Congratulations on your purchase of an Ikelite Digital Camera
Housing. Ikelite has over 40 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).
FRONT VIEW
BACK VIEW
2
SIDE
VIEW
OOppeenniinngg tthhee HHoouussiinng
Lid Snaps have a
1.
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.
LLoocck
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1. Remove the back from
the housing. The
mounting tray for the
camera is secured to
the housing back.
Position the camera
and lens on the tray
and secure it with the
mounting bolt which
threads into the
camera’s tripod socket.
On the side of the box containing the conversion
circuitry is a switch for setting the DS Substrobe ID.
Set the switch to the Model of DS Substrobe being
used, SD125 or DS50.
• When using dual strobes of different
models such as a DS50 and a DS125, set
the ID switch to DS50.
Before installing the camera, pull out on the controls in the front
section of the housing. This will allow the camera to slide in
easier. Once the camera is installed and the lid snaps have been
closed, return the controls to their operating position.
CClloossiinngg tthhee HHoouussiinng
1. Place housing face down in your lap.
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housing back
2. Check to see that there is an
o’ring on the housing back and
that it is clean and in its proper
ocation.
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3. Guide the back onto the housing.
he o’ring should touch the
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housing all the way around.
o’ring
There should be an even gap all
the way around between the
ousing and the housing back.
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housing
4. Lift the lid snaps so they are
extended and place the lid snap
into the hook on the housing
housing back
back.
5. To close the housing push
own on the lid snaps until
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they snap into place . Lid
even gap
all 4 sides
snaps on opposite sides of the
housing should be closed at the
same time. Be sure they are
down far enough to engage the
housing
o’ring
lock.
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- 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.
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ZZoooomm CCllaammp
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Note: There are 2 Gear Sleeves and Zoom Clamps packed with the
housing.
Gear Sleeve and Zoom Clamp #5509.28 are for lenses with zoom
rings between 2.8” and 3.0” (71.12mm-76.21mm) in diameter.
Gear Sleeve #0073 and Zoom Clamp #9059.8 are for lenses with
zoom rings 2.8” (71.12mm) or less in diameter.
The two halves of the Zoom Clamp are held together by springs.
This allows the Zoom Clamp to be stretched to fit over the zoom
grip on different diameter lenses. The Zoom Clamp should fit
tight around the lenses zoom grip so that it does not slip when
using it to rotate the camera’s zoom ring. If the Clamp is loose,
adhere the thin black rubber strips to the inside of each half of
the Zoom Clamp as shown above. The Zoom Clamp has two
extended ears with grooves. These grooves accept the Ribs on
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Gear Sleeve.
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It is easiest to install the gear
sleeve and port with the
housing laying on it’s back
with the camera lens pointing
up.
Position the clear plastic Gear
Sleeve with the gear teeth
pointed toward the housing.
The Gear Sleeve slides over the
lens and the Gear Sleeve’s ribs slide into the grooves on the
extended ears of the Zoom Clamp. The gear teeth on the Gear
Sleeve should mesh with the drive gear in the port opening on
the housing. (See front view of housing)
IInnssttaalllliinngg tthhee PPoorrt
There are two port locks on
the front of the housing.
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Port Lock
Release
Button
(See housing front) Each
port lock has a Release
Button, lift the release
Locked Position
button and slide each Port
Lock away from the port
opening. In the unlocked
position the Release Button
will remain in the up
position as shown.
8
Lift Release
Button to
Unlock
Page 3
IInnssttaalllliinngg tthhee PPoorrtt ccoonntt.
Red LEDs
(Compensation)
Mode &
Compensation
Buttons
Manual Mode
Yellow LED
TTL Mode
Yellow LED
33
ikelite
SubstrobeSubstrobe
MOD-NC
To prepare the port for installation, remove the port o’ring and
ightly lubricate it. The port seal is a side-to-side seal and
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requires the o’ring to be lightly lubricated for easy installation.
Put a small amount of lubricant on your fingers and draw the
o’ring through your fingers to lightly lubricate it. Do not stretch
the o’ring. Check that the lip of the port where the o’ring fits
and the sealing surface on the housing are clean. Place the port,
with o’ring into the housing’s port opening. Press the port
irmly and evenly into the port opening while slightly rotating
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the port until you feel the port slide into place. Continue to
ush down on the port and push each port lock forward until it
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clicks into place. It may help to slightly rotate the port as you
push in on the port lock. When the port lock clicks into place
the Release Button will drop down against the port lock.
Check around the perimeter of the port seal to see that the
’ring is properly sealed and not extruded.
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TToo RReemmoovvee PPoorrt
To remove the port lift up on each Release Button and slide the
port lock away from the port.
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.
UUssiinngg EExxtteerrnnaall SSttrroobbees
his housing has Conversion Circuitry built into the housing.
