Ikelite 6148.10 Instructional Manual

Ikelite Digital Housing

Zoom

Power

F

lash Pop-Up

FRONT VIEW

BACK VIEW

Shutter
B

utton

Mode Dial

L

ens Port

Lid
Snap

Lid
Snap

L

id

S

nap

Quick
R

elease

Button

R

ubber

Handle

Aluminum Tray

Function
Set

Flash

ISO

Playback

C

ontrol

D

ial

Flash

P

rint

Face Select

Display

Menu

Erase

M

acro

Lift

Push For ward

Lid Snap Lock

Canon SX100 IS

Lid

Hook

Lid
Hook

O-Ring

Mounting
Bolt

Mounting
Tray

i n s t r u c t i o n m a n u a l

#6148.10 for Canon PowerShot SX100 IS

Congratulations on your purchase of an Ikelite Digital Camera
Housing. Ikelite has over 30 years of experience in the underwater
photographic and lighting market. Our products are designed and
built in the USA by Ikelite for both the professional and amateur
photographer.
The clear housing permits instant visual inspection of the camera
and all sealing surfaces as well as complete monitoring of controls
and camera LCD screens.
Ikelite Digital Housings are slightly negative in salt water for
stability. This housing has been water pressure tested at the
factory. Housing is pressure tested to 200' (60m).

OOppeenniinngg tthhee HHoouussiinngg

1. Lid Snaps have a
To open, push Lid Snap Lock
forward and lift as shown.
Keep pressure on the Lid
Snap so it does not fly open
quickly.

Some lid snaps have a lot of
spring tension once they go over center, have a firm grip on the
lid snap. Lid Snaps may be opened one at a time.

LLoocckk

.

IInnssttaalllliinngg tthhee CCaammeerraa

1. Remove the back from the housing. The mounting tray for the
camera is secured to the housing back. Position the camera on
the tray and
secure it with the
mounting bolt
which threads
into the camera's
tripod socket.
UUssee aa ccooiinn oorr ffllaatt
bbllaaddeedd
ssccrreewwddrriivveerr ttoo
ttiigghhtteenn tthhee
mmoouunnttiinngg bboolltt ssoo
tthhee ccaammeerraa iiss ffllaatt
aaggaaiinnsstt tthhee ttrraayy..

CCAAUUTTIIOONN::

Some camera tripod socket threads are plastic. The mounting
tray bolt is metal. Do not cross thread or over tighten as you
may damage the camera tripod socket threads.

CClloossiinngg tthhee HHoouussiinngg

1. Place housing face down in your
lap or on a flat surface.

2. Check to see that there is an
o'ring on the housing back and
that it is clean and in its proper
location.

3. 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

housing

around between the housing and
the housing back.

4. Lift the lid snaps so they are
extended and place the lid snap
into the hook on the housing
back.

5. To close the housing push
down on the lid snaps until

even gap
all 4 sides

they snap into place . Lid
snaps on opposite sides of the
housing should be closed at the
same time. Be sure they are down

housing

far enough to engage the lock.

DDoouubbllee cchheecckk

- 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.

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.

housing back

o'ring

housing back

o'ring

43

+-

+-

LLuubbrriiccaanntts

1. Ikelite provides silicone lubricant with the housing. We recommend
you use only Ikelite lubricant on Ikelite products as some other
brands may cause the o'ring to swell and not seal properly.

2. Use only enough lubricant to lightly cover control shafts and
o'rings. 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.

CCAAUUTTIIOONN

NNeevveerr uussee sspprraayy lluubbrriiccaannttss aass tthhee pprrooppeellllaanntt iinnggrreeddiieenntt ccaan
ccaauussee tthhee ppllaassttiicc hhoouussiinngg ttoo ccrraacckk.

s

n

.

ZZoooomm CCoonnttrrooll

NOTE:) 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
any other function as the camera
is receiving a signal from the
engaged zoom control.

Zoom control
engaged

Zoom control
disengaged
(centered)

UUssiinngg tthhee CCaammeerraa’’ss BBuuiilltt--IInn FFllaassh

The camera’s built-in flash does NOT pop-up automatically.
After installing the camera in the housing the Flash Pop-Up
Control on the housing can be used to open the camera’s built­in flash.

h

DDiiffffuusseerr && DDeefflleeccttoorr IInnssttaallllaattiioonn

Deflector

TTuurrnn CCaammeerraa OOnn

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
pictures above water with the camera in the housing.

5 6

DDiiffffuusseerr aanndd DDeefflleeccttoorr ccoonntt..

