Thank you for your purchase of Ikelite equipment. Please read this
instruction manual completely before attempting to operate or dive
with this product. Please refer to the back page of this manual to
register your Ikelite product.
Width ......................6.8 in (173 mm) including controls
Height ....................4.9 in (124 mm) including controls
Depth ......................6.0 in (152 mm) including controls and lens port
Weight ....................3.0 lb (1.4 kg) above water
Buoyancy ................Slightly negative in freshwater
Package Contents
-Ikelite Digital Housing
-Silicone Lubricant
-Vinyl Port Cover
-Diffuser and Deflector
-Extra Control Tips
Preparation
This product has been water pressure tested at the factory and is depth
rated to 200 ft (60 m). Thoroughly inspect and immerse the empty
housing completely in water before installing a camera. If any fogging
occurs or droplets of water enter the housing, do not install a camera.
3
Page 4
1
Preparation - continued
Clean the housing main o-ring and retest to make sure that it is
watertight. Refer to the Troubleshooting section, page 18.
Please read your camera manual thoroughly to have a full
understanding of each camera function.
If you are new to underwater photography, be sure to read the Photo
Tips section, page 17.
Initial Camera Setup (before placing camera in housing)
-Insert a fully charged camera battery.
-Set Mode Dial to “Av” Aperture Priority and ISO to “200.”
-Raise Flash and set to “Flash always fires .”
-In MENU:
Push button and move to the center. Set Digital Zoom to “Off.”
Set AF-Point Zoom to “Off” and Set Servo AF to “On.”
Set Continuous AF to “Off” and AF-assist Beam to “Off.”
Set MF-Point Zoom to “2X” and Safety MF to “On.”
In the Flash Control Built-in Flash Settings Menu, set Red-eye Corr.
and Red-eye Lamp to “Off.”
Set Review Image after Shooting to “4 sec.” and Display Info to “Off.”
Set Blink Detection to “Off” and IS Settings Mode to “Continuous.”
Set Spot AE Point to “Center” and Safety Shift to “Off.”
Set Shortcut Button to Custom White Balance or desired setting.
- In MENU:
Set Date/Time and Time Zone.
Set Lens retract to “1 min” and Eco Mode to “Off.”
In the Power Saving Menu, set Auto Power Down to “Off” and Display
Off to “3 min.”
Insert and Format an SDHC memory card.
-In FUNC./SET MENU:
Set DR Correction to “Off” and AWB White Balance to “Auto.”
4
Page 5
Initial Camera Setup - continued
1
Set White Balance to “AWB.” For best results, use manual Custom
White Balance and reset for each working depth.
Set Drive Mode to “Single Shot .”
Set Metering to “Center Weighted Avg. ”
Set ND Filter to “Off” and Still Image Aspect Ratio to “4:3.”
Set Image Type to “JPEG 12M” and Image Compression to “L.”
Set Image Quality to “Superfine” and Movies to “FHD/60P.”
- Set Macro mode to “On” when shooting close-up. If the image
is overexposed, use “-” Flash Exposure Compensation
and/or back away, zoom in, and then reshoot.
Note: TTL Flash is NOT available when camera is in “M” Manual mode. See
your Canon camera manual for further information.
Parts of the Housing - Front View
Attach fiber optic cords to the housing Fiber Optic Ports, to fire compatible
external strobes. The Factory installed Flash Deflector, page 10, will reduce
backscatter and assist in redirecting the flash to the Fiber Optic Ports. Remove the
Deflector when using ONLY the camera flash.
Zoom
Mode Dial
Lever
Shutter
Button
Lid Snap
Lens Port
Fiber Optic Ports
External Tray Mount
5
Page 6
Parts of the Housing - Back View
3
1
2
ON/OFF
(Power)
4
5
1/4-20 Tray Mounts
1.Flash Pop-up Button
2.Playback Button
3.Exp. Comp. Dial
4.MOVIE Button
5.Shortcut Button
6.ISO / Single Erase Button
6
7
8
10
12
11
15
MENU
13
Control Dial in
“disengaged”
position
9
14
12.DISP. / Down Button
13. Control Dial: (Note that a small
section of the rubber disc is
missing at the end of this
control. This is normal and
allows the user to completely
disengage the control from the
camera when not in use).
