Ikelite Olympus E-500, 6855 Instruction Manual

Ikelite SLR-DC Housing

Strobe
Mount

R

ubber

H

andle

Quick-Release
Strobe
Mount

G

ear Sleeve

D

rive Gear

Zoom
Control

Lid Snap

Lens
Release

Exposure
Compensation

On/Off

Lid
Snap

Shutter
Release

Port Lock

Aluminum Tray

Port

Opening

Quick
Release
Button

External Strobe Connector
and Waterproof Cap

Viewfinder Po r t

[D] Info
[E] One Touch WB
[F] AF Frame

[G] Copy/Print
[H] White Balance
[I] Focus Mode

A

B

C

D

EF

G

H

I

K

L

J

Lens
Release

Zoom

Control Dial

AEL/AFL

Mode Dial

[A] Playback
[B] Erase
[C] Menu

[J] ISO
[K] Metering
[L] OK

Camera
Tray

Camera
Mounting
Bolt

Gear
Sleeve

Port
O'ring

Optional
Port

Lid
Snap

Shutter
Release

Back O’ring

On/Off

AEL/AFL

Exposure
Compensation

O‘ring

Mounting Bolt

Camera Tray

Lift

Push For ward

Lid Snap Lock

instruction manual

#6855 for Olympus E-500

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

N

s

.

3

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.

CCAAUUTTIIOON

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

OOppeenniinngg tthhee HHoouussiinng

1. Lid Snaps have a

LLoocck

g

k

.
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.

MMoouunnttiinngg tthhee CCaammeerraa ttoo tthhee TTrraay

y

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.

NNOOTTEE:

:

Use a flat
bladed screwdriver or
coin to tighten the
Mounting Bolt to make
sure the camera is flush

n

against the Camera
Tray.

4

FFllaasshh CCoonnnneeccttiioonn ffoorr EExxtteerrnnaall SSttrroobbees

O'ring

H

ousing Back

E

xternal Strobe Connector

Waterproof Cap

H

ot Shoe

Connector

S

prings

Groove

Rubber Strips

Lens Zoom Grip

Springs

Gear Sleeve

Rib

Gear
Teeth

s

When using an external strobe connect the housings Hot Shoe
Connector, slide the
connector into the
hot shoe of the

amera from the

c
back of the camera
as shown. Slide the
connector forward
until it stops. This
can be done after

he camera is

t
secured with the
mounting bolt.

CCaauuttiioonn:

:

o not remove the External

D
Strobe Connector’s waterproof
cap unless an external sync cord
is going to be plugged in.

IInnssttaalllliinngg CCaammeerraa iinn HHoouussiinng

g

Before installing the camera, pull out on the controls in the front
section of the housing. This will allow the camera to slide in

TThhee AAEELL//AAFFLL hhoouussiinngg ccoonnttrrooll mmuusstt bbee ppuulllleedd oouutt aass ffaarr aas

easier.
ppoossssiibbllee ffoorr tthhee ccaammeerraa ttoo bbee iinnssttaalllleedd..TThhee bbeenndd iinn tthhiiss ccoonnttrrool
sshhoouulldd aallssoo bbee ttoowwaarrdd tthhee ttoopp ooff tthhee hhoouussiinngg.

.

Make sure the Hot­Shoe Connector cable is inside the housing and not interfering
with the housing seal. Once the camera is installed and the lid
snaps have been closed, return the controls to their operating
position.

5

CClloossiinngg tthhee HHoouussiinng

1. Place housing face down in your lap.

g

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.

l

3. Guide the back onto the housing.

he o’ring should touch the

T
housing all the way around.

o’ring

There should be an even gap all
the way around between the

ousing and the housing back.

h

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

d
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.

DDoouubbllee cchheecck

k

- Once the housing is closed, check the o’ring seal.

Check the gap between the housing back and the housing, it

s

l

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.

6

ZZoooomm CCllaammp

IInnssttaalllliinngg tthhee ZZoooomm CCllaammp

p

p

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
Gear Sleeve.

7

IInnssttaalllliinngg tthhee GGeeaarr SSlleeeevve

e

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.

t

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.

Unlocked Position

Pull Back to
Disengage
Port

8

Lift Release
Button to
Unlock

IInnssttaalllliinngg tthhee PPoorrtt ccoonntt.

Measure

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

l
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 until you feel the port

f
slip into place. Continue to push down on the port and push

ach port lock forward until it clicks into place. It may help to

e
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.

o

TToo RReemmoovvee PPoorrt

To remove the port lift up on each Release Button and slide the
port lock away from the port.

t

.

UUssiinngg EExxtteerrnnaall FFllaassh

UUssiinngg IIkkeelliittee DDSS SSuubbssttrroobbees

This housing incorporates Conversion Circuitry which provides

lympus TTL flash when used with any Ikelite DS Substrobe.

O
Requires Sync Cord #4103.51 for single DS Substrobe or

4103.52 for dual DS Substrobes.

#

UUssiinngg NNoonn DDSS SSuubbssttrroobbees

Non DS Substrobe can be used, but will only operate in manual

ode, and not provide the TTL functions of the coversion

m
circuitry.

UUssiinngg OOtthheerr MMaannuuffaaccttuurreerrss SSttrroobbees

Other strobes can be used, but will only operate in manual
mode, and not provide the TTL functions of the conversion

ircuitry. Mounts and sync cords for Nikonos and sync cords for

c
Inon or Sea & Sea strobes are available.

SSttrroobbee AArrmms

This housing offers two types of arm mounting systems. The top
of the rubber handles utilize Ikelite’s quick-release arm, available
with the SA-100R Arm system.

s

h

s

s

s

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.