A diffuser and deflector are
included with the housing.
The diffuser is white
transparent plastic. The
deflector is also white but is
not transparent and has a
decal on the front.

To install the diffuser or
deflector spread the port
clamp at the spring end and
slide over the lens port. The
white plastic should be
placed in front of the camera
flash. The port clamp should
be pushed back against the
front of the housing.

This edge
against
housing

Port Clamp

Spring

Spread to Install

DDiiffffuusseerr

The diffuser should be installed when using the camera's built in
flash. When shooting with the camera's built-in flash at
approximately 2 feet (0.6 m) or less, the lens port on the
housing may block a portion of the light from the camera's
built-in flash, creating a shadow in the lower left of the photo.
If this occurs, zoom the lens slightly to eliminate the shadow.

(You can test this above water)

DDeefflleeccttoorr

The deflector should be installed when using an external strobe
such as the DS51 or DS125 Substrobe and EV Controller. The
deflector will redirect the camera's flash to the EV Controller
which controls the external strobes output.

7

Diffuser/
Deflector
material

OOppttiioonnaall AAcccceessssoorriieess

BBaacckk OO''rriinngg

O'rings last for several years if properly maintained. (See
maintenance) Always carry a spare.

UURR//PPrroo FFiilltteerr ((BBlluuee WWaatteerr))

The UR/Pro underwater color correcting filter is designed to
restore some of the warm colors filtered out by the water. For
available light use only, not recommended for use with flash.

GGrreeeenn WWaatteerr FFiilltteerr

Enhances contrast and alters the color of green water to give
our subject a rich, natural tone. For available light only, not
recommended for use with flash.

UUssee tthhee EEVV CCoonnttrroolllleerr wwiitthh aa DDSS SSuubbssttrroobbe

The EV Controller provides 10 manual power settings in 1/2 stop
increments for the DS51 or DS125 Substrobes. The EV Controller has a
built-in slave which can be triggered by the camera's built-in flash.

SSuubbssttrroobbee PPaacckkaaggeess aavvaaiillaabblle

#3944.47 SubStrobe DS51 with EV Controller & Strobe Arm
#3944.54 SubStrobe DS51 with EV Controller & Ball Socket Arm
#3944.77 SubStrobe DS125 with EV Controller & Ball Socket Arm

##00111100

##66444411..4411

##66444411..8811

e

e

8

OOppttiioonnaall AAcccceessssoorriieess CCoonnttiinnuueed

Substrobe
DS51

SA-100Q
Arm

EV Controller

EV Controller

SSuubbssttrroobbee DDSS5511

The Substrobe DS51 covers the
equivalent of a 28mm lens. It is
the ideal choice when using
only the camera lens or the
camera lens with a macro
accessory lens.

d

SA-100Q
Arm

Substrobe
DS125

SSuubbssttrroobbee DDSS112255

The Substrobe DS125 covers
the equivalent of a 18mm
lens, 100 degrees. It is the
ideal choice when using
accessory wide angle lenses
greater than 28mm.

MMaaiinntteennaanncce

e

The Ikelite Digital Housing should be given the same care and
attention as your other photographic equipment. In addition to

ormal maintenance we recommend that the housing be returned

n
to Ikelite periodically to be checked and pressure tested.

1.

leave the camera and housing in direct sunlight for

t

DDoo NNoot
prolonged periods. Heat may damage the camera.
DDoo NNoott

2.

ship the camera in the housing.

3. Before using the housing, always check the tightness of the
ssccrreeww

in each control knob.

Check each

ccoonnttrrooll ggllaanndd

to make sure they are tight. There is a

slight chance that either could vibrate loose during travel.

. Keep the back o'ring clean and lightly lubricated. To lubricate

4

remove the o'ring from the back. Put a small amount of lkelite
lubricant on your fingers. Draw the o'ring through your fingers
to apply a light coating of lubricant. Only apply enough
lubricant to make the o'ring feel slick.

DDoo NNoott ssttrreettcchh tthhee oo''rriinngg
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.

5. Keep the area where the o'ring fits and the sealing surface of
the housing clean.

6. Rinse the housing exterior in fresh water after each salt water
use. Dry with a soft cloth. Dry lens port to eliminate spotting.
After several uses in salt water soak the housing in a mild soap
solution, rinse and dry before storage. 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.

CCAAUUTTIIOONN

NNeevveerr uussee sspprraayy lluubbrriiccaannttss aass tthhee pprrooppeellllaanntt iinnggrreeddiieenntt ccaan
ccaauussee tthhee ppllaassttiicc hhoouussiinngg ttoo ccrraacckk.