7.AE/FE Lock Button
8.MF Manual Focus / UP Button
9.Macro / Left Button
10.FUNC./SET Button
11.Flash / Right Button
6
To disengage dial from camera,
rotate Dial to 6 o’clock position
and line up dial white dot with
housing dot.
14.AF Frame Selector Button
15. MENU Button
Page 7
Opening the Housing
Lid Snaps have a Lock. To open housing, push Lid Snap Lock forward
and lift as shown. Keep pressure on the
Lid Snap so it does not fly open quickly.
Push Forward
Lid Snap
Lock
Some lid snaps have a lot of spring tension once
they go over center, so keep a firm grip on the lid
snap. Lid Snaps may be opened one at a time.
Lift
Installing the Camera
1.Remove any lanyard attached to the camera.
2.Pull out on each housing control until it stops. This will get the controls
out of the way for installation of the camera.
3.Remove the back from the housing.
4.Set the housing front on a table and gently slide the camera into the
front mounting blocks, Diagram A.
5.While holding the camera in its seated position in the front mounting
blocks, rotate the housing front 90° so the port is resting against the
table top, Diagram B. CAUTION: Camera is NOT secure in the
housing until the housing back has been installed.
6.See “Closing the Housing”, page 8.
Diagram A
Mounting Block
Diagram B
7
Page 8
Closing the Housing
1.Check to see that there is an o-ring on the
housing back that is clean and in its proper
Lid Hook
Housing Back
location.
2.Guide the back onto the housing. The
o-ring should touch the housing all the way
around. There should be an even
gap all the way around between
the housing and the housing back.
3.Lift the lid snaps so they are extended and
Even gap on
all four sides
Lid
Snap
O-ring
place the lid snap into the corresponding hook on the housing back.
4.To close the housing, push down on the lid snaps until they snap into
place. Lid snaps on opposite sides of the housing should be closed at
the same time. Be sure they are down far enough to engage the lid-snap
lock.
Removing the Camera from the Housing.
1.Place housing face down on a table, page 7, Diagram B; remove
Housing Back.
2.Rotate housing 90°, page 7, Diagram A.
3.Tilt housing port up slightly with one hand while removing the camera
with your other hand.
Using the Camera’s Built-in Flash
If you are shooting with the camera’s built-in flash and the camera lens
is set to the widest angle, you may need to zoom the lens slightly or a
dark area may appear in a lower corner of close-up photographs. The
lens port may block some of the light. Remove the factory installed
removable Deflector and install the Diffuser (included). Zoom in slightly to
eliminate any dark areas noted in your photographs (You can test thisabove water). See Diffuser Installation, page 10. For the best results, we
recommend using an external Ikelite Substrobe with the housing
Deflector installed. The camera’s built-in flash CANNOT be used with
optional Wide-Angle or Accessory lenses.
8
Page 9
Usage
Final Check
The clear housing permits instant visual inspection of the camera and
sealing surfaces as well as complete monitoring of controls and camera
LCD screens. This housing has been factory water pressure tested to
200 ft (60 m).
Once the housing is closed, check the o-ring seal. Check the gap
between the housing back and the housing. It should be even all the
way around the housing.
Look through the clear plastic back at the o-ring. You should see a
darkened area where the o-ring is compressed against the housing
back. If you do not see an even black compression seal all the way
around the back, open the lid snaps, reseat the housing back and close
the lid snaps. Visually check the seal again.
Zoom Control (lever type only)
After you have used the housing's zoom
control, it must be returned to the center
position to disengage. If the housing zoom
control is pushing the zoom lever in either
-
+
direction, you may not be able to take a
picture or access other functions. This is
because the camera is receiving a signal
from the engaged zoom control.
Zoom Control
“Disengaged”
(Center Position)
Deflector Purpose
The Deflector should be installed when using any external strobe. The
-
Zoom
Control
“Engaged”
+
Deflector will block and redirect the camera’s flash to an optional AF35
slave unit or fiber optic cord, which sends the firing signal to the strobe.
The Deflector also stops the built-in flash from creating backscatter in
the image. Remove the Diffuser when using the Deflector.
9
Page 10
Deflector Removal/Installation
The factory installed flash Deflector should be removed when using
ONLY the built-in camera flash and no external strobes. Pull the
Deflector away from the inside of the housing front to remove. To install,
line up the corresponding Velcro dots on the housing front and press the
Deflector back into its factory installed position next to the lens port.
