Ikelite 6812.61 User manual

Thank you for your purchase of Ikelite equipment. Please read this
instruction manual completely before attempting to operate or dive
with this product. Please refer to the back page of this manual to
register your Ikelite product.
IKELITE
SLR-DC Housing
instruction manual
6812.61 for the Nikon D600, D610

2
Table of Contents
Specifications ..............................................................P. 3
Package Contents ........................................................P. 4
Preparation ..................................................................P. 4
Attach External “Tray with Handles” to Housing ............P. 4
Parts of the Housing - Front/Side View ..........................P. 5
Parts of the Housing - Back View ..................................P. 6
Initial Camera Setup........................................................P. 7
Opening the Housing ......................................................P. 7
Housing Conversion Circuitry..........................................P. 8
Setting the Conversion Circuitry Strobe ID Switch..........P. 8
Using the Conversion Circuitry........................................P. 9
Flash Mode and Compensation Dial ..............................P. 9
Using Non-Ikelite or Ikelite Non-DS Substrobes ............P. 9
DS50 and DS125 Substrobe Compatibility ....................P. 10
Attaching the Flash Connection for External Strobes ....P. 10
Attach Camera to Housing Tray......................................P. 11
Installing Camera in Housing ..........................................P. 11
Closing the Housing ........................................................P. 12
Final Check ....................................................................P. 12
Attaching a Sync Cord to the Housing ............................P. 13
Turn Camera On..............................................................P. 13
Zoom Clamp & ear Sleeve Installation ........................P. 14
Manual Focusing ............................................................P. 18
Installing the Port ............................................................P. 19
Lens Ports ......................................................................P. 20
Attaching an Ikelite Strobe Arm to the Housing Handle..P. 21

Table of Contents - continued
Usage ............................................................................P. 22
Pre-Dive Your System ....................................................P. 22
Lubricants ........................................................................P. 22
Troubleshooting ........................................................P. 23
Recommended Accessories ....................................P. 25
Accessory Mounting Points ............................................P. 25
EV-Controller Use............................................................P. 25
Maintenance..................................................................P. 26
Storing the Housing ........................................................P. 29
Spare Parts ..................................................................P. 29
Photo Tips ....................................................................P. 29
Customer Support ......................................................P. 30
Limited Warranty ........................................................P. 31
Returning Products for Service ................................P. 31
Product Registration ..................................................Back Cover
3
Specifications
- Controls ............All important camera functions are accessible.
Controls are not provided Diopter adjustment control and Depth-of-field
preview button.
- Width ................9.6 in (244 mm) including controls
- Height ..............6.9 in (175 mm) including controls
- Depth ................6.5 in (165 mm) including controls
- Weight ..............6.0 lb (2495 g) without tray & handles
- Buoyancy ..........Slightly negative in freshwater
- Depth Rating ....200 ft (60 m)
- Built-in Flash ....Not accessible
- Tray Mounting ..12-24 thread with 3 in. spacing (76 mm)

- SLR-DC Housing
- Envelope containing tray
installation hardware,
maintenance kit, and extra
control end tips.
Package Contents
- Aluminum Tray & Dual Handles
- Silicone Lubricant
- Standard Zoom Clamp & Sleeve Set
- #5509.28 Large Diameter Zoom
Clamp & Sleeve Set
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 23.
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.
Preparation
4
Attach External “Tray with Handles” to Housing
Use hardware and instructions located in the clear Ikelite pouch to attach
the “Tray with Handles” to your Ikelite housing.