.

n

sseett

.

CCoonnttrrooll MMaaiinntteennaannccee

Ikelite controls are designed to provide years of reliable service
with minimal maintenance.

1. Push button controls require no maintenance other than rinsing
in fresh water after saltwater use. If a push button control
becomes difficult to push or if it sticks when depressed, soak the
housing in luke warm fresh water. After a few minutes operate
the push button. If this does not correct the problem, return the
housing to Ikelite for maintenance.

2. Some of the controls have long shafts. These controls can be

lubricate shaft

housing

pull out to
expose shaft

pulled out, exposing the shaft (see drawing).
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 use.

109

3. 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,
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 it back and
forth a few times without fully removing the shaft from the
gland. Replace the knob, NOTE 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.

control
shaft

Flat

Tighten set screw down

against this area when

replacing the knob.

housing

Lubricate end of shaft
before reinserting into
gland

gland

Loosen set screw
(allen wrench required)

ccoonnttiinnuueedd oonn nneexxtt ppaaggee

11

12

GGeenneerraall TTiipps

s

PPhhoottoo TTiippss CCoonntt.

.

1. Due to the power required to operate the camera, flash, and
LCD screen it is a good idea to start each dive with a fresh set
of batteries.

2. Some cameras reset their flash to AUTO when the camera is
turned on.

3. As soon as you enter the water, take a moment and check the
housing to see that it is properly sealed.

4. Next, check to see if there are any bubbles on the face of the

ens port. If there are, take your finger and remove them. If

l
there are bubbles on the lens port they can produce soft focus
spots in your photographs.

5. If you use the housing Zoom control, make sure to move it back
to the center position. If the housing Zoom control is pushing
the camera zoom lever to either side the camera will not
function.

SSeett FFllaasshh ttoo OONN iinn MMaannuuaall MMooddee.

.

PPhhoottoo TTiippss

1. The number one rule in underwater photography is eliminate as
much water between camera and subject as possible. Get as
close as you can to the subject, then use the zoom. If you are
using flash, subjects beyond 6 feet (1.8m)will not have much
color.

2. Digital cameras have a slight lag time between when you press
the shutter release button and the camera actually takes the
picture. Hold the camera steady a second or two after pressing
the shutter release button.

13 14

3. 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

he blue water as a contrasting background.

t

4. Underwater flash is used to restore the warmer colors filtered
out by the water as well as to illuminate the subject. When
photographing underwater, set the camera to use flash on
every shot. If the camera's flash is set to AUTO and the sun is
behind your subject, the camera may see enough light that it
does not fire the flash. With the sun behind the subject the
subject is shaded (dark) and needs flash for a good exposure.

5. Since opinions vary on what is the correct exposure you may
want to adjust your camera for what you like exposure wise.
Many cameras allow you to adjust both available light and flash
exposure with an EV control.

6. Many photographers transfer their images to the computer
where they can fine tune the appearance of the image. Many of
the image manipulation programs make you think you can
magically correct any image taken and make a good picture.
One thing to remember when using image manipulation
programs, if the image is overexposed much of the color is
missing. If the color is missing you cannot adjust it. If images
are underexposed some color and detail may be there, it is just
dark and you can adjust it to some degree. So if you error in
exposure it is better to have the image slightly underexposed
than over exposed.

IIkkeelliittee LLiimmiitteedd WWaarrrraannttyy

All Ikelite products are warranted against any manufacturing
defects for a period of one (1) year from the date of purchase.
Defective products should be returned prepaid to Ikelite. Ikelite
will, at its discretion, repair or replace such products, and will
return to customer prepaid. All other claims, of any nature,
including but not limited to bulb failure are not covered. Except as
mentioned above, no other warranty expressed or implied, applies
to this Ikelite product.

RReettuurrnniinngg PPrroodduuccttss ffoorr SSeerrvviiccee

Ikelite is most interested in preforming any service to assure that
all products perform as intended. For repair or service, return the
product to the address below with your name, address, phone
number and a brief description of the problem. Evidence of
purchase date must be provided to obtain warranty service.

IIkkeelliittee UUnnddeerrwwaatteerr SSyysstteemmss

5500 WW 3333rrdd SSttrreeeett

IInnddiiaannaappoolliiss,, IINN 4466220088 UUSSAA

331177--992233--44552233

eemmaaiill:: iikkeelliittee@@iikkeelliittee..ccoomm

wwwwww..iikkeelliittee..ccoomm

15

16

DDiiggiittaall 66114488..1100--0011--11110088