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Ewa-Marine Underwater Housings: Camcorders1. UNPACKING Each housing is subject to a strict quality control and only leaves our plant after having passed an exacting, individual final inspection. Nevertheless, you should check your camcorder housing after unpacking to be sure that it is still in a perfect condition, and complete the test (described in Section 7), initially, without the camcorder inserted. 2. PREPARING FOR INSERTION OF THE CAMCORDER Insertion is extremely simple, as the upper part of the housing opens up over the entire length. First remove the clamping rail from the housing. Please remove the carrying strap, lens cap and lens hood before the camcorder is inserted. A certain amount of time, and particularly the utmost care, are needed to insert the camcorder. As the camcorder must fit closely inside the Ewa-Marine housing, the initial insertion procedure may prove to be somewhat irksome. If you wear glasses it will be first necessary, before inserting the camcorder, to adjust the diopter correction of the viewfinder to your eyesight while wearing goggles so that the image is clearly focused and the faded-in "REC" is clearly visible. Now check whether the camcorder is to be inserted in the housing with or without lens hood, or together with the Ewa-Marine WW6 wide angle lens attachment. If the front lens is to turn freely above water in AF mode, then check that there is sufficient space between the lens and the front window. Otherwise, remove the lens hood. Check also whether the rubber eyepiece cap must be removed so that there is sufficient space for the camcorder inside the housing, and for the viewfinder to be folded over in its position. 3. INSERTING THE CAMCORDER If no special extra instructions are enclosed, carefully insert the camcorder, lens first, into the opening of the lightweight housing until the lens is correctly positioned behind the front window. Do not use any force, and be sure that the welded seams are not over-stretched! The shaped recesses for the handle and the monitor viewfinder must be correctly positioned before the housing is closed. Insert the clamping rail with screws through the retaining holes in such a manner that the carrying strap is on top. For safety reasons check that the camcorder does not have any sharp corners, buttons or protruding parts that could damage the plastic sheeting from the inside when it is loaded into the housing. Any such sharp edges or protruding points should first be covered with adhesive fabric tape or padded, for effective protection of the housing. After the clamping rail has been fitted, seal the housing by tightening the screws. Now check all settings and camcorder operation by switching it on from the outside. All sliding switches should only be operated by simultaneously moving the PVC foil of the housing with a flat finger tip. Never use finger nails to operate switches! To remove the camcorder reverse the procedure, and proceed with the same care as when it was inserted in the housing. Hold the housing with the lens vertically downwards, after which it will be easier to remove the camcorder. 4. PROTECTION AGAINST CONDENSATION The formation of condensation inside the housing can be effectively prevented by placing the supplied desiccant (silica gel) in the housing. Most housings are provided with a special pocket to hold the desiccant. Normally, condensation only arises when changing from a colder to a warmer environment. Fogging of the front window rarely arises in normal swimming temperatures. The desiccant should always be stored in the closed housing to retain its effectiveness. Cut open the welded plastic bag to remove the silica gel desiccant with color indicator and place it in the Ewa-Marine housing. The desiccant is blue when it is completely dry. It gradually turns pink as it absorbs moisture. However, it can be reactivated several times (on hot stones, in the sun, in an oven or with a hairdryer set at a maximum temperature of 80°C). The sachet should be stored in a tightly sealed container. For optimal moisture protection, for instance in a high humidity environment (in the tropics and at sea), keep the camcorder together with the desiccant in the Ewa-Marine lightweight housing. 5. BUOYANCY - DIVING WEIGHTS Snorkeling and diving with the housing can be made much easier if you wear a 3 - 4 kg. lead-weighted belt (available from any scuba-diving shop or supplier). Please do not worry - you won't sink! The belt will give you added stability to swim smoothly underwater. The housing itself, can also be weighted with 2-3 lead weights (1-3 kg, depending upon the housing size). The lead weights are placed in the supplied lead bag. On some models the weights are externally suspended from the holding straps for buoyancy compensation. The increased stability achieved in this manner is a major factor contributing towards successful underwater photography. If the housing is weighted with lead, then it should be supported with the hand and not carried exclusively by the strap. The special lead weights available from Ewa-Marine are softly "coated" to prevent scratches and abrasion. 