Ikelite 6970.07 User manual

Underwater TTL Housing for Panasonic GX7
Product Number 6970.07
Product Registration
Please register your product at ikelite.com within 15 days of purchase.
Our product registration database is the best way for us to get a hold
of you in the event of a product update or recall.

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Thank you for your purchase of Ikelite equipment. Please read this
instruction manual completely before attempting to operate or dive
with this product. Please visit ikelite.com to register your product to
receive information on any updates, notices, or recalls pertaining to
your equipment.
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 main housing o-ring and retest to make sure that
it is watertight. If the problem persists, refer to the Troubleshooting
section of this manual.
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 of this manual.
About this Product

3
- Housing
- Instruction Manual
- Tray with Quick Release Handle
- Waterproof Bulkhead Cap (connected to external strobe connector)
- Silicone 1cc Lubricant Tube
- Cleaning Cloth
-1/8-inch Allen Wrench
Included in the Box
Specications
- 200 ft (60m) depth rating
- All important camera functions are accessible
- Ikelite bulkhead connector with built-in TTL circuitry
- Slightly negative buoyancy in fresh water
- Actual buoyancy varies depending on choice of lens and port
- Weight 3.13 lb (1423 g) not including tray, handles or port
- Dimensions 6 x 7.7 x 5.2 in (152 x 196 x 132 mm) including projections

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Contents
1 Product Registration
2 About this Product
3 Included in the Box
3 Specications
6 Parts of the Housing - Front View
7 Parts of the Housing - Back View
8 HOUSING CAMERA AND SETUP
8 STEP 1 - Remove/Attach Tray and Handle
9 STEP 2 - Initial Camera Settings
10 STEP 3 - Opening the Housing
10 STEP 4 - Installing Camera in the Housing
13 STEP 5 - Attach the Hotshoe
13 STEP 6 - Closing the Housing
14 STEP 7 - Attach Optional Mirrorless Lens Port
14 STEP 8 - Final Check
14 USAGE
15 Entering the Water

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Contents - continued
15 Removing the Camera from the Housing
16 STROBE USE AND COMPATIBILITY
16 Strobe Compatibility
16 Ikelite Housing Conversion Circuitry
16 Camera Flash and Fiber Optic Use
17 Attaching a Sync Cord to the Housing
18 Attaching an Ikelite Strobe Arm to the Housing Handle
19 SPARE PARTS
19 RECOMMENDED ACCESSORIES
20 MAINTENANCE
24 PHOTO TIPS
25 TROUBLESHOOTING
27 Customer Support
28 Limited Warranty
28 Returning Products For Service

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Parts of the Housing - Front View
Shutter Button
Front Dial
Mode Dial
Fiber Optic Ports
External Strobe
Connector and Cap
Lid Snap
Lens
Release
Button
External Tray Mounts

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Parts of the Housing - Back View
10
13
8
119
12
3
2
1
4
13
Q MENU
DISP
5
67
14
WB
1. Flash Open / LVF Button
2. Focus Mode Lever
3. Rear Dial
4. AF/AE Lock Button
5. Q. MENU Button
6. Playback Button
7. DISP. Display Button
8. ISO/ Up Button
9. AF Mode / Left Button
10. MENU/SET Button
11. WB White Balance / Right Button
12. Drive Mode / Down Button
13. Delete / Cancel Button
14. Wi-Fi Button
On/Off Switch
Motion Picture Button

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HOUSING AND CAMERA SETUP
STEP 1 - Remove/Attach Tray and Handle
The Tray and Handle may be removed for transport and then
re-attached for housing use. We recommend leaving the Tray and
Handle attached whenever possible to avoid accidentally scratching
table tops or other surfaces with the Tray Mounting Bolts.
To remove, loosen both 3/8-16 Nuts using a 9/16” open/box end or
socket Wrench (not supplied). Do not lose Tray Spacer; it is needed
for re-attachment of Tray and Handle.
MADE IN USA
Quick Release
Handle and Tray
Wrench - not supplied
3/8-16 Nut
Tray Mounting Bolt
Tray Spacer

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STEP 2 - Initial Camera Settings (before placing camera in housing)
- Insert a fully charged camera battery and a SD card.
- Turn camera on and set Mode Dial to “A” Aperture Priority.
Shutter speed will be locked at 1/60th second when the camera
ash is activated or a DS-series strobe is attached. For faster
shutter speeds, use “M” Manual mode. Other shooting modes are
not recommended.
- In REC Menu:
Set Aspect Ratio to “4:3” and Picture Size to “L 16m.”
Set Quality to “Fine” or other desired setting.
Set Metering Mode to “Center-weighted” and i.Dynamic to “OFF.”
In Flash, set Firing Mode to “TTL, Flash Mode to and Flash
Synchro to “1st.”
Set Red-Eye Removal and Face Recog. to “OFF.”
- IN Q. MENU:
Set AF Mode to “AFS” AF Single and “1-Area.”
Set ISO to “200.
Set White Balance to “Auto.” For best results set to manual White
Balance “White Set 1 ” and reset for each working depth.
- In C MENU:
Set Eye Sensor and AF Assist Lamp to “OFF.”
- In MENU:
Format the SD Card.
Set the Date and Time.
In Economy, set Sleep Mode and Auto Monitor Off to “5 MIN”.
* Settings not mentioned should be set to the user’s preference.
Read your camera owner’s manual completely to familiarize yourself
with all the camera functions. Setup your camera for underwater use with these
initial camera settings and then make adjustments once underwater.
1

