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.
This product has been water pressure tested at the factory and is depth
rated to 200 ft (60m). 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.
Clean the main housing o-ring and retest to make sure that it is
watertight. Refer to the Troubleshooting section, page 24.
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 23.
3
Page 4
Specifications
Controls ................................All camera functions accessible except Rear
Housing Material ..................Polycarbonate front, acrylic back
What’s in the Box
-Housing
-Instruction Manual
-Tray with Quick Release Handle
-Waterproof Bulkhead Cap (connected to external strobe connector)
-Silicone 1cc Lubricant Tube
-Accessory Package (includes cleaning cloth and additional control tips).
4
Page 5
Parts of the Housing - Front View
-Housing controls are provided for all camera functions except the
dioptric adjustment dial.
Shutter
Button
Movie Button
Fn2 Button
Rear Dial
ON/OFF Lever
External Strobe
Connector & Cap
Front Dial
HDR Button
Lid Snap
Lens Port Base
External Tray Mounts
Lens
Release
Button
5
Page 6
Parts of the Housing - Back View
LV Button
1
2
3
MENUINFO
4
5
6
8
9
7
10
13
11
12
1.Mode Dial
2.Super Eye Viewfinder
3.Lever Function Control
4.MENU Button
5.INFO Button
6.UP Arrow
6
7.LEFT Arrow
8.OK Button
9.RIGHT Arrow
10.DOWN Arrow
11.Erase Button
12.Playback Button
Page 7
Housing and Camera Setup
STEP 1 - Attach Tray and Handle to the Housing
Skip STEP 1 if Tray is factory installed.
Using a 9/16” open/box end or socket Wrench (not supplied), firmly
tighten the External Tray and Spacer to the Housing Base using the two
3/8-16 Nuts and Washers supplied in the accessory package. One side
of the Spacer has an adhesive backing. Remove the Protective Film to
adhere the Spacer to the Tray.
Note: Tray and Handle may be attached before or after the camera is
secured in the Housing. We recommend attaching it immediately to avoid
scratching table tops with the Tray Mounting Bolts.
Tray Mounting Bolt
Spacer
External Tray
& Handle
Protective Film
Washer
3/8-16 Nut
MADE IN USA
Wrench - not supplied
7
Page 8
STEP 2 - Initial Camera Settings
1
Setup your camera for underwater use and then adjust your settings once underwater.
-Insert a fully charged camera battery and a SD card.
-Set Mode Dial to “M” Manual Mode. Set Aperture to f/8 and shutter
speed to 1/125th second. Other shooting modes are not recommended.
-In 1 Menu:
In Card Setup, set Format to “Yes.” Note: Save your images on the SD
card to a computer or other device before formatting card in the camera.
In Record Mode set Still Picture to “SB” or other desired setting.
Set Image Aspect to “4:3.”
-In A. Custom Menu: set AF Mode Still Picture to S-AF and Movie to
C-AF. Set Full-time AF to “Off.”
-In F. Custom Menu: set X-Sync. to 1/250 and Slow Limit to 1/30.
-In J. Custom Menu: Set Built-in EVF Auto Switch to “Off.”
-In MENU: Set Rec View to “5sec.”
-In OK Menu: Set Metering to “Ctr-weighted.”
Set Focus Mode to “S-AF” and ISO to “200.”
Set Image Stabilizer to “S-IS 1.”
Set Face Priority to “Off.”
Set White Balance to “Auto.” Always use auto white balance (AWB)
when using a strobe/flash. When recording video or shooting stills
without a strobe, AWB can still be used, but for more accurate and
consistent colors we recommend setting Custom white balance .
Set Flash to “Fill In .”
*Manual Flash can be set on the camera if desired: S or M mode must
be used to ensure that the flash will fire the redeye reduction preflashes
every time. When redeye reduction mode is selected and the shutter
release is pressed, 4 short bursts will be fired by the flash. After that,
8
Page 9
STEP 2 - Initial Camera Settings -
Manual Flash continued
you are now in manual flash mode and the lightning bolt flash ready
indicator will disappear from the monitor and there will be no more
preflashes.
To go back to TTL mode, power the strobe off and then on again.
Additional information can be found in the Olympus camera manual.
