide angle.
Rec - Toggles camcorder between record/standby.
Mom.Af - Press and hold this button to put the camcorder into “momentary AF”.
Camcorder remains in AF as long as the button is pressed. Once released,
the camcorder switches to manual focus. This is useful in stopping the
camcorder from “seeking” when filming in a low contrast environment. To
return the camcorder to AF, press the AF/OFF button.
Af / Off - (dual function) - Press and release, to switch camcorder to auto focus.
Press and hold for 3 seconds, to turn the camcorder off.
Front Plate (Fig. 17)
Flip Filter - Rotate lever to engage or disengage color correction filter.
Monitor back (Fig. 18)
On/Mode - Turns the camcorder on and cycles through modes.
Housing Left Side (Fig. 19 & 20)
Manual - Activates the camera’s manual button. Briefly pushing this button activates
manual control of the active function. You can change the active function
by pushing and holding the button until the menu of options appears on the
    display.Manualoptionsinclude:Focus,Exposure,AEShift,WBShiftand
Reset.
Camera Control Knob - Adjusts the function activated with the Manual button.
Touch Screen Controls - Two ‘function’ buttons and one rotary control allow
full access to the camera’s menus. Rotate the knob to position the internal
selector over a button on the camera’s screen. Press the buttons to access
various controls on the camera’s screen.
10

(Fig. 15) (Fig. 16)
(Fig. 19)
(Fig. 17)
11
(Fig. 20)
(Fig. 18)
Lights
Info
Far
Photo
Near
MOM AF
AF/Off
Tele
REC
Wide
ON/MODEButton
Flip Filter Lever
Camera Control Knob Touch Screen Controls

12
(Fig. 21) (Fig. 22)
Using the Bluefin in VTR Mode
Push the Bluefin’s Mode button until the camcorder enters VTR Mode as listed and illustrated
below, the Bluefin’s Smart Grip Controls allow you to controls the camcorder’s VTR functions
while the camcorder is still inside the Bluefin.
Left Smart Grip Controls (Fig. 21)
Far - Previous photo or video
Near - Next photo or video
Info - Remove or display screen info
Lights - Not used
Photo - Not used
Right Smart Grip Controls (Fig. 22)
Tele - Not used
Wide - Not used
Mom. Af - Stop
AF/Off - Pause
Rec - Play
LED Status Information
Standby/Ready Mode-Whenthecameraisfullychargedandreadyforuse,theLEDwill
be a steady, solid green.
Recording Mode-Oncethecameraisrecordingvideo,theLEDwillturntoasolidred.
Moisture Alarm-Intheeventofmoisturebeingdetected,theLEDwillflashredand
green with an accompanying buzzer until the housing is turned off. If the moisutre were
  tolosecontactafterthealarmhasbeentriggered,thebuzzerwillceaseandtheLED
will continue to flash. As soon as moisture is detected again, the buzzer will sound off.
Initialization-Whenthecameraisfirstturnedon,theLEDwillflashredandgreenin
  unisonwiththebuzzerforabout3to5seconds.Thisisnormal.OncetheLED’sstop
flashing and the buzzer ceases, the housing has booted and connected to the camera.
You’re now ready to dive!
Not Used
Info
Previous
Not Used
Next
Stop
Pause
Not Used
Play
Not Used

13
(Fig. 23) (Fig. 24)
Lens Installation / Removal
To Install Lens (fig. 23 & 24)
1. Perform O-ring inspection.
2. Align lens to housing details.
3. Press lens into housing.
4. Rotate clockwise until Locking pin engages.
To Remove Lens
1. Slide Locking pin outward away from lens.
2. Rotate lens counter clockwise.
3. Pull away from housing.
Reversing Smart Grip Button Functions
Smart Grips can be programmed to swap left and right button functions. This is useful if a Smart
Grip battery becomes exhausted during a dive. You then can swap Smart Grip functions to
maintain primary housing operation.
This is a total button function swap, not a button-by-button nor a custom configuration.
 Presseither“Far”and“Near”or“Tele”and“Wide”buttonssimultaneouslyandholdfor
three seconds. Button functions are now swapped. Button functions will mirror opposite
handle, i.e. “Rec” and “Photo”, “AF/Off” and “Info”.
This is a handle-by-handle procedure. Performing this function on one handle will not switch
both of the handles at once.

