DC500 flash fire problem

[RIdiverMike]

The digital Reefmaster flash that came with my camera a few years ago has often fired inconsistently. My fault for not addressing it immediately with SeaLife. But on a recent trip to Cayman Brac, it never fired at all. Ambient light shots are nice, but I wouldn't mind revealing some reds now and again. Particularly annoying given that my friends all use cheaper, compact rigs with no special flash (just the pocket camera's flash and a diffuser) and their shots were stunning, relative to mine. Course my flash works fine in test mode. I re-read the manual, particularly concerning the prefire settings but have yet to come up with anything that helps. Next time I'm in Florida, I'll bring it back to where I bought it but wondered if folks might have any suggestions for what else to try.

I've also had some small leakage problems with the housing - some of the other threads have been helpful. And of course, since SeaLife has moved on to the 600 and now 800 models, I'm having mucho problems getting an O-ring and a replacement battery. Ah the old game of discontinued models - guess I shouldn't be surprised it applies as much to the scuba biz as in other areas.

Oh well. Any suggestions welcome.

Good day and good diving.

Mike H

 

[DandyDon]

Sealife sells some good equipment, but they are great at customer service. Even tho you're out of warranty, they can likely help...

The digital Reefmaster flash that came with my camera a few years ago has often fired inconsistently. My fault for not addressing it immediately with SeaLife. But on a recent trip to Cayman Brac, it never fired at all. Ambient light shots are nice, but I wouldn't mind revealing some reds now and again. Particularly annoying given that my friends all use cheaper, compact rigs with no special flash (just the pocket camera's flash and a diffuser) and their shots were stunning, relative to mine. Course my flash works fine in test mode. I re-read the manual, particularly concerning the prefire settings but have yet to come up with anything that helps. Next time I'm in Florida, I'll bring it back to where I bought it but wondered if folks might have any suggestions for what else to try.

Are you shooting with the deflector or flash link? The only misfires I've had with the flash link were when I rushed the capacitor shooting too quick. I'd call Sealife, ask for Tech support, see what Karl can do for you. He has been very helpful to us on ours.

I've also had some small leakage problems with the housing - some of the other threads have been helpful. And of course, since SeaLife has moved on to the 600 and now 800 models, I'm having mucho problems getting an O-ring and a replacement battery. Ah the old game of discontinued models - guess I shouldn't be surprised it applies as much to the scuba biz as in other areas.

I'm sure Sealife coudl sell you 750 mAh battries and O-rings. If not, let me know, but give them a shot.

Another option is to post on the Sealife Manufacture's forum here and see what Denise says...?

 

[BrewingDiver]

Have you downloaded the latest firmware from SeaLife's website? I bought this camera not long after it came out, and had flash firing problems all the time. Then the firmware was updated a couple times, and that solved the problem.

Also, make sure that the sensor for the strobe (at the flash end of the fibre optic cable) is lined up with the hole on the flash. When I got mine, it used to move all the time while being used. Then they came out with a plastic 'seat' that should be glued onto the strobe to hold the cable in the right place.

Those were the two problems I had. Now it only happens occasionally, but I believe it's usually my fault.

 

[wedivebc]

Sea life will give you an upgrade for the older style fiber optic cable and holder which posititions the cable more accurately over the photo cell. If your strobe does not have an indentation over the cell it needs this upgrade. I am waiting for mine which is on order.

 

[uspap]

I am ready to flood my DC500 and piece of crap strobe. It is always something. I am saving for a G10. I've done everything to make this work. I've been on some nice dive trips only to have this piece of junk fail. I'm done. When the camera and strobe work it takes some nice shots. But it rarely works. The strobe and link are the issue. or the camera locks up. or the battery has an amazingly short life. or ...

 

[DandyDon]

I am ready to flood my DC500 and piece of crap strobe. It is always something. I am saving for a G10. I've done everything to make this work. I've been on some nice dive trips only to have this piece of junk fail. I'm done. When the camera and strobe work it takes some nice shots. But it rarely works. The strobe and link are the issue. or the camera locks up. or the battery has an amazingly short life. or ...

Which battery do you have? The first batteries were 600 mAh Sealife has been good about replacing them with the 750. It's not great, but shoots over a hundred pics for me. The rest of that sounds like you need other help. Call Sealife, ask for Tech support, see if Karl doesn't want to help. He's always been good to me - very good.

 

[uspap]

I use the 1200 batteries. I've gone through a lot to make this thing work. Read the book. Gone to tech support. I just think it has a lot of flaws. Like when you push the EV to +2 and aim the camera towards the surface it goes into a hard lock.

 

[DandyDon]

I use the 1200 batteries. I've gone through a lot to make this thing work. Read the book. Gone to tech support. I just think it has a lot of flaws. Like when you push the EV to +2 and aim the camera towards the surface it goes into a hard lock.

Lemons do happen. Sealife has helped me with my problems more when I was the problem, but either way they are good about service & support. Have you ever mailed it all to Karl?

What would you sell it for?

 

[scubafanatic]

.....for the housing O-ring, call Scubatoys.....I bought one recently there for 'our' DC500. We've had issues over the years with Sealife cameras....strobes suck, batteries weak, mysterious software issues.....we still have ours, but after owning 4 of them (including 2 stolen, which is of course, not Sealife's fault)...we're putting our DC500 in reserve, and 2 months ago bought a Canon G9/Ikelite housing + DS160 strobe...which will be baptized this December in the Socorro Islands.....the Sealifes are cheaper for a reason, and when I'm on a spendy/remote dive location, I need a 'real' camera to record those memories.....the Sealifes are just too toy-like for our real-world useage.

Karl

 

[uspap]

Amen scubafanatic. I am holding out for the G10 since it has less shutter lag than the g9. I can't handle this anymore. I've wasted too many shots and too many oportunities. Like I said when it works it's great. I have some shots that are really good. But it's the weird issues at 100 feet. The software glitches. The strobe is crap. I hope they fix this because 800 to 1000 on a camera is still a lot of money in this economy. It's pocket change from an underwater photo point of view. Still you expect some sort of reliability. Anymore I don't even take the strobe with me on the dive. It's just dead weight I don't need.

Dandy Don. I don't even know what to ask for this since it would saddle someone with a whole lot of problems. I've had the camera for over 2 years and have read a lot about it. I think the camera needs to be retired.