*All other camera functions not mentioned should be set to the user’s
preference.
STEP 3 - Opening the Housing
Lid Snaps have a Lock.
1.Push Lid Snap Locks forward and lift as shown.
Open opposing Lid Snaps simultaneously. Keep
Push Forward
Lid
Snap
Lock
pressure on the Lid Snaps so they do not fly
open quickly. Some Lid Snaps have a lot of
spring tension once they go over center, so keep
Lift
a firm grip on each Lid Snap. Lid Snaps may
also be opened one at a time.
2.Remove the Housing Back.
STEP 4 - Install Camera/Hotshoe in Housing
1.Make sure the camera battery is fully charged and a SD card is inserted
into the camera.
2.Rotate Housing Lens Release Button control up and forward against
front of housing. Pull top housing control knobs up for more clearance.
3.The Mounting Plate is secured to the inside bottom of the housing. The
camera Mounting Tray slides into the Mounting Plate. Use your index
finger and thumb to pull the Thumb Screw away from the Mounting
Plate, Diagram A, page 10. Use your other thumb to apply opposite
pressure against the bottom of the housing to assist in removal of the
Tray if necessary.
9
Page 10
STEP 4 - Install Camera/Hotshoe in Housing -
Diagram A
Pull to Remove
continued
Mounting Tray
Mounting Plate
4.Using a coin or flathead screwdriver (preferred), secure the camera
Mounting Tray to the camera tripod mount, Diagram B. Tighten camera
firmly to avoid movement on tray. The Mounting Tray only attaches one
way with the
Thumb Screw to
Diagram B
the back of the
camera.
An additional
1/4-20-inch tray
hole allows
Thumb Screw
attachment to a
land tripod stand.
Mounting Tray
5.Gently slide the camera with Mounting Tray back into the Mounting
Plate, Diagram C, page 11. Using your thumbs, push against the
Mounting Tray until it stops sliding forward into the Mounting Plate. Give
the Tray an extra push to make sure it is properly seated all the way
forward in the Mounting Plate.
10
Page 11
STEP 4 - Install Camera/Hotshoe in Housing -
continued
6.Slide the Hotshoe into the top camera mount until it stops. Hotshoe must
be all the way forward in the camera mount to assure a good electrical
connection with a strobe, Diagram C, below.
Make sure hotshoe cord does not interfere with controls or the housing
back when closing the housing.
Diagram C
Port Base
Hotshoe - push all
the way forward
into camera mount
Push Camera and
Mounting Tray all the
way forward into
Mounting Plate
Mounting Plate
Port Base O-ring
11
Page 12
STEP 5 - Closing the Housing
1.Place housing face down in your
lap or on a flat surface. Check to
see that there is an o-ring on the
housing back, and that it is clean
and in its proper location.
2.Guide the back onto the housing
front. Make sure the hotshoe wire
Even gap on
all four sides
is out of the way. Once the back
is properly installed, the o-ring
should touch the housing all the
way around. There should be an even gap on each side of the housing
between the housing and the back.
Lid Hook
Housing Back
Lid
Snap
O-ring
3.Lift the lid snaps so they are extended and place each lid snap into the
corresponding hook on the housing back.
4.To close the housing, push down on the opposing lid snaps
simultaneously until they snap into place. Be sure they are down far
enough to engage the lock - Page 9. The o-ring seal should now appear
as a solid black line from the back of the housing.
STEP 6 - Attach Optional Mirrorless Lens Ports
CAUTION: This housing does not come with a lens port. An optional
Mirrorless Lens Port must be properly attached to the housing before
submersion in water; see ikelite.com for compatible lens/port
combinations. After purchasing an optional port for your lens, reference
your port instruction manual for proper installation procedure.
Once the Port is properly installed you can test the housing for
watertightness without a camera inside to ensure all housing seals are
working properly.
DO NOT leave the Optional Lens Port off the Port Base for extended
periods of time. This can result in debris being attracted to the Port Base
O-ring, Diagram C, page 11, resulting in a bad seal.
12
Page 13
STEP 7 - 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, recheck the o-ring seal. Double 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 or solid black line 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.
Usage
Turn the camera on and operate each of the housing controls to get a
feel for using the camera in the housing.
