Page 1
Digital Housing
instruction manual
for
Olympus
SP-500
Housing
#6132.50
Page 2
Ikelite Digital Housing
Shutter
Release
Shutter
Release
Lens Po r t
FRONT VIEW
BACK VIEW
Display
Quick View
Flash
Mode
Monitor
Lid
Snap
Lid
Snap
Lid
Snap
Lid
Snap
Quick
Release
Button
Rubber
Handles
Aluminum Tray
Arrow Pa d
Flash Pop-Up
TOP VIEW
Lens Po r t
Zoom
AEL
Power
Mode
Shutter
Release
instruction manual
#6132.50 for Olympus SP-500 UZ
Congratulations on your purchase of an Ikelite Digital Camera
Housing. Ikelite has over 30 years of experience in the underwater
photographic and lighting market. Our products are designed and
built in the USA by Ikelite for both the professional and amateur
photographer.
The clear housing permits instant visual inspection of the camera
and all sealing surfaces as well as complete monitoring of controls
and camera LCD screens.
Ikelite Digital Housings are slightly negative in salt water for
stability. This housing has been water pressure tested at the
factory. Housing is pressure tested to 200’ (60m).
LLuubbrriiccaanntts
Ikelite provides silicone lubricant with the housing. We recommend
1.
s
you use only Ikelite lubricant on Ikelite products as some other
brands may cause the o’ring to swell and not seal properly.
Use only enough lubricant to lightly cover control shafts and
2.
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
N
NNeevveerr uussee sspprraayy lluubbrriiccaannttss aass tthhee pprrooppeellllaanntt iinnggrreeddiieenntt ccaan
ccaauussee tthhee ppllaassttiicc hhoouussiinngg ttoo ccrraacckk.
.
n
2
3
Page 3
OOppeenniinngg tthhee HHoouussiinng
Lift
Push For ward
Lid Snap Lock
M
ounting
B
olt
Mounting
T
ray
O
'Ring
1. Lid Snaps have a
LLoocck
g
k
.
To open, push Lid Snap Lock
forward and lift as shown.
Keep pressure on the Lid
nap so it does not fly open
S
quickly.
ome lid snaps have a lot of
S
spring tension once they go over center, have a firm grip on the
lid snap. Lid Snaps may be opened one at a time.
IInnssttaalllliinngg tthhee CCaammeerra
. Remove the back from
1
a
the housing. The
mounting tray for the
camera is secured to the
ousing back. Position
h
the camera on the tray
nd secure it with the
a
mounting bolt which
threads into the camera’s
tripod socket.
oorr ffllaatt bbllaaddddeed
UUssee aa ccooiin
d
ssccrreewwddrriivveerr ttoo ttiigghhtteen
tthhee mmoouunnttiinngg bboolltt ssoo tthhe
ccaammeerraa iiss ffllaatt aaggaaiinnsstt tthhee ttrraayy.
CCAAUUTTIIOONN:
:
n
n
e
.
Some camera tripod socket threads are plastic. The mounting
tray bolt is metal. Do not cross thread or over tighten as you
may damage the camera tripod socket threads.
2. Pull out on each housing control until it stops. This will get the
controls out of the way for installing the camera.
CClloossiinngg tthhee HHoouussiinng
1. Place housing face down in your
g
housing back
lap.
2. Check to see that there is an
o’ring on the housing back and
hat it is clean and in its proper
t
location.
. Guide the back onto the housing.
3
The o’ring should touch the
o’ring
housing all the way around. There
should be an even gap all the way
round between the housing and
a
housing
the housing back.
4. Lift the lid snaps so they are
extended and place the lid snap
housing back
into the hook on the housing
back.
. To close the housing push
5
down on the lid snaps until
even gap
all 4 sides
they snap into place . Lid
snaps on opposite sides of the
housing should be closed at the
same time. Be sure they are down
housing
o’ring
far enough to engage the 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
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.
4
CChheecckkiinngg CCoonnttrroolls
s
Once the housing has been closed, push the controls back into
place. Make sure they line up with the camera’s controls.
ZZoooomm CCoonnttrrool
l
(NOTE:) After you have used the
housing’s zoom control it must be
returned to the center position to
disengage. If the housing zoom
control is pushing the zoom lever
in either direction the camera
may not take a picture or access
any other function as the camera
is receiving a signal from the
engaged zoom control.
