Using The Flash:
Accessory Slave flash:
If you should use the Coolpix built-in flash as the master, you
can trigger a second
slave
flash to provide more artificial light
when needed. To do this, you must use an accessory flash that
has a
slave
feature built in. The flash from the Coolpix must be
aimed or bounced toward the accessory flash's
slave
sensor, or
other fiber optic sensor. This will trigger the slave to fire in sync
with the master flash.
The Coolpix has a built-in flash, which will illuminate nearby
underwater subjects. For subjects that are farther away, an accessory
slave flash is recommended. (See below). A built-in flash diffuser
is supplied which will help achieve a wider and softer light source
thereby providing more coverage and less likelihood of
backscatter
(
the unattractive snowstorm affect of the flash reflecting off the
suspended particles in the water). Further reduction of
backscatter
can be achieved by using an accessory off-camera slave flash.
This will be discussed in more detail.
The need for artificial light to maximize color reproduction is
necessary in nearly all pictures. Therefore it is strongly
recommended that you set the flash mode to
Flash Always
. This
will insure the flash fires on every exposure regardless of the
ambient light conditions. (Please refer to the camera s instruction
manual for more details).
Outdoor photographers do not have this same concern. There is
no backscatter to be concerned with, and due to the ability of the
flash to travel farther and more effectively in air as compared to
in water, there is normally not a need for an accessory flash to
provide proper illumination for most subjects.
When using an accessory slave flash with fiber optic cable, it is
recommended to black out the internal camera flash. The internal
flash is located near the camera lens and can contribute to backscatter
by illuminating floating particles close to the lens port.
If the sensor of the fiber optic cable is attached to the outside of
the housing directly above the internal flash and taped over with
black tape-it will block out the light from the internal flash but
transmit the light pulse to the external slave flash.
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Coolpix Nano Flash
Coolpix Housing
LED 44 focus light
Fiber Optic Cable
Double Slot Tray
Typical Coolpix Accessory System
2 Flex Arms
Lens Accessories:
The Fantasea FL-6 is designed to work with some of the wide-
angle and macro adapters that are currently on the market. Fantasea
Line offers a macro/wide angle converter lens adapter for this
purpose. The converter lens can be used with one of its two
elements for super macro images, or with both of its elements
for great wide angle images. Red Filters which go over the lens
port or on the converter lens itself are also available. For more
information on these items, see your local photo dealer or visit
our website at
www.fantasea.com
Fantasea Coolpix Accessory Systems and Sets:
Fantasea offers a variety of Coolpix (and other housings) sets
made up of quality accessory products which serve to enhance
and improve your underwater images. Products like external flash
systems, flexible arms, trays, filters, wide angle and macro lenses,
fiber optic cables and more. Below you can see one sample
system. For more information please refer to our website or to
the Fantasea Dealer where you purchased your housing.
Be sure to use a slave flash that has the ability to
ignore the built-in pre-flash in digital cameras,
and synchronizes with the shutter release.
Note!
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