Entering the Water
As soon as you enter the water, take a moment and check to see that
the housing is properly sealed. We recommend you first water test the
housing with no camera inside to assure a safe and watertight
environment.
Next, check to see if there are any bubbles on the face of the lens port.
there a
If
the lens port they can produce soft focus spots in your photos or video.
re, take your finger and remove them. If there are bubbles on
13
Page 14
Removing the Camera from the Housing
1.Thoroughly dry housing.
2.Remove the housing back, see Step 3, Opening the Housing, Page 9.
3. Remove the Hotshoe from the camera mount.
4.Place the index and middle fingers of your left hand over the top of the
camera and gently pull backward to separate from housing. Continue
pulling the camera backward and remove from housing.
If you are finished using the housing, remove the Mounting Tray from
the camera bottom and slide it back into the Housing Mounting Plate,
then replace the Housing Back. For storage and travel, remove the back
o-ring and place in a small plastic bag. Place the bag inside the housing
and re-attach the housing back.
Note: The Mounting Tray does not need to be removed when changing
a camera battery.
Diagram D
Optional Dome Port 5516.15
14
Page 15
Strobe Use and Compatibility
Strobe Compatibility
-AF35........................no
-DS50........................yes, above serial number 70000
-DS51........................yes
-DS125......................yes, above serial number 5000
-DS160, DS161 ........yes
-DS200......................yes, above serial number 7163
-Non-Ikelite ..............yes, manual flash exposure only
Ikelite Housing Conversion Circuitry
This small compact housing has Ikelite designed and patented
Conversion Circuitry built right in. The Conversion Circuitry provides real
TTL flash exposure when used with Ikelite DS series strobes. The
Circuitry is automatically activated once a DS series strobe is attached
to the housing and turned on. Once attached, turn the strobe on first
before turning on the camera. The circuitry cannot be powered up or
used by non-Ikelite strobes.
Attaching a Sync Cord to the Housing -
The Housing Bulkhead is designed to accept sync cords with Ikelite 5
pin connector fittings.
1.Lightly lubricate the Sync Cord O-ring. Use ONLY Ikelite lubricant
Diagram E, Page 16
(supplied with housing). Other lubricants may cause the o-ring to swell
and seal improperly.
2.Remove Bulkhead Cap from Housing Bulkhead.
15
Page 16
Attaching a Sync Cord to the Housing -
continued
3.Line up the Sync Cord Pins with the corresponding Bulkhead
Receptacles. Gently insert Sync Cord into Bulkhead. DO NOT force this
installation. If the Sync Cord does not seat properly inside the Bulkhead,
then the Pins and Receptacles are improperly aligned (repeat Step 3).
4.Tighten the Knurled Nut snugly using your Index finger and thumb. DO
NOT use pliers or other tools to tighten the Knurled Nut.
-Always remove the Sync Cord from your Housing when not in use and
replace the Bulkhead Cap.
Diagram E
Knurled Nut
Sync Cord O-ring
Sync Cord Pin
Ikelite TTL
Sync Cord
Bulkhead
Cap
16
Housing
Bulkhead
Page 17
Attaching an Ikelite Strobe Arm to the Housing Handle
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 below, Diagram F.
When the Ikelite Arm is properly seated, the Handle Push Button will
return to its starting position.
Ikelite Arm
Diagram F
Housing Handle
Handle Push
Button
17
Page 18
Spare Parts
MADE IN USA
(available through Ikelite or any Ikelite Dealer)
-0184.2 Silicone lubricant 2cc
reclosable tube
-9104.5 Waterproof bulkhead cap
-0110 Main o-ring
-0132.36 Port base o-ring
Recommended Accessories
Mirrorless Interchangeable Lens Ports
Visit ikelite.com to select the correct Mirrorless Ports for your lenses.
Tray + Dual Handles 9523.64
Attaching an optional Tray + Dual Handles will
add stability and gripping point(s) for
comfortable use of the housing. Add a second
strobe to eliminate shadows and evenly light
your subjects.
Video Lighting
External video lights such as the 2101 Vega Light add color when
shooting video. Primary video lights are specially color balanced to
provide natural tones.
A full range of accessories are available to support your housing.
Please visit ikelite.com to see the most current information about
recommended accessories for your housing.
