It's easy to make mistakes on location if you don't develop and apply consistent protocols
When it comes to camera prep, here are a few I have made in my career,
- Left the lens cap on
- Forgot to format the card
- Left the camera on a higher frame rate setting.
- Not secured the lens gear wheel
These mistakes are especially costly underwater, as to rectify them you have to get back onto the boat or shore, get dry, and sort them out. Not optimal.
To avoid the above and more, run the following protocol before you leave your accommodation to go diving.
- Remove your dome cover and turn the camera and external monitor (if you have one) on.
- Immediately check the battery voltage settings or levels of both.
- Check your FIZ controls (Focus/Iris/Zoom) are functioning
- Check your ISO is at the recommended base setting
- Check that your base frame rate and recording frame rate are as desired for the project.
- Check that you have a card in the camera and that it is freshly formatted,
- Roll one or two shots to ensure that the recording function is working.
- Check that the dome is clean and has no obvious particulate visible.
- Seal the housing and pull a vacuum if you can.
Running this protocol will save you a lot of pain.
Just Do IT!
