Olympus PEN E-PL7
I n s t r u c t i o n M a n u a l
MADE IN USA
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.
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Specifications
Controls ................................All important camera functions are accessible
Buoyancy ..............................Slightly negative in freshwater
Depth Rating..........................200 ft (60m)
Strobe Connection................Ikelite Digital TTL ICS-5 5-pin Electrical
................................................Bulkhead plus TTL circuitry compatible with
................................................current model Ikelite DS-series strobes
Use Built-in Flash..................No
Tray and Handle Weight ......11.5 oz (327 g)
Main O-Ring ..........................0110
Housing Dimensions ............6.4 x 7.5 x 5.9 in (163 x 190 x 150 mm)
Housing Material ..................Polycarbonate front, acrylic back
ight ....................3.19 lb (1447 g) not including tray, handles or
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
-Cleaning Cloth
-1/8-inch Allen Wrench
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Parts of the Housing - Front View
Housing controls are provided for all accessible camera functions.
Shutter
Button
Mode DialON/OFF Button
Lens Port Base
External Strobe
Connector & Cap
Lid Snap
External Tray Mounts
Lens
Release
Button
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10
8
11
7
5
9
3
1
1212
3
2
13
4
6
MENUINFO
Parts of the Housing - Back View
1.Control Dial
2.Fn Button
3.Button
4.Movie Button
5.MENU Button
6.INFO Button
7. Up / Exp. Comp. Button
6
8.Left / AF Target Button
9.OK Button
10.Right / Flash Button
11.Down / Self-timer Button
12.Erase Button
13.Playback Button
Page 7
Housing and Camera Setup
STEP 1 - Remove/Attach Tray and Handle
The Tray and Handle may be removed for transport and then re-attached
for housing use. We recommend leaving the Tray and Handle attached
whenever possible to avoid accidentally scratching table tops or other
surfaces with the Tray Mounting Bolts.
To remove, loosen both 3/8-16 Nuts using a 9/16” open/box end or
socket Wrench (not supplied).
External Tray & Handle
MADE IN USA
Washer
3/8-16 Nut
Wrench - not supplied
Tray Mounting Bolt
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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 “Av” Aperture Priority. Set aperture to F5.6, or F18 for
macro photography (close-ups). If faster shutter speeds are desired or a
DS-series strobe is not being used, then set Mode Dial to “M” Manual
Mode and shutter speed to 1/60th second or 1/125th second for fast
moving subjects. Other shooting modes are not recommended.
-In 1 Menu:
Caution: Save recorded images on the SD card to a computer or other
device before formatting card. In Card Setup, set Format to “Yes.”
In Record Mode set Still Picture to LF or other desired setting. Set Movie
to “MOV to FullHD F.”
-In 2 MENU set Image Stabilizer (Still Picture) to “S-IS-AUTO.”
-In A. Custom MENU: Set AF Mode Still Pictures to “S-AF.”
Set Full-time AF to “Off.” Set Reset Lens to “Off.”
Set Home A. AF/MF to the center. Set AF Illuminat. to “Off.”
Set Face Priority to “Off” and Area Pointer to “on.”
-In F. Custom Menu: set X-Sync. to 1/250 and Slow Limit to 1/60.
-In J. Custom Menu: Set Touch Screen Settings to “Off.”
-In MENU: Set Rec View to “4sec.”
-In OK Menu:
Set White Balance to “Auto.” For best results, set to Manual White
Balance and reset for each working depth or when using a color filter.
Set Aspect Ratio to “4:3” or other desired setting.
Set Flash to “Fill In .”
Set Metering to “Ctr-weighted ” and ISO to “200.”
Set Face and Eye Priority to “Off.”
*All camera functions not mentioned should be set to the user preference.
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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 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 a firm grip on each Lid Snap. Lid Snaps may also be opened
one at a time.
2.Remove the Housing Back.
Push Forward
Note: If the back is hard to
remove, place the Open Lid
Snap End under the lid hook
and against the housing. Lift
up on the Lid Snap Tab to
break the housing seal.
Lift
STEP 4 - Installing Camera in the Housing
Lid
Snap
Lock
Open Lid Snap EndLid Snap Tab
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.
3.The Mounting Plate is secured to the inside bottom of the housing. The
camera Mounting Tray slides into the Mounting Plate. Use the index
finger of your hand to pull the Tray Removal Screw on the back of the
Mounting Tray away from the Mounting Plate, Diagram A, page 10. Use
your thumb to apply opposite pressure against the bottom of the housing
to assist in removal of the Mounting Tray.
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Page 10
STEP 4 - Installing Camera in the Housing -
Diagram A
Tray Removal Screw
Pull to Remove
Mounting Tray
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 attaches one way
with the Tray
Removal Screw to
Diagram B
the back of the
camera.
An additional
1/4-20-inch Tray
hole allows
Tray
Removal
Screw
attachment to a
land tripod stand.
Mounting Tray
5.Gently slide the camera with Mounting Tray back into the Mounting Plate
with the camera attached Diagram C, page 11. Make sure the hotshoe
wire is out of the way. Using your thumb, 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, Diagram D, page 11.