When properly installed, the Fiber
Optic Holes should line up with the
housing Fiber Optic Ports,
Deflector
page 5.
Velcro
Diffuser Purpose
When shooting close-up photographs, the lens port on the housing can
block a portion of the light from the built-in camera flash. This can result
in a shadow in a lower corner of the picture frame. The Diffuser will help
eliminate the shadow. In addition, you can zoom in if necessary.
Diffuser Installation/Removal
The included Diffuser should only be used when
shooting with the built-in camera flash. Always
Diffuser
Fiber
Optic
Holes
remove the Deflector before using ONLY the
built-in camera flash and Diffuser.
To install the diffuser, push the “Cut-out” Section
into the port groove until it stops as shown. To
remove, grab the top of the Diffuser and pull
away from the port.
Note the Small Hole. To avoid losing the diffuser,
you can attach a fishing line or string to this hole.
Diffuser properly
installed in port groove
10
Cut-out
Section
Small hole
Page 11
Attach Optional External Tray and Handle to Housing
1.Place the housing upside
Diagram C
down on a flat surface or in
your lap so that the housing
port is facing toward you as
shown in Diagram C.
2.Line up the 3/8” tray holes
with the housing mounts. If
the tray is positioned
properly, the handle will be
on your left side facing down.
3.Place a shoulder washer in
each 3/8” tray hole with the
small end of the washer facing down.
4.With your free hand, insert and rotate the 1/4-20” screws clockwise
until threaded into the housing mounts. Finish tightening the tray to the
housing using a flathead screwdriver. Do not overtighten.
Attach Optional Ikelite Strobe Arm to Housing Handle
If you have purchased an Ikelite Tray
and Handle for your housing, refer to
Diagram D to attach an Ikelite Arm.
To attach an Ikelite Arm to your
Housing Handle, depress the
spring-loaded Handle Push Button
until it stops. Gently slide the pronged
end of the Ikelite Arm into the hole in
the top of the Handle as shown.
Ikelite Arm
Diagram D
Housing Handle
When the Ikelite Arm is properly
seated, the Handle Push Button will
return to its starting position.
Handle Push
Button
11
Page 12
Turn Camera On
Turn the camera on and operate each of the housing controls to get a
feel for using the camera in the housing. Take a few test shots on land.
Note: Due to the camera’s extreme wide angle availablity, slight
vignetting (shading in the corners) may be present when the camera is
set to its widest angle lens setting. Zoom in slightly to eliminate.
Entering the Water
As soon as you enter the water, take a moment and check the housing
to see that it is properly sealed.
Next, check to see if there are any bubbles on the face of the lens port.
If there are, take your finger and remove them. If there are bubbles on
the lens port they can produce soft focus spots in your photos or video.
Maintenance
Lens Port
Treat the glass or acrylic in the lens port as a camera lens. After use,
rinse and gently dry the outside lens port to avoid water spotting. To
clean, use a mild soap solution or lens cleaner. Do not rinse the inside
port glass. Do not use alcohol or window cleaner on the Lens Port.
Lubricant
-Ikelite provides silicone lubricant with the housing. We recommend you use
only Ikelite lubricant on Ikelite products. Other brands may cause the main
housing o-ring to swell and not seal properly.
-Use only enough lubricant to lightly cover the main housing o-ring or
lubricate a sticky control. Wipe off any excess lubricant with a clean
cloth. Lubricant is not a sealant; it is used to reduce friction. Excessive
lubricant can collect sand and dirt which may interfere with proper
sealing.
CAUTION: Never use spray lubricants as the propellant ingredient can
cause the plastic housing to crack or o-rings to swell.
12
Page 13
Housing Maintenance
Your Ikelite Digital Housing should be given the same care and attention
as your other photographic equipment. In addition to normal
maintenance, we recommend that the housing be returned to Ikelite
periodically to be checked and pressure tested.
-Do Not leave the camera and housing in direct sunlight for prolonged
periods. Heat may damage the camera.
-Do Not ship the camera in the housing.
-Before using the housing, always check the tightness of the set screw
in each control knob. Check each control gland penetrating the housing
to make sure they are tight. There is a slight chance that either could
vibrate loose during travel.
