Light & Motion FXI User manual

Bluefin Owner’s Manual
www.uwimaging.com
For the Sony FX1 and Z1U camcorders.

Welcome
Congratulations on your purchase of the Bluefin underwater 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 camcorder’s features, please take time to become
familiar with the camcorder before you proceed in this manual.This manual assumes
you have a working knowledge of your camcorder and will only cover operational
procedures relative to the underwater housing.
The term “Push” when referenced in this manual means to press and release in one
motion. If a function requires a button to be continually held, the manual will read
“press and hold.”
Periodically refer to the Light & Motion website for instruction revisions at
www.uwimaging.com.

3
Caution - Caution - Caution
We hope you have a wonderful underwater experience with Light & Motion
equipment. 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 cover the housing view finder with the eyepiece cover when
storing the housing and particularly when the camera is in the housing.
ONLY remove the eyepiece just prior to entering the water. Failure to
cover the housing view finder with the eyepiece cover will damage the
camera. The housing view finder can magnify the sun’s rays and BURN
the camera’s view finder.
•Remove pressure release plug before shipping. Always remember to
replace it before diving.
•Always remove batteries from battery pods before storage or travel.
Failure to do so may result in inadvertent ignition of the lighting system
and possible heat or fire damage.
• Replace pressure release plug prior to diving.
• Make sure housing is water tight before diving with it.
• 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. Rinse the pod 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.

4
Table of Contents
Getting Started . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
Camera Preparation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
Mounting the Camera in the Housing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
Operation of the BlueFin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8
Using the Bluefin in VTR Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10
Lens Installation / Removal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10
Reversing Smart Grip Functions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11
Bluefin Monitors - Getting Started . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11
Bluefin Monitors - Bulkhead Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12
Compact Monitor Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12
Remote Monitor Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13
Charging the Remote / Compact Monitor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14
Diving Without a Monitor Attached . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14
Display Icons on Monitors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14
Bluefin Lighting Systems - Getting Started . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15
Charging Batteries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16
Installing Batteries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16
Removing Batteries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16
Mounting Battery Pods . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17
Connecting Lights to Battery Pods . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17
Light Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17
Replacing Handle Batteries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18
Pre-Dive Checklist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19
First Time Use . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19
After Diving Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19
Housing Storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19
O-ring Care and Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20
Other Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21
Bluefin Accessories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22

5
Getting Started
Illustrated below are the locations of Bluefin’s features and functions.Take time to
familiarize yourself with the housing.
Carrying Handle
Light Arm Base
Lens Lock
Microphone
LED Status Indicator
Latch Lock
Bulkhead Plugs
Light Command IR Window
Power ON and
Mode Button
Color Correction Flip Filter Lever
Flip Macro Lever
Monitor Base
Sel/Push/Exec Dial
Pic Profile
Menu
P-Menu
ND Filter Lever
Manual Exposure Dial
White Balance Set
Iris
Gain
Shutter
Manual White Balance
Pressure Release Plug
Eyepiece Cover

6
Camera Preparation
1) Install a fully charged battery.The Bluefin FX1 will accommodate the NP-F970.
2) Install a HD DVC tape into your camcorder.
3) Remove the camcorder’s view finder as described on page 97 of the Sony manual.
4) Activate the camcorder’s external microphone.
Set the Autolock/ Auto/Man / Hold” switch, located at the left rear of the camera,
to the Auto/Man position.
For the FX1: enter the camcorder’s menu, scroll to Audio Set menu, then select
MIC/LINE, and then select EXT MIC.
For the Z1: Position the slide switch at the front of the camcorder, labeled MIC
PHANTOM for INPUT 1 into the ON position. Then enter the camcorder’s menu,
enter the AUDIO SET sub-menu, select AUDIO MONI and select CH1. Then go to
MIC SELECT and select XLR. Then go to XLR SET and select XLR CH SEL and
select CH1. Then select INPUT1 TRIM and select +12dB.
Attach the XLR adapter to the Input 1 microphone of the camcorder.
5) Enter the camera’s Menu and confirm or change the following settings.
Scroll to the Others sub-menu and select it.
A) Remote Control setting to ON. (Refer Fig. 1)
B) REC LAMP setting to OFF. (Refer Fig. 2)
C) Format Lamp setting to OFF.
D) DISP OUTPUT setting to to the V-out/Panel. (Refer Fig. 3)
If you’re using a monitor, this will display the camcorders icons, remaining battery
time, remaining tape time and other information in the Light & Motion monitor.
6) Set the Zoom slide switch to the Lever/Remote position.
(Fig. 1) (Fig. 2)
(Fig. 3) (Fig. 4)