TTuurrnn CCaammeerraa OOn
n
Zoom control
engaged
Turn the camera on and operate each of the housing controls to
get a feel for using the camera in the housing. Take a few
pictures above water with the camera in the housing.
Zoom control
disengaged
(centered)
5
LLeennss PPoorrt
t
The Lens Port is factory sealed, do not remove.
Treat the glass in the lens port as a camera lens. After use, rinse
and gently dry the lens port to avoid water spotting. To clean
use a mild soap solution or lens cleaner.
Do not use alcohol or window cleaner on the Lens Port.
The Lens Port is threaded so that accessory lenses can be
screwed onto the port. The threads are very fine, take care not
to cross thread the lens.
Wide angle lenses are available from Inon, Sea & Sea and
Epoque. These lenses can be screwed onto the lens port above
or below water. These lenses are designed to have water
between the front of the port and the accessory lens. Make sure
no air bubbles are trapped between the port and the accessory
lens. There may be slight vignetting when these wide angle
lenses are installed. Any vignetting that occurs can be
eliminated by zooming the camera lens slightly. To properly
light subjects when using
a wide angle lens an
Wide Angle Lens
external strobe should be
used. Due to the wide
angle of coverage of the
Inon,Sea & Sea and
Epoque lenses, the DS125
Substrobe is
recommended or two
DS51 Substrobes.
6
Housing shown with
7
accessory wide angle lens.
Page 4
UUssiinngg FFllaassh
UUssiinngg tthhee CCaammeerraa’’ss BBuuiilltt--iinn FFllaasshh.
If you do not have an external flash the camera’s built-in flash
can be used. See Diffuser instructions.
DDiiffffuusseerr && DDeefflleeccttoorr IInnssttaallllaattiioon
h
.
n
Deflector
DDiiffffuusseerr aanndd DDeefflleeccttoorr ccoonntt.
A diffuser and deflector are
included with the housing. The
diffuser is white transparent
plastic. The deflector is also white
ut is not transparent and has a
b
decal on the front.
To install the diffuser or deflector
spread the port clamp at the spring
end and slide over the lens port.
he white plastic should be placed
T
in front of the camera flash. The
port clamp should be pushed back
against the front of the housing.
DDiiffffuusseer
DDeefflleeccttoor
r
The diffuser should be installed when using the camera’s built in
lash. When shooting with the camera’s built-in flash at
f
approximately 2 feet (0.6 m) or less, the lens port on the
housing blocks a portion of the light from the camera’s built-in
flash, creating a shadow in the lower left of the photo. To
eliminate the shadow zoom the lens between 1/3 and 1/2 of its
full telephoto range.
(You can test this above water)
r
The deflector should be installed when using an external strobe
such as the DS51 or DS125 Substrobe and EV Controller. The
deflector will redirect the camera’s flash to the EV Controller
which controls the external strobes output.
.
Port Clamp
Spread to Install
Diffuser/
Deflector
material
Spring
Housing shown with
8
OOppttiioonnaall AAcccceessssoorriiees
BBaacckk OO’’rriinngg
O’rings last for several years if properly maintained. (See
maintance) Always carry a spare.
##00111100
UURR//PPrroo FFiilltteerr
The UR/Pro underwater color correcting filter is designed to
restore some of the warm colors filtered out by the water. For
available light use only, not recommended for use with flash.
s
##66444411..4411
UUssee tthhee EEVV CCoonnttrroolllleerr wwiitthh aa DDSS SSuubbssttrroobbe
The EV Controller provides 10 manual power settings in 1/2 stop
increments for the DS51 or DS125 Substrobes. The EV Controller has a
built-in slave which can be triggered by the camera’s built-in flash.
SSuubbssttrroobbee PPaacckkaaggeess aavvaaiillaabblle
Ikelite Ball Arm Systems are provided with these packages
#3944.54 SubStrobe DS51 with EV Controller
#3944.77 SubStrobe DS125 with EV Controller and Charger
e
deflector installed.
e
OOppttiioonnaall AAcccceessssoorriiees
SSuubbssttrroobbee DDSS5511 PPaacckkaaggee
The Substrobe DS51 package includes
the Substrobe DS51, the EV
Controller and ball socket arms. The
EV Controller provides 10 manual
power settings in 1/2 stop
increments. An external strobe
offers several advantages over using
the camera’s built-in flash. External
strobes move the flash away from
the camera lens which helps reduce
backscatter. They also expand
lighting options to achieve the best
lighting for different subjects. A
second external digital strobe
package can be added to fill the
shadows and produce more realistic
photographs.