Push Forward Lid
Snap
Lock
Lift
10
Lid snaps have a lock.
1. Push Lid Snap Locks forward and lift as shown. Open opposing
Lid Snaps simultaneously. Keep pressure on the lid snaps so
they do not y open quickly.
Some Lid Snaps have a lot
of spring tension once they
go over center, so keep a
rm grip on each Lid Snap.
Lid Snaps may also be
opened one at a time.
2. Remove the Housing Back.
STEP 3 - Opening the Housing
STEP 4 - Installing Camera in the Housing
1. Make sure the camera battery is fully charged and a SD card is
inserted into the camera.
2. Rotate Housing Lens Release Button control up and forward
against front of housing.
3. The Mounting Plate is secured to the inside bottom of the housing.
The camera Mounting Tray slides into the Mounting Plate. Use
the index and middle ngers of your hand to pull the Thumb
Screw away from the Mounting Plate, Diagram A, page 11. Use
your thumb to apply opposite pressure against the bottom of the
housing to assist in removal of the Tray.

Diagram A
Mounting Tray Mounting Plate
Pull to Remove
Diagram B
Mounting Tray
Thumb
Screw
11
STEP 4 - Installing Camera in the Housing - continued
4. Using a coin or athead screwdriver (preferred), secure the
camera Mounting Tray to the camera tripod mount, Diagram B.
Tighten camera rmly to avoid movement on tray. The Mounting
Tray only attaches one way with the Thumb Screw to the back of
the camera.
5. Gently slide the camera
with Mounting Tray back
into the Mounting Plate,
Diagram C, page 12.
Using your thumbs, push
against the Mounting
Tray until it stops sliding
forward into the Mounting
Plate. Give the Tray an
extra push to make sure it is properly seated all the way forward in
the Mounting Plate, Diagram D, page 12.

Diagram C
Diagram D
12
Mounting Tray Mounting Plate
STEP 4 - Installing Camera in the Housing - continued
Mounting Plate
Push Camera and
Mounting Tray all
the way forward into
the Mounting Plate

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STEP 5 - Attach the Hotshoe
1. Place housing face down in your lap or on a at surface. Check to
see that there is an o-ring on the housing back, and that it is clean
and in its proper location.
2. Guide the back onto the housing front.
Make sure the hotshoe wire is out of the
way. Once the back is properly installed,
the o-ring should touch the housing all
the way around. There should be an
even gap on each side of the housing
between the housing and the back.
3. Lift the lid snaps so they are extended and place each lid snap
into the corresponding hook on the housing back.
4. To close the housing, push down on the opposing lid snaps
simultaneously until they snap into place. Be sure they are down
far enough to engage the lock - Page 10. The o-ring seal should
now appear as a solid black line from the back of the housing.
STEP 6 - Closing the Housing
Housing Back
Lid Snap
Lid Hook
O-ring
Even Gap on
all 4 sides
Slide Hotshoe into the top camera
mount until it stops. Hotshoe must
be all the way forward in the camera
mount to assure a good electrical
connection with a strobe.
Make sure hotshoe cord does
not interfere with controls or the
housing back when closing the
housing.
Hotshoe

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STEP 7 - Attach Optional Mirrorless Lens Port
STEP 8 - Final Check
CAUTION: This housing does NOT come with a lens port. An
optional Mirrorless Lens Port must be properly attached to the
housing before submersion in water; see ikelite.com for compatible
lens/port combinations. After purchasing an optional port for your
lens, reference your port instruction manual for proper installation
procedure.
Once the Port is properly installed you can test the housing for
watertightness without a camera inside to ensure all housing seals are
working properly.
The clear housing permits instant visual inspection of the camera
and sealing surfaces as well as complete monitoring of controls and
camera LCD screens. This housing has been factory water pressure
tested to 200 ft (60m).
Once the housing is closed, recheck the o-ring seal. Double 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 or solid black line 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.
USAGE
Turn the camera on and operate each of the housing controls to get a
feel for using the camera in the housing.