5
IKELITE
Parts of the Housing - Front View
Quick Release
Strobe Arm Mount
Handle
Port
pening
ear Sleeve
Drive ear
Shutter
Release
Power Switch
Lid
Snap
Side View
ear
Sleeve
Optional
Port
Port O-ring
Main Housing
O-ring
Camera Tray
Camera
Mounting Bolt
Aluminum Tray
Leveling Screw (Factory Pre-set)
Movie-record
AE-L/AF-L
Sub-command Dial
Lid
Snap
Fn (function) Button
Shutter Release
Metering Button
Button

6
713
14
11 17
1
12
8
6
4
5
3
2
18
20
21
15
16
22 23
24
25
8a
TTL
1
-1
-1
F
-2
-3
MAN
19
10
27
9
26
28
Back View
1. Quick Release Button
2. Mode Dial
3. Flash Mode/Compensation
4. Release Mode Dial Lock Release
5. Zoom Control
6. BKT Button
7. Lens Release Button
8. AF Mode Button
8a. Focus Mode Selector
9. External Strobe Connector & Cap
10. Release Mode Dial
11. Playback Button
12. MENU Button
13. Retouch/Picture Control
14. WB Button
15. P.back Zoom In/QUAL Button
16. P.back Zoom In/IS Button
17. Delete/Format Button
18. Super-eye Viewfinder
19. Main command Dial
20. Mover Cursor Up
21. Cancel, Return to Prev. Menu
22. K Button
23. Display Sub Menu/Select Item
24. Move Cursor Down
25. Lv Live View Button
26. Live View Selector
27. info Button
28. Flash Mode & Compensation Dial

7
pening the Housing
Lid Snaps have a Lock. To open, push Lid Snap
Lock forward and lift as shown. Keep pressure on
the Lid Snap so it does not fly open quickly.
Lid Snaps have a lot of spring tension once they
go over center, so have a firm grip on the Lid
Snap. Lid Snaps may be opened one at a time.
Lift
Push Forward
Lock
Initial Camera Setup
- Insert a fully charged battery and SD or SDHC memory cards.
- Set Time Zone and Date. Set the mode dial to “M” manual.
- Set shutter speed to 1/60th second, or 1/125th second for fast subjects.
- Set aperture to F8 for general photography or F22 for macro(close-ups).
- Set JPE compression to “Optimal Quality.”
- Set White Balance to “AUTO1” and Picture Control to “SD Standard.”
- Set Auto Distortion Control to “ON” and Active D-Lighting to “OFF.”
- Set HDR and Long Exposure NR to “OFF.”
- Set ISO Sensitivity to “100” and Metering to “Center-weighted.”
- Set Focus Mode to “AF-S.”
- Set AF-Area Mode: Viewfinder to “Single-point AF” and Live-view/movie
to “Normal-area AF.”
- Set Focus Point to the center and rotate focus selector to “L.”
In Custom Settings Menu:
- Set AF-S priority selection to “Release” & AF point illumination to “ON.”
- Set Built-in AF-assist illuminator to”Off.”
- Set Shutter-release button AE-L to “ON.”
-Set Release button to use dial to “ N.”
- Set LCD illumination to “ON.”
- Set Save user settings to “U1.”
Note: This housing is designed for use with an external strobe. The
camera’s internal flash cannot be used while in the housing. Make sure
Red-eye reduction is off when connected to a strobe.

On the bottom of the internal housing tray is a switch for setting the DS
Substrobe ID. Set the switch to the Model of DS Substrobe being used.
When using dual strobes of different models such as a DS51 and a
DS161, set the ID switch to DS51 or the smaller strobe.
8
DS
DS
Set
DS Substrobe
to TTL Mode
50-51
TIGHTEN HOLDOWN BOLT
WITH COIN
OR SCREWDRIVER
160-161
125-200
Setting the Conversion Circuitry Strobe ID Switch
Strobe ID
Switch
Housing Conversion Circuitry
This housing contains Ikelite designed Conversion Circuitry. Once
attached, turn the strobe on first before turning on the camera.
When used with Ikelite DS Substrobes the Conversion Circuitry provides
real Nikon iTTL flash exposure with over and underexposure
compensation from +1 1/3 to - 1 1/3 f-stops in 1/3 stop increments.
The Conversion Circuitry also offers Manual exposure control with 3 1/2
f-stops of underexposure control in 1/2 stop increments.
The Conversion Circuitry is powered by the Ikelite DS Substrobe when
connected to the housing with the 4103.51 single or 4103.52 dual sync
cord. When using two strobes with the dual sync cord, the primary
strobe connected to the cord without the red band, must be turned on to
power the Conversion Circuitry. Always keep both strobes connected to
your dual sync cord underwater. Do not exchange your secondary
strobe for a dust cap which may not be waterproof.

