DC1200 Troubleshooting and Technical Updates
1. O-ring falls out when opening housing
2. Image vignette (black corners in picture) when using the SL970 Wide Angle Lens
3. Using 16GB SDHC memory cards
4. Continuous shooting and zooming in Video mode
5. Camera powers OFF after powering ON or zoom automatically increases to 5X after power on
6. Compatible brands of SD memory cards
7. Problems connecting the DC1200 inner camera to your computer
8. Tips to prevent fogging [Inside the housing lens port]
9. Pictures are out of focus or camera not focusing
10. Dark area in picture when using camera’s internal flash
11. Tips for avoiding rust stains on stainless steel parts
12. DC1200 Read / Write speed specification
1. O-ring falls out when opening housing
The DC1200 O-ring is made of a special low-durometer silicone material, which forms a very reliable wide seal when the housing is closed. The softer O-ring material may stick to the sealing surface of the closing door when opening the housing. Always make sure O-ring is clean, undamaged and correctly positioned in its groove prior to closing the housing. For detailed information about inspecting and caring for the DC1200 O-ring, please refer to page 60 to 63 of the DC1200 instruction manual.
2. Image vignette (black corners in picture) when using the SL970 Wide Angle Lens
The DC1200 is designed to work with the SeaLife SL970 Wide Angle Lens accessory and WILL NOT vignette underwater when set to Ext Flash, Sea or Snorkel mode. If you notice any vignetting in the picture, make sure the wide angle lens is completely pushed onto the lens port. Also make sure to “burp” out any air trapped between the Wide Angle Lens and camera housing lens port. If your SL970 wide angle lens does not make a tight, secure fit to your SeaLife camera, contact your local SL dealer or the SeaLife Service Center. In 2009, SeaLife has upgraded the snap on ring adapter of the wide angle lens for a more secure, tighter fit.
3. Using 16GB SDHC memory cards
For the DC1200 camera, SeaLife recommends using a SDHC memory card up to 8GB, which holds 1400 large size, fine quality pictures or at least 90 minutes of continuous video. We have tested 16GB SDHC memory cards from various popular brands without encountering any problems.
4. Continuous shooting and zooming in Video mode
The video mode will shoot continuously until the memory card is full or the shutter button is pushed. You can zoom in or out before recording video, but once the video starts recording the zoom cannot be adjusted unless you stop recording. Refer to page 32 of the DC1200 instruction manual for more information about video mode.
5. Camera powers OFF after powering ON or zoom automatically increases to 5X after power on
This problem is caused by not formatting the SD / SDHC memory card after it’s been used in another camera or electronic device. Make sure to format the memory card whenever it’s been used in another camera or electronic device.
- Remove the SD or SDHC card from the camera and upload your pictures and video to your computer. Use a USB card reader or the other camera / device that you shared the memory card with. Important: This must be done before formatting the SD or SDHC card. Failure to do this before formatting the card will result in loss of all pictures, videos and other files saved on the card.
- With the SD/SDHC card removed power the camera ON and push the MENU button.
- Follow the “Easy Set Up Menu” to select LAND (Auto Mode). There should be a red “A” in the top left-hand corner of the LCD display. This means you are in Auto mode (Land mode) this is the correct mode to be in for the repair.
- Power the camera OFF and insert the SD/SDHC card back into the camera.
- Power the camera ON and select menu/ setup/format (format will be on the second page) and follow the formatting instructions.
- Once the SD/SDHC card is formatted go back to the “Easy Set Up Mode” and set the camera to the desired setting (i.e. Land, Underwater, etc)
- Take about 5 pictures and then shut the camera OFF and power it back ON. The camera should now operate properly. Remember to designate 1 SD/SDHC card for your DC1200. Avoid switching cards between other cameras or devices. This could cause corruption.
Refer to page 20 of the DC1200 instruction manual for information on formatting the memory card.
6. Compatible brands of SD memory cards
SeaLife cameras are designed to work with any brand of SD memory card. SeaLife has performed extensive testing with various brands and size of SD / SDHC memory cards and we have not found any compatibility problems with brands like SanDisk, Panasonic, Toshiba, Delkin, Lexar, Kingston, PNY, Kodak, Polaroid, Kingmax and Eye-Fi (wifi card).
If you experience any performance problems with your SD memory card, it will most likely be a problem with the memory card. Check the following:
A. Make sure the card is not locked
B. Make sure the contacts on the care are clean and the card is not damaged.
If the memory card is still not working with your SeaLife camera, return it to the dealer where its was purchased and exchange it with another brand or size.
7. Problems connecting the DC1200 inner camera to your computer
The DC1200 camera is compatible with Windows operating system version XP, Vista, 7.0 and higher, and MAC operating systems version 9.0 and higher. NO DRIVER IS NEEDED. The DC1200 camera will automatically connect to your computer when following the connection instructions outlined on page 54 of the instruction manual. Here are some tips if you are still having problems connecting the camera to your computer.
- Make sure the camera battery is fully charged or connect the power cable to the camera.
- Reboot your computer and try again. Most connectivity problems are fixed when you restart your computer.
- For Windows operating system users, visit the Microsoft support site at http://support.microsoft.com/. Search on “Digital Camera” for a list of helpful tips from Microsoft.
- For Mac operating system users, visit the Apple support site at http://www.apple.com/support/. Search on “Digital Camera” for a list of helpful tips from Apple.
- Consider purchasing a SD memory card reader which connects to the USB port of your computer. You can quickly transfer pictures from your camera to your computer by removing the SC card from the camera and inserting it into your card reader.
8. Tips to prevent fogging [Inside the housing lens port]
Humid air or water dro