Ikelite 6183.30 User manual

Digital Housing
i n s t r u c t i o n m a n u a l
6183.30 for Nikon 300
Lens
Port
Thank you for your purchase of Ikelite equipment. Please read this
instruction manual completely before attempting to operate or dive with this
product.

Table of Contents
Product Registration ........................................................P. 3
ackage Contents ......................................................P. 3
reparation ..................................................................P. 3
Initial Camera Setup........................................................P. 4
Housing Controls - Front View ........................................P. 5
Housing Controls - Back View ........................................P. 6
Opening the Housing ......................................................P. 7
Installing the Camera ......................................................P. 7
Closing the Housing ........................................................P. 8
Usage ..........................................................................P. 9
Turn Camera On..............................................................P. 9
Zoom Control ..................................................................P. 9
Using the Camera’s Built-in Flash ..................................P. 9
Diffuser and Deflector Use ..............................................P. 10
Entering the Water ..........................................................P. 11
Maintenance ................................................................P. 11
Lens Port ........................................................................P. 11
Lubricant..........................................................................P. 11
Housing Maintenance......................................................P. 12
Control Maintenance ......................................................P. 13
Specifications ............................................................P. 15
hoto Tips ..................................................................P. 15
Troubleshooting ........................................................P. 17
Replacement arts ....................................................P. 19
Recommended Accessories ....................................P. 19
Technical Support ....................................................P. 21
Limited Warranty ........................................................P. 22
Returning Products for Service ......................................P. 23
2

- Ikelite Digital Housing
- Housing Lanyard (attached)
- Silicone Lubricant
- Vinyl Port Cover
ackage Contents
- Diffuser
- Deflector
- Extra Control Tips
roduct Registration
Please take a moment to fill out the online Ikelite roduct Registration
form at http://www.ikelite.com/forms/regForm.htm.
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 housing main o-ring and retest to make sure that it is
watertight. Refer to the Troubleshooting section, page 17.
We suggest that you read this instruction booklet thoroughly before use
to have a full understanding of where each camera control is located,
and what function each control provides. 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.
Due to the power required to operate the camera and LCD screen start
each dive with a fully charged camera battery.
reparation
3

Initial Camera Setup
1. Insert a fully charged battery.
2. Insert and format a memory card.
3. Set camera date and time.
4. Set Mode Dial to “M” Manual. Set Shutter speed to 1/60th second or
faster. Set Aperture to F2.8. These settings are a good starting point for
most underwater shooting situations.
5. RAISE camera flash. Set Flash Mode to “Flash Always Fires” (lightning
bolt in LCD).
6. Set White Balance to “Auto.”
7. Set Image Mode to “12m.”
8. Set AF-assist beam to “Off.”
9. Set ISO sensitivity to “160.”
10. Set AF area mode to “Center.”
11. Set Metering to “Center-weighted.”
11. Set Autofocus mode to “Single AF.”
12. Set Macro mode to “ON” (flower icon) to shoot close-up pictures.
4

5
Housing Controls - Front View
Zoom
Control
Shutter
Release
Lens
Port
Power Switch
Lens ort
External Tray Mounts
Mode Dial
Command
Dial
Lid Snap

3
2
1
4
10 9
8
7
6
5
Ikelite
DIGITAL
Housing Controls
1. Movie Record Button
2. Playback Button
3. Flash Mode
4. Rotary multi-selector
5. Self-timer
Housing Controls - Back View
6. Ok (apply selection) Button
7. Exposure Compensation
8. Macro Mode
9. Menu Button
10. Delete Button
6

7
CAUTION:
Some camera tripod
socket threads are
plastic. The mounting
bolt is metal. Do not
cross thread or over
tighten as you may
damage the camera
tripod socket threads.
Nikon
HD
Full
Installing the Camera
1. RAISE the camera flash before installing camera in housing.
2. Pull out on each housing control until it stops. This will get the controls
out of the way for installation of the camera.
3. Remove the back from the housing.
4. The mounting tray for the camera is secured to the housing back.
Position the camera on the tray.
5. Using a coin or screwdriver (preferred), secure the camera with the tray
mounting bolt which threads into the camera’s tripod socket - diagram A.
Opening the Housing
Lid Snaps have a Lock.
To open housing, push Lid Snap
Lock forward and lift as shown.
eep 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, so keep a firm grip on the lid snap.
Lid Snaps may be opened one at a time.
Push Forward
Lid Snap Lock
Lift
Diagram A
Tray Mounting Bolt

