Ikelite 6961.09 User manual

Product Registration
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in the event of a product update.
200DLM/A Underwater TTL Housing for Panasonic
Lumix DC-GX9K/DC-GX9M/DC-GX9 Mirrorless
Micro Four-Thirds Cameras
Product Number 6961.09

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About this Product
Thank you for your purchase of Ikelite equipment. Please read this
instruction manual completely before attempting to operate or dive
with this product. Visit ikelite.com to register your product to receive
information on any updates or notices pertaining to your equipment.
Included in the Box
• Housing
• Rear o-ring # 0110 (installed)
• Front o-ring # 0132.36 (installed)
• Waterproof bulkhead cap # 9104.7 (installed)
• Silicone lubricant
• Hex keys
Specifications
• 200 ft (60m) depth rating
• DLM/B port mount
• Controls for all important camera functions
• Ikelite ash bulkhead connector with built-in TTL circuitry
• Two 1/4-20 threaded tray mounts with 3” (76mm) spacing
• Slightly negative buoyancy in fresh water; actual buoyancy varies
depending on choice of lens and port
• 2.7 lb (1691 g)
• 7.37 x 6 x 5.5” (187 x 152 x 139 mm)
• ABS-PC, acrylic, and acetyl construction

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Important Notices
»This housing requires a compatible Lens Port for waterproof
operation. The housing is not waterproof without a Lens Port
attached.
»To prevent salt build-up and sticking controls, submerge the
empty housing in clean, fresh water. Operate the controls
several times each while underwater to ush out any residue.
»Never leave a housing in a rinse tank, even if it is the only
system in the tank. Most catastrophic oods happen when the
user walks away from a housing while it is in the rinse tank.
»Do not use alcohol, cleaning agents, spray lubricants, Rain-X,
or other solvents on the housing or lens port. Use of an
incompatible chemical compound can damage the plastic and
o-rings, and may result in leaking.
»A bulkhead cap or sync cord must be attached to the housing
for waterproof operation. Never submerge the housing without
either a sync cord or waterproof bulkhead cap attached.
»This housing is only compatible with the Panasonic DC-
GX9K, DC-GX9M and DC-GX9 cameras as shipped by the
manufacturer. Unless otherwise noted, this housing does
not accommodate the use of add-on grips, battery grips,
eyepieces, LCD covers, or other accessories.

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Accessory Port
Your housing features one 1/2-20 threaded Accessory Port which
may be used for attachment of factory optional or aftermarket housing
accessories. We recommend Vacuum Kit # 47012 which allows you to
pull a vacuum on the housing to simulate pressure at depth and check
for leaks prior to entering the water.
DO NOT remove the Accessory Hole Plug unless you are installing a
compatible accessory such as factory optional Vacuum Kit # 47012
Visit ikelite.com for an updated list of factory optional accessories or
contact us directly at [email protected].
Use the following steps to replace an Accessory Port Hole Plug with
an accessory tting to use an optional accessory:
1. Remove the Hole Plug using an 11/16 inch open end wrench.
2. Check the accessory tting o-ring sealing area. If an o-ring is not
present, use the Hole Plug o-ring. Lightly lubricate o-ring with
Ikelite Lubricant. Use ONLY Ikelite lubricant. Other manufacturer
lubricants can cause the o-ring to swell. Check o-ring and o-ring
sealing area. Both should be clean and free of hair, sand, or other
debris.
3. Carefully screw in and tighten accessory tting. The accessory port
features a 1/2-20 threaded hole. Make sure your tting is the same
thread pattern. DO NOT cross-thread. DO NOT overtighten.
NOTICE: Your Ikelite housing warranty DOES NOT extend to
cover the attachment of aftermarket housing accessories by 3rd
parties. Warranty DOES cover factory optional accessories attached
by certied Ikelite service technicians.
DO NOT remove the Accessory Port Hole Plug unless you are
installing a compatible accessory like Vacuum Kit # 47012.