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When used with Ikelite DS Substrobes the Conversion Circuitry
rovides real Nikon iTTL flash exposure with over and under-
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exposure compensation from +1 1/3 to - 1 1/3 f-stops in 1/3 stop
The Conversion Circuitry also offers Manual exposure control
with 3 1/2 f-stops of under-exposure control in 1/2 stop
increments.
The Conversion Circuitry is powered by the Ikelite DS Substrobe
when connected to the housing with the #4103.51 single or
#4103.52 dual sync cord.
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PPoorrtt SSeeaall IInnssiiddee VViieew
If the port is installed before the camera is
inserted into the housing, look on the inside of
the housings at the port seal. Check to see that
the o’ring is properly sealed as shown in
figure 1 and not extruded as shown in figure 2.
•• MMooddee aanndd CCoommppeennssaattiioonn BBuuttttoonns
The Conversion Circuitry default is set to TTL. To switch between
TTL and Manual Modes depress both Mode Buttons at the same
time and keep then depressed until you see the desired Yellow
LED Mode illuminate.
•• TTTTLL MMoodde
illuminated). TTL Mode is the default setting. When the DS
Substrobe is powered ON the
Yellow TTL LED will illuminate.
None of the Red LEDs will
illuminate. This indicates that
NO (+) plus or (-) minus
compensation is selected.
Depress the Mode buttons to
select +/- compensation. Note
that the TTL +/- compensation
values are in the yellow bar with
the heading TTL.
•• MMaannuuaall MMoodde
the Yellow LED directly below
the M is illuminated). When the
Manual Mode is selected the
Red LED directly below the F
(full power) will illuminate.
Note that the Manual minus (-)
compensation values are in the
black bar with the heading M.
• DS50 SubStrobes with a Serial Number below 63,850 can not be
updated to operate with the Conversion Circuitry.
• DS50 SubStrobes with a Serial Number between 63,850 and
69,999 operate with the Conversion Circuitry, but require update
to provide optimum performance.
• DS50 Substrobe with a Serial Number of 70,000 or higher or
with one of the two following labels in the battery compartment
provide optimum performance with the Conversion Circuitry.
DDSS112255 SSuubbssttrroobbees
• DS125 Substrobes with a Serial Number below 2,500 must be
updated to operate correctly with the Conversion Circuitry.
• DS125 Substrobes with a Serial Number between 2,501 and
4,900 operate with the Conversion Circuitry but require update
to provide optimum performance.
• DS125 Substrobe with a Serial Number of 5,000 or higher or
with one of the two following labels in the battery compartment
provide optimum performance with the Conversion Circuitry.
FFoorr SSuubbssttrroobbee UUpp--DDaattee:
Contact Ikelite for information.
The Conversion Circuitry is automatically disabled when used
with a Non Ikelite Strobe. Non Ikelite strobes can be used in their
manual mode utilizing any power settings provided on the strobe.
SSttrroobbee AArrmms
This housing offers two types of arm mounting systems. The
top of the rubber handles utilize Ikelite’s Quick-Release Arm,
vailable with the SA-100R Arm system.
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The bottom of the rubber handles have a wing nut that accepts
the Ikelite Tray Mount. The Tray Mount comes with the Ikelite
SA-125 Arm system and the SA-100T Arm system.
LLuubbrriiccaanntts
1. Ikelite provides silicone lubricant with the housing. We
recommend that you use only Ikelite lubricant 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.
It is recommended that you take the complete system into a
swimming pool before use in open water. This will give you a
chance to become familiar with the handling and operation of
your housing and strobe(s).
OOppttiioonnaall AAcccceessssoorriiees
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The buoyancy of the system will depend on the size and
umber of strobes used as well as the weight of the camera.
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Ideally the system should be slightly negative in the
nvironment in which it will be used. If you need to add weight
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to the system, an optional lead weight is available. To add the
ead weight remove the (2) screws from the bottom of the
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aluminum tray. Place the lead weight into the pocket of the
While both the Port and Back o’rings should last quite some time
it is best to carry a spare in case one becomes damaged or lost.
SSttoorriinngg tthhee HHoouussiinng
When the housing is going to be stored for a prolonged period
the exterior of the housing should be soaked in a mild soap
solution, rinsed and dried thoroughly. Then remove the back and
port from the housing. Remove the back and port o’rings, lightly
lubricate them and place them in a plastic zip-lock bag. Place the
plastic bag inside the housing for storage.
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1
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PPoorrtt IInnffoorrmmaattiioon
While we have included a list of our ports and a short list of
Lenses and port recommendations we suggest visiting our web site
for the latest information on lenses and port recommendations.
•With the lens on the camera extended to
full length, measure from front of camera
to face of lens.
