Aquatica Zoom Gear Installation on a Nikon 12-24DX Lens

Hi all,

I am attempting a dry run of the first assembly of all of the zoom gears and ports for my new Aquatica S2 rig. Most everything has aligned and functioned perfectly with the difficulties encountered being mostly user induced. That being said, I have run into one problem and once again, it is probably a user issue.

Blake shipped the #18696 Zoom gear to me for use with the 12-24DX lens. It appears to be too small in diameter to slip over the lens from the rear and the filter mount on the front of the lens is too large to allow the gear to go over to its appropriate position.

Am I supposed to remove the front bezel from the lens to allow for the zoom gear to slip over. If so, is this a friction fit piece or is it threaded? If not, then do I perhaps have a case of the misshipped gear(not likely)?

Insight from experienced Aquatica users is appreciated since the folks at Aquatica are out until Monday.

Thanks all,

Mike

Hello, Mike, it's actually quite simple, on the inside of the gear, you will find an o-ring, take it out and remove (a very little at a time) snippet's from it until the gear fit snuggly but not too tight, as a rule if it's too hard to put something in on underwater photography equipment, something is wrong and you should never force it. Aquatica provide a little excess rubber on theses gear, to allow for size fluctuation. again only remove a little at a time until you have a snug fit, to much and the gear will slip and be useless.

Cheer's,

Jean

Oh and i forgot to mention, please do not take your lens apart, the gear goes in from the rear.

I wish that it would be that simple. The interference when attempting to slide the gear on the lens from the rear comes from the raised switch assemble for the M/A-M function of the lens. This area will not allow the cast part of the zoom gear to pass. The interference comes before the o-rings engage. For this reason, I feel like I may have a variant lens unless I am missing something very obvious and in that case, one of the many users here will point out the missing link.

Thanks for your help Jean.

Regards all,

Mike

If you take all of the orings out and the lens still won't pass over the switch and into position, then the gear is simply too tight - there is no other explanation.

You need a different gear.

FWIW, my gear does not have any trouble passing over the A/M-M switch.

Cheers

James

I was able to speak with Blake at Aquatica following their Monday holiday in Canada. With the measurements I had sent and photos of the gear, we were able to determine that I own the wrong zoom gear. Blake was very apoligetic and is shipping the replacement gear overnight to arrive this morning to get thrown in the Pelican case. I leave this afternoon for Bonaire. Close one huh?

Kudos to Blake for responding in my, "time of need". Thanks.

Thanks to Mauricio H. also. He was also helpful in solving my little conundrum.

Best regards all,

Mike