Please Read
Ikelite Digital Housing
We suggest that you read this instruction booklet thoroughly
before use. If you are new to underwater photography be sure
to read the General and Photo Tips.
i n s t r u c t i o n m a n u a l
for ULTRACompact Digital DC-100 Housing
We also suggest that you read the camera manual thoroughly
to have a full understanding of where each camera control is
located and what function each control provides.
Please Read If Using an EV-Controller
The EV-Controller used with Ikelite DS Substrobes has two user
settings. One setting is for strobe selection, the other is for pre-
If your camera model uses pre-flash
flash or non pre-flash.
, the
EV-Controller should be set to the pre-flash position.
Camera Setup (for most point and shoot digitals)
1. Set ISO to lowest setting available.
2. Set camera to least automated mode.
3. Enable macro setting if pictures are over-exposed. Also, zoom in
and back away from the subject.
Congratulations on your purchase of an Ikelite Digital Camera
Housing. Ikelite has over 45 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.
4. Set aperture to smallest available setting (highest numerical
setting).
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 to 200' (60m).
5. Make sure flash is forced “on”.
6. See “supplemental instructions” for any additional camera
settings specific to your camera.
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Opening the Housing
Closing the Housing
1. Depress opposing latch buttons simultaneously to open the
housing. Once the latch is unlocked, rotate the latch handle
away from the housing until it stops. This motion will also
break the housing o-ring seal and open the housing back
slightly. NOTE: Latch must be rotated to the fully open position
to assure easy opening of the back. Rotate the hinged back to
1. Place housing face down in your lap or on a flat surface.
2. Check to see that there is an o-ring on the housing back and
that it is clean, lightly lubed, and in its proper location.
Housing Back - Top View
Latch in open
position
it’s open position.
Latch Button
O-ring
3. Rotate the hinged back onto the housing front. Close the latch
and make sure it locks. Latch will “click” into it’s locked position.
Latch buttons will NOT be depressed when latch is properly
locked.
Latch Button
Latch in “locked”
position
Installing the Camera
1. Place the camera face down into the front housing ribs as
shown.
Latch Button
Latch Button
ULTRAcompact
Made in USA
Camera in Housing Front
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Optional Accessories Continued
Important Zoom Control Info (not on all housings)
If your new Ikelite ULTRAcompact Digital Housing contains a
“lever type” zoom control as pictured below, please read the
Ikelite Digital Strobe Packages
following NOTE.
For the best photo results in all shooting conditions, Ikelite highly
recommends that you use an external digital strobe. Ikelite strobes
are much more powerful, recycle more quickly, and eliminate
backscatter created by the camera's built-in flash. The following
strobe packages come complete with the strobe, arm, and slave
unit (to sense the camera flash):
Zoom Control (lever type only)
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 you
may not be able to take a picture or access any other function.
This is because the camera is receiving a signal from the
engaged zoom control.
1. #4035 AutoFlash AF35 designed specifically for the Ikelite
Compact and ULTRAcompact Digital housings.
2. #3944.54 Substrobe DS-51Deluxe Package
3. #3944.77 Substrobe DS-125 Package
4. #3944.91Substrobe DS-160 Package
The addition of an external strobe to your housing will help
eliminate particles in the water that are “lit-up” by the camera
flash, commonly called backscatter. A second strobe will eliminate
shadows and add more depth to your subjects.
Tray with Release Handle #9523.31
Tray and Release Handle is required to mount external
Digital Substrobes DS-51, DS-125, and DS-160.
-
+
-
+
Zoom Control Disengaged
“Center Position”
Zoom Control Engaged
Complete information regarding strobe packages and optional
accessories available at www.ikelite.com
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Maintenance
Control Maintenance
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 routine maintenance.
The Ikelite Digital 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.
1. Do Not leave the camera and housing in direct sunlight for
prolonged periods. Heat may damage the camera.
2. Do Not ship the camera in the housing.
3
Keep the back o-ring clean and lightly lubricated. Only apply
enough lubricant to make the o-ring feel slick. Do Not stretch
the o-ring. This light coating of lubricant will help to keep the
o-ring from drying out, and will also reduce friction when
opening and closing the housing. Keep the area where the
o-ring fits and the sealing surface of the housing clean.
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.
2. If a housing control shaft becomes “sticky” and hard to operate,
return the housing to Ikelite for routine maintenance.
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After several uses in salt water, soak the housing exterior in a
mild soap solution, then 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.
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General Tips
Photo Tips
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.
1. 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
necessary. If you are using flash, subjects beyond 6 feet (1.8m)
will not have much color regardless of strobe power.
2. The camera’s built-in flash is very close to the camera lens. The
flash can light up any suspended particles in the water and they
can be recorded in your picture. This effect is called backscatter.
To eliminate as much backscatter as possible, photograph close,
photograph in clear water, and 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.
2. Some cameras reset their flash to AUTO when the camera is
turned on. If you prefer another setting be sure to select it.
3. As soon as you enter the water, take a moment and check the
housing to see that it is properly sealed.
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
spots in your photographs.
5. If you are shooting with the camera’s built-in flash and the
cameras lens is set to the widest angle, you may need to zoom
the lens slightly or a shadow may appear in the lower left
corner of close-up photographs. The lens port may block some
of the light. Installing the flash diffuser will help to eliminate
the shadow. (You can test this above water)
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
the shutter release button.
To shoot photographs closer than 2 feet (0.6m), you need to
use an external strobe such as the AF35, DS51, DS125, or DS160.
With an external strobe you can position it so nothing blocks
the light path between the strobe and the subject.
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.
6. If over-exposure occurs, enable macro setting. If over-exposure
continues, zoom in and back away from the subject.
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NOTE: Fogging of the port glass may occur due to a variety of
environmental factors. To prevent fogging issues, always
assemble the housing in a cool, dry area, and keep the housing
out of direct sunlight. If fogging persists, insert a fresh dessicant
packet inside the housing before each day of diving (dessicant
packages are not available from Ikelite, however most camera
stores carry them).
7. Before placing your camera in the housing, it is a good idea to
immerse the closed housing in a bucket or rinse tank to make
sure it is watertight.
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Photo Tips Cont.
Ikelite Limited Warranty
7. If your camera consistently over or underexposes the image
when using daylight or flash, you may want to adjust your
camera’s exposure compensation settings (if offered on your
model). Many cameras allow you to adjust both available light
and flash exposure with an EV “Exposure Compensation”
control in the camera’s menu.
All Ikelite products are warranted against any manufacturing
defects for a period of one 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.
8. 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.
Note that if the image is overexposed, much of the color is
missing. If the color is missing you cannot adjust it. If images
are slightly underexposed, the color is there, and you can adjust
exposure to some degree. So, if you error in exposure, it is
better to have the image slightly underexposed rather than over
exposed.
Returning Products for Service
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.
Normal service turnaround time is approximately 2-3weeks.
Ikelite Underwater Systems
50 W 33rd Street
Indianapolis, IN 46208 USA
When returning products send “attn. Repair Dept.”
317-923-4523
“general questions” e-mail: [email protected]
ULTRAcompact Digital-01-0708
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