Ikelite 6183.34 Nikon P340 User manual

Digital Housing
Instruction Manual
6183.34 Nikon P340
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
2
Specifications ............................................................P. 3
Package Contents ......................................................P. 3
Preparation ..................................................................P. 3
Initial Camera Setup........................................................P. 4
Parts of the Housing - Front View ..................................P. 5
Parts of the Housing - 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 (lever type only)........................................P. 9
Deflector Purpose............................................................P. 10
Deflector Removal/Installation ........................................P. 10
Diffuser Purpose..............................................................P. 10
Diffuser Installation/Removal ..........................................P. 10
Entering the Water ..........................................................P. 11
Maintenance ................................................................P. 11
ens Port ........................................................................P. 11
ubricant ........................................................................P. 11
O-ring Storage ................................................................P. 11
Housing Maintenance ....................................................P. 12
Control Maintenance ......................................................P. 13
Photo Tips ....................................................................P. 16
Troubleshooting ..........................................................P. 17
Spare Parts ..................................................................P. 20
Recommended Accessories ......................................P. 20
Customer Support ......................................................P. 22

- Ikelite Digital Housing
- Housing anyard (attached)
- Silicone ubricant
- Vinyl Port Cover
Package Contents
- Diffuser
- Internal Deflector
- Extra Control Tips
- Black ens Sticker (for white cameras)
This product has been water pressure tested at the factory and is depth
rated to 200 ft. (60 m). 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.
Preparation
3
Width ......................6.9 in (175 mm) including controls
Height ....................4.9 in (124 mm) including controls
Depth ......................4.7 in (119 mm) including controls and lens port
Weight ....................2.6 lb (1179 g)
Buoyancy ................Slightly negative in freshwater
Specifications
Limited Warranty ........................................................P. 22
Returning Products for Service ................................P. 23
Product Registration ..................................................Back Cover
Table of Contents

Initial Camera Setup (before placing camera in housing)
- Insert a fully charged battery.
- Insert and format a SD or SDHC memory card.
- Set Mode Dial to “M” Manual. Set Shutter speed to 1/60th second or
1/125th second for fast moving subjects. Set Aperture to F8.0. These
settings are a good starting point for most underwater shooting
situations.
- RAISE camera flash. Set Flash Mode to “Standard Flash” .
-Set Macro mode to “Macro close-up” to shoot close-up pictures.
- In the “M” Shooting MENU:
Set ISO sensitivity to “200” and AF area mode to “Manual Normal.”
Set Autofocus mode to AF-S “Single AF.”
Set Noise Reduction filter to NR “Normal” and Built-in ND filter to “OFF.”
Set Active D- ighting to “OFF” and Startup zoom position to “24.”
Set Image quality to “Fine” and Image Size to “12 m.”
Set White Balance to “Auto1 (normal).” For best results, use Preset
Manual custom White Balance and reset for each working depth.
Set Metering to “Center-weighted.”
Set Continuous to “Single.”
- In the Set Up Menu:
Set Time Zone and Date.
In Monitor Settings, set Image review to “ON.”
Set Vibration reduction to “Normal.”
Set Motion detection, AF assist, and Digital Zoom to “OFF.”
Set Auto off to “5 min” and Blink Warning to “OFF.”
Set Format Memory to “Format.”
4

5
Parts of the Housing - Front View
Zoom Control
Shutter
Button
Lens Port
External Tray Mounts
id Snap
Command Dial
Initial Camera Setup (continued)
Notes: If overexposure occurs at a desired aperture setting, use “-”
exposure compensation, back away from your subject and zoom in.
When using an AF35 strobe, turn the strobe power down.
If you own a white camera, a reflection of the white camera lens may
appear in some of your photos. To eliminate this possibility, affix the
black sticker (supplied in housing box) over the center of the camera lens
as shown in Diagram A, Page 7.
Mode Dial
Control Ring Flash pop-up
Fiber ptic Ports

6. K (apply selection) Button
7. Exp. Comp./RIGHT
8. MENU Button
9. Macro Mode/DOWN
10. Delete Button
Housing Controls
1. Movie-record Button
2. Playback Button
3. Flash Mode/Self-timer/UP
4. Rotary multi-selector
5. Self-timer/ EFT
Parts of the Housing - Back View
6
1
5
3
2
7
6
9
810
4
Power Switch
Note: The Rotary multi-selector (4) control has a cut out that will prevent the camera
dial from accidentally being rotated when not in use. Rotate white dot to the 6 o’clock
position to disengage control from the camera dial.

7
CAUTI N:
Some camera tripod
soc et threads are
plastic. The mounting
bolt is metal. Do not
cross thread or over
tighten as you may
damage the camera
tripod soc et threads.
Installing the Camera
1. Pull out on the top housing controls until they stop. This will get the
controls out of the way for installation of the camera.
2. Remove the back from the housing.
3. Remove camera lanyard from camera if attached.
3. The mounting tray for the camera is secured to the housing back.
Position the camera on the tray.
4. Using a coin or screwdriver (preferred), secure the camera with the tray
mounting bolt which threads into the camera’s tripod socket, Diagram A.
5. RAISE the camera flash.
pening 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 eep a firm grip on the Lid Snap.
Lid Snaps may be opened one at a time.
Push Forward
id Snap
ock
ift
Diagram A
Nikon
HD
Full
Fn
Tray Mounting Bolt
Black ens Sticker

8
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 Installation - page 10.
For the best results, we recommend using an external Ikelite strobe.
The camera’s built-in flash CANNOT be used with optional Wide-angle or
Accessory lenses.

