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 Instructions for Use  

SLM6 User Manual v 1  

Instructions for Use 

To operate 

Remove the lens cover. 
Level the mount using the balance weights and bubble level. 
Rotate the mount so that the red end of the compass needle is between 
the marks on the compass housing. If you are using the mount above your 
head, make sure you know roughly which way North is, as the two ends of 
the needle look the same from below. 
Select appropriate camera settings, see “Camera settings” on page 13 of 
this manual. 
Select an appropriate exposure setting with flash enabled, see “Exposure”  
on page 14 of this manual 
To avoid camera wobble use the self timer or the remote control, see 
“Taking the Picture” on page 15 of this manual. 
Keep the mount as level as possible, otherwise parts of the mount may be 
visible in the picture. 
Use the review options in the camera to check the image is OK. 
Replace the lens cover to protect the lens from dirt or damage. 

Summary of Contents for SLM6

Page 1: ...User Manual for the Self Levelling Mount type SLM6 SLM6 UM 1 Delta T Devices Ltd ...

Page 2: ... another language Copyright 2003 2006 Delta T Devices Limited Design changes Delta T Devices Ltd reserves the right to change the designs and specifications of its products at any time without prior notice Authors John Wood Nick Webb User Manual Version 1 Dec 2005 Delta T Devices Ltd 128 Low Road Burwell Cambridge CB5 0EJ UK Tel 44 1638 742922 Fax 44 1638 743155 email sales delta t co uk web www d...

Page 3: ...alignment in HemiView 11 Setting the Lens Equation in HemiView 12 Using the Nikon Coolpix 8400 Camera 13 Taking Hemiphotos 13 Image size and compression 13 Camera settings 13 Exposure 14 Taking the Picture 15 Downloading images to a PC 16 Warranty and Service 17 Terms and Conditions of Sale 17 Service and Spares 18 Technical Support 18 Contact details 18 ...

Page 4: ... canopy analysis software The SLM6 is designed for use with the Nikon Coolpix 8400 digital camera with a Nikon FC E9 fisheye lens and Nikon UR E16 adaptor ring 4 z Features SLM6 User Manual v 1 For ease of use the mount is equipped with the following features Bubble level and adjustable levelling weights Compass for North South alignment viewable from above or below Markers used to align hemispher...

Page 5: ...Tripod socket Compass Alignment markers Inner pivot screw Bubble level Flash adapter Collar Gimbal plate Fig 1 SLM6 with lens cover removed SLM6 User Manual v 1 Features z 5 ...

Page 6: ...lens adapter 7 Undo the inner pivot screws a few turns Fig 1 Do not unscrew them completely 8 Tip the gimbals plate slightly Fig 4 and slacken both the screws which clamp it together 9 Fit the lens collar and camera into the gimbals plate Fig 3 Do not tighten it yet 10 Check that the lens edge is about 2mm below the alignment marker shoulders Fig 7 and the camera is positioned as in Fig 5 11 Rotat...

Page 7: ...Fig 2 Fitting the lens to the collar Fig 3 Fitting the camera and lens to the gimbals plate SLM6 User Manual v 1 Assembly Instructions z 7 ...

Page 8: ...Fig 4 Clamping the collar to the gimbal plate Fig 5 Orientation of camera 8 z Assembly Instructions SLM6 User Manual v 1 ...

Page 9: ...Fig 6 Fitting the alignment marker cables to the flash unit Fig 7 Checking the lens alignment SLM6 User Manual v 1 Assembly Instructions z 9 ...

Page 10: ... two ends of the needle look the same from below Select appropriate camera settings see Camera settings on page 13 of this manual Select an appropriate exposure setting with flash enabled see Exposure on page 14 of this manual To avoid camera wobble use the self timer or the remote control see Taking the Picture on page 15 of this manual Keep the mount as level as possible otherwise parts of the m...

Page 11: ... alignment in HemiView Align the horizon circle to the shoulders of the two alignment markers with the pointed marker at the magnetic north point as shown below SLM6 User Manual v 1 Instructions for Use z 11 ...

Page 12: ...ew lens with the following settings Settings Lens New Enter the coefficients in the Lens Properties dialog as shown below Field of View deg 183 a1 0 652140 a2 0 071500 a3 0 094850 a4 0 035410 When you exit HemiView this lens will be saved in the HemiView lenses csv file When using HemiView specify these lens properties for all hemiphotos taken with the Coolpix 8400 and FC E9 adapter lens 12 z Inst...

Page 13: ...ies particularly broad leaved canopies and will double the number of images you can store Do a trial comparison on your site to see if the image quality makes any significant difference See Camera Manual p 33 Camera settings The optimum setting depends on the nature of the picture We recommend the following Shooting Menu settings as a starting point for new users see Camera Manual p 94 onwards Whi...

Page 14: ...our image by looking at the brightness graph Camera Manual p 5 69 If the image is overexposed the sky areas will have a tendency to spread in the final image Underexposure is less of a problem but will reduce the amount of visual detail of the canopy The camera s automatic exposure will tend to adjust the exposure too much for very open and very closed canopies We suggest two approaches to dealing...

Page 15: ...lash icon is also showing Press the shutter release and move the camera and SLM into place checking it is as level as possible and pointing to North Hold it still until the timer completes 2 Using the Infrared Remote Control The infrared receiver is mounted on the lower front right of the camera It has a direct line of sight range of up to 5m except in bright sunlight Use of the infrared remote co...

Page 16: ...y card will appear as a removable drive in Windows Explorer and the images can be copied to your hard drive or other storage medium using Windows Explorer Images can be opened directly from the memory card in HemiView but this is not recommended because HemiView does not store the images themselves only information about them so the images will be lost when the memory card is removed Adapters are ...

Page 17: ...e of charge or by repairing the goods free of charge at Delta T s premises in the UK during the warranty period If Delta T requires that goods under warranty be returned to them from overseas for repair Delta T shall not be liable for the cost of carriage or for customs clearance in respect of such goods However we much prefer to have such returns discussed with us in advance and we may at our dis...

Page 18: ...e equipment However if the equipment has to be forwarded to our original supplier for specialist repairs or recalibration additional delays of a few weeks may be expected Technical Support Technical Support is available on Delta T products and systems Users in countries that have a Delta T Distributor or Technical Representative should contact them in the first instance Technical Support questions...

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