O w n e r ’ s M a n u al BLUEFIN HC 7 www.uwimaging.
Standard Warranty Light & Motion provides a limited warranty to the original purchaser for the Bluefin HC7 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.
Welcome Congratulations on your purchase of a Bluefin HC7 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 HC7 video housing.
Table of Contents Getting Started . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Camera Preparation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 P-Menu Setup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Mounting the Camera in the Housing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Getting Started Illustrated below are the locations of Bluefin’s features and functions. Take time to familiarize yourself with the housing.
Camera Preparation 1. Install a fully charged Sony “InfoLithium” H series battery pack (NP-FH100 recommended). 2. Install a HD DVC tape into your camcorder. 3. If still images are desired, install a Memory Stick Duo. Press the Flash button on the right side of the camcorder to disable the camcorder’s built-in flash preventing the flash from reflecting back into the camcorder’s lens. 4. Open the camcorder’s LCD screen. Rotate the LCD screen 180 degrees so the LCD screen is facing away from the camcorder.
P-MENU Setup (See P-MENU Matrix on page 13) The P-MENU is a customizable menu that allows quick access to commonly used camera features. This is very useful underwater since controls such as White Balance can only be accessed through the camera’s menu system. The Bluefin HC7 uses an improved set of window mounted controls for access to the camera’s touch screen. These controls consist of 3 fixed position buttons (labeled F1, F2, and F3) and a single rotary control.
Sort an item on the P-MENU The instructions below will use the X. V. Color control as an example of how to sort an item on the P-MENU. X. V. COLOR is an emerging standard that expands the color range used during capture and display of moving images. The HDR-HC7 camcorder supports this standard. But, the position of the control that turns it on needs to be moved to allow use of the control with the Bluefin HC7. Take the following steps to move this control.
Add an item to the P-MENU Some items that are useful during underwater photography are not on the P-MENU in its factory condition. But these items can be moved to the P-MENU to allow access to them in the Bluefin HC7. ZEBRA will be used as an example of how to add an item to the P-MENU. ZEBRA displays diagonal stripes in the image in areas where the brightness is at or above a preset value. The stripes are not recorded. ZEBRA can be useful in understanding if part of the image will be overexposed.
P-Menu Matrix Sony HC7 Functions usable in Bluefin HC7 Video Housing On HC7 P-Menu after RESET Required Change to P-Menu Position after RESET Scene Select Smth Slw Rec None TeleMacro Fader Exposure** Move to mid or lower P-Menu positions Shutter Speed** AE Shift** Yes None WB Shift** White Bal (except “Outdoor”) X.V. Color Move to mid or lower P-Menu positions Dial Set None Beep Language Focus** Quick Record Auto Slw Shtr Color Slow S Zebra Histogram Self Timer Digital Zoom Steady Shot Conv.
Mounting the Camera 1. Remove the rear plate by pushing the Latch Locks in and rotating the latches down and forward of the housing body (Refer Fig. 8). 2. Remove the Camera Tray. a. Push forward on the Camera Tray. b. Press the Camera Tray Release Latch down (Refer Fig. 9). The Camera Tray is spring loaded and will slide out of the housing. 3. Position the Camera Tray underneath the camera.
Camera Tray Release (Fig. 9) (Fig. 8) Microphone (on front of camera) LANC cable A/V Out (Fig. 11) (Fig. 10) Lights MOM AF Photo Dis. AF/Off Far/+ Tele Photo REC Near/- Wide (Fig. 12) (Fig.
Right Smart Grip Controls (Refer Fig. 14) 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.
ON/MODE Button (Fig. 14) (Fig. 15) (Fig. 16) (Fig. 17a) (Fig.
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 (Refer Fig. 18) Far - Frame Back while paused and reverse direction during playback Near - Frame Advance while paused Photo Dis.
Lens Installation / Removal To Install Lens 1. 2. 3. 4. Perform O-ring inspection. Align lens to housing details. Press lens into housing. 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.
Bluefin Monitors - Getting Started Illustrated below are the components of the Compact Monitor and the Remote Monitor. Take time to identify and become familiar with each part. Compact Monitor Remote Monitor Bulkhead Lens Shade Clamp Assembly Monitor Cable Bluefin Monitor - Bulkhead Installation 1. Remove the Rear Plate. 2. Using a flat head screwdriver or coin, remove the Port Plug (Refer Fig. 20). 3.
Button head cap screws (Fig. 21) (Fig. 20) Bulkhead Port (Fig. 22) Attaching the Remote or Compact Monitor 1. Attach clamp assembly to back of monitor. 2. Attach monitor/clamp assembly to quick connect post by pressing down and rotating until black sleeve locks into position. 3. Adjust monitor by releasing clamp assembly (clockwise to tighten, counter clockwise to loosen). 4. Cable plugs are identical at each end. Attach by aligning the pins and pressing into the bulkhead until the black rubber seats.
