Ikelite DMC-ZS20 User manual

Digital Housing
instruction manual
6170.20 anasonic DMC-ZS20, TZ30
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.

Table of Contents
Specifications ..............................................................P. 3
ackage Contents ........................................................P. 3
reparation ..................................................................P. 4
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
Using the Camera’s Built-in Flash ..................................P. 8
Closing the Housing ........................................................P. 8
Usage ............................................................................P. 9
Final Check ....................................................................P. 9
Zoom Control ..................................................................P. 9
Diffuser and Deflector Installation and Use ....................P. 10
Attach External Tray and Handle to Housing..................P. 11
Attach Ikelite Strobe Arm to Housing ..............................P. 11
Turn Camera On..............................................................P. 12
Entering the Water ..........................................................P. 12
Maintenance ................................................................P. 12
ens Port ........................................................................P. 12
ubricant..........................................................................P. 12
Housing Maintenance......................................................P. 13
Control Maintenance ......................................................P. 14
hoto Tips ..................................................................P. 16
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3
Table of Contents - continued
Troubleshooting ........................................................P. 17
Spare arts ..................................................................P. 20
Recommended Accessories ....................................P. 20
EV Manual Controller Use ............................................P. 22
Technical Support ....................................................P. 22
Limited Warranty ........................................................P. 23
Returning roducts for Service ................................P. 23
roduct Registration ..................................................Back Cover
- Ikelite Digital Housing
- Silicone ubricant
- Vinyl Port Cover
ackage Contents
- Diffuser and Deflector
- anyard (attached to housing)
- Extra Control Tips
Width ......................6.8 in. (173mm) including controls
Height ....................5.0 in. (127mm) including controls
Depth ......................5.6 in. (142mm) including controls and lens port
Weight ....................2.9 lb (1315g) above water
Buoyancy ................Slightly negative in freshwater
Specifications

4
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.
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, page 16.
reparation
Initial Camera Setup (before placing camera in housing)
- Insert and Format an SD memory card.
- Set Date and Time.
- Set Mode Dial to “A” Aperture Priority. Manually adjust aperture setting
to achieve the best exposure for your shooting conditions. The shutter
speed will be locked at 1/60th second. Set Mode Dial to “M” Manual
mode to manually adjust both aperture and shutter speed settings.
- Set Aspect Ratio to “4:3.”
- Set Picture Size to “14M” and Quality to “Fine.”
- Set ISO Sensitivity to “100” and White Balance to “AWB.”
- Set AF Mode to “1-Area” and Face Recog. to “OFF.”
- Set Metering Mode to “Center Weighted.”
- Set i.Exposure and i.Resolution to “OFF.”
- Set AF Assist amp and Red-Eye Removal to “OFF.”
- Set Image Stabilizer to “ON” and Focus to “Center AF.”
- Set Flash to “Forced Flash On and Macro Mode to AF Macro .”
NOTE: If overexposure occurs, use “-” exposure compensation, back away
from your subject and zoom in, or switch to “M” Manual mode, and
adjust aperture and shutter speed settings. When using an AF35 strobe
or manual controller, turn the power down.

5
Housing Controls - Front View
Motion Picture Button
Shutter
Release
Zoom ever
External Tray Mount
Mode Dial
id Snap
Lens ort
ON/OFF Switch

6
3
2
9
87
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1
6
Housing Controls
1. REC/P AY switch
2. EXPOSURE / MAP Button
3. Up / Exp. Comp. Button
4. eft / Self-timer Button
5. MENU / SET Button
Housing Controls - Back View
6. Right / Flash Button
7. Down / Macro Mode Button
8. DISP. Button
9. Q.MENU / Delete Button

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.
Installing the Camera
1. Remove any lanyard attached to the camera.
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
id Snaps have a Lock.
To open housing, push id Snap
ock forward and lift as shown.
Keep pressure on the id 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
id Snap ock
ift
Diagram A
Panasonic
20x
L
FULL HD
Lumix
Tray Mounting Bolt

Closing the Housing
1. Place housing face down in your lap or on a
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. ift 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. id 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.
Housing Back
O-ring
Housing Back
O-ring
Even gap on
all four sides
Housing
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, 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.
The camera’s built-in flash CANNOT be used with optional Wide-angle or
Accessory lenses.
8

Usage
Final Check
The clear housing permits instant visual inspection of the camera and
sealing surfaces as well as complete monitoring of controls and camera
CD screens. This housing has been factory water pressure tested to
200’ (60m).
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.
ook 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.
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)
9