6. DIVING DEPTH The diving depth that is feasible for the camcorder can be greatly influenced by changing the amount of air that is in the housing. The diving depth specified on the type plate is a tested value based on experience, but this value can be exceeded provided that all pre-diving preparations have been completed with the utmost care. Note: The more the air volume is diminished by pressing out the air before the housing is sealed, the less the diving depth because the water pressure will press on the functional buttons of the camcorder after only a few meters. This does not give rise to any problems within the normal swimming depths. Operation is made even easier, and buoyancy does not cause any trouble or have to be compensated with several lead weights. However, the situation is quite different when diving down to greater depths. As much air as possible has to be blown into the housing, and lead weights have to be added. To be on the safe side, protruding functional buttons of the camcorder can be edged with sponge-rubber strips, etc. or covered (e.g. with film-container lids). When prepared in this manner, it will be possible to dive down to depths where the plastic housing sheet is pressed tightly against the camcorder, but where individual air zones still remain visible. The tightness of the housing does not depend upon the diving depth. Tightness is always guaranteed if the subsequently described test is performed, and no air bubbles escape out of the housing. 7. TIGHTNESS CHECK Test the housing, but without the camcorder, immediately after purchase. Be sure that the housing is filled with as much air as possible before the clamping rail is attached. Now submerge it in a sealed state in a basin or bath filled with water. Press the housing lightly with both hands. During snorkeling, pressure is exerted on the entire housing, (i.e. also on the clamping rail), whereas pressure is only exerted on the plastic sheeting in the bath test. Consequently, apply only light pressure. Any leaks will be instantly visible by a chain of small air bubbles emerging from the housing. In such an event contact your Ewa-Marine dealer about your protective housing. On holiday: Check in the manner described above, after transport. Next, insert the camcorder in the housing in the previously described manner, and complete the final test before enjoying the pleasures of filming. Press the camcorder in the lightweight housing under the water surface, and submerge wearing diving goggles. Wipe off any remaining air bubbles and watch the housing. There should be absolutely no rising air bubbles anywhere. You will see and hear them instantly! Important: Make it a rule to keep an eye on the camcorder while swimming and snorkeling. Surface the moment you see any air bubbles. Although each Ewa-Marine underwater housing is fully works-tested, damage can still arise during packaging and transport. The plastic sheeting may have been damaged by a pointed object, or the housing with the camcorder may have been inadvertently knocked against a hard object. It is also quite possible that a hair or grain of sand may have become lodged in the housing opening when the clamping rail was securely tightened. By strictly adhering to the recommended test you will be sure that nothing can happen to, or damage, your valuable camcorder. 8. FILMING Automatic exposure: An automatic exposure selector must be set to "Outdoor" or "Automatic" for underwater shots. Autofocus: The autofocus mode can only be used in underwater photography if the camcorder features internal focusing, otherwise this setting has to be set at "Manual". Most housings allow the use of a close-up lens or wide angle lens attachment (see following description) to achieve greatly improved results). If such a combination of camcorder, lens attachment and Ewa-Marine housing is not possible, then it will be necessary to shoot exclusively within the wide-angle range (shortest focal length, and close-up setting at a distance of approx 1 m). Zoom: The zoom button should not be used when under water. Only the close-up range will be of interest for most shots. To take pictures of a remote object it is better to approach it as closely as possible. You should always remember that there are a multitude of particles suspended in the water. Consequently, the greater the filming distance, the more apparent they become. In these circumstances it is more appropriate to "flip a flipper" than to press the zoom button, particularly since the latter can also cause camera shake. Wide-angle lens attachment: A wide angle lens attachment is ideal when snorkeling, as it achieves the best possible depth-of-field and a wider image angle for underwater shots. The Ewa-Marine WW6 wide angle lens attachment will prove to be ideal in most cases because it not only offers the previously mentioned advantages, but also covers the macro-range. Its compact construction of only 18 mm overall length means that it can be used on most camcorders inside the protective housing, as well as on dry land. The camcorder's original wide angle setting in conjunction with the Ewa-Marine WW6 attachment (factor 0.6x) nearly doubles the image field under water. Example: A lens setting of 9 mm with a factor of 0.6 produces a focal length of 5.4 mm above water. Light refraction in water lengthens the focal length by 33%. In this particular example an effective focal length of 7.2 mm is thus obtained. Without the wide-angle lens attachment: 9 mm +33% = 12 mm focal length, a value that is unfavorable for underwater picture shooting. The macro-range of this wide angle lens attachment is an added major benefit as it works with a depth of field of approx. 