The Substrobe DS51 covers the
equivalent of a 28mm lens. It is the
ideal choice when using only the
camera lens or the camera lens with
a macro accessory lens.
s
##33994444..5544
9
Substrobe
DS51
Ball Socket
Arm
EV Controller
10 11
If an accessory wide angle lens wider
than 28mm is used, the ideal
lighting choice is the Substrobe
DS125, which covers 100 degrees, or
two Substrobe DS51’s can be used.
Page 5
OOppttiioonnaall AAcccceessssoorriiees
SSuubbssttrroobbee DDSS112255 PPaacckkaaggee
s
##33994444..7777
The Substrobe DS125 package
includes the Substrobe DS125, the EV
Controller, ball socket arm and
charger. The EV Controller provides
10 manual power settings in 1/2 stop
increments. An external strobe offers
several advantages over using the
amera’s built-in flash. External
c
strobes move the flash away from
he camera lens which helps reduce
t
backscatter. They also expand
lighting options to achieve the best
lighting for different subjects. A
econd external digital strobe
s
package can be added to fill the
hadows and produce more realistic
s
photographs.
The Substrobe DS125 covers the
equivalent of a 18mm lens, 100
degrees. It is the ideal choice when
using accessory wide angle lenses
greater than 28mm.
12
Ball Socket
Arm
EV Controller
Substrobe
DS125
MMaaiinntteennaanncce
he Ikelite Digital Housing should be given the same care and
T
e
attention as your other photographic equipment. In addition to
ormal maintenance we recommend that the housing be returned
n
to Ikelite periodically to be checked and pressure tested.
DDoo NNoot
t
.
1
eave the camera and housing in direct sunlight for
l
prolonged periods. Heat may damage the camera.
DDoo NNoot
2.
3. Before using the housing, always check the tightness of the
t
ship the camera in the housing.
ssccrreew
w
in each control knob.
heck each
C
ccoonnttrrooll ggllaannd
d
enetrating the housing to make sure
p
sseet
they are tight. There is a slight chance that either could vibrate
oose during travel.
l
4. Keep the back 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.
DDoo NNoott ssttrreettcchh tthhee oo’’rriinng
This light coating of lubricant will help to keep the o’ring from
drying out and will help to show a dark sealing line when the
housing back is properly sealed.
5. Keep the area where the o’ring fits and the sealing surface of
the housing clean.
6. Rinse the housing exterior thoroughly in fresh water after each
salt water use. Dry with a soft cloth. Dry lens port to eliminate
water spotting.
After several uses in salt water soak the housing in a mild soap
solution, rinse and dry before storage. When storing the
housing, remove the back o’ring, lightly lubricate and place in a
plastic bag. Place the plastic bag with o’ring inside the housing
for safe keeping.
CCAAUUTTIIOON
N
NNeevveerr uussee sspprraayy lluubbrriiccaannttss aass tthhee pprrooppeellllaanntt iinnggrreeddiieenntt ccaan
ccaauussee tthhee ppllaassttiicc hhoouussiinngg ttoo ccrraacckk.
.
n
t
g
.
CCoonnttrrooll MMaaiinntteennaanncce
e
Ikelite controls are designed to provide years of reliable service
with minimal maintenance.
1. Push button controls require no maintenance other than rinsing
in fresh water after saltwater use. If a push button control
becomes difficult to push or if it sticks when depressed, soak the
housing in luke warm fresh water. After a few minutes operate
the push button. If this does not correct the problem, return the
housing to Ikelite for maintenance.
2. Some of the controls have long shafts. These controls can be
lubricate shaft
housing
pull out to
expose shaft
pulled out, exposing the shaft (see drawing).
To lubricate the control, gently pull on the knob until the
stainless steel shaft is exposed. Lightly lubricate the shaft, then
move the shaft in and out several times. This will lubricate the
x’ring in the Ikelite control gland. This should be done before
using the housing after a prolonged storage period, or once a
week when the housing is in use.