PPrree--DDiivvee YYoouurr SSyysstteem

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 familar with the handeling and operation of
your housing and strobe(s).

OOppttiioonnaall AAcccceessssoorriiees

LLeeaadd WWeeiigghhtt ##00990066..558

The buoyancy of the system will depend on the size and
number of strobes used as well as the weight of the camera.
Ideally the system should be slightly negative in the
environment in which it will be used. If you need to add weight
to the system, an optional lead weight is available. To add the
lead weight remove the (2) screws from the bottom of the
aluminum tray. Place the lead weight into the pocket of the
aluminum tray and reattach.

IIkkeelliittee LLuubbee ##00118844..1

PPoorrtt OO’’rriinngg ##0011005

HHoouussiinngg BBaacckk OO’’rriinngg ##00113322..559

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 it
should be soaked in a mild soap solution, rinsed and dried
throughly. 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.

w

9

m

s

8

1

5

9

g

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.

10

MMeeaassuurriinngg aa LLeennss ttoo cchhoooossee aa ppoorrt

•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 7.1cm (2.8")

CChhoooossiinngg aa PPoorrt

DDOOMMEE PPOORRT

#5503 ........

#5503.20
#5503.50 ..Lens 7.6-10.1cm (3-4")

#5503.55....Lens 8.9-11.4cm (3.5-4.5")

#5503.80
#5503.81
#5503.85 ..Lens 12.7-15.2cm (5-6")

Some zoom lenses may require the addition of a +diopter close-up lens.
(Available from camera store).

..Nikon 18 & 20mmD lenses

..

....

t

T

Wide angle 28mm to 17mm
or lens up to 7.6cm (3") in length

Lens 10.1-12.7cm (4-5")
Nikkor 28-105mm lens only

t

SUPERWIDE DOME PORT

Superwide lens 110° to 170°. Not compatible with the SLR-MD housing due
to vignetting.

#5503.15 ........Lens up to 6.3cm (2.5")

1

1

12

PPoorrttss CCoonnttiinnuueed

d

FLAT PORT

or standard, macro, and telephoto lenses.

F

ue to refraction flat ports reduce the angle-of -coverage of a lens

D
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.

FLAT PORT

#5501 . . . . . Lens up to 6.3cm (2.5")

#5502 . . . . . Lens 6.3-8.9cm (2.5-3.5")

5502.41 . . Lens 7.9-10.4cm (3.1-4.125")

#

5505 . . . . . Lens 8.9-11.4cm (3.5-4.5")

#
#5505.45 . . Lens 10.4-13cm (4.1-5.125")
#5505.5 . . . Lens 11.4-14cm (4.5-5.5")
#5505.58 . . Lens 13-15.5cm (5.1-6.125")

FLAT PORT WITH FOCUS

For long lenses whose focus collar extends beyond the housing
focus. Telephoto lenses longer than 135mm are not recommended.

#5506 . . . Lens 8.9-11.4cm (3.5-4.5")
#5506.5 . Lens 11.4-14cm (4.5-5.5")

5507 . . . . Lens 14-16.5cm (5.5-6.5")

5508 . . . . Lens 16.5-19cm (6.5-7.5")

5508.05 . Nikor 105mm lens only

OOllyymmppuuss LLeennss PPoorrtt CChhaarrt

OOLLYYMMPPUUSS LLeenns

? Zuiko 7-14mm (

? Zuiko 11-22mm #5503.80 --------- no

* Zuiko 14-45mm #5503.50 --------- no

? Zuiko 14-54mm f2.8-3.5

uiko 50mm macro F2.0 #5503.50 #5502.41

Z

pr) Preferred / recommended choice

(

(* ) Zoom Lenses require addition of a +4 diopter close-up to the
lens for full range operation underwater behind a dome port.

? ) This zoom lens will focus close enough that adding a + diopter

(
close-up to the lens is NOT required. Longer port may be required
to stack filters or close-up lenses.

(1) Diameter of lens requires this special dome port with included
sleeve.

(2) Requires #5509.28 special zoom and clamp set.
(#5510.30) Diameter of lens requires this special 8" dome port and
sleeve.

s

1)

t

66"" DDoommeeFFllaatt PPoorrtt88"" DDoomme

#5503.30 (

2)

(

#5503.55 (

1)

--------- #5510.30

2)

--------- no

o

r

p

n

e

13

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
the housing to make sure 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.

CCAAUUTTIIOONN::

iinnggrreeddiieenntt ccaann ccaauussee tthhee ppllaassttiicc hhoouussiinngg ttoo ccrraacckk.

e

t

leave the camera and housing in direct sunlight for

t

ship the camera in the housing.

w

in each control knob and the control glands penetrating

DDoo NNoott ssttrreettcch

g

. This light coating of lubricant will help to keep the

NNeevveerr uussee sspprraayy lluubbrriiccaannttss aass tthhee pprrooppeellllaanntt

.

sseet

h

14

CCoonnttrrooll MMaaiinntteennaanncce

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.

t

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

housing

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.

e

lubricate shaft

pull out to
expose shaft

15

16

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

o
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

r
control shaft, clean the shaft. Open the housing and gently slide

he control shaft out of the control gland. Clean and lightly

t
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.

o

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.

h

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

R
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.

s

17

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. Some 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.

s

18

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.

RReettuurrnniinngg PPrroodduuccttss ffoorr SSeerrvviicce

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 SSyysstteemms

IInnddiiaannaappoolliiss,, IINN 4466220088 UUSSA

eemmaaiill:: iikkeelliittee@@iikkeelliittee..ccoom

y

e

5500 WW 3333rrdd SSttrreeeet

331177--992233--4455223

wwwwww..iikkeelliittee..ccoom

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19

DDiiggiittaall 66885555--0022--0033006

6