Help with Ikelite 105mm port

I just received my port for the Nikon 105mm from Ikelite. I'm having some trouble setting it up to change focus modes.

I installed the zoom gear that came with the D70 housing. Not the one for the 18-70 port I'm 99% sure--this one is the smaller of the two with the longer groves. I line it up so that the groves slot into the focus mode ring. Still there doesn't seem to be enough pressure on the button to depress it fully. When I mount the port and turn the dial on the housing it won't rotate the ring on the lens. I don't think its pressing the buttons down all the way. The zoom gear is meshed correctly and its slotted well in the lens turning harder justs grinds the gear. If I unmount the port and set it up so that lens is in between M and A it works until it engages either side and the button pops out.

Is there a special zoom gear for this function? Is there a special modification to the zoom gear required? Any mounting suggestions? User error?

The port is fantastic otherwise. Its easy to mount and it focuses well in manual. The custom port works perfectly with the 4T diopter inside and does not vigenette with or without the diopter. Can't wait to try it in TCI.

I put a small piece of electrical tape on the rib that depresses the focus ring button....solved the problem for me

Karl

It sounds like you need a little more "push" on the locking button. Karl's solution is the easiest fix.

A custom 105mm port ??? when i ordered mine i tried to order a longer port but they said it impossible... can you explain what modificationed you made in the port ?

As for MF/AF -I had the opposite problem - i couldn't turn the AF/MF wheel at all because there was too much pressure (the focus gear pressed against the port). I had to do two things to solve it :

1. Sand down the shorter rib (focus gear)

2. Turn the port 180 degrees. Sounds stupid ? i agree, but apperently the housing/camera/port are not 100% aligned. I got the idea when i saw a photo of Karl's wife using the 105mm For some reason whn the knob is on the lower left, everythings works.

You may want to try different positions of the port and see if it works for you as well. If rotating it released some pressure from me, maybe it can put some pressure for you.

Thanks for the suggestions. I'll try this at home.

Yes the problem is that the rib is just a wee bit too short. I'll try some tape.

Ikelite made me a custom version of the 105mm port that is just a little longer than the standard to accomidate the 4T diopter when fully racked out. So far it works perfectly. It doesn't vigenette either with or without a diopter. My plan is to get it in the pool this week.