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 sections.
i n s t r u c t i o n m a n u a l
#6148.11 for Canon PowerShot SX110 IS
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-flash or non pre-flash. This camera uses pre-flash, thus the
EV-Controller should be set to the pre-flash position when used
with this camera.
The camera does not emit a pre-flash when used in the “M”
manual mode. If using the “M” manual mode, set the
EV-controller to non-pre-flash.
Initial Camera Setup
1. Set ISO to 80.
2. Set camera to “A” Aperture priority.
3. Raise the camera flash to it’s open or “UP” position.
4. Set Flash to forced “On” (lightning bolt in LCD).
5. In the Flash Control Menu >Flash Settings >Flash Mode >
Auto, should be the setting, which is also the default setting.
5. For Macro photography, set aperture to f7.1or 8.0.
6. Set White Balance to “Auto”.
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.
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.
7. Set Image Quality to “Superfine” and Large “L”.
8. Set Metering to “Center Weighted Avg.”.
NOTE:
Make sure that the camera flash is in the “up” or “raised”
Ikelite Digital Housings are slightly negative in salt water for
stability. This housing has been water pressure tested at the
factory to 200’ (60m).
position before closing your housing with the camaera inside.
2
Zoom Dial
Mode Dial
Opening the Housing
Lock
1. Lid Snaps have a
.
Shutter
Release
To open, push each Lid Snap Lock forward and lift as shown.
Keep pressure on the Lid Snap so that it does not fly open
quickly.
Lid
Snap
Lid
Snap
Lens
Port
Push Forward
Front View
Lid Snap Lock
Power Button
A
B
D
K
C
Lift
E
G
I
H
F
J
Some lid snaps have a lot of spring tension once they go over
center, so keep a firm grip on the lid snap. Lid snaps may be
opened one at a time or simultaneously.
[A] Print/Share
[B] Playback
[C] Face Selector
[D] Exposure
[E] ISO/Jump
[F] Macro
[I] Continuous
[J] Display
[K] Menu
[G] FUNC./SET
[H] Flash/Control Dial
Back View
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4
Diffuser
Optional Accessories
DS Digital Strobes
For the best underwater photographic results, we recommend
adding an external DS-digital strobe and EV-controller, connected
to the housing with a SA-100 Ball/socket arm.
The diffuser should be installed when using the camera’s built
in flash. When shooting with the camera’s built-in flash at
approximately 2 feet (0.6 m) or less, the lens port on the
housing may block a portion of the light from the camera’s
built-in flash, creating a shadow in the lower area of the photo.
If this occurs, zoom the lens slightly to eliminate the shadow.
(You can test this above water)
Ikelite DS series Substrobes are industry favorites for their warm,
even coverage and lightning fast recycle time. Being farther from
the camera lens, the optional DS Substrobe aids in reducing the
illumination of particles in the water and helps to eliminate
backscatter.
Deflector
The deflector should be installed when using an external strobe
such as the DS51or DS160 Substrobe with an EV Controller. The
deflector will redirect the camera’s flash to the EV Controller
which controls the external DS strobe’s output.
When used in conjunction with the EV-Controller, the DS51Mode
switch is set to the TTL setting and the EV-Controller provides ten
power settings in half-stop increments.
Lens Port and Accessory Lenses
Substrobe DS51
The Substrobe DS51covers the equivalent of a 28mm lens. It is the
ideal choice when using only the camera lens with no accessory
wide angle lenses attached.
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 Housing Lens Port is threaded to accept 67mm accessory
lenses. These lenses are NOT recommended for use with this
housing due to extreme vignetting
ikelite
Substrobe
DS51
DS
ikelite
10
9
Optional Accessories (cont.)
Substrobe DS160
Optional Accessories (cont.)
EV Manual Controller
EV-controller
TTL
The Substrobe DS160 covers
Provides 10 manual power
settings in half-stop
increments for SubStrobe
DS-50, DS-51, DS-80,
DS-125, DS-160 and
Test
the equivalent of an 18mm
Ready Light
lens or 100 degrees
-3
On
w/diffuser installed. It is the
ideal choice when using
accessory wide angle lenses
greater than 28mm. It also
features a 1.5 second recycle
DS-200 models.
