Camera Setup & Care

Camera Setup:
Before you can enter the water you must setup your camera. Follow the manufacturers instructions for this, but here's a few important things to look out for:

New film. Now point in going down with only 5 pictures left. Make sure you start every dive with a fresh roll; that way you won' run out should you run into something good.
Batteries. Make sure your batteries are fresh. There is nothing more frustrating then going to take a shot, only to find your batteries have died. If using a strobe make sure to check it's batteries as well.
Check the settings. Make sure any settings you cannot change when the camera is in it's housing are set correctly before you enter the water. Once in the water these settings cannot be changed - something which could potentially be a serious problem.
Clean and grease the o-ring. Before you seal the case make sure your o-ring is clean and greased with silicone. If it is dirty remove it, clean with a lint-free rang, and re-grease it. Dirty o-rings, or o-rings with too much/too little grease can leak, ruining your camera. When greased properly it should look wet; there should not be any clumps of grease or dry spots.
Seal your casing - double check the seal. Nearly all cases allow you to directly see the seal. Make sure the seal is set properly, and that the o-ring is not pinched.

Importantly, DO NOT set up your camera in an air conditioned space. This can result in fogging of the camera, which will dramatically affect your pictures. In severe cases this may result in enough moisture build-up to ruin your camera.

Entering the Water:
One of the most common causes of leaks and other camera damage occurs during entry. During entry you want to avoid jarring your camera. So if entering from a boat, enter without the camera and have you buddy or a shipmate pass you the camera. If entering from shore try to prevent jarring of the camera by waves, etc. In both cases descend to 3m/10' in depth and check for leaks. At this depth the o-rings should be completely sealed - if even a single drop of water is present in the case surface and leave you camera behind - the leak will only get worse with time.

During the Dive:
You need to take care of your camera during the dive as well. Avoid hitting things with it - this can cause leaks, and corals/rocks can scratch lenses. Continually check for water - if any water is present in the case surface immediately. Lastly, avoid any unnecessary pushing of buttons - any time you press a button there is a chance water may enter. Also, don't forget to keep track of you depth and air supply - it's easy to forget about these things while chasing your subject. Few picture are worth getting the bends, no picture is worth dieing for.

Exiting the Water:
If returning to a boat, pass your camera to someone on board before you try to enter the boat. This will prevent your camera from being banged around as you exit the water, and will be one less obstruction in your way as you exit. If exiting to shore make sure your camera is placed somewhere it won't interfere with your exit, preferably clipped to an out-of-the-way place on your BCD.

Post-Dive Care:
As soon as you end your dive clean your camera with fresh water. If this is unavailable keep you camera submerged in sea water. Do not let sea water dry on the camera - the salt crystals which form can damage your housings seals. Keep your camera cool and out of the sun. You should also cover the camera with a towel or cloth to protect it from scratches.


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