18
Page 19
Maintenance
Lens Port
After use, rinse and gently dry the outside lens port with a non-abrasive
cloth to avoid water spotting. Do not rinse inside the Port. To clean, use
a mild soap solution or l
Port for cleaning.
Do not use Rain-X, alcohol, window cleaner, or any other cleaning
solution on the Lens Port.
ens cleaner. It is NOT necessary to remove the
Lubricant
Ikelite provides silicone lubricant with the housing. We recommend you use
only Ikelite lubricant on Ikelite products. Other brands may cause o-rings to
swell and not seal properly.
Use only enough lubricant to lightly cover the Port Base 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, hair 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. Use
Ikelite lubricant only.
19
Page 20
Housing Maintenance
Your Ikelite Digital Housing should be given the same care and attention
as your other photographic and video 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 Port Base O-ring clean and lightly lubricated. To lubricate,
place a small amount of lkelite lubricant on your fingers and rub the
lubricant over the exposed o-ring surface. If removing the o-ring to
lubricate, do not use metal objects that may scratch the o-ring sealing
surface. Only apply enough lubricant to make the o-ring feel slick. Donot stretch the o-ring. This light coating of lubricant will allow
Mirrorless Ports to slide more easily over the Port Base.
-Keep the area where the housing 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 and place in a plastic bag. Place the plastic bag 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.
20
Page 21
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
non-metal 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.
After completing this procedure, close
the housing and submerge it in water
without the camera i nside. Check the
control for watertightness.
Diagram G
Apply Ikelite Lube here
21
Page 22
Control Maintenance -
continued
In the unlikely event one of the larger gland style 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.
To remove the control, Diagram H, loosen the set screw in the knob
(allen wrench required); remove the knob. If there is salt or dirt build-up
on the exposed c
ontrol 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, noting the flat area on the shaft. The set screw in the
knob should tighten down against the flat area on the control shaft so
the knob does not turn on the shaft.
After completing this procedure, close the housing and submerge it in
water without the camera inside. Check the control for watertightness.
Diagram H
Housing
Gland
Control Shaft
Tighten set screw down
against this flat area
when replacing the knob.
22
Lubricate end of shaft
before reinserting into
gland
Loosen set screw
(hex head wrench required)
Page 23
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 feet (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 or flash exp. comp. 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.
23
Page 24
Troubleshooting
Problem
Push buttons or
controls are sticky or
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 it’s base. Release and
operate the push button several times to distribute
the lube, Diagram G, Page 21.
- If a larger gland style control is sticky, grab the
control knob, pull it out, and then push back in. If
still sticky, see the Control Maintenance section,
Image is
over/underexposed,
or a corner of the
image is dark
Diagram H, Page 22.
- Return housing to Ikelite for routine maintenance.
- Check that the strobe is firing when taking a
picture. Camera flash should be forced “on.”
- When using an external strobe, make sure it is
turned on, set properly, and its battery is charged.
- Reposition strobe(s).
- Check all corded connection points.
- Change camera shutter speed or aperture.
-Move closer to or further away from the subject.
-A
djust Flash Exposure Compensation .
24
Page 25
Problem
Solution
Camera does not
take a picture
Housing is hard to
close
- Install a fully charged battery.
- There is not enough available light for the camera
to properly focus. Add a focusing light or strobe
with a built-in focusing/video light to your
system.
- Select a center focus point in your camera menu.
- Make sure the camera is mounted properly in the
housing and controls are out of the way.
- Main housing o-ring i
s not seated properly.
- Hotshoe cord is in the way.
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 new 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.
25
Page 26
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 when NOT
using an external strobe. Reset for each working
depth or when attaching a color correcting filter to
the camera lens.
- Move in closer to your subject when taking a
picture.
- Add an optional color correcting filter to the
camera lens.
- Add an external strobe.
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
26
Page 27
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 should be returned to Ikelite postage paid. Ikelite will, at its sole
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.
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 Ikelite or through an Ikelite dealer. Please
include a brief description of the problem, any relevant email
correspondence, a
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 -
nd/or instructions on what services are required.
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.
27
Page 28
Product Registration
Please go to ikelite.com to register your Ikelite housing within 15 days
of purchase.