Simply point the
Substrobe
time and 225 flashes per full
DS160
Controller at your camera
housing for dependable
strobe triggering by the
camera strobe.
mount to
charge.
Extended
Stem Mount
(page #11)
SA-100 Ball/Socket Arm
The Controller attaches to
the strobe and mounts
near the housing on the
#9571.3Extended Stem
Mount (Page #11).
The SA-100 system #4086.61
with its 1" diameter ball is ideal
underwater. The #9571.3
extended stem mount allows
SA-100 Ball/Socket
Arm #4086.61
connect to
DS-Substrobe
easy attachment of the
EV-controller or flashlight
mount, and drops right into
the release handle. Aim does
not change when changing the
aim of the strobe. The arm
system allows easy strobe
placement from macro
close-up to wide angle without
changing aim of the Sensor.
The complete system removes
with a push of the handle
button.
Strobe Packages
#3944.54 Substrobe DS-51package includes #4086.61Arm System
(page #11) and EV Manual Controller.
#3944.91Substrobe DS-160 package includes #4086.61Arm
System (page #11), 1.5 hour Smart Charger, and EV Manual
Controller
#9571.3 Extended
Stem Mount (included
with SA-100
Ball/Socket arm)
Note:
DS Strobes must be set to “TTL” to utilize the manual
power settings on the EV Manual Controller.
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Optional Accessories (cont.)
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.
Back o-ring #0110
O-rings last for several years if properly maintained. (See
maintenance section). Always carry a spare o-ring in case the
original becomes damaged or lost.
UR/Pro Filter (Blue Water) #6441.41
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 and not recommended for use with
flash.
3. 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.
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. Pull the o-ring through your fingers
to apply a light coating of lubricant. 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 help to show a dark sealing
line when the housing back is properly sealed.
Green Water Filter #6441.81
Enhances contrast and alters the color of green water to give
our subject a rich, natural tone. For available light only and not
recommended for use with flash.
Tray with Dual Release Handles #9523.32
Dual Tray and Release Handles are required to mount two
external Substrobes.
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.
Complete information regarding optional accessories available at
After several uses in salt water, soak the housing exterior in a
mild soap solution, rinse and dry, before storing. 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.
7. If removing a housing push button, Do Not re-use the E-clip.
Contact Ikelite for replacement E-clips (part #0319.12).
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Lubricants
Control Maintenance Cont.
1. Ikelite provides silicone lubricant with the housing. We recommend
you use only Ikelite lubricant on Ikelite products 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.
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 (Diagram A), 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
noting 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.
CAUTION
Never use spray lubricants as the propellant ingredient can
cause the plastic housing to crack.
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 maintenance.
housing
gland
control
2. Some of the controls have long shafts. These controls can be
pulled out, exposing the shaft (see diagrams A and B on pages
#16 & #17).
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 constant use.
Tighten set screw down
against this flat area
Lubricate end of shaft
before reinserting into
gland
Loosen set screw
when replacing the knob.
Diagram A
15
16
lubricate shaft
Photo Tips
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.
housing
pull out to
expose shaft
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; 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.
3. 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 camera steady a second or two after
pressing the shutter release button.
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 and not
fire the flash. With the sun behind the subject, the subject is
shaded (dark) and needs flash for a good exposure.
Diagram B
General 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.
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
camera 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)
NOTE:
To shoot photographs closer than 2 feet (0.6m), you should
use an external strobe such as the DS51or DS160. With an
external strobe, you can position it so nothing blocks the light
path between the strobe and the subject.
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Photo Tips Cont.
Ikelite Limited Warranty
6. When using daylight or flash, if your camera consistently over
or underexposes the image, you may want to adjust your
camera’s exposure compensation settings. Many cameras allow
you to adjust both available light and flash exposure with an
EV 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.
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 an image manipulation
program, is 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, but 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
rather than over exposed.
Returning Products for Service
Ikelite is most interested in performing 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]
Digital 6148.11-01-1108
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