8
Closing the Housing
1. Place housing face down in your lap or on flat surface.
2. Check to see that there is an o-ring on
the housing back and that it is clean
and in its proper location.
3. Guide the back into the housing front.
The o-ring should touch the housing
all the way around. There should be
an even gap all the way around
between the housing and the housing
back.
4. Lift the lid snaps so they are extended
and place each lid snap into the
corresponding hook on the housing
back.
5. To close the housing, push down on
the lid snaps until they snap into
place. Lid snaps on opposite sides of
the housing should be closed at the
same time. Be sure they are down far
enough to engage the lock.
Double check - 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 the housing.
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.
Housing Back
O-ring
Housing Back
O-ring
Even gap on
all four sides

9
Using the Camera’s Built-in Flash
If you are shooting with the camera’s built-in flash and the camera lens
is set to the widest angle setting, you may need to zoom the lens slightly
or a dark area may appear in a lower corner of close-up photographs.
The lens port may block some of the light. Install the Diffuser and zoom
in slightly to eliminate any dark areas noted in your photographs (You
can test this above water). See Diffuser/Deflector Installation - page 10.
For the best results, we recommend using an external Ikelite Substrobe.
Zoom Control (lever type only)
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
other functions. This is because the
camera is receiving a signal from the
engaged zoom control.
++
--
++
--
Zoom Control
“Engaged”
Zoom Control
“Disengaged”
(Center Position)
Turn Camera On
Turn the camera on and operate each of the housing controls to get a
feel for using the camera in the housing.
You are now ready to shoot underwater photos!
Usage
The camera’s built-in flash CANNOT be used with optional Wide-Angle or
Accessory lenses.
Note: To shoot photographs closer than 2 feet (0.6m), we recommend using
an external strobe which can be positioned so nothing blocks the light
path between the strobe and the subject.

10
Diffuser Use
The diffuser should be installed when using the camera flash. When
shooting close-up photographs with the camera flash and at the camera
lens’s widest angle setting, the lens port on the housing can block a
portion of the light from the camera flash. This can result in a shadow in
a lower corner of the frame. Zoom the lens to eliminate the shadow (You
can test this above water).
Deflector Use
The deflector should be installed when using an Ikelite external strobe.
The deflector will block and redirect the camera’s flash to the AF35 slave
unit or EV-controller which controls the external strobe’s output.
Remove the diffuser before attempting to install the deflector.
Diffuser/Deflector material
Small hole
Cut-out
Section
A diffuser and deflector are
included with the housing. The
diffuser is white transparent plastic.
The deflector is also white but is
not transparent.
To install the diffuser or deflector,
push the “Cut-out” Section into the
port groove until it stops.
Note the Small Hole. To avoid
losing the diffuser or deflector, you
can attach a fishing line or string
that is secured around the back of
the housing port, to this hole.
Diffuser and Deflector Installation
Lens Port
Diffuser/Deflector properly
installed in port groove

11
Maintenance
Lubricant
- Ikelite provides silicone lubricant with the housing. We recommend you use
only Ikelite lubricant on Ikelite products. Other brands may cause the main
housing o-ring to swell and not seal properly.
- Use only enough lubricant to lightly cover the main housing 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 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.
Lens ort
Treat the glass or acrylic in the lens port as a camera lens. After use,
rinse and gently dry the outside lens port to avoid water spotting. To
clean, use a mild soap solution or lens cleaner. Do not rinse the inside
port glass. Do not use alcohol or window cleaner on the Lens ort.
Entering the Water
As soon as you enter the water, take a moment and check the housing
to see that it is properly sealed.
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.

12
Housing 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. 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. eep the main housing 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.
5. eep the area where the o-ring fits and the sealing surface of the
housing clean.
6. Rinse the housing exterior thoroughly in freshwater after each saltwater
use. 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, 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).
8. Leave lid snaps in the open position when not using the housing for
extended periods.