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Contents
Product Registration 1
About this Product 2
Included in the Box 2
Specications 2
Important Notices 3
Accessory Port 4
Getting to Know Your Housing 6
Setting Up Your Camera 7
Pre-Installation Checklist & Initial Camera Settings 7
Setting Up Your Housing 8
Opening the Housing 8
Inserting the Camera 8
Attaching the Hotshoe 9
Closing the Housing 10
Attaching the Lens Port 11
Final Check 13
Entering the Water 13
Setting Up An External Strobe 14
About the Built-In Flash 14
About Sync Cords 14
Attaching a Sync Cord 14
About Fiber Optic Cords 16
Attaching a Fiber Optic Cord 16
Maintenance 17
Post-Dive 17
Travel and Storage 17
Troubleshooting 18
Spare Parts / Optional Accessories 20
Limited Warranty 21
Service and Repairs 22
Contact Us 23

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Getting to Know Your Housing
Shutter
Button
Electrical
Bulkhead
Tray Mounts
Lens Port
Mount
Lid
Snap
Lens
Release
Button
Fiber Optic Ports
Front Dial
Accessory Port
Hole Plug
Mode Dial
Finger
Grip
LVF
DISP
WB
AF/AE
LOCK
O-Ring Camera
Mounting Plate
ISO
Mounting
Plate Base
Focus Mode
Lever
Self-Timer
Motion Picture Button
AEL-AFL /
Fn1 Button
MENU/
SET
Button
Rear Dial
ON/OFF

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Setting Up Your Camera
Pre-Installation Checklist & Initial Camera Settings
1. Insert a fully charged camera battery.
2. Insert a properly formatted memory card.
3. Set Mode Dial to “M” Manual mode to manually adjust both
aperture and shutter speed settings.
4. Set ISO Sensitivity to “200.”
5. Set Focus Mode Lever switch to AFS/AFF.
6. Set Metering Mode to “Center-Weighted.”
7. Set Flash Mode to “Forced Flash On” when connecting a ber
optic strobe.
8. Set Shutter Type to “MSHTR.” Flash may not re if this setting is
incorrect.
9. Set Touch Settings to “OFF.”
10. In Custom Monitor / Display Menu: Set Auto Review to “5SEC.”
11. In Custom Focus Menu: Set Eye Sensor AF and AF Assist Lamp to
“OFF.”
12. In Eye Sensor, set LVF/Monitor Switch to “MON.”
13. Set AF Mode to “1-Area.”
14. In Economy, set Sleep Mode to “5MIN.” and Auto LVF/Monitor Off
to “5MIN.”
15. Press Fn1 button and set Post Focus to “OFF.”

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- Manual Flash can be set on the camera if desired: S or M mode
must be used to ensure that redeye reduction mode can be selected.
Select redeye reduction mode. When the shutter release is pressed,
2 short bursts will be red by the ash with a noticeable delay (about
1/3 of a second) before the main ash is red. After that, you are now
in manual ash mode and the lightning bolt ash ready indicator will
disappear from the monitor, and there will be no more preashes.
To go back to TTL mode, power the strobe off and then on again,
then change the camera from red eye reduction back to “ll-in ash.”
NOTE: These are recommended “initial” camera settings to get
you started. Please adjust your camera as needed for each unique
shooting situation. Settings not mentioned should be set to the user’s
preference.
Setting Up Your Housing
Opening the Housing
1. Push the lid snap lock forward and start to lift the curved end away
from the housing.
2. Lid snaps are designed to provide enough force to compress the
o-ring for a proper seal. Keep rm pressure against the lid snap
while lifting it away.
Lid Snap Lock