-Keep the main housing o-ring clean and lightly lubricated. To lubricate,
remove the o-ring from the back. Put a small amount of lkelite lubricant
on your fingers. Pull the o-ring through your fingers to apply a thin
coating of lubricant. Only apply enough lubricant to make the o-ring feel
slick. Do Not stretch the o-ring. This light coating of lubricant will help
to keep the o-ring from drying out and will help to show a dark sealing
line when the housing back is properly sealed.
-Keep the area where the o-ring fits and the sealing surface of the
housing clean.
-Rinse the housing exterior thoroughly in freshwater after each saltwater
use. Depress push buttons repeatedly in freshwater to eliminate trapped
saltwater. Dry with a soft cloth. Dry lens port to eliminate water spotting.
After several uses in saltwater, soak the housing exterior in a mild soap
solution, rinse and dry before storing. When storing the housing, remove
the back o-ring, lightly lubricate, and place in a plastic bag. Place the
plastic bag with o-ring inside the housing for safe keeping.
-If removing a housing push button, Do Not re-use the E-clip. Contact
Ikelite for replacement E-clips (part 0319.12).
-Leave lid snaps in the open position when not using the housing for
extended periods.
13
Page 14
Control Maintenance
Ikelite controls are designed to provide years of reliable service
with minimal maintenance.
-Push button controls normally require no maintenance other than rinsing
in freshwater after saltwater use. Depress each push button in
freshwater several times to eliminate trapped saltwater. If a push button
control becomes difficult to push or if it sticks when depressed, soak the
housing in luke warm freshwater. After a few minutes, operate the push
button. If this does not correct the problem, return the housing to Ikelite
for maintenance. If you are on a trip and unable to return the housing
immediately, a push button may be lubricated by pressing and holding
the push button all the way in. Then, use your finger or other small
object to place a small amount of lube at the base of the shaft inside the
housing. Press and release the push button several times until the lube
is worked up into the o-ring.
-In the unlikely event one of the control shafts sticks or becomes difficult
to operate, you can remove the control from the housing and lubricate it,
or return the housing to Ikelite for maintenance.
Your housing features both round and hex style control glands. To
remove a control in a round style gland, diagram E, page 16, loosen the
set screw in the knob (allen wrench required); remove the knob. If there
is salt or dirt build-up on the exposed control shaft, clean the shaft.
Open the housing and gently slide the control shaft out of the control
gland. Clean and lightly lubricate the shaft and o-rings, including the
large end of the shaft.
If there is a shutter spring on the Control Shaft, make sure it is in its
proper position. Rotate the Shaft back and forth slightly to aid installation
back into the Control Gland.
Replace the knob with the Set Screw over the Control Flat. The Set
Screw in the knob should be tightened down against the flat area on the
Control Shaft so the knob does not turn on the shaft.
14
Page 15
Control Maintenance - continued
-Some of the controls have long shafts and feature a hex style control
gland. These controls can be pulled out, exposing the shaft, diagram F,
page 16.
To lubricate the control, gently pull on the knob until the stainless steel
shaft is exposed. Lightly lubricate the shaft, then move the shaft in and
out several times. This will lubricate the x-ring in the Ikelite control gland.
This should be done before using the housing after a prolonged storage
period, or once a week when the housing is in constant use.
-Some of the controls have a short shaft and cannot be pulled out
exposing the shaft for lubrication. In the unlikely event one of these
controls sticks or becomes difficult to operate you can remove the
control from the housing and lubricate it, or return the housing to Ikelite
for maintenance. To remove the control, diagram G, page 16, loosen the
set screw in the knob (allen wrench required); remove the knob. If there
is salt or dirt build-up on the exposed control shaft, clean the shaft.
Open the housing and gently slide the control shaft out of the control
gland. Clean and lightly lubricate the shaft, including the end of the
shaft. Slide the shaft back into the control gland and gently slide the
shaft back and forth a few times without fully removing the shaft from the
gland. Replace the knob noting the flat area on the shaft. The set screw
in the knob should tighten down against the flat area on the control, so
the knob does not turn on the shaft.
Close housing without a camera inside and water pressure test in a
bathtub or swimming pool. Rotate* the knobs to make sure the housing
is watertight and the gland was installed properly. Check all controls
while the housing is submerged.