9
Usage
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.
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)
Deflector Purpose
The Deflector is factory installed and should be used when using any
external strobe. The Deflector will block and redirect the camera’s flash
to an optional AF35 slave unit or fiber optic cord which sends the firing
signal to the strobe. The Deflector also stops the built-in flash from
creating backscatter in the image. The Deflector may be removed when
using ON Y the internal camera flash - page 10.
Remove the Diffuser when using the Deflector.

1010
Diffuser
Cut-out
Section
The factory installed flash Deflector should be removed when using
ON Y the built-in camera flash and no external strobes. ift the bottom
of the Deflector with a Pen or Pencil to loosen and pull the Deflector
away from the inside front of the housing to remove. To install, line up
the corresponding Velcro dots on the housing front and press the
Deflector back into its factory installed position next to the lens port.
Deflector Removal/Installation
Deflector Front
Diffuser Purpose
When shooting close-up photographs, the lens port on the housing can
block a portion of the light from the built-in camera flash. This can result
in a shadow in a lower corner of the picture frame. The Diffuser will help
eliminate the shadow. In addition, you can zoom in if necessary.
Small hole
The included Diffuser should only be used when
shooting with the built-in camera flash. Always
remove the Deflector before using ON Y the
built-in camera flash with a Diffuser.
To install the diffuser, push the “Cut-out” Section
into the port groove until it stops as shown. To
remove, grab the top of the Diffuser and pull
away from the port.
Note the Small Hole. To avoid losing the diffuser,
you can attach a fishing line or string to this hole.
Diffuser Installation/Removal
Diffuser properly
installed in port groove
Velcro
Bottom of Deflector (view from inside housing)

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. ubricant is not a sealant; it is used to reduce friction. Excessive
lubricant can collect sand and dirt which may interfere with proper
sealing.
CAUTI N:
Never use spray lubricants as the propellant ingredient can cause
the plastic housing to crack or o-rings to swell.
Lens Port
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 Port.
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.
-ring Storage
When storing the housing, remove the main housing o-ring. ightly
lubricate the o-ring until it appears shiny and place in a small resealable
plastic bag. Use only Ikelite lubricant. Place the bag inside the housing
and store until needed.

12
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.

13
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.
- In the unlikely event one of the control shafts 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.
Your housing features both round and hex style control glands. To
remove a control in a round style gland, 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 and o-rings, including the
large end of the shaft.
If there is a shutter spring on the Control Shaft, make sure it is in its
proper position. Rotate the Shaft back and forth slightly to aid installation
back into the Control Gland.
Replace the knob with the Set Screw over the Control Flat. The Set
Screw in the knob should be tightened down against the flat area on the
Control Shaft so the knob does not turn on the shaft.

Control Maintenance - continued
- Some of the controls have long shafts and feature a hex style control
gland. These controls can be pulled out, exposing the shaft, Diagram 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 D, 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. Slide the shaft back into the control gland and gently slide the
shaft 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.
Close housing without a camera inside and water pressure test in a
bathtub or swimming pool. Rotate*the knobs to make sure the housing
is watertight and the gland was installed properly. Check all controls
while the housing is submerged.
*Caution: If your housing has a shutter spring, D N T rotate the
shutter control more than 1/16th of a rotation, otherwise, you may
accidentally bend the shutter spring or cause the spring to “pop off” the
control shaft.
14

Set screw (allen
wrench required)
Tighten set screw down against this
flat area when replacing the knob.
Housing
Control Shaft
ubricate end of shaft
before reinserting into
gland
Diagram B
O-rings
Knob
Control
Gland
Housing
ubricate shaft
Pull out knob to
expose shaft
Diagram C
Diagram D
oosen set screw
(allen wrench required)
Tighten set screw down
against this flat area
when replacing the knob.
Housing
Control
Gland
Control
Shaft
ubricate end of shaft
before reinserting into
gland
15

16
Photo 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 (1.8 m) 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. Do not shoot into the sun.
- When using daylight or flash, if your camera consistently over or
underexposes the image, you may want to adjust your camera’s
exposure compensation or 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.

17
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 lubricant on the small
end of the push button shaft at it’s base. Release
and operate the push button several times to
distribute the lubricant.
- 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 13-15.
- Return housing to Ikelite for routine maintenance.
Problem 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 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.
- Adjust Flash Exposure Compensation
- For extreme overexposure turn on the ND neutral
density filter if available on your camera.

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.
- 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.
- If applicable select macro mode for close-ups.
Problem 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 in 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 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

19
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.
Problem 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 OR add an
external strobe.
- Move in closer to your subject when taking a
picture.

20
Spare Parts
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.
Main Housing -ring 0109
Vinyl Port Cover 0200
Waterproof B ulkhead Cap 9104.5
Ikelite Lube 5020 (4 - 1cc tubes)
For light lubrication of the main housing o-ring.