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is always better to change them in order to not take the chance of flooding
the housing.
o
The seals on each of the controls should be replaced every couple of years
or more often if needed. The best indicator of the need for replacement is if
the controls become harder to operate due to a build up of salt or corrosion.
o
Store housing in a cool, dry location when not traveling. It is recommended
that the housing be stored with the two halves together, but not with the
latching buckles closed. This will take the constant compression off the
main gasket. It is also recommended that the housing is not stored with the
port mounted.
Basic Shooting Techniques
Practice handling the FD-80 on land.
o
Getting familiar with the location and movement of all the controls and how
the changes in settings can affect your image is an important part of the
process. It is better to learn the basics of the camera’s operation on land,
rather than when first underwater. It is faster to operate the camera out of the
housing and you will not have the limited time frame as you would if you
were underwater.
Focusing and Shutter release control.
o
Get used to operating this control on the camera in both half depress, and
full depress movements. You will frequently depress the shutter release only
half way to activate the exposure meter and auto focus to preview the
shooting conditions and make setting changes. Once you get the feel for
operating the camera control directly, you can then try it in the FD-80, using
the housing’s trigger control in the same manner.
Use the viewfinder eyepiece
o
Compose and view exposure information display. It is very important that
you become familiar with the information display in the viewfinder so you
can make proper exposure settings and know what other settings have been
made. You will use this often and it is good to become familiar with it
before attempting to read it underwater. Also practice composing and
focusing the camera by eye, before using it underwater to get the feel for
this operation as well.
Changing Exposure Settings
o
Using the camera in its Manual (M) Exposure Mode gives you the ability to
change either shutter speeds or apertures to control the exposure the way
you want. Get used to making these changes while your eye is in the
viewfinder and you are referencing the LCD display for guiding you in the
exposure process. The command dial is set to change shutter speeds, and the
sub-command dial is set to change apertures. Practice operating each of
these controls so they become instinctive in operation.
Familiarize yourself with the movements required
