Sealife DC100 User Manual

Guide to Underwater Photography forReefMaster and SportDiver CamerasFilm & DigitalFilm & DigitalGreat Pictures Made EasyGuide to Underwater Ph

9Applies to all ReefMaster®Digital CamerasRemovable SportsfinderIf the center appears as a circle, it is aiming at a point 4 feet/120cm from the lens.

10III. Tips for Great Pictures1. Just do it!One of the best ways to learn about underwater photography is to just do it and learn fromyour best shots

You will encounter strange creatures, see incredible effects of light and colors, explorewrecks, corals and plants that appear as if they were from a

The primary target for most people is, of course, a good picture of yourself and your friendssurrounded by tropical fish. This is actually the easiest

Good & Bad Picturesa) Stay within the ideal distanceDistance 4 to 5 ft., regular lens2 ft., too close for film camera Distance 3 ft. / 90 cm with

14Back scatter of the internalflash from sand.Low visibility Perfect visibilityAvoid floating particles stirredup by currents, waves ordivers. Low vis

15Good & Bad Picturesc) External Flash: The purpose of a U/W flash is to bring out colors at the ideal shootingrange, not to illuminate objects at

16Good & Bad Picturesd) Composition: Look for good color contrast between object (fish), surrounding (coral) andbackground (water). Look for excit

17Your best colors and effects will be where the sun still penetrates the water: Dive or snorkelat a vertical sun from 10 am to 2 pm in a depth not gr

18For pictures partially above and under water, coat the lens with a touch of detergent to letdrops run off. This can take many trials until the water

1Contents: PAGEI. Summary: Trouble Free Operation and Key to Good Results ... 3 II. Differences between Film and Digital Cameras ...

19IV. Quick Tips 1. Quick Setup of camera A) All camera models:Keep everything clean and dry. One drop of water inside the housing can cause thefront

20D) Underwater, the Flash is always ON in all film models. The flash of digital cameras isautomatic in the SEA mode and always on in the EXTERNAL FLA

213. Best PicturesA) The clearer the water the better the picture. Visibility must be at least 10 times shoot-ing distance. Algae, plankton, sand or m

223. MUST DO!Very Important: Not following these points may void your warranty.All Camera ModelsA) Before opening the camera housing: Everything, incl

23MUST DO! - Digital Cameras A. Use only the following AA batteries: SeaLife Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH) 1800mAh orhigher rechargeable batteries. Care

24• ONLY THEN connect USB cable to camera.• Locate pictures in “Removable disk (:)” under “My Computer.”• Some operating systems may require a few min

25V. How easy it is...your new SeaLife CameraMost important: When opening the housing, your hands, arms, head, dive suit, and the cam-era must be comp

26Remove Inner Camera: All ModelsRemove the inner camera from the housing and insert fresh AA batteries. For digital cam-eras use only SeaLife NiMH (1

27Turn Power On: Turn Power on in film cameras before inserting camera in housing: Open the lens cover bymoving the switch below the lens of the inner

28Loading film - Film Camerasa) Use 200 speed 24 exposure film and 2 fresh AAAlkaline batteries. Replace batteries if “FlashReady” light takes more th

20´ 1´ 2´ 3´ 4´ 5´ 6´ 7´ 8´ 9´ 10´ 11´ 12´ ft0m 1.20 2.10 3.00 mDistance:Rate Your Pictures ––Test Your SkillsToo Far.All bluesharp pictures.Mostly bl

29Clean O-ring / Seal Area: All modelsThe waterproof seal is the most critical part. It must be kept meticulously clean. You mustcheck the O-ring area

30Insert SeaLife Anti Fog Desiccant. This will prevent foggingof the lens and protect the electronics from humidity. The small1.5 g capsule fits betwe

31Insert Inner Camera and close housing pressing lid with both hands tightInsert the inner film camera with the power on and lens open (power switch b

32Taking PicturesJust push the trigger or the shutter button of the camera. Everything is automatic.Film Cameras Digital Cameras

Checking the Battery ConditionDigital Cameras3. If the battery status bar in the top LCDshows one bar, the batteries should berecharged. Battery life

34Taking Pictures UnderwaterDepth: All ReefMaster film models are tested to 164 ft./ 50 m. The SportDiver film cameraand the digital model DC 100ft./

Distance Without Close-Up Lens:The distance of film cameras to the object should never be less than 4 ft. / 1.2 m, ide-ally 5 ft. to 6 ft. / 1.5 to 1.

