Q: How long has your company been involved with digital underwater photography?
A: We have been producing underwater cameras since 1993 and digital models since 2004. Our first digital waterproof camera was selected for a prestigious DIMA Innovation award.
Q: How do I send a product back for repair/replacement?
A:
1. Contact the retailer from where the item was purchased and inquire about their return/exchange policy.
2. If the product needs to be sent back to us, you will need to obtain a Return Authorization Number (RA#). You can call or e-mail our support staff to obtain the RA#. Items without an RA# WILL NOT be accepted.
3. Include a copy of the receipt, a brief description of the problem with the RA#, a return address, and phone number.
4. Our repair/replacement address is (Postage must be prepaid):
Intova
935 Makahiki Way 2nd floor
Honolulu, HI 96826
E-mail: tech@intova.net
Phone: 808-837-0074
CAMERAS/HOUSINGS
Q: I’m new at taking pictures under water. How do I get the best pictures?
A: Review Photo Tips on the Support section of Intova web site. This will help in getting started but remember, experimentation and practice are crucial elements of successful underwater photography.
Q: What is White balancing?
A: A method of achieving natural looking photographs without a flash. As you descend past 20 feet warm colors begin to wash out which causes pictures to appear more blue or green. Red goes first, then orange and yellow as depth increases. The more water light passes through, the greater the impact It is a cumulative effect of both depth and distance from camera to subject. White balance allows cameras to compensate for loss of natural warm colors.
Q: How do I take care of my Intova underwater housing?
O-rings: O-rings are a vital part of most underwater equipment. Visually inspect O-rings prior to each use. O-rings should be clean and free of debris. Even a grain of sand or piece of hair can cause leakage. Inspect for cracks caused by drying of O-ring. To help prevent drying, keep O-rings lightly lubricated with Intova silicone grease. Watch for “flattening” of the O-ring caused by excessive compression. If signs of cracking or flattening appear, replace O-rings promptly.
Rinse: Rinse camera housing with cold clean water after every use, particularly salt water use. Make sure to rinse all button areas pressing and releasing them thoroughly as salt can dry and stiffen spring action. Dry with soft clean cloth after rinsing.
Storage: Store your Intova products in a cool dry place with no exposure to heat or direct sunlight. Store underwater housings with the back open to avoid compression of O-rings.
Q: What can I do to prevent my underwater housing from Fogging up?
A: Condensation is a result of warm air inside housing interacting with cool water outside housing. It is very similar to a car windshield fogging up on cold nights. Digital cameras create heat so there will always be some warm air in housing. Following steps will help alleviate condensation.
- Keep one or two fresh, newly “charged” silica desiccants inside housing
- Prior to dive, setup housing in a cool, dry area to minimize warm, humid surface air entering the housing.
- Keep housing out of the sun prior to dive as direct sunlight will heat the air inside housing.
Q: Do I need a fiber optic cable between camera and strobe?
A: Intova strobes are “slave” models actuated by firing of the onboard flash. In extremely clear water conditions the onboard flash can dissipate quickly and not effectively trigger slave sensor on strobe. In most cases, the fiber optic cable is not essential but is a good safeguard whose use is recommended.
Q: How and when do I use my Intova Red Filter?
A: Red filters are intended to help add warm colors back into images. Use only at depths below 20 feet and with no flash. Using with flash or in shallow water will cause excessive reds in images.
Q: Why am I getting Spots in my pictures?
A: Spots or bubbles in underwater photos are most commonly caused by backscatter. Backscatter is caused by use of a cameras built in flash, normally located right next to the lens. When the flash fires it sends out a beam of light that will reflect off particles in the water and bounce back into the lens appearing as spots in your image. The best solution is to use an external strobe. The external strobe is offset so the reflection off particles is back to the strobe and not back to the camera flash/lens. A flash diffuser can also help by diffusing the light so it is not a straight beam out and back.
Q: Why is there Shading in lower left corner of my pictures?
A: The shading will occur only when onboard camera flash is used. The housing lens barrel blocks part of the flash output. A diffuser will help resolve this issue as will an external strobe.
Q: What is the Best Setting for Underwater Photography?
A: There is tremendous variation in water conditions and no “underwater mode” can capture them. Manual White Balance is the primary tool for good exposure. Light requirements, conditions and subject matter will all change requirements. Practice and experimentation are the key to success.
Q: Why can’t I get my computer to recognize my Intova camera? Do I need a special Driver?
A: 99% of the time, updated drivers are not required-most computer software is Plug n Play. Exceptions are computers older than 10 years. The camera needs to be turned on first, then connected to the computer using the USB data transfer cable. A menu will pop up on the cameras LCD giving you the choice to pick “PC” (upload pictures) or “PC camera” (use as web cam). Choose “PC” by pressing the SET button and your computer will recognize the camera.
Q: How can I make sure I get the longest life out of my Batteries?
A:
- Remove batteries from your digital camera when not in use.
- Turn off your digital camera when not in active use.
