underwater Photo Course :: (3) Diving with a Camera :: Strategy :: Check Lists

preparing your digicam to go in the housingA casing or box with waterproof seals designed to contain a camera or other equipment in such a way that it can be used underwater. In the old days you ran out of film mid-dive. Nowadays you run out of battery power! Check this first.

preparing your 35mm camera to go in the housing

• Is film loaded? Check the Judas window in the camera back or LCDLiquid Crystal Display. Such displays on the back of a digital camera allow you to preview images. These usually use TFT technology. Also used to display info on film cameras. display on top. If digital, check space available.
• Is the gate clean? Open the back, fire the shutterThe shutter is an integral part of all cameras. It opens to allow light through. The greater the range of shutter speeds a camera has the better. on bulb and check for dust, debris etc. Check the rear lens element and make sure the lens is seated.
• Check the batteries are good. Always carry spares. Check the film speed and shutter speed. Check the meter - is it giving a realistic reading?

housing preparation

• Put the camera in the housing first (leave o-rings till last). Fit any lens gears, offer up the camera into the housing making sure that any levers mate up. Check controls for operation.
• Put hot shoe on. Test fire the strobe. If using for the first time after not being used for a while then test TTLThrough The Lens. A term applied to viewfinders and metering systems that operate behind the lens. As such TTL is accurate because it sees what the lens sees. function (fire away from lens, fire into lens, note lesser output for latter).

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