•Select the appropriate port based on the
lens type and length.
•Maximum lens diameter accommodated is
8.4cm (3.3")
•Maximum lens diameter when using
zoom or focus clamp 7.6cm (3.0”)
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”
SUPERWIDE DOME PORT 6”
#5503.15 ........Lens up to 6.3cm (2.5")
DDOOMMEE PPOORRTT 88”
#5510.80 ..8” Dome Port (see lens & port recommendations)
Some zoom lenses may require the addition of a +4 diopter close-up lens.
(Available from camera store).
”
15
PPoorrttss CCoonnttiinnuueed
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FLAT PORT
For standard, macro, and telephoto lenses.
Due to refraction flat ports reduce the angle-of -coverage of a lens
and at the same time enlarge the image. This makes the flat port
ideal when using standard, macro or zoom lenses to shoot small
subjects. Note that if a port is long enough to accommodate the
full length of a 1:1 macro lens, the lens may vignette when used at
infinity. If access to the lens' full range is desired, then select a
dome port instead.
(*) Zoom lenses that do not focus to 12” require a +4 diopter close-up lens
be added to the lens when used underwater behind a dome port.
(1) Requires #5509.28 zoom and clamp (included with #6805.1 housing)
(2) Requires #5509.12 port sleeve with rubber pads to operate zoom lens.
(3) #5508.05 port allows switching from manual to auto focus underwater.
(7) Manual focus only with #5506 port.
(8) #5503.20 dome port is a #5503 with special #5504.20 shade for newest
f/2.8 “D” 20mm lens.
(14) 8” dome recommended for this lens.
(*) Zoom lenses that do not focus to 12” require a +4 diopter close-up lens
be added to the lens when used underwater behind a dome port.
(9) f3,5-4.5 “D” AF zoom needs custom zoom clamp and sleeve included
with #5503.81 port.
Lens & Port Recommendations continued on page 18.
17
MMaaiinntteennaanncce
The Ikelite 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.
DDoo NNoot
1.
prolonged periods. Heat may damage the camera.
DDoo NNoot
2.
3. Before using the housing, always check the tightness of the
ssccrreew
Check each
they are tight. There is a slight chance that either could vibrate
loose during travel.
4. Keep the back and port 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. 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.
tthhee oo’’rriinng
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 clean.
6. Rinse the housing exterior thoroughly in fresh water after each
salt water use. Depress push buttons several times during rinse.
Dry with a soft cloth. Dry port to eliminate water spotting.
After several uses in salt water soak the housing in a mild soap
solution, rinse and dry.
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.
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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.
20
Page 6
3. Some of the controls have a short shaft and cannot be pulled
out exposing the shaft for lubrication. In the unlikely event one
f these controls sticks or becomes difficult to operate you can
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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);
emove the knob. If there is salt or dirt build-up on the exposed
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control shaft, clean the shaft. Open the housing and gently slide
he control shaft out of the control gland. Clean and lightly
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lubricate the shaft, including the end of the shaft. Slide the
haft back into the control gland and gently slide it back and
s
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
n the control so the knob does not turn on the shaft.
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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)
GGeenneerraall TTiipps
1. You should completely assemble and test your set-up in a
swimming pool before using it in openwater.
2. It is a good idea to start each photo dive with a fully charged
battery(s) in the camera and strobes.
3. As soon as you enter the water, take a moment and check the
ousing to see that it is properly sealed.
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4. Next, check to see if there are any bubbles on the face of the
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 photographs.
5. Set Image Resolution to the Highest JPG format available or
AW. Higher resolution setting are required for printing. High
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resolution images can easily be reduced in size with software
and retain their original quality. A Low resolution image can be
enlarged with software but much of the quality will be lost.
6. Digital images are usually transferred to the computer where
their appearance can be fine tuned. Many of the image
manipulation programs make you think you can magically
correct any image taken and make a good picture. One thing to
be aware of is that if an image is overexposed that some of the
color information in the file is missing. If the color is missing
you cannot adjust it. If images are underexposed the 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 overexposed.
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21
PPhhoottoo TTiipps
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. It only takes a slight amount of pressure to trip the
shutter, if the shutter doesn’t trip immediately don’t push down
harder on the shutter control as you may damage the camera.
Hold the camera steady a second or two after pressing the
shutter release button.
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
the blue water as a contrasting background.
4. Underwater flash is used to restore the warmer colors filtered
out by the water as well as to illuminate the subject.
5. For balanced lighting meter the background and set the camera
aperture accordingly. Use TTL, adjust the strobe’s power
settings, or move the strobe closer or farther away to properly
expose the subject with the chosen camera aperture.
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22
IIkkeelliittee LLiimmiitteedd WWaarrrraanntty
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.
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.