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3. Repeat with remaining lid snap(s).
4. Remove the housing back.
Inserting the Camera
1. Remove any lanyard or neck strap which may be attached to the
camera.
2. Check to see whether the camera’s lens will t through the port
opening of the housing. If not, the lens will need to be removed
from the camera body and reattached AFTER the camera body is
installed in the housing.
3. Remove the Camera Mounting Plate from the housing.
4. Pull the LCD screen away from the camera slightly to allow the
Camera Mounting Plate to attach properly to the bottom of the
camera.
5. Line up the Mounting Screw with the Camera Tripod Socket. Use
a coin or at head screwdriver (preferred) to tighten the mounting
plate to the camera. Mounting Plate should tighten ush against the
bottom of the camera.
1/4-20 Mounting Screw
1/4-20 Threaded Hole
Camera Tripod Socket
Camera Mounting Plate
Camera LCD Screen

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6. Pull out on the housing control knobs to move the controls out of
the way.
7. Insert the Mounting Plate into the slot of the Mounting Plate Base.
Push the camera all of the way forward until the back of the
Mounting Plate is ush with the back of the Mounting Plate Base,
page 6.
Attaching the Hotshoe
1. Make sure the Hotshoe and camera contacts are clean.
2. Slide Hotshoe all the way forward into the Hotshoe Camera Mount.
Push the Hotshoe forward until it is unable to go any farther. The
Hotshoe must be pushed all the way forward to make proper
contact with the camera and provide TTL operation. Make sure
the Hotshoe wire does not interfere with any housing control
operations.
Hotshoe
Hotshoe Camera
Mount
Closing the Housing
1. Make sure the o-ring is clean and in its proper location on the back
of the housing. The main o-ring does not require lubricant to make
a seal.

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2. Turn both the Focus Mode Lever and ON/OFF Switch control forks
so they line up with the corresponding camera controls.
3. Place the back onto the housing front.
4. Make sure no controls or wires are interfering with the o-ring or the
back of the housing.
5. Place each lid snap into the corresponding hook on the housing
back.
6. Push the lid snaps towards the housing until they are at against
the housing and the lock has engaged. Close opposing lid snaps at
the same time.
7. Check the o-ring seal. The o-ring should form a uniform, solid line
around the back of the housing. There will be a small, even gap
around the housing between the housing back and the housing
front.
Even Gap on
All Sides
Housing Back
Main O-ring
Lid Snap
Lid Hook
8. Check camera control functions with the housing controls.
Attaching the Lens Port
A compatible lens port is required for waterproof operation.
Never submerge the housing without a lens port attached.

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1. Lightly lubricate the o-ring on the Port Base, page 12. When
properly lubricated, the o-ring should have an even, slightly shiny
appearance. Wipe off any excess lubricant. Lubricant prevents the
o-ring from rolling or extruding; it is not a sealing mechanism.
2. If using an optional Gear Sleeve, place it in the Port Base with the
teeth side facing away from the housing.
Optional
Gear
Sleeve
O-ring
Lens Port
Port Base
3. If using an optional Gear Sleeve, place it in the Port Base with the
teeth side facing away from the housing.
4. Slide the Lens Port onto the housing Port Base and press evenly
down towards the housing until it stops. There should be a very
small, even gap between the bottom of the port and the housing
front.

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5. If using a dome with a shade, rotate the lens port gently so that the
wider extensions are oriented on the top and bottom. If the shade is
not aligned properly, it may cause vignetting (dark shadows in the
corner of the image).
Final Check
1. Re-check the o-ring seal. The seal should form an even, solid line
around the back of the housing.
2. Turn on the camera and check all control functions.
3. Make sure that the camera can obtain focus and take a photo.
4. Check battery life and open storage space on your memory card.
5. Check the ash/strobes, if using.
6. Submerge the housing in a fresh water tank dedicated to
underwater photographic equipment. Visually conrm that there are
no signs of water intrusion or a steady stream of bubbles coming
from one of the housing seals.
Entering the Water
1. If possible, we recommend entering the water without your housing
to ensure that you are comfortable and your life-saving equipment
is in working order. Once you are stable, have someone pass your
camera housing to you.
2. As soon as you enter the water, take a moment and check to see
that the housing is properly sealed. If possible, rst water test the
housing with no camera inside to assure a safe and watertight
environment.

