Place the sample in the holder and turn on the recorder, light, and monitor. An image should appear on the monitor. Adjust the f-stop and focus so that focal plane is approximately in the middle of the flask and there is enough light to illuminate microzooplankton, but not too much to shrink the depth of field. If this is the beginning of a tape, it would be wise to calibrate the system by focusing on the calibration ruler in front of the flask and then placing it behind the flask and adjusting the focus. Remove the ruler, readjust the focus, and film the surface sample.
Recording is achieved by simply pressing the record button only .
Fill out the data sheet in the notebook noting the f-stop used. Record each sample for about 5 minutes. Please record the calibration ruler every tape or so. Once the CTD has been deployed and recovered, find out from the operator which bottles were tripped at each depth. We want samples from the bottom and the pycnocline if present.