How to tether 5d Ikelite housing?

Ok, progressing with the 5d, took it on two more dives. Anyway, my newest issue is that I can't find a good place to clip my tether on this housing. I have ultralight arms, so I've been clipping to them, but I just fear one day the joint will be too loose and when the boat guy picks up the camera to hand down to me, the joint will come apart and *smash*!

I was wondering what everybody else does. I've GOTTA tether it, for now anyway, since the system is waaaay negative even without the weight Ikelite sent along (5d, 100mm macro, housing, 2x ds-125).

I'm sorta considering drilling a small hole in the tray and attaching a nice big stainless ring there for clipping off to . . . but it seems like sacrilege to start drilling into Ike's beautiful gear . . .

Help?

Thanks,

Taxgeek

Can you tie a heavy duty wriststrap type line around the tray between the housing & handle. Clip onto that. Maybe 1/4" dia nylon line.

The best place i have found is is the bolt on the bottom of the handles.

I also have ultralight arms but use Ikes standard tray/handles.

I just clip to the handles with a lanyarl like the one shown below. I use the toggle end around the handle and clip the caribeener to my BC ring mid chest level. It has a plastic clip to hold it short.

The tray/handles mount securley to the housing. I can't see them comming loose as long as you check it from time to time. Handing the housing to the divemasters I have them hold the handles. Before handing the housing up I tighten the ultralight joints firmly. Same as for when I enter the water. I tighten the clamps and then loosen them once in the water. Its easy to damage your strobes when handing up the housing if these are not very tight. The lanyard is only for attaching the housing while underwater.

Drill the tray - thats what I did. While I was at it I also milled a recess and inserted a plate with a tapped hole to connect to a tripod.

Do remove the housing from the tray before the attack.

Honsetly you will feel fine after !

Paul C

I use a lanyard like that posted by UWphotoNewbie, and tie the chord end to the housing tray between the housing and handle. Works a treat.

Thanks everybody!

I don't understand quite what Acroporas means by attaching to that bolt on the bottom of the handle - i see it, but do you just loop the "loop" end of a lanyard as posted above, or did you make a special bracket to go in there, like a washer with an extender or something?

I guess for now I'll try the loop end of the lanyard - but it's hard for me to hook the other end to my bc underwater - I can't see my BC ring.

If I can't make it work around the handle, here comes Mr. Drill!

Thanks everybody!

I don't understand quite what Acroporas means by attaching to that bolt on the bottom of the handle - i see it, but do you just loop the "loop" end of a lanyard as posted above, or did you make a special bracket to go in there, like a washer with an extender or something?

Get a clip(think the upper most bit in UWPhotoNewbie's picture) that is attached directly to a "key ring" (see the lower most metal bit in UWPhotoNewbie's picture). They are available at most dive stores. Slip the key ring over the bolt and then screw the bolt back on. You can then attatch it to anything with cilp on it to the clip you have on the housing or directly to your BC.

I guess for now I'll try the loop end of the lanyard - but it's hard for me to hook the other end to my bc underwater - I can't see my BC ring.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Please do not take this the wrong way (and perhaps you just have a new BC or a BC with particularly difficult D-rings), but how long have you been diving? I'm not saying that if you cant find your D-rings you are necisarily an inexperienced diver, but it sounds like a comment that would come from someone with "less" experience. (and I'd rather risk ofending you than not say something and then find out you quit posting here because you had a diving accident )

You really need all of the diving (and diving equipment) half of to be second nature before you start complicating things by taking down a big camera with you or you may be puting your self into a dangerous situation. It is difficult to see most of our equipment, but when you need to get at some part of your equipment, you need it now and chances are you will not be able to see it.

If you are a "less" experienced diver please consider something a little smaller untill you have the diving half of things down pat. Because diving with a BIG camera takes up about 95% of your brain leaving not a lot left for the staying alive part.

perhaps you just have a new BC or a BC with particularly difficult D-rings),

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

It's the place the D rings are mounted, basically, right under my boobs. With my mask on, I physically can't see them. I can feel them fine, but it's a nuisance wearing 5mm gloves, and I prefer not to add extra hassles underwater (you're certainly right about not wanting to add complication factors), so I like to keep the tether attached to the BC ring more or less permanently, and just clip and unclip the end that is attached to the housing.

Good idea on the key ring, will follow that up, thank you.

Taxgeek

I just clip to the handles with a lanyarl like the one shown below. 

Thanks for the picture, it really helped me determine that this is something I need.

I googled it, and found it to be a "INNOVATIVE STAINLESS STEEL CARABINEER COIL LANYARD".

- Robert

I bought mine from the local dive shop. The picture I found for the post was on:

http://shop.divebooty.com/2370.html

Happy Shooting!

I made my own, using a D ring the smallest that would fit around knob base and once screwed tightly in place won't come off. I also used an anchor bend and attached a snap shackle on the other end. I'm paranoid about plastic or spring clips. I also designed my lanyard to be able to drop (second clip) in the middle so camera falls below my feet in the event of having to buddy breathe, etc. This also allows you to attach snap shackle to BC while camera is being held by someone else, preferably stillon dive boat while you secure it. then snap clip in middle once camera has been handed to you. PM me if you want to see a picture of it.

Obviously there are many different ways to attach your camera to your BC. I tried several and finally ended up with this setup. Rather than use a thin wrist type strap (just didn't seem strong enough) to loop around the tray base or drill into it I slip a 4" web strap over the handle and use a zip tie to keep it in place. It is the blue strap in the photo. I can quickly unsnap the plastic connector and hand the rig up to the boat crew. The rest of the assembly stays clipped to my BC the entire time. It is easy to see and reach the end of the long cord (with the green coil) to resnap the camera once in the water.

Just my two cents worth

My 2 cents on this... Easy t-rap on t-rap solution... and a lanyard...