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3. Submerge the housing at the surface of the water and visually
conrm that there are no signs of water intrusion or a steady stream
of bubbles coming from one of the housing seals. If water does
appear to be entering the housing, point the lens port downward
and return the housing to the surface as quickly as possible. Please
observe all necessary safety precautions. NEVER ascend faster
than accepted safety limits.
4. Use your hand to gently ush away any small bubbles that may be
on the face of the lens port. Bubbles will produce soft focus spots in
your photo or video.
Setting Up An External Strobe
About the Built-In Flash
The camera’s built-in ash cannot light a subject underwater due to
the housing’s opaque design. The built-in ash CAN be used to trigger
a ber optic strobe.
We recommend attaching an external strobe for the optimal color
and clarity in a wide variety of shooting situations, including daylight
photography. An external strobe may be triggered via electrical sync
cord or ber optic cord.
NOTE: The built-in ash will be disabled when a powered strobe is
detected through the housing hotshoe.
About Sync Cords
Attaching a strobe via electrical sync cord provides faster strobe
recycle times as compared to a ber optic connection, and prolongs
camera battery life.
When a compatible Ikelite DS strobe is attached via sync cord,
circuitry built into the housing allows the strobe to communicate
directly with the camera to trigger the strobe and adjust its power for
perfect exposure.

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Strobes from SEA&SEA, INON, and Nikonos attached by electrical
sync cord are not capable of powering the TTL circuitry built into this
housing. These strobes must be used in manual power modes when
connected via electrical sync cord.
Attaching a Sync Cord
A bulkhead cap or sync cord must be attached to the housing for
waterproof operation. Never submerge the housing without either
a sync cord or waterproof bulkhead cap attached.
1. Remove the bulkhead cap.
2. Lightly lubricate the sync cord o-rings. We recommend using only
Ikelite silicone lubricant to eliminate the possibility of swelling due to
incompatible compounds.
3. Line up the pins and receptacles and gently insert the sync cord
plug into the housing bulkhead. DO NOT force or rush this
installation. The sync cord will not go into the bulkhead if the Pins
and Receptacles are misaligned.
4. Attach the other end of the sync cord to the bulkhead on your
strobe.
Waterproof
Bulkhead Cap
Bulkhead
Knurled
Retaining Ring
Knurled
Retaining
Ring
Sync Cord
Plug
Pins and
Receptacles
Sync Cord
O-ring

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5. If using an Ikelite strobe, set the strobe to TTL. If using a non-Ikelite
strobe, set the strobe to manual ash and select a manual power
setting.
6. Turn on the strobe(s).
7. Turn on the camera.
8. Take a test photo to ensure that your strobe(s) are functioning
properly.
About Fiber Optic Cords
Attaching a strobe via ber optic connection requires the camera’s
built-in ash to re each time a photo is taken. Firing the camera’s
ash will cause increased lag time in between photos and decrease
camera battery life.
Attaching a Fiber Optic Cord
1. Check the end of the ber optic cord to ensure that it is clean and
smooth.
O-ring
Fiber Optic
Ports
Fiber Optic
Connector
2. Ensure that the ber optic cord o-ring is in place. This o-ring does
not provide waterproong, however it does keep the ber optic cord
in place.
3. Attach one end of the ber optic cord into one of the ber optic
ports on the front of the housing. The connector is a press-t into
the ber optic port.