Remote Monitor Operation 1. If necessary, provide power to the monitor by positioning the appropriate bulkhead switch, to the ON position. The switch is located on the inside of the Rear Plate. 2. Connect monitor cable to Bulkhead prior to entering the water. 3. Connect monitor cable to Remote Monitor prior to entering the water. 4. Station the BlueFin housing in the area you are going to shoot. 5. Gently let out the slack in the cable as you move the viewing location. 6.
Charging the Remote and Compact Monitor 1. Remove the Charging Port Plug using a coin or large flat head screwdriver (Refer Fig. 23). 2. Plug charger into a 110v outlet. This charger is only rated at this voltage. If you do not have access to a 110v outlet, you must use a converter. 3. 4. 5. 6. Plug charging connector from charger into charging port on Remote Monitor. Charge for 8-14 hours, then remove charging cord. Check O-ring on Charging Port Plug. Replace Charging Port Plug.
Display Icons on Monitors Monitor Screen: In order to see the camera display information in the monitor screen, you will need to set the camera to V-OUT/PANEL on the menu screen. Go to menu, scroll to STANDARD SET, highlight display and set to V-OUT/ PANEL (See Fig 24 on previous page). Refer to your Sony instruction manual. If done correctly, the external monitor will now display all of the camcorder viewfinder information.
Sunray-S Mini Pro Light System Battery Pods Light Arms NiMH Batteries Charger and electrical cord Pod Locker HID light heads Sunray-S Mini Elite Light System Light Arms Battery Pods Charger and electrical cord Pod Locker Light heads Li-ion Batteries 21
Charging Batteries It is recommended that you charge your batteries when they are received. It is also recommended to charge batteries 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: Right LED: Green when charging NiMH batteries. Orange when fast charging. Green during top-up charge and when charge is complete. 3.
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 rear plate of the housing. 2. Slide the battery pods into housing channels. 3. Insert Pod Locker between the pods and tighten using 1/8” Allen key. Do not over-tighten. Connecting Lights to Battery Pods 1. 2. 3. 4. Plug in the cable connectors on the pod.
Power Button (Fig. 27) Pre-Dive Checklist 1. 2. 3. 4. Make sure you have a Mini DV tape in the camcorder. Make sure you have a completely charged battery in the camera. Verify operation of all housing controls. 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 rear plate O-rings are seated correctly and that the rear latches are in the closed and locked position.
Housing Storage Store housing and Travel Case in a dry location the first 24 hours after a dive. Leave the Rear Plate 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. Replacing Handle Batteries 1. 2. 3. 4. Using an Allen key, remove the two screws on the back of the handle. (Refer fig. 28) Remove the Handle Cap from the handle assembly (Refer fig. 29).
(Fig. 30) (Fig. 31) O-ring Care & Maintenance O-rings are the critical component that keeps water out of the housing. Routinely inspect O-rings and replace at least once a year. If your O-rings are damaged, contact the Light & Motion service department for an O-ring replacement kit. Follow these steps for proper O-ring function. 1. The sealing system used on the rear plate incorporates two O-rings. This is the most critical area of the housing for maintenance and should be inspected before every dive. 2.
O-ring Parts Bluefin O-ring Replacement Kit part # 802-0096 includes: Two O-rings for the Rear Plate and two O-rings for front optic. Smart Grip O-ring and Battery Kit part # 802-0117 includes: O-ring and battery for one Smart Grip. Note: O-rings used for the Rear Plate and all optics are different sizes. Be sure to replace the appropriate O-ring in its respective groove. Other Maintenance 1.
Returning Products for Care We highly recommend an annual factory service to maintain the proper operation of your Bluefin Housing. 1. 2. Before returning your Light & Motion product for care, please call or email our service department for a RMA number. Ship your product pre-paid freight with the return number printed on the outside of the box. It is recommended that you keep your shipper’s tracking number until the product is returned to you. Warning: Do not ship your camera inside the housing.
Bluefin Accessories Bluefin Two-Year Fault Free Warranty . . . . . . . . . . . . . 905-0201 Bluefin HD Super-Wide Angle Lens . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 802-0201 Bluefin Super Macro Lens . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 802-0095 Bluefin Tripod Mount . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 802-0152 Bluefin Pole Cam Mounting Kit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 802-0148 Bluefin Custom Travel Case . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
300 Cannery Row • Monterey, CA 93940 (831) 645-1525 • Fax (831) 375-2517 www.uwimaging.