*Caution: If your housing has a shutter spring, DO NOT rotate the
shutter control more than 1/16th of a rotation, otherwise, you may
accidentally bend the shutter spring or cause the spring to “pop off” the
control shaft.
15
Page 16
Diagram E
Lubricate end of shaft
before reinserting into
gland
Housing
Control Shaft
O-rings
Tighten set screw down against this
flat area when replacing the knob.
Diagram F
Set screw (allen
wrench required)
Knob
Control
Gland
Lubricate shaft
Housing
Diagram G
Tighten set screw down
when replacing the knob.
Control
Shaft
Pull out knob to
expose shaft
Control
Gland
Loosen set screw
(allen wrench required)
against this flat area
Lubricate end of shaft
before reinserting into
gland
16
Housing
Page 17
Photo Tips
-The number one rule in underwater photography is to eliminate as much
water between the camera and subject as possible. Get as close as you
can to the subject, then use the zoom. If you are using flash for still
photos, subjects beyond 6 ft (1.8m) will not have much color regardless
of strobe power.
-Photograph in clear water; do not stir up the sand or silty bottom. If
backscatter becomes a problem in the environment you are
photographing, an external flash will help eliminate much of the
backscatter.
-Many digital cameras have a slight lag time between when you press
the shutter release button and the camera actually takes the picture.
Hold the housing steady a second or two after pressing the shutter
release button.
-Do not shoot down on subjects as they will quite often blend into the
background and be difficult to see in the photograph. Shoot subjects
straight on or shoot up at a slight angle using the blue water as a
contrasting background.
-When using daylight or flash, if your camera consistently over or
underexposes the image, you may want to adjust your camera’s
exposure compensation settings.
-If you error in exposure, it is better to have the image slightly
underexposed rather than overexposed. An overexposed image is
missing color information which cannot be adjusted in a photo
processing program. A slightly underexposed image has color
information that can be adjusted.
-It is important to respect all living creatures underwater, including
people, marine life, and coral. While we encourage people to get close
to their subjects when taking a photograph, they should not touch, lie on,
or in any way disturb the things they find underwater.
17
Page 18
Troubleshooting
Problem
Push buttons or
controls are sticky
and hard to operate
Solution
- Remove the camera and rinse the closed housing
in freshwater. Vigorously press each push button
in and out several times to release any trapped
saltwater or debris.
- Press a sticky push button all the way in and
place a small amount of lube on the small end of
the push button shaft at its base. Release and
operate the push button several times to distribute
the lube.
- If a control is sticky, grab the control knob, pull it
out, and then push back in. If still sticky, see the
Control Maintenance section - pages 14 &15.
Image is
over/underexposed,
or a corner of the
image is dark
- Return housing to Ikelite for routine maintenance.
- Check that the camera flash or strobe is firing
when taking a picture. Camera flash should be
forced “on.”
- Make sure the deflector is installed when you are
using a non-wired external strobe with a slave.
- Make sure the diffuser is installed when you are
NOT using an external strobe.
- When using an external strobe, make sure i
turned on, set properly, and its battery is charged.
- Check any corded connection points.
- Change camera shutter speed or aperture.
-Move closer to or further away from the subject.
t is
-Adjust Camera Exp. Comp. .
18
Page 19
Problem
Solution
Camera does not
take a picture
Housing is hard to
close
- Install a fully charged battery.
- If using a “lever type” zoom control, make sure the
control is centered and not engaged.
- Another camera function is engaged, locking out
the shutter control.
- There is not enough available light for the camera
to properly focus. Add a focusing light or strobe
with a built-in focusing light to your system.
- If applicable select macro mode for close-ups.
- Make sure the camera is mounted properly on the
camera tray and housing controls are out of the
way.
- Main housing o
-ring is not seated properly.
Fogging occurs on
the Lens Port
- Humid air is trapped inside the housing.
The camera produces heat and may condense
any trapped moisture forming fog on the lens port.
Close the housing in an air-conditioned room or
vehicle, or in front of an air-conditioner.
- The housing should not be in direct sunlight for an
extended period of time.
- Purchase desiccant packs also known as
moisture munchers from a local camera store.
Place one or two packs in your housing before
each day of diving.