36Macro lens offMacro lens onThe correct distances are easy to remember. • Stretch out your fin: “from chin to fin” is the distancewith a standard len

37Cleaning: All ModelsAfter leaving the water, the sealed camera housing should be washed thoroughly infresh water. Never let salt water dry on the ca

38Re-winding the Film: Film CamerasWith power on, slide the small switch at the bottom of the inner camera.When the film is completely rewound and win

3I. Summary: Troublefree Operation and the Key to Good Resultsa. Key to trouble free operation:Good care and extreme cleanliness of O-rings and sealin

39Dry StorageFor long term storage remove the bat-teries from the camera. Leaking batter-ies can ruin your camera. Store thecamera with the latches no

40Pictures on Land in dryConditionsOn land, in dry conditions youwill enjoy the compact and lightweight SeaLife camera withouthousing.Keep the lens co

41The built-in flash in digital cameras is automatic in the Sea andLand mode and always on in the external flash mode. On land theflash can be set als

42Pictures on Boats and BeachesSeaLife cameras should always be used intheir waterproof housing when taking picturesin any humid, sandy, or hazardous

43VI. Accessories and Related ProductsSpare Parts: Most important spare parts and item numbers.FILMReefMaster RC ReefMaster CL Sport Diverinner camera

44Accessories (continued)SeaLife Soft Padded Camera CasesDesigned to hold all SeaLife Cameras and extra film.SeaLife Dive Travel &Accessory CaseUn

SeaLife MACRO and Wide Angle Lenses / U/W Filters for best close-up picturesFor distance ranges of each lenses see table on page 36.Macro Set - Item S

46Accessories (continued)External flash - Item SL960External flash adds color and brightness to your pic-tures. It also helps reduce backscatter.Two e

47Large - Item M101 Use inside closed hard cases. Can bere-generated in oven at lowest heat.(3 1-ounce packs)Capsules - Item SL91110 - 1.5 gram capsul

48Special Digital AccessoriesNiMH Battery ChargerSL1904 Rechargeable Ni-MHBatteries, Size AA(Nickel Metal Hydride, 2100 mAh)SL1913 Foreign Plug Adapte

4II. The Difference Between Film and Digital CamerasIn this guide you will learn the basics of underwater photography as well as how to enjoyyour came

SeaLife Film Camera ModelsReefMasterU/W Photo Set ReefMaster RCwith MACRO 3XClose-Up Lensand Dive TravelHard CaseItem SL511ReefMaster CLCompact, clear

VII. Trouble Shooting Guide:Important: This section must be read before taking any action.Film Cameras: Problem: Film jams or does not advance.Reason:

Problem: Pictures not sharp. Reason: Quick, jerky movements while swimming or chas-ing fish. Solutions: Control your buoyancy, stay calm and keep came

may cause a leak in the housing (Cracks, tears, punctures, etc.)5) Make sure the Moisture Muncher capsule is not interfering with the O-ring or sealin

Special Problems with Digital Cameras (First check under “All Cameras” section).Problem: No power. Camera shuts down immediately after you turn the po

54“Video in” of your TV set. Set the camera to NTSC system when in America or to PAL whenin Europe. Set your TV to video.Problem: e-mailed pictures do

55Problem: Pictures too bright, parts in picture white and washed out. Reason:Overflashing. Solution: Do not aim your flash at close-by bright objects

56VIII. Service and Warranty:After going through the Trouble Shooting Guide, if you cannot find a solution for a problem:Call an underwater photograp

Macro Set with 8x and 16x lenses.(SL959) for close-up pictures.Moisture Muncher desiccantto prevent fogging (SL911).External Flash (SL960) for more co

Pioneer Research, 97 Foster Rd, Moorestown NJ 08057Rev. 7/03 Copyright 1997, 2002

5differences. Each camera type has a very unique exposure program, developed forunderwater, but also usable on land. This beats any land camera trying

6Light and good visibility are the key to underwater photography, therefore an external flashwill always improve your pictures, film or digital. Don’t

Film or digital? Take a great land shot.A is film, B,C,and D are digital.External Flash Mode (B) and Sea Mode (D).7BD

8Sports FinderColorCodedFrameCounterViewfinderColorCodedFrameCounterOpeningLatchShutterReleaseFlashMain O-Ring(Don’t remove or grease. Keep Clean)Open