14
Bluefin Light Systems - Getting Started
Pictured on the facing page you’ll find the components of the Sunray 2000, Sunray 1000 and
Sunray lighting system. Take a moment to familiarize yourself with each part for identification
and use.
Revert to original button configuration
Performthesameswapprocedure.Presseither“Far”and“Near”or“Tele”and“Wide”
simultaneously and hold for three seconds.
Eventually the batteries in the Smart Grips will totally exhaust. Contact your Light & Motion
dealer to order a replacement battery and O-ring kit (part #802-0117), or remove the Smart
Grip handle cover and replace the two batteries located inside. Batteries are CR 1/3 N and can
usually be purchased from any store that stocks camera and watch batteries.
Charging Batteries
It is recommended that you charge your batteries when they are received. It is also
recommended to charge batteries once per month and again just prior to use.
1. The charger can accept an electrical range of 100 - 240v and 50 - 60hz.
 2. ThechargerhastwoLEDlights:
  LeftLED: OrangewhenchargingNiMHbatteries.
   RightLED:Orangewhenfastcharging.
Green during top-up charge and when charge is complete.
3. To attach charger to battery, align arrow on charger connector with arrow on battery
label and push together until connectors seat (Refer Fig. 25).
Note: The fast charger time is approximately 2.5 hours.
(Fig. 25) (Fig. 26)

LEDlightheads
NiMH Batteries
Sunray 2000
Light System
Battery Pods
Pod Locker
Charger and
electrical cord
Light Arms
LEDlightheads
NiMH Batteries
Sunray 1000
Light System
Battery Pods
Pod Locker
Charger and
electrical cord
Light Arms
Halogen light heads
NiMH Batteries
Sunray Halogen
Light System
Battery Pods
Pod Locker
Charger and
electrical cord
Light Arms

(Fig. 27) (Fig. 28)
Installing Batteries
1. Slide the battery back into the pod with the contact end inserted first so that the
connector will align with the socket inside the pod (Refer Fig. 26).
2. Inspect the O-ring on the pod cap. (See O-ring maintenance).
3. Replace the front cap onto the pod.
Note: Insure that the removal strap attached to the battery does
not interfere with the seal when the end cap is attached to the pod.
4. Turn the knob on the end cap clockwise 1/8 turn until it stops. The end cap will now
be locked into place. The end caps are specific to the left and right pods.
Removing Batteries
1. Rotate latch at the front of the pod counter-clockwise 1/8 turn, until it stops.
2. Pull the front cap off the pod.
3. Pull the battery from the pod using removal strap.
Mounting Battery Pods
1. Remove the monitor back of the housing.
2. Slide the battery pods into housing channels.
3. Position battery pods so that the IR transmitter from the monitor back aligns with the
IR receivers on the pods. (fig. 27)
4. Insert the Pod Locker between the pods and tighten using 1/8” Allen key.
  Donotover-tighten.(fig.28)
16

Connecting Lights to Battery Pods
1. Plug in the cable connectors on the pod.
2. Tighten the locking sleeves by rotating clockwise until tight.
Light Operation
Operation from Smart Grips
1. Make sure that the camera is powered on within the housing
2. Power up the pods by pressing the red “Power” button on the pods (fig. 29)
3. Press the “Lights” button on the handle to turn the lights on and to cycle through
the light output settings.
4. To power the lights off, press and hold the “Lights” button for three (3) seconds.
 Aftertheinitialpowerup,agreenLEDwillbegintoblinkonthepods.AslowblinkingLED
indicates that the pod is in the “awake” or “on” state and is ready to receive commands
from the housing.
After about 60 minutes of inactivity, the pods will enter a sleep mode. In this case it will be
necessary to press the red “Power” button on the pod to power up the lights.
 IfatanypointthegreenLEDbeginstoblinkrapidly(approx.3timespersecond)the
battery is low and is nearing exhaustion.
17
(Fig. 29)
Power Button

18
Pre-Dive Checklist
1. Make sure you have four completely charged batteries in the monitor back.
2. Make sure you have a completely charged battery in the camera.
3. Verify operation of all housing controls.
4. Check that the lens lock is securely engaged and that the latch pin is in the locked
position. Clean lens if necessary.
5. Check that the monitor back O-rings are seated correctly and that the rear latches
are in the closed and locked position.
First Time Use
All Light & Motion equipment is pressure tested prior to shipping. However, there could be
unseen damage due to shipping. A test dive without the camcorder in the housing is highly
recommended. After the initial dive with just the housing, make the following checks:
 1. Dryoffhousingexterior.
2. Remove the monitor back and visually inspect for moisture.
3. Reach inside the housing and trace a finger around all view ports and mating surfaces.
4. If any water is detected, contact the housing reseller or the Light & Motion service
department.
After Diving Care
 1. Immediatelysubmergethehousinginfreshwater.Whileinfreshwater,workallthe
switches and press all the buttons to work any remaining salt water out of recessed
areas.
2. Remove housing from the rinse tank and towel dry.
Housing Storage
Store housing and Travel Case in a dry location the first 24 hours after a dive. Leave the
Monitor back off the housing to allow for air circulation. Similarly, leave Travel Case Lid about
two inches open. Allow any residual water to evaporate from the Travel Case prior to storing
the housing.