20 cm to infinity, depending upon the aperture adjusted by the automatic system. In this manner, the widest possible image angle is achieved at the shortest distance. The camera can be panned while the lens is adjusted to the macro-range without having to worry about focusing! You can now concentrate on creative filming without being burdened by the problems of focusing! Use of the wide angle lens attachment couldn't be easier: it is screwed into the camcorder's filter thread either directly or with an adapter. Now, focus the camera lens in the macro-range with the macro lever. When this setting has been completed, the camcorder is inserted into the protective housing. The "Manual" setting for underwater photography is also necessary for shots on land. On no account should the zoom button be activated, as this shifts the focal length out of the macro-range. It is essential that this basic setting remains unchanged so that you can forget about focusing. Focusing is automatic if the camcorder features the AF function in the macro range. A slightly larger wide angle lens attachment can also be used, provided that it fits inside the Ewa-Marine housing. It is also advisable to secure the focal length lever with a rubber band or a small strip of adhesive tape, so that the focal length cannot be changed if the zoom button is inadvertently activated. Close-up lens +1: A close-up lens +1 for a 0.5 to 2 m distance range has proved to be ideal for snorkeling and filming just under the water surface. Set the camcorder's lens to the shortest focal length, autofocus to "Manual", and the focusing ring to the close-up distance (1 m). The close-up lens +1 is a budget-priced alternative to a wide-angle lens attachment, and will prove to be particularly effective on a coral reef. Filters: Good results can be achieved with any low-cost filters that a camcorder user could already have. Use a normal skylight filter to slightly diminish the blue tint. This filter should also be used for underwater shots at a shallow depth (down to approx. 1 m). Our eyes can only see the breathtaking colorful splendor of the underwater world down to a depth of approx. 3 m, and the same is true of the camera. The visible light becomes increasingly weaker due to scatter and absorption as the depth increases. However, absorption does not affect all colors of the light spectrum in the same manner. Red shades can no longer be seen at a relatively shallow depth of only 1.5 m. This problem of color loss can be overcome to a significant extent by the underwater color correction filters, UW-Color-Blue CC-B/N and UW-Color-Green CC-G/N. UW CC-B/N limits and controls the wide blue segment of the light spectrum (tropics/ocean), and UW CC-G/N the green segment of the light spectrum (lakes, Mediterranean). Both filters only correct with the available light under water. Available filter sizes: 37, 49, 52, 55, 58, 62, 67 and 72 mm diameter. These filters are recommended for video shots down to a depth of 20 m, after which artificial light has to be used to produce correct color shots. A filter can also be used on a wide angle lens attachment or close-up lens. Additional Security: Everything is in perfect order when you have filled the housing with air, and attached weighting lead, so that the camcorder remains perfectly suspended in the water. However, when you dive down to greater depths the housing will sink! To avoid all risks, it is advisable to attach the housing to your lead-weighted belt on a long cord with a snap link. 9. USING THE UNDERWATER HOUSING Operating the camcorder within the underwater housing will be an unfamiliar procedure at first. A little practice is all that is required to master this technique. As previously described, it is advisable to work with a short focal length and in the close-up range (0.5 - 2 m) for underwater picture shooting. Adjust the zoom lens to the shortest focal length. Due to the use of diver's goggles under water, the distance between the eye and the monitor is relatively wide and this generally tends to restrict viewfinding. However, this need not impair the use of the camcorder if the sealing rail is used as a sighting aid. Especially good shots can be taken directly beneath the water's surface. If possible, underwater shots should be taken when the sun is at its highest point in the sky and the rays reach the greatest depth for uniform illumination. The best results without any additional light are achieved between 10 am and 2 pm. You can switch to "low light" when shooting under poor lighting conditions. 