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4. Attach the other end of the ber optic cord to a compatible strobe.
5. Set the strobe to the appropriate setting based on manufacturer
recommendations.
6. Turn the camera on and pop up the built-in ash.
7. Turn the strobe(s) on.
8. Take a test photo to ensure that your strobe(s) is functioning
properly.
Maintenance
Post-Dive
1. Rinse the housing in fresh water. Rotate the housing’s controls and
press each button while submerged in fresh water to ush out any
salt or debris to ensure smooth operation on future dives.
2. NEVER leave your housing in the fresh water rinse tank. Collisions
with other equipment can cause scratches or damage to your
equipment.
3. Stow the housing in a shaded place where it is protected from
impact or overheating. If no shade is available, we recommend
covering the housing with a towel or cloth.
4. Check the memory card capacity and battery life of your camera
and strobe(s). Recharge as necessary.
5. Always recheck o-ring seal after opening the housing.
Travel and Storage
1. Remove the camera from the housing for travel or storage.
2. Check the main housing o-ring.
3. Close the empty housing and submerge in lukewarm fresh water.
While submerged, rotate each control and depress each button to
ush out any salt or debris.

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4. Remove the housing from water and rinse with running water.
5. Do not rinse the inside of the housing or submerge the open
housing in water. If the inside of the housing needs to be cleaned,
wipe with a clean, slightly damp cloth.
6. Dry the housing with a clean, lint-free cloth.
7. Store in a cool, dry place.
8. Like regulators and other pressure-sensitive equipment, we
recommend careful care and cleaning along with annual
replacement of the factory seals.
Troubleshooting
Water enters the housing
• Re-clean and re-install the main o-ring.
• Take the housing underwater without a camera installed to ensure
that the leaking has been corrected.
Photos are over-exposed (too light)
• Adjust aperture (smaller), shutter speed (faster), or ISO (lower)
setting.
• Move lights(s) farther away from your subject.
• Adjust exposure compensation in the camera.
• Adjust lighting power.
Photos are under-exposed (too dark)
• Adjust aperture (larger), shutter speed (slower), or ISO (higher)
setting.
• Move light(s) closer to your subject.
• Adjust exposure compensation in the camera.
• Adjust lighting power.

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Strobe will not re
• Turn on strobe and make sure it is properly charged.
• Make sure that the camera ash is set to re on every photo.
• Check that the ber optic cord or sync cord is properly attached.
Buttons are stuck
• Soak the housing in lukewarm fresh water. Depress each button
several times while the housing is submerged.
• Apply lubricant to the button. Press the button several times to
distribute the lubricant.
Button(s) or control(s) do not line up
• Camera should be “tight” against the mounting plate. Check
tightness using a coin or screwdriver (preferred).
• Ensure that nothing is preventing the camera from going into the
housing.
• Push the camera mounting plate forward until it is ush with the
mounting plate base.
Camera is not functioning normally underwater
• Ensure that the camera mounting plate is pushed all of the way into
the mounting plate base.
• Check each housing control while underwater to ensure that
they are disengaged. An inadvertently engaged control may limit
functioning of the camera.
Backscatter or “snow” in images
• Position strobes or lights farther away from your lens and at a slight
angle so water between the housing and subject is not illuminated.
• Avoid using strobes in extremely low-visibility conditions.

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Spare Parts
• Rear O-Ring # 0110
• Front O-Ring # 0132.36
• Waterproof bulkhead cap # 9104.7
• Port Securing Thumbscrews (Set of 3) # 9249.6
• Silicone lubricant # 5020
Limited Warranty
This Ikelite product is warranted against any manufacturing defects for
a period of two (2) years from the original date of purchase. Defective
products should be returned to Ikelite postage paid. Ikelite will, at
its sole discretion, repair or replace such products, and will return to
customer postage paid. All other claims of any nature are not covered.
Except as mentioned above, no other warranty expressed or implied
applies to this Ikelite product.
Service and Repairs
Ikelite is most interested in performing any service to ensure that all
products perform as intended. Evidence of purchase date must be
provided to obtain warranty service. No prior authorization is required.
You may return directly to us or through your dealer. Please include a
brief description of the problem, any relevant email correspondence,
and/or description of the service request. Always include name,
shipping address, email address, and phone number inside of the
package.
Send postage paid to:
Ikelite Underwater Systems
Attn: Service Department
50 West 33rd Street