- If moisture or water droplets are present around
the controls or sealing areas, return the housing
to Ikelite for evaluation.
- Clean the main housing o-ring and sealing
surface of the housing.
19
Page 20
Problem
Solution
Water enters the
housing
Pictures are too blue
or too green
- Remove, clean and properly lubricate the main
o-ring.
- Look for hair, dirt, or foreign debris crossing the
o-ring seal.
- Reassemble the housing without a camera
installed and pressure test or take diving.
- Return housing to Ikelite for evaluation.
- Use custom (manual) white balance if available.
Reset for each working depth or when attaching a
color correcting filter.
- Add an optional color correcting filter OR add an
external strobe.
- Move in closer to your subject when taking a
picture.
20
Page 21
Spare Parts
Main Housing O-ring 0109
Vinyl Port Cover 0200.08
Ikelite Lube 5020 (4 - 1cc tubes)
For light lubrication of the main housing o-ring.
Recommended Accessories
Tray and Handle(s)
Add stability and gripping point(s) for comfortable use of the housing
above and below water. Most tray and handle combinations offset the
slightly positive buoyancy of the housings. Handles offer attachment
points for external lighting systems.
External Strobes
A separate external strobe adds color to restore the warmer colors
filtered out by the water as well as to illuminate the subject. Add a
second strobe to eliminate shadows and evenly light your subjects.
Video Lighting
External video lights add color when using the video/movie mode of your
camera. Primary video lights are specially color balanced to provide
natural tones.
External Color Correcting Filters (Blue or Green Water)
Color filters such as the UR-Pro Filter replace
UR-Pro Filter
some of the reds, oranges and more natural
tones that would otherwise be lost underwater.
Effective in relatively shallow, sunny conditions,
and available for tropical blue water and green
Lens Port
water settings. For optimum results use in
combination with “custom (manual) white
balance.” Check your camera user guide for information on this option (if
available). For available light use only. Not recommended when using
external strobes.
21
Page 22
Recommended Accessories - continued
WD-4 Wide-Angle Conversion Dome 6430.4
The removeable WD-4 corrects light refraction underwater,
restoring the camera’s original angle of coverage. Approximately
3/4 of the camera's zoom range can be used with the dome in
place. Slight vignetting may occur at camera’s widest angle setting.
External Macro Adaptor 9306.82
Allows attachment of 67mm threaded macro lenses from Inon
and Epoque. NOT for use with 67mm threaded wide-angle lenses.
Note: Other than the 6430.4 and 9306.82, no other accessory lenses or
adaptors can be used with this housing. A full range of accessories is
available to support your housing. Please visit www.ikelite.com to see
the most current information about recommended accessories for your
housing.
Customer Support
Please read the troubleshooting section of this instruction manual before
contacting Ikelite Customer Support.
Ikelite Underwater Systems
Service Department
50 West 33rd St.
Indianapolis, IN 46208 USA
Email: ikelite@ikelite.com
Phone: 317-923-4523
Limited Warranty
This Ikelite product is warranted against any manufacturing defects for a
period of one (1) year from the original date of purchase. Defective
products s
discretion, repair or replace such products, and will return to customer
postage paid. All other claims of any nature are not covered. Except as
mentioned above, no other warranty expressed or implied applies to this
Ikelite product.
hould be returned to Ikelite postage paid. Ikelite will, at its sole
22
Page 23
Returning Products For Service
Ikelite is most interested in performing any service to ensure that all
products perform as intended. Evidence of purchase date must be
provided to obtain warranty service.
No prior authorization is required. You may return directly to us or
through your dealer. Please include a brief description of the problem,
any relevant email correspondence, and/or instructions on what you
want us to do. Always include name, shipping address, email address,
and phone number inside of the package. Send postage paid to:
Ikelite Underwater Systems
Attention: Service Department
50 West 33 Street
Indianapolis, IN 46208 USA
No reimbursements for postage paid will be issued.
You may also want to insure the package.
Returning Products for Service (outside the United States)
For the separate international customs documentation form that you
complete to accompany the shipment, please state or designate that the
enclosed products were originally manufactured in the USA and are
being returned to the manufacturer for repair service. Value of the
equipment listed for customs purposes should be zero.
23
Page 24
Product Registration
Please go to www.ikelite.com to register your Ikelite housing within 15
days of purchase.