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STEP 4 - Installing Camera in the Housing -
Diagram C
Hotshoe
Wire
continued
Port Base
Diagram D
Hotshoe pushed all the way
forward into the camera mount
Hotshoe
Mounting PlateMounting Tray
Port Base O-ring
Camera and Mounting Tray
pushed all the way forward
into the Mounting Plate
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STEP 5 - Attach the Hotshoe
Slide Hotshoe into the top camera mount until it stops, Diagram D,
page 11. Hotshoe must be all the way forward in the camera mount to
assure a good electrical connection with a strobe.
Make sure Hotshoe cord does not interfere with controls or the housing
back when closing the housing.
STEP 6 - 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 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
Even gap on
all four sides
Lid Hook
Housing Back
the housing and
the back.
3.Lift the lid snaps so
they are extended
and place each lid
snap into the
corresponding
hook on the
housing back.
Lid
Snap
4.To close the
housing, push
O-ring
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.
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STEP 7 - Attach Optional M.I.L (MIL) Port
M.I.L. (MIL) = Mirrorless Interchangeable Lens
CAUTION: This housing does not come with a lens port. An optional
MIL Port must be properly attached to the housing before submersion in
water; see www.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 MIL Port off the Port Base for extended
periods of time. This can result in debris being attracted to the Port Base
O-ring, Diagram D, page 11, resulting in a bad seal.
STEP 8 - 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.
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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.
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.
Removing the Camera from the Housing
1.Thoroughly dry housing.
2.Remove the housing back, see Opening the Housing, Step 3, Page 9.
3. Remove the Hotshoe from the camera mount.
4.Place your index finger over the top of the Tray Removal Screw and
gently pull backward to separate Mounting Tray and camera from
housing. Continue pulling Mounting Tray backward while holding the
camera with your other hand; 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.
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
Diagram E
Optional MIL Dome Port 5516.15
Tray might need to be
removed when
changing a camera
battery or memory
card.
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Strobe Use and Compatibility
Strobe Compatibility
-AF35........................no
-DS50........................yes, above serial number 70,000
-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 o
Non-Ikelite strobes can be used in manual settings only. The circuitry will
be inactive and provide only manual flash.
n the camera.
Attaching a Sync Cord to the Housing -
The Housing Bulkhead is designed to accept sync cords with Ikelite 5
(MIL Housing)
Diagram F, Page 16
pin connector fittings.
1.Lightly lubricate the Sync Cord O-ring. Use ONLY Ikelite lubricant
(supplied with housing).
2.Remove Bulkhead Cap from Housing Bulkhead.
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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 F
Knurled Nut
Sync Cord O-ring
Sync Cord Pin
Housing
Bulkhead
Ikelite TTL
Sync Cord
Bulkhead
Cap
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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, Diagram G.
When the Ikelite Arm is properly seated, the Handle Push Button will
return to its starting position.
Ikelite Arm
Diagram G
Housing Handle
Handle Push
Button
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Spare Parts
(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
Optional M.I.L. (MIL)
Visit www.ikelite.com to select the correct MIL Ports for your lenses.
Tray + Dual Handles
Add stability and additional gripping points for comfortable use of the
housing. Attach a second video light to eliminate shadows and evenly
(Mirrorless Interchangeable Lens)
Ports
light your subjects.
DS161 Strobe Kit
The DS161 combines power with wide angle coverage to give you an
excellent lighting source for both still photos and video. Instead of a
simple focus light, the DS161 includes a super even, 500 lumen video
light. The light is suitable for close-up, macro, portrait, and wide angle
fill-in work or as a focus assist light. Automatic shut-off when the flash
fires ensures that the video light will have no undesired effects on still
photos.
A full range of accessories are available to support your housing.
Please visit www.ikelite.com to see the most current information
about recommended accessories for your housing.
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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.
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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 MIL 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.
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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 H
Apply Ikelite Lube here
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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 I, 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 I
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
(allen 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.
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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 H, 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 I, Page 22.
- Camera eyecup must be removed.
- Return housing to Ikelite for routine maintenance.
- Add one or two DS-series strobes to the system.
- Check that the strobe is firing when taking a
picture. Camera flash should be forced on and set
to “Fill In.”
- When using an external strobe, make sure it is
turned on, set properly, and its battery is charged.
- Check all corded connection points.
- Change camera shutter speed or a
-Move closer to or further away from the subject.
perture.
-Adjust Flash Exposure Compensation .
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Problem
Solution
Camera does not
take a picture or
picture is blurry.
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 or video light to your
system.
- Select a center focus point in your camera menu.
Select a faster shutter speed.
-
- 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.
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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.
- Add an optional color correcting filter to the
camera lens.
- Use custom (manual) white balance. Reset for
each working depth or when attaching a color
correcting filter to the camera lens.
- Add an external strobe.
- Move in closer to your subject when taking a
picture.
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
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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.
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Product Registration
Please go to www.ikelite.com to register your Ikelite housing within 15
days of purchase.