- Do not stop after taking every shot and review the picture in your digital camera’s playback mode. LCD screen is the largest drain on batteries.
- Never get batteries wet
- Read the camera manual and check to see if it also supports a kind of battery called NiMH. These batteries tend to last longer than standard alkaline and are rechargeable. Lithium batteries are the longest lasting.
Q: There is a red box in the middle of the screen on my SS1000 digital camera and I can’t take any more pictures?
A: The red box indicates that the cameras memory is full. Either delete some pictures from the camera manually or connect to computer and download photos/video then delete. Upgrade onboard memory by utilizing a Micro SD card.
Q: How much video can my SS1000 hold with a 2GB micro SD card?
A: A 2GB micro SD card will give you roughly 55min of VGA video. QVGA is a quarter of the pixels of VGA so it takes up 75% less space on the memory card when recording for the same amount of time. Thus giving you 165min of QVGA video recording on a 2GB card.
Q: What kind of film does the SSo1, SS02 and SS04 cameras take?
A: SnapSights cameras will work with any brand, standard 35mm film. Film is rated by ASA/ISO. The following chart shows the most common ratings and applications.
ASA/ISO 100: Use outdoors on sunny days
ASA/ISO 200: Same as 100 ASA/ISO
ASA/ISO 400: Indoor/outdoor, lower light, shallow water, faster movement
ASA/ISO 800: Indoor/outdoor, darker-deeper water, faster movement
ASA/ISO 1000: Fast action, low light
Q: Where can I get replacement parts for my Intova equipment?
A: You may contact your Intova dealer or contact Intova directly via the Return Authorization form on Warranties page.
TORCHES
Q: What is the color temperature in Kelvin of your underwater video torches?
A: The Kelvin temperatures typically range between 6000~7000K.
Q: Can I use Rechargeable batteries with my Intova torch?
A: Use of rechargeable batteries is strongly discouraged for models with CR123 batteries. Significant voltage variations can ruin PC Board and void warranty. Rechargeable batteries are OK for AA and AAA models.
Q: My torch Switch is not working properly what can I do?
A: Salt buildup in switches can impair successful operation. Make sure to rinse thoroughly in cold clear water after each use or if problems occur. Contact Intova if further attention is required.
Q: Do I ever need to replace the O rings in my torch?
A: Yes, maintenance and eventual replacement is mandatory to keep your torch operating at peak performance. Visually inspect O-rings prior to each use. O-rings should be clean and free of debris. Even a grain of sand or piece of hair can cause leakage. Inspect for cracks caused by drying of O-ring. To help prevent drying, keep O-rings lightly lubricated with Intova silicone grease. Watch for “flattening” of the O-ring caused by excessive compression. If signs of cracking or flattening appear, replace O-rings promptly.
Q: What is the LED life for intova torches?
A: 100,000 hours.
H2O MAN
Q: Is my H20 Man compatible with Mac?
A: Yes, the H2O Man will work with either a Mac or a PC as long as the songs to be loaded onto the H2O Man are in MP3 format.
Q: The USB cable that comes with the H2O MAN does not transfer files on to the player?
A: USB cable is only used for charging the player once connected to the charger. Transfer songs to your player by placing micro SD card into Reader/adapter that is included with kit. Place reader/adapter into USB port on computer and transfer files directly to card.
Q: what do the Light colors stand for on the H2O MAN charger?
A:
- Solid Red light indicates attached player has low power and is charging
- Green light with flashing red denotes abnormal charging or in mid charge
- Solid Green light indicates player is fully charged
Q: what do the Light colors stand for on the H2O MAN player?
A:
- Blinking Blue light indicates music is playing
- Blinking Green light indicates music is set to shuffle or random
- Solid Red light indicates micro SD card is not secured or not locked in place by pushing its bracket cover forward.
Q: How much Memory can my H2O MAN DUO (2 in 1) utilize?
A: The H2O Man DUO is able to accept up to a 8GB Micro SD card which has a capacity for thousands of songs.
Q: The Ear buds of My H2O MAN do not fit properly?
A: The H2O MAN comes with 3 different size ear buds. Select an alternative size for comfortable fit.
STROBE
Q: The test flash for my ISS2000 slave strobe works but I can’t get the green light to come on meaning the strobe is at full charge ready to fire with the camera flash?
A: If the test flash works that means the inner components of the strobe are all working properly. This indicates that you are having a battery issue.
Q: My strobe is not firing with the internal flash on my camera?
A: Please refer to the slave strobes user manual for synchronizing the slave strobe to the internal strobe of your camera. If the strobe is not firing at all the strobes pre-flash count setting is set to high. If it fires prematurely the pre-flash count setting is set to low.
BUY INTOVA PRODUCTS FROM AUTHORIZED DEALERS ONLY: To ensure proper warranty coverage, make sure Intova products are purchased from legitimate retailers only. Be sure that the dealer has a mailing address and provides a receipt that verifies: Dealer Name and Address. Customer Name and Address. Date of Purchase. Complete Description and Cost of items purchased. Receipt must be presented for warranty service.
