11
Choosing Image Files:
There are several image file options to choose from that offer
different resolution and file sizes. This determination must be
made prior to camera insertion from Menu options. Please refer
to the Coolpix instruction manual for details on setting these
preferences.
Taking the Picture:
Once you have composed your scene or subject in the LCD
monitor, depress the shutter release button to take the picture. A
half depress will activate the live viewing ability of the LCD and
allow the camera to focus, once in focus and ready to shoot a
green light will appear on the LCD monitor and the camera is
ready to take the picture. Press down the shutter all the way to
complete image capture. You may notice a pre-flash and slight
delay in the shutter release. This is to allow the camera to make
its final focus and exposure calculations before taking the picture.
With a little practice, you will become used to this and taking
pictures of moving subjects will become easier and natural.
Battery life:
The Lithium-ion battery that comes with the Coolpix is very
efficient and lasts for more than enough time for a typical photo
dive. However, there are certain things that users can control to
help with battery life. The most important is to set the camera to
turn the LCD off after a short time, during periods of non-use.
It can then be automatically turned back on if you depress the
shutter release control half way. Please refer to the Coolpix
instruction manual for details on how to make this adjustment
setting. It is always wise to have backup batteries in case you do
run out of power. The supplied battery can be recharged many
times and offer an economical and environmentally friendly
power source.
12
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.