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 any Ikelite external strobe.
The deflector will block and redirect the camera’s flash to an optional
AF35 slave unit or EV Manual Controller, which will then control the
external strobe’s output. The deflector also stops the built-in flash from
creating backscatter in the image. Remove the diffuser before
attempting to install the deflector.
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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 to
this hole.
Diffuser and Deflector Installation
Lens Port
Diffuser/Deflector properly
installed in port groove

1. Place your housing upside
down on a flat surface or
your lap so that the housing
port is facing toward you as
shown in Diagram C.
2. ine up the 3/8” tray holes
with the housing mounts. If
the tray is positioned
properly, the handle will be
on your left side facing down.
3. Place a shoulder washer in
each 3/8” tray hole with the
small end of the washer facing down.
4. With your free hand, insert and rotate the 12-24 x 1/2” screws clockwise
until threaded into the housing mounts. Finish tightening the tray to the
housing using a flathead screwdriver. Do not overtighten.
Attach Ikelite Strobe Arm to Housing Handle
If you have purchased an Ikelite Tray
and Handle for your housing, refer to
diagram D to attach an Ikelite Arm.
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.
When the Ikelite Arm is properly
seated, the Handle Push Button will
return to it’s starting position.
Ikelite Arm
Handle Push
Button
Housing Handle
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Diagram D
Attach External Tray and Handle to Housing
Diagram C

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. ubricant 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.
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. Take a few test shots on land.
You are now ready to shoot underwater photos and video!
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Housing Maintenance
Your 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.
-Do Not leave the camera and housing in direct sunlight for prolonged
periods. Heat may damage the camera.
-Do Not ship the camera in the housing.
- 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.
- Keep 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 thin
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.
- Keep the area where the o-ring fits and the sealing surface of the
housing clean.
- Rinse the housing exterior thoroughly in freshwater after each saltwater
use. Depress push buttons repeatedly in freshwater to eliminate trapped
saltwater. 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.
- If removing a housing push button, Do Not re-use the E-clip. Contact
Ikelite for replacement E-clips (part 0319.12).
- eave lid snaps in the open position when not using the housing for
extended periods.
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Control Maintenance
Ikelite controls are designed to provide years of reliable service with
minimal maintenance.
- Push button controls normally require no maintenance other than rinsing
in freshwater after saltwater use. Depress each push button in
freshwater several times to eliminate trapped saltwater. 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.
- Some of the controls have long shafts. These controls can be pulled out,
exposing the shaft; see diagrams B and C, page 15.
To lubricate the control, gently pull on the knob until the stainless steel
shaft is exposed. ightly 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.
- 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 15, 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.
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Diagram C
Pull out to
expose shaft
Housing
ubricate shaft
Tighten set screw down
against this flat area
when replacing the knob. ubricate end of shaft
before reinserting into
gland
Diagram B
oosen 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

hoto Tips
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 housing steady a second or two after pressing the shutter
release button.
- 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.
- 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.
- If you error in exposure, it is better to have the image slightly
underexposed rather than overexposed. An overexposed image is
missing color information which cannot be adjusted in a photo
processing program. A slightly underexposed image has color
information that can be adjusted.
- It is important to respect all living creatures underwater, including
people, marine life, and coral. While we encourage people to get close
to their subjects when taking a photograph, they should not touch, lie on,
or in any way disturb the things they find underwater.
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Troubleshooting
Push buttons or
controls are sticky
and hard to operate
- Remove the camera and rinse the closed housing
in freshwater. 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 14 &15.
- Return housing to Ikelite for routine maintenance.
roblem Solution
Image is
over/underexposed,
or a corner of the
image is dark
- Check that the camera flash or strobe is firing
when taking a picture. Camera flash should be
forced “on.”
- Make sure the deflector is installed when you are
using a non-wired external strobe with a slave.
- 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.
- If possible, adjust Flash Exp. Comp.
17

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.
- Another camera function is engaged, locking out
the shutter control.
- 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 ens 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 in 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 moisture or water droplets are 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.
- Main housing o-ring is not seated properly.
Housing is hard to
close
18

Water enters the
housing
- Remove, clean and properly lubricate the main
o-ring.
- ook for hair, 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 evaluation.
roblem Solution
Pictures are too blue
or too green
- Use custom (manual) white balance if available.
Reset for each working depth or when attaching a
color correcting filter.
- Add an optional color correcting filter.
- Add an external strobe.
- Move in closer to your subject when taking a
picture.
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Spare arts
Main Housing O-ring 0109
Vinyl ort Cover 0200.08
Waterproof B ulkhead Cap 9104.5
Ikelite Lube 5020 (4 - 1cc tubes)
For light lubrication of the main housing o-ring.
Recommended Accessories
Tray and Handle(s)
Add stability and gripping point(s) for comfortable use of the housing
above and below water. Most tray and handle combinations 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.
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