Using the Conversion Circuitry (Set DS Substrobe to TTL mode)
-Mode and Compensation Dial (see illustration below)
Note that the TTL compensation values are located in the yellow band.
Manual compensation values are located in the black band. Rotate the
Dial to switch between TTL and Manual Modes.
-TTL Mode compensation values are indicated in the yellow band. Place
the Setting Indicator to TTL for N Compensation. Rotate the Dial either
direction to select +/- compensation. Place the Setting Indicator to the
desired compensation value. Note that in TTL, compensation values are
in 1/3 f-stops.
-Manual Mode compensation values are indicated in the black band.
Rotate the Dial to place the Setting Indicator to the desired compensation
value. Note that in Manual Mode, compensation values are in 1/2 f-stops
from (F) full power to -3 f-stops.
Set DS Substrobe to TTL mode. This will allow the strobe power to
be varied in manual mode.
9
Setting Indicator
TTL
1
-1
-1
F
-2
-3
MAN
TTL Flash Scale (yellow = 1/3 stops)
Manual Flash Scale (black = 1/2 stops)
Flash Mode and Compensation Dial
Using Non-Ikelite or Ikelite Non-DS Substrobes
(Substrobe 50, 100A, 200, 400) with this Housing
The Conversion Circuitry is automatically disabled when used with a
Non-Ikelite or Non-DS Substrobe. These Substrobes can be used in their
manual mode utilizing any power settings provided on the Substrobe.

10
DS50 and DS125 Substrobe Compatibility
- Older DS50 Substrobes with Serial Number below 63,850 can NOT be
updated to operate correctly with the latest TTL conversion circuitry.
Older DS50 Substrobes with Serial Number between 63,850 and 69,999
require upgrade of electronics to operate. Cost of update depends on
strobe circuitry. Strobe must be returned to Ikelite for evaluation to
provide an estimate of upgrade cost.
- Older DS125 Substrobes with Serial Number below 2,500 can NOT be
updated to operate correctly with the latest TTL conversion circuitry.
Older DS125 SubStrobes with Serial Number between 2,500 and 4,999
require upgrade of electronics to operate. Cost of update depends on
strobe circuitry. Strobe must be returned to Ikelite for evaluation to
provide an estimate of upgrade cost.
Attaching the Flash Connection for External Strobes
When using an external
strobe, connect the
housing hotshoe connector.
Slide the connector into the
hotshoe mount on the
camera from the back of
the camera as shown.
Slide the connector forward
until it stops. Due to limited
clearance between the
camera hotshoe mount and
the housing back, the
hotshoe connector should
be attached before the
camera is secured with the
mounting bolt.
Front
External Strobe Connector
and Waterproof Cap
Housing Back
Hotshoe
Connector

Installing Camera in Housing
Before installing the camera, pull out on the controls in the front section of
the housing. This will allow the camera to slide in easier. Once the camera
is installed and the lid snaps have been closed, return the controls to their
operating position.
Attaching Camera to Housing Tray
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
camera tray, and then secure it with the mounting bolt which threads into
the camera’s tripod socket.
Use a flathead screwdriver (recommended) or coin to tighten the
mounting bolt so the camera bottom is flush against the tray.
FX
Nikon
Mounting Bolt
Camera Tray
11
Leveling Screw (Pre-adjusted)

o-ring
housing back
housing back
housing
housing
o-ring
12
Final 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.
Closing the Housing
1. Place housing face down in your lap.
2. Check to see that there is an o-ring on
the housing back that is clean and in its
proper location.
3. uide the back onto the housing. 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 the 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 lid-snap lock.
even gap
all 4 sides