Diagram E
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Entering the Water
Removing the Camera from the Housing
As soon as you enter the water, take a moment and check to see that
the housing is properly sealed. We recommend you rst water test
the housing with no camera inside to assure a safe and watertight
environment.
Next, check to see if there are any bubbles on the face of the lens
port. If there are, take your nger and remove them. If there are
bubbles on the lens port they can produce soft focus spots in your
photos or video.
1. Thoroughly dry housing.
2. Remove the housing back, see Opening the Housing, Step 3,
Page 10.
3. Remove the Hotshoe from the camera mount.
4. Use the index and middle nger of a hand to pull the Thumb
Screw away from the Mounting Plate, Diagram A, page 11.
If you are nished using the housing, remove the Mounting
Tray from the camera bottom and slide it back into the Housing
Mounting Plate, then replace
the Housing Back. For
storage and travel, remove
the back o-ring and place in
a small plastic bag. Place the
bag inside the housing and
re-attach the housing back.
Note: The Mounting Tray needs
to be removed when changing a
camera battery or memory card. Optional Dome Port 5516.15

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STROBE USE AND COMPATIBILITY
Strobe Compatibility
Ikelite Housing Conversion Circuitry
Camera Flash and Fiber Optic Use
This small compact housing has Ikelite designed and patented
Conversion Circuitry built right in. The Conversion Circuitry provides
real TTL ash exposure when used with Ikelite DS series strobes. The
Circuitry is automatically activated once a DS series strobe is attached
to the housing and turned on. Once attached, turn the strobe on rst
before turning on the camera. The circuitry cannot be powered up or
used by non-Ikelite strobes.
AF35 .................. no
DS50 .................. yes, above serial number 70,000
DS51 .................. yes
DS125................. yes, above serial number 5000
DS160, DS161.... yes
DS200................. yes
Non-Ikelite .......... yes, manual ash exposure only
The camera ash can be extended and used to trigger external
strobes connected to the Fiber Optic Ports on the housing front - see
diagram, page 6.
Note: DO NOT attempt to take underwater photographs using ONLY
the camera ash. This will result in images containing dark spots since
the ash is partially blocked by the Lens and Fiber Optic Ports.

Diagram F
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Attaching a Sync Cord to the Housing
The Housing Bulkhead is designed to accept sync cords with Ikelite 5
pin/receptacle connector ttings.
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. Gently insert Sync Cord into Bulkhead. DO NOT
force this installation. If the Sync Cord does not seat properly
inside the Bulkhead, then the Pins and Receptacles are
improperly aligned (repeat Step 3).
4. Tighten the Knurled Nut snugly using your Index nger 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
Ikelite TTL Sync Cord
Knurled Nut
O-ring
Sync Cord Pin
Housing Bulkhead

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Attaching an Ikelite Strobe Arm to the Housing Handle
To attach an Ikelite Arm to your Housing Handle, depress the
spring-loaded Handle Push Button until it stops. Gently slide the
pronged end of the Ikelite Arm into the hole in the top of the Handle as
shown, Diagram G.
When the Ikelite Arm is properly seated, the Handle Push Button will
return to its starting position.
Ikelite Arm
Housing Handle
Diagram G
Handle Push Button

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SPARE PARTS (available through Ikelite or any Ikelite Dealer)
0110 .................. Main o-ring
0132.36............... Port Base O-ring
0184.2................. Silicone Lubricant 2cc Reclosable Tube
RECOMMENDED ACCESSORIES
Optional Mirrorless Interchangeable Lens Ports
Visit ikelite.com to select the correct Mirrorless Lens Ports for your
lenses.
Tray + Dual Handles 9523.64
Add stability and additional gripping points for comfortable use of the
housing. Attach a second video light to eliminate shadows and evenly
light your subjects.
Video Lighting
External video lights such as the 2101 Vega Light add color when
shooting video. Primary video lights are specially color balanced to
provide natural tones.
A full range of accessories are available to support your housing.
Please visit ikelite.com to see the most current information about
recommended accessories for your housing.
The DS161 Strobe Kit combines power with wide angle coverage and
provides everything you need to add a strobe to your Ikelite system.
Instead of a simple focus light, the DS161 also includes a super even,
500 lumen video light.
DS161 Strobe, Sync Cord + Ball Arm Mark II Kit 4061.31

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MAINTENANCE
After use, rinse and gently dry the outside lens port with a non-
abrasive cloth to avoid water spotting. Do not rinse inside the Port. To
clean, use a mild soap solution or lens cleaner. It is NOT necessary to
remove the Port for cleaning.
CAUTION: DO NOT use Rain-X, alcohol, window cleaner, or
any other cleaning solution on the Lens Port.
Lens Port
Lubricant
Ikelite provides silicone lubricant with the housing. We recommend
you use only Ikelite lubricant on Ikelite products. Other brands may
cause o-rings to swell and not seal properly.
Use only enough lubricant to lightly cover the Port Base 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, hair 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. Use Ikelite lubricant only.
Housing Maintenance
Your Ikelite Digital Housing should be given the same care and
attention as your other photographic and video equipment. In addition
to normal maintenance, we recommend that the housing be returned
to Ikelite periodically to be checked and pressure tested.