INSTRUCTION MANUAL FOR AQUATICA AD80 Housing for the Nikon D80
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.
1. SHUTTER RELEASE LEVER 2. SUB -COMMAND INPUT KNOB 3. ON / OFF CONTROL SUB -COMMAND INPUT KNOB 4. BULKHEAD FOR FLASH CONNECTOR (2X) 5. BRACKETTING BUTTON 6. FOCUS/ZOOM KNOB 6a. FOCUS / ZOOM RING PINION GEAR 7. GRIPS (X2) 8. LENS LOCK RELEASE LEVER 8a. LENS LOCK RELEASE LEVER SHAFT 9. BAYONNET MOUNTING FLANGE 10. MOUNTING TRAY (REMOVABLE) 11. HOTSHOE CONNECTOR 12. VIEWFINDER 13. AUTOFOCUS MODE SELECTOR / RESET BUTTON 14. AF / AE LOCK LEVER 15. MAIN COMMAND DIAL CONTROL 16. LATCHES (2X) 17.
CONTROLS IN DETAIL: 1. SHUTTER RELEASE LEVER: Pulling the shutter release lever back part way activates the camera meter and auto focus. 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 19. REAR VIEW DISPLAY WINDOW: allow viewing of menu and images 20. PLAYBACK ZOOM BUTTON / QUALITY: Press to activate the zoom function while reviewing your images in playback mode or use to select image and/or size quality in shooting mode. 21. THUMBNAIL BUTTON / ISO: Press to display images in “contact sheets” of 4 or 9 images in playback mode or to select ISO value in shooting mode. 22.
FEATURES The Aquatica 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 Lens Lock Release control that will activate the lens release button of camera from the outside of the housing. B. A quick release tray, allowing fast and easy removal of camera. 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 the flat Macro Port (product # 18426), 8” Dome Port (Product # 18405) or 9.25” Glass Dome port. Refer to the lens selection chart on page 14 for the recommended port . Or visit our web site www.aquatica.ca for the latest updated chart of lenses, port and accessories.
PREPARATION OF THE LENS Depending on the lens used, there are a number of gear options possible. Using the right gear (s) and correctly mounting them on the lens is very important for a smooth housing operation. Use the following chart to determine which gear(s) to use and follow the installation directions for each gear carefully. Since the aperture control is achieved through the Sub-Command Dial, the use of AF types of lenses is mandatory. The focus/zoom gear can vary from one lens to the other.
CAMERA PREPARATION AND INSTALLATION 1. Set the Focus Mode Selector to the desired position 2. Important Note: “D” Clips that attach the strap should be removed or tucked away prior to installing the camera in the housing. 3. Make sure the ON / OFF /ILLUMINATOR knob (key # 3) is in theon 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 using the AF / M selector or the optional A/M selector on macro lenses. For more detailed information concerning the operation of the different focus modes consult the Nikon instruction book for the D80 camera. 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 two latches of the AQUATICA Digital housing 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.
AQUATICA D80 LENS PORT/ GEAR CHART Port NIKON LENS PORTS EXTENSION 18405 10,5 mm f/2,8 G Ed DX 14mm f/2.8D ED AF 18405 18456 18405 16mm F2.8 D AF 18mm F2.8 AF 18405 18456 20mm F2.8 AF 18405 18405 24mm F2.8 D AF 18405 28mm F2.8 D AF 60mm F2.8 AF (*1) 18426 105mm F2.8 AF (*2) 18426 18462 18426 18453 105MM f/2.8 G ED-1F AF-S VR, NEW 18426 18454 200mm F4 D AF 18405 18463 12-24mm f/4G IF-ED AF-S DX 18405 18457 17-35mm f/2,8D IF-ED AF-S 18405 18457 17-55MM f/2.8 ED-IF 18405 18453 18-35mm f/3.5-4.
RECOMMENDED AQUATICA ACCESSORIES 18407 9.25” GLASS DOME 18405 8” ACRYLIC DOME 18426 FLAT MACRO PORT 20054 AQUA VIEW FINDER 18789 HOUSING BODY CAP EXTENSION RINGS 19216 HARD TRANSPORT CASE FOR AQUA VIEW FINDER 18790 PORT REAR CAP 18480 DOME SHADE F.E. 20023 MOISTURE ALARM 18480 DOME SHADE W.A.. MAINTENANCE & REBUILT O-RING KITS ZOOM & FOCUS GEARS Please visit our website at www.aquatica.ca for a complete selection of our Technical Lighting Control line of strobe arms and supports.
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.