13
Turn Camera n
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 test shots on land.
Attaching a Sync Cord to the Housing
The Housing Bulkhead is designed to accept only an Ikelite 5-pin TTL
Sync Cord.
1. Lightly lubricate the Sync Cord O-ring. Use ONLY Ikelite lubricant
(supplied with housing).
2. Remove Bulkhead Cap from Housing Bulkhead.
3. Line up the Sync Cord Pins with the corresponding Bulkhead
receptacles. ently insert Sync Cord into Bulkhead. DO NOT force this
installation. If the Sync Cord does not seat properly inside the Bulkhead,
the pins and receptacles are improperly aligned; repeat Step 3.
4. Tighten the Knurled Nut snugly using your Index finer and thumb. DO
NOT use pliers or other tools to tighten the Knurled Nut.
Always remove the
Sync Cord from your
Housing when not in
use, and replace the
Bulkhead Cap.
Bulkhead Cap
Sync Cord
O-ring Housing
Bulkhead
Ikelite TTL
Sync Cord
Sync Cord Pin
Knurled Nut
Caution:
Do not remove the
waterproof Bulkhead
Cap unless an external
sync cord is going to
be plugged in. Do not
remove Bulkhead Cap
or Sync Cord
underwater.

Preparing to Install Zoom Clamp & Gear Sleeve
Determine the type
of lens being used
on the camera.
Type 1 Lenses have
a lens opening that
is NOT larger in
diameter than the
zoom ring. (Fig. 1).
Type 2 Lenses have a lens
opening that IS larger in diameter than the zoom ring. (Fig. 2).
Zoom Clamps & Gear Sleeves Included with Housing
There are 2 different
Zoom Clamps and
ear Sleeves
provided with the
housing. Start with
the suggested Zoom
Clamp and ear
Sleeve depending
on the Type of
lens being used.
See (Fig. A or B)
lens
opening
zoom
ring
bayonet
mount
Type 1 lens Type 2 lens
(Figure 1) (Figure 2)
Normally used with
Type 1 lens (Fig.1)
#9059.8 small diameter clamp:
For use with #0073 sleeve
+
#0073 sleeve: Use with
small diameter zoom clamp
#9059.8
Figure A
Normally used with
Type 2 lens (Fig.2)
#5509.28 Package
#9059.9 large diameter clamp:
For use with #0073.1 sleeve
+
#0073.1 sleeve: Use with
large diameter zoom clamp
#9059.9
Figure B
thick ribs thin ribs
wide
grooved
extension
tabs
narrow
grooved
extension
tabs
14

Installing the Zoom Clamp & Gear Sleeve n the Type 1 Lenses
The Zoom Clamp has springs so it can be expanded to fit over the
Zoom Ring of the lens - figure C, page 15.
Install the Zoom Clamp with the extension tabs toward the rear element
of the lens. After installing the Zoom Clamp and ear Sleeve - figures D
& E, page 16, install the Lens Port and rotate the Zoom Ring on the
lens. If the Zoom Ring and ear Sleeve do not mesh properly, install the
rubber strips (supplied) to the inside diameter of the Zoom Clamp as
shown in figure F, page 16.
Two thicknesses of rubber strips are provided. Start by installing the
thinnest rubber strips. If the Zoom Clamp still is not tight enough and
meshes improperly with the ear Sleeve, use the thicker rubber strips.
Reinstall the Zoom Clamp, Sleeve. Mesh ear Sleeve teeth with Black
Housing Drive ear, figure , page 18, and then install the Lens Port.
After installing the port, pages 19 & 20, rotate the housing Zoom Control
Knob to see that the ear Sleeve is properly rotating the lens Zoom Ring.
15
Figure C
Type 1 lens mounted to camera
Zoom Clamp
Lens Zoom Ring

16
Figure D
Figure E
Align Ribs with
Zoom Clamp
grooved tabs
apply
rubber strips
to inside of
clamp
Figure F
Type 1 Lenses - continued
ear Sleeve Ribs