10. USEFUL HINTS When taking video pictures at the water level, i.e. half in, half out of the water, coat the outer surface of the front port with a bit of saliva to temporarily prevent the formation of large water drops on the glass. After using the housing in saltwater, rinse it with clear fresh water and dry it thoroughly before removing the camcorder. Do not fold your Ewa-Marine lightweight housing for storage. Wrap it in a soft piece of cloth and keep it away from sharp or pointed objects. Also, avoid leaving the housing with the camcorder inside in direct sunlight for extended periods, where it could be subject to excessive heat and a "green-house" effect. The housing can be used within a temperature range of -10°C and +50°C. If these few simple hints are observed, your Ewa-Marine underwater camcorder housing will provide you with many years of enjoyment. 11. Material Double special sheeting (temperature resistance): -10°C to +70°C; flat silicate glass sealed with two O-rings; PPO plastic welding; anodized aluminum; all materials are completely "seawater-proof" and resistant to rust. The design and materials for Ewa-Marine housings have been exhaustively tested and approved to ensure that they comply with all technical requirements for underwater equipment. GUARANTEE: "Ewa-Marine" lightweight housings meet all requirements for protecting still, and video cameras, both above and under water. The manufacturer guarantees, for a period of one year from the date of purchase, the quality of the material and workmanship of the housing and it's underwater pressure resistance down to the depth defined in Section 6. The date of purchase must be substantiated by the dealer on the back of the operating instructions or by the dated purchase receipt. In the event of any defect during the guarantee period, the housing will be repaired or replaced. All other claims in connection with the use of the "Ewa-Marine" housing are herewith explicitly excluded. Please note that all materials used in manufacturing, as well as the assembly and welds, have been individually inspected so that the finished product was free of defects at the time of dispatch. In case of a complaint please send the "Ewa-Marine" housing directly to the manufacturer in Germany or, alternatively, please contact your local dealer or importer. The guarantee becomes null and void if the buyer or user completes repairs on the housing and changes it in any way. The housing must not be marked to indicate defects, nor must labels be stuck on the housing. In such an event the housing will not be repaired, and it will have to replaced at the expense of the person who returned the housing. The buyer is responsible for instructing a third person with regard to the "Guarantee" and the use of the housing, and for ensuring that these instructions have been fully understood so that proper handling is assured. GUARANTEE HINTS FOR THE USER: It is called to the user's attention that in spite of all the care taken by the manufacturer, the possibility of the housing being damaged during shipment to the point of sale can not be excluded. Also, the user should he aware that the housing is made of foil. Even though the foils used are extremely tear-resistant and durable, they are from their very nature, sensitive to scratching or being pierced by sharp or pointed objects. Storing in a folded or compressed condition is just as likely to result in damage as over-stretching the welds when inserting or removing the camera. Care should also he taken that the housing, with the camera inserted is not dropped or allowed to bang against rocks or parts of the boat, as this may result in damage. Before inserting a camera, any sharp edges or corners should he covered with adhesive tape. It is to he noted, that in general, the user alone is responsible for correct handling and storage and is himself responsible for any damage resulting to the housing or the camera it contains when the hints and warnings given are not, or not properly, followed. To ensure that the housing is in perfect condition, a water-tightness test (as described in par. 7) must be made at the time of purchase and each time before use. We would like to draw your attention to the fact that special camera insurance policies can be taken out. Some insurance companies will insure cameras against loss and damage. Owners of expensive equipment are recommended to take advantage of such policies because the above manufacturer's warranty applies only to the Ewa-Marine housing and not to the camera used with it. All Ewa-Marine underwater housings are made in our "works" in Germany. All the materials used are completely recyclable and therefore environmentally friendly. For instance, all plastic residues arising during the manufacturing of the housings are used as raw material for other products. We wish you success in photography and many years of enjoyment with Ewa-Marine! |
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