3. Some of the controls have a short shaft and cannot be pulled
out exposing the shaft for lubrication. In the unlikely event one
of these controls sticks or becomes difficult to operate you can
remove the control from the housing and lubricate it, or return
the housing to Ikelite for maintenance. To remove the control,
loosen the set screw in the knob (allen wrench required);
remove the knob. If there is salt or dirt build-up on the exposed
control shaft, clean the shaft. Open the housing and gently slide
the control shaft out of the control gland. Clean and lightly
lubricate the shaft, including the end of the shaft. Slide the
shaft back into the control gland and gently slide it back and
forth a few times without fully removing the shaft from the
gland. Replace the knob, NOTE the flat area on the shaft, the
set screw in the knob should tighten down against the flat area
on the control so the knob does not turn on the shaft.
ol
contr
shaft
Tighten set screw down
against this area when
eplacing the knob
r
Flat
housing
Lubricate end of shaft
.
befor
gland
e r
einser
gland
Loosen set screw
(allen wrench required)
ting into
14
15
Page 6
GGeenneerraall TTiipps
1. Due to the power required to operate the camera, flash, and
LCD screen it is a good idea to start each dive with a fresh set of
batteries.
2. Some cameras reset their flash to AUTO when the camera is
urned on. If you prefer another setting be sure to select it.
t
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
lens port. If there are, take your finger and remove them. If
there are bubbles on the lens port they can produce soft focus
pots in your photographs.
s
5. If you use the housing Zoom control, make sure to move it back
to the center position. If the housing Zoom control is pushing
the camera zoom lever to either side the camera will not
function. (See page 6)
NNOOTTE
E
6. If you are shooting with the camera’s built-in flash at
approximately 2 feet (0.6 m) or less, zoom the lens to
maximum telephoto. The lens port on the housing blocks a
portion of the light from the camera’s built-in flash when
shooting close up. If you do not zoom to maximum telephoto, a
shadow may appear in the lower left corner of close-up
photographs.
To shoot wide angle photographs closer than 2 feet (0.6m), you
need to use a preflash compatible external strobe such as the
DS51 or DS125. With an external strobe you can position it so
nothing blocks the light path between the strobe and the
subject.
s
(You can test this above water)
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
olor.
c
2. The camera’s built-in flash is very close to the camera lens. The
lash can light up any suspended particles in the water and they
f
can be recorded in your picture. This effect is called backscatter.
To eliminate as much backscatter as possible, photograph close.
Photograph in clear water; do not stir up the sand or silty
b
you are photographing, an external flash will help eliminate
much of the backscatter.
3. Digital cameras have a slight lag time between when you press
the shutter release button and the camera actually takes the
picture. Hold the camera steady a second or two after pressing
he shutter release button.
t
4. 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.
5. Underwater flash is used to restore the warmer colors filtered
out by the water as well as to illuminate the subject. When
photographing underwater, set the camera to use flash on
every shot. If the camera’s flash is set to AUTO and the sun is
behind your subject, the camera may see enough light that it
does not fire the flash. With the sun behind the subject the
subject is shaded (dark) and needs flash for a good exposure.
continued on next page
s
ottom. If backscatter becomes a problem in the environment
16
PPhhoottoo TTiippss CCoonntt.
6. Using daylight or flash each person has their idea of what is the
correct exposure. Since these opinions vary you may want to
adjust your camera for what you like exposure wise. Many
cameras allow you to adjust both available light and flash
exposure with an EV control.
7. Many photographers transfer their images to the computer
where they can fine tune the appearance of the image. Many of
the image manipulation programs make you think you can
magically correct any image taken and make a good picture.
One thing to remember when using image manipulation
programs, if the image is overexposed much of the color is
missing. If the color is missing you cannot adjust it. If images
are underexposed the color is there, it is just dark and you can
adjust it to some degree. So if you error in exposure it is better
to have the image slightly underexposed than over exposed.
.
17
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
y
e
5500 WW 3333rrdd SSttrreeeet
s
t
A
18
331177--992233--4455223
eemmaaiill:: iikkeelliittee@@iikkeelliittee..ccoom
wwwwww..iikkeelliittee..ccoom
3
m
m
DDiiggiittaall 66113322..5500--0011--1122005
5
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