TOP OF HOUSING
Installing the Zoom Clamp & Gear Sleeve n Type 2 Lenses
Due to the larger diameter lens opening on Type 2 lenses, the Zoom
Clamp and ear Sleeve need to be installed from the rear (bayonet end)
of the lens. Use the housing Lens Release Control and remove the
camera lens from the camera body, after the camera and lens have
been installed in the housing.
Place the ear Sleeve in the housing opening as shown.
Install the black Zoom Clamp on the Lens Zoom Ring and lower the lens
into the housing opening. Make sure the Zoom Clamp grooved tabs
align with the ear Sleeve ribs. If necessary, install rubber strips to
expand the Zoom Clamp so it meshes properly with the ear Sleeve.
Bayonet lens into camera body and align ear Sleeve teeth with Black
Housing ear Teeth.
Zoom Clamp
Type 2 lens
Lens Zoom Ring
Align
Zoom Clamp
grooved
tabs with
ear Sleeve
Ribs
17
ear Sleeve
Lens Manual
Focus Ring

Manual Focusing
Ikelite DSLR housings are designed for auto-focus DSLR
cameras and lenses. Manual focusing is not recommended. In some
cases, if you desire to manually focus a lens, the zoom clamp must be
moved onto the lens Manual Focus Ring and you must use the housing
zoom control knob to manually focus. This will result in loss of zoom
capability.
18
Installing Zoom Clamp/Sleeve on Type 2 Lenses - continued
Before installing the lens port and checking operation, make sure the
teeth on the ear Sleeve mesh with the teeth on the housing Drive ear,
figure . When the port is installed, pages 19 & 20, it will lock the ear
Sleeve in place. After installing the port, rotate the housing Zoom Control
Knob to see that the ear Sleeve is properly rotating the Lens Zoom ring.
IKELITE
Mesh
ear Sleeve
teeth with
Black
Housing
Drive ear
Figure G
Port Lock
Release
Button
Port Lock

Installing the Port
There are four port locks on the
front of the housing, see figure
, page 18. Each port lock has
a Release Button. Lift the
release 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.
To prepare the port for
installation, remove the port o-ring and lightly lubricate it. The port seal
is a side-to-side seal and requires the o-ring to be lightly lubricated for
easy installation. Put a small amount of lubricant on your fingers and pull
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 port opening. Press down on the port firmly and evenly until you
feel the port slide into place. Continue to push down on the port and
push each port lock forward until the lock fully engages. It may help to
slightly rotate the port as you push in on the port lock. Visually inspect
each port lock and confirm that the Port Lock Release Button is seated
flush against the Port Lock Body. Do not rely on an audible "click" to
indicate that the lock is engaged.
Check around the perimeter of the port seal to see that the o-ring is
properly sealed and not extruded, figure 2, page 20.
It is NOT necessary to tighten housing port locks after installing a port.
Port locks are factory adjusted. Slight port movement is normal after port
locks have been closed and port has been secured to the housing.
Port Lock
Release
Button
Lift Release
Button to
Unlock
Pull Back to
Disengage
Port
Locked Position
19

Installing the Port - continued
To Remove Port
To remove the port, lift up on each Release Button and slide the port
lock away from the port.
Port Seal Inside View
If the port is installed before the camera is
inserted into the housing, look from the
inside of the housing at the port seal.
Check to see that the o-ring is properly
seated as shown in figure 1 and not
extruded as shown in figure 2.
Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Caution:
After installing the lens and port, turn the Zoom Control knob on the
housing. If the Zoom Control is difficult to turn, the gear sleeve may be
warped. If necessary, reduce or omit any rubber installed on the Zoom
Clamp, figure F, page 16. If the Zoom Clamp is still warped, use of the
5509.28 package may be required, see page 14.
Lens Ports
A lens port must be secured to the housing before entering the water.
Ikelite DSLR housings DO NOT come with a lens port. You must select
the correct port for each lens you will be using underwater. To assure
water-tightness, submerge the housing with port attached into a bathtub
or shallow water without the camera installed. This will confirm correct
installation of the port to the housing. For complete lens port information
and compatibility with your Ikelite system, go to ikelite.com.
20