13
Control Maintenance
Ikelite controls are designed to provide years of reliable service with
minimal maintenance.
1. Push button controls normally require no maintenance other than rinsing
in freshwater after saltwater use. 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
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.
2. Some of the controls have long shafts. These controls can be pulled
out, exposing the shaft see diagrams B and C - page 14.
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.
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 B - page 14, 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.

14
Diagram C
Pull out to
expose shaft
Housing
Lubricate shaft
Tighten set screw down
against this flat area
when replacing the knob. Lubricate end of shaft
before reinserting into
gland
Diagram B
Loosen Set Screw
Housing
Gland
Control Shaft
Control Maintenance - continued
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.

15
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 you are using flash for still
photos, 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 or use an external
strobe. 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.
Width ......................7 in. (180mm) including controls
Height ....................4.9 in. (124mm) including controls
Depth ......................4.7 in. (120mm) including controls and lens port
Weight ....................2.5 lb. (1130g)
Buoyancy ................Slightly negative in fresh water
hoto Tips
Specifications

16
hoto Tips - continued
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.
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. Also, set the camera metering to
“center-weighted” or “spot.”
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. Remember that when using an
image manipulation program such as Photoshop, 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 overexposed.

17
Troubleshooting
Push buttons or
controls are sticky
and hard to operate
- Remove the camera and rinse the closed housing
in fresh water. 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.
- If a control is sticky, grab the control knob, pull it
out, and then push back in. If still sticky, see the
Control Maintenance section - pages 13 & 14.
- Return housing to Ikelite for routine maintenance.
roblem Solution
Image is over- or
under-exposed, or a
corner of the image
is dark
- Check that the camera flash is firing when taking
a picture. Camera flash should be forced “on.”
- Make sure the deflector is installed when you are
using an external strobe.
- Make sure the diffuser is installed when you are
NOT using an external strobe.
- When using an external strobe, make sure it is
turned on, set properly, and it’s battery is charged.
- Check any corded connection points.
- Change camera shutter speed or aperture.
- Move closer to or further away from the subject.

18
Camera does not
take a picture
- Install a fully charged battery.
- If using a “lever type” zoom control, make sure the
control is centered and not engaged.
- There is not enough available light for the camera
to properly focus. Add a focusing light or strobe
with a built-in focusing light to your system.
- Select macro mode when shooting close-ups.
roblem Solution
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 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 packs in your housing before
each day of diving.
- If water droplets or moisture is 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.
- Make sure the camera is mounted properly on the
camera tray and housing controls are out of the
way .
Housing is hard to
close

19
Water enters the
housing
- Remove, clean and properly lubricate the main
o-ring.
- Look for hairs, 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 routine maintenance.
roblem Solution
Pictures are too blue
or too green
- Use custom (manual) white balance if available.
- Add an optional color correcting filter.
- Add an external strobe.
- Move in closer to your subject when taking a
picture.
Replacement arts
Main Housing O-ring 0109
Lanyard 0321.10
Vinyl ort Cover 0200
Ikelite Lube 5020 (4 - 1cc tubes)
For light lubrication of the main housing o-ring.
Recommended Accessories
A full range of accessories is available to support your housing. Please visit
www.ikelite.com to see the most current information about recommended
accessories.

20
Tray and Handle(s)
Add stability and gripping point(s) for comfortable use of the housing
above and below water. Some tray and handles offset the slightly
positive buoyancy of the housings. Handles offer attachment points for
external lighting systems.
External Strobes
A separate external strobe adds color to restore the warmer colors
filtered out by the water as well as to illuminate the subject. Add a
second strobe to eliminate shadows and evenly light your subjects.
Video Lighting
External video lights add color when using the video/movie mode of your
camera. Primary video lights are specially color balanced to provide
natural tones.
Travel Cases
Protect your investment and travel with ease. An optional Carrying
Case or Travel Bag will accommodate the housing with a single AF35 or
DS51 strobe, including a single tray with handle and accessories.
Recommended Accessories - continued
External Color Correcting Filters
Color filters such as the UR-Pro Filter replace
some of the reds, oranges and more natural
tones that would otherwise be lost underwater.
Effective in relatively shallow, sunny conditions.
Available for tropical blue water and green
water settings. For optimum results use in
combination with “custom (manual) white
balance.” Check your camera user guide for
information on this option (if available). Not
recommended when using external strobes.
UR-Pro Filter Lens Port