OPERATING MANUAL FOR THE AQUATICA PRO DIGITAL HOUSING FOR THE NIKON D3 PRODUCT # 20058
FOREWORD Thank you for having selected the AQUATICA Pro Digital Camera Housing System for your underwater photography. The AQUATICA Pro Digital Housing is the result of a long and continuing relationship with the most demanding underwater photographers in the world. Each housing is handcrafted, quality checked and pressure tested to 300 feet by a small group of specially trained individuals, each of whom takes the utmost pride and satisfaction in offering the best underwater camera housing in the world.
123456789101112131415161718192021222324252627282930313233343536373839404142434445464748- Shutter Release lever Sub-Command Dial knob Power Switch/Illuminator lever Metering Pattern Selector knob Top Control Panel port window Accessory Bulkhead port Secondary Bulkhead Connector Main Bulkhead Connector Release Mode Dial Lock Release knob Release Mode Dial knob Focus/Zoom Control knob Focus/Zoom Control pinion gear Grips (x2) Lens Release knob Lens Release knob lever Focus Mode Selector lever Focus Mode Selec
CONTROLS IN DETAIL 1. SHUTTER RELEASE LEVER : Pulling the shutter release lever back part way activates the camera meter and autofocus. Pulling the lever back all the way fires the camera. 2. SUB-COMMAND INPUT / APERTURE KNOB : Rotates clockwise and counterclockwise. Use alone or in combination with other controls to select or set various camera functions or modes. In “Manual” the exposure mode controls the aperture settings (see camera manual). 3.
CONTROLS IN DETAIL, CONTINUED 26. FLASH MODE SELECTOR BUTTON: Push to activate the flash mode selector function, rotate main command knob to desired flash mode. 27. L COMMAND LOCK BUTTON: Push to activate the locking function, rotate main or sub command knob to lock aperture or speed. 28. RELEASE MODE DIAL PORT WINDOW : Enables viewing of the different release options 29. AE / AF LOCK LEVER : Lock the autofocus and/or auto exposure according to preference.
FEATURES The Aquatica Pro Digital housing serie is issued from the world’s most technologically advanced underwater housing lineage, ergonomically designed to place all the essential camera controls under your finger tips and features the following: A. A port locking mechanism to prevent accidental rotation of the port or extension mounted on the housing B. A Lens Lock Release control that will activate the lens release button of camera from the outside of the housing. C.
PREPARATION OF THE PORTS 1. Select the correct port: Depending on whether you’ve decided to shoot macro or wide angle photography, you will be installing either a flat Macro Port (product # 18426 or 18428), or a Dome Port (Product # 18405, 18407 or 18409). See lens chart for the suggest port and accessories. Macro Port Extension Rings: the Macro Ports will accept the AF & AF-S Micro-Nikkor 60mm lens without extension. If you intend to use a longer lens you will require an additional extension ring.
CAMERA PREPARATION AND INSTALLATION 1. Set the Focus Mode Selector to the M position on both the housing and the camera. 2. Important Note: prior to installing the camera in the housing, remove the camera strap, “D” Clips and/or any object that might obstruct installation or get in the way of that attach the strap should be removed or tucked away 3. Make sure the ON / OFF /ILLUMINATOR knob (key # 3) is in the ON position and that the lens lock lever is in the proper UP position 4.
LENS INSTALLATION With the camera inside the housing, install the lens prepared with the gears through the port opening in the front of the housing. Ensure that the lens mounted gears are properly installed and aligned. Rotate the focus / zoom control knob to ensure that the gears are properly meshed, do not grind and that their rotation is smooth.
MOUNTING AND ATTACHING FLASHES Depending on which strobe system you are using, you can mount the necessary shoes or brackets or Base Ball onto the threaded holes on the top of the hand grips. Use of the Aquatica TLC Strobe Arm System is recommended. There are also two 1/4”-20 threaded holes on the bottom of the housing that can be used for various mounting applications. For example, Aquatica TLC makes a strobe arm mounting tray that will fit on the bottom of the housing.
FOCUSING MODE NOTE : Select the proper focus mode M / S / C with the focus mode selector (key # 16) on the housing. For more detailed information concerning the operation of the different focus modes consult the Nikon instruction book for the D3. USING THE HOUSING Whenever changing ports or O-rings, it is highly advisable to perform a simple seal test without the camera inside.
Of the Latches: The three latches of the AQUATICA Pro Digital are designed to have a locking action to prevent accidental opening.Always ensure that the locking mechanism is secure. Watch for the build-up of corrosion or salt residue around the latches. This will appear as a white material. Lubricate the latches with a small amount of WD-40 to remove the corrosion or salt residue build-up.
Not needed 18453 18453 18453 18462 18453 18453 18453 Nikon AF 18-35mm f/3.5-4.5 D IF ED Nikon AF 20-35mm f/2.8 D (*1) Nikon AF 28-70mm f/3.5-4.
RECOMMENDED AQUATICA ACCESSORIES 18407 9.25” GLASS DOME 18405 8” ACRYLIC DOME 18426 FLAT MACRO PORT 20054 AQUA VIEW FINDER 18409 6” ACRYLIC DOME EXTENSION RINGS 18790 PORT REAR CAP 19216 HARD TRANSPORT CASE FOR AQUA VIEW FINDER 18789 HOUSING BODY CAP 19300 BASIC REMOTE CONTROL 18480 8” DOME SHADE F.E. 18484 6” DOME SHADE F.E. 18480 8” DOME SHADE W.A.. MAINTENANCE & REBUILT O-RING KITS ZOOM & FOCUS GEARS Please visit our website at www.aquatica.
WARRANTY PLEASE READ CAREFULLY One year Limited Warranty. Thank you for purchasing an AQUATICA manufactured product! Your AQUATICA housing is handcrafted by a small group of specially trained individuals - each of whom takes the most pride and satisfaction in offering you the best underwater camera housings in the world. All AQUATICA products are guaranteed against defects in material or workmanship for (1) one full year from the date of purchase for consumer use.