7
Mounting the Camera
1. Remove the rear plate. (Refer fig. 4)
A. Using your thumbs, press latch lock inward.
B. While holding latch locks in, rotate both latch locks together, downward.
Continue to rotate until the latch locks reveal the metal locking pins.
2. Pull the Iris adjustment knob away from the housing. Rotate the inner component
90 degrees. This prevents the spring loaded Iris knob from returning to the engaged
position and interfering with camera loading. (Refer fig. 6)
3. Pull the ND control out. (Refer fig. 7)
4. Remove the camera tray by squeezing the latch levers together, then pull the tray
out of the housing.
5. Position the Camera Tray underneath the camera, align posts on camera tray with
recesses in camera and tighten the tripod screw into the camcorder’s tripod mount.
6. Insert the microphone cable in the red mic jack or XLR adapter (Z1U only). (Refer
fig. 7)
7. Insert the yellow banded cable into the composite video jack. (Refer fig. 7)
8. Insert blue banded cable into blue Lanc jack. (Refer fig. 7)
9. Align front of camera tray with base of housing.
10. Hold the latch levers together and slide camera tray forward until the tray stops
then release the latch levers. (Refer fig. 8)
11. Reset the Iris dial stand-offs into the recessed holes.This will engage the Iris control.
Align and push in the ND control.
12. Adjust the angle of the camcorder’s eyepiece to align with the housing’s view finder.
13. Replace rear plate.
A. Rest the rear plate against the rear of the housing.
B. Rotate both latches evenly until they lock. Ensure rear plate draws in straight
and that O-rings seat evenly.
(Fig. 5) (Fig. 6)
(Fig. 7) (Fig. 8)
Mic cable
LANC cable
Squeeze latch
release together
to release tray.
Video cable

8
Operation
Left Smart Grip Controls (Refer fig. 9)
Near - Moves focus point closer to camcorder.
Rec - Toggles camcorder between record/standby.
Lights - After initial power up from battery pod, cycles Elite Lights through three output
levels. Press and hold for three seconds to turn lights off.
For Pro Lights, it turns them on or off.
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.
Far - Moves focus point further from camcorder.
Right Smart Grip Controls (Refer fig. 10)
Wide - Zooms camcorder to wide angle. Press twice quickly for accelerated zoom.
Tele - Zooms camcorder to telephoto. Press twice quickly for accelerated zoom.
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.
Rec - Toggles camcorder between record/standby.
Front Plate (Refer fig. 11)
Microphone - Records sound to a depth of approximately 80 ft.
Color Correction Flip Filter - Rotate lever to engage or disengage color
correction filter.
Flip Macro Lens - Rotate lever to engage macro lens.
Lens Lock - Engages the lens to prevent accidental removal.
Rear Plate (Refer fig. 12)
On/Mode - Turns the camcorder on and cycles through modes.
LED - Status light; Red indicates recording, green indicates stand-by.
Moisture Alarm - Led will flash red/green and housing will beep if moisture is
detected inside the housing.
Note: During camera power up phase or when installing rear plate, moisture
alarm will beep and flash indicating a diagnostic check.
Pic Profile - Allows the selection of a stored picture profile.
Menu - Enters the camcorder’s menu.
P-Menu - Enters the camcorder’s personal menu.
Sel/Push/Exec Dial - Allows menu navigation and selection.
Also adjusts the camcoder’s shutter speed when using this control in manual mode.

9
(Fig. 11) (Fig. 12)
(Fig. 13)
(Fig. 9) (Fig. 10)
Housing Left Side (Refer fig. 13)
ND Filter - Engages the camcorder’s ND filter.
Iris Dial - Adjust the camcorder’s exposure when in manual exposure mode.
WB Button - Toggles the camcorder between auto and manual white-balance.
Shut Button - Toggles the camcorder between auto and manual shutter speed.
Iris Button - Toggles the camcorder between auto and manual exposure.
Gain Button - Toggles the camcorder between auto and manual gain.
WB Set Button - Sets white-balance when in manual white-balance mode.

10
Lens Installation / Removal
To Install Lens
1. Perform O-ring inspection.
2. Align lens to housing details. Groove on lens hood aligns with lens latch.
3. Press firmly lens into housing to compress O-ring
4. Rotate clockwise until Locking pin engages.
To Remove Lens
1. Slide Locking pin outward away from lens.
2. Rotate lens counter clockwise. This may require another person’s assistance.
3. Pull away from housing.
Rewind
No VTR Function
Frame Back
when paused
Reverse
during playback
Fast Forward
Frame Advance
when paused
(Fig. 14)
Pause
Play
Stop
Fast Forward
Slow Motion
(Fig. 15)
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 control the
camcorder’s VTR functions while the camcorder is still inside the Bluefin.
Left Smart Grip Controls (Refer fig. 14)
Near - Frame Advance while paused
Rec - Fast Forward
Lights - Not used
Mom.Af - Rewind
Far - Frame Back while paused and reverse direction during playback
Right Smart Grip Controls (Refer fig. 15)
Wide - Slow Motion
Tele - Stop
Mom.Af - Pause
Af/Off - Play
Rec - Fast Forward