Ikelite noob questions/observations

I just got the Ikelite housing for my Canon Digital Rebel XT. After installing the camera and hooking everything up for the very first time, I have a few questions for those who have already gone through this.

1. The dome port (I got the 6") seal makes me a little uneasy. It's not clamped hard like the case backing is. Maybe it's a different seal type that I'm not famaliar with. It does pop a little bit like the directions say it should when I push the port onto the case, but pressure on one side of the dome or the other yields movement at the case/o-ring seal. It makes me a little nervous.

2. One of the armatures doesn't actuate its camera buttom; it's not curved in tight enough (or the camera sits a little too high) so it doesn't push the button; it pushes a little below it. This would be the * button on the back. Is there any adjustment that can be made? All the other push buttons and levers work properly.

3. I'm planning on using the Canon 17-40 f4L lens, and so I got the special port for it. However I can't for the life of me install the zoom sleeve like the directions say. It just can't get it to fit over the front of the lens. What I had to do was install the camera/lens into the case, clamp the case, remove the lens, install the zoom sleeve from the BACK end of the lens, re-install the lens back on the camera. I don't like having to remove lenses from the body if I don't have to.

4. And the regular zoom sleeve fit into the grooves of the zoom grip collar much better than the special collar that is supposed to fit the 17-40 lens.

Anyone else come across these? I hope to get the housing minus the camera/lens into a pool in the next few days.

Thanks in advance.

I just got the Ikelite housing for my Canon Digital Rebel XT. After installing the camera and hooking everything up for the very first time, I have a few questions for those who have already gone through this.

 

1. The dome port (I got the 6") seal makes me a little uneasy. It's not clamped hard like the case backing is. Maybe it's a different seal type that I'm not famaliar with. It does pop a little bit like the directions say it should when I push the port onto the case, but pressure on one side of the dome or the other yields movement at the case/o-ring seal. It makes me a little nervous.

this is normal

2. One of the armatures doesn't actuate its camera buttom; it's not curved in tight enough (or the camera sits a little too high) so it doesn't push the button; it pushes a little below it. This would be the * button on the back. Is there any adjustment that can be made? All the other push buttons and levers work properly.

First make sure the camera is firmly attached to the base plate and that is not the cause of the problem. If there is still bad alignment, then using two pair of pliers you can bend the rod to make it hit right.

3. I'm planning on using the Canon 17-40 f4L lens, and so I got the special port for it. However I can't for the life of me install the zoom sleeve like the directions say. It just can't get it to fit over the front of the lens. What I had to do was install the camera/lens into the case, clamp the case, remove the lens, install the zoom sleeve from the BACK end of the lens, re-install the lens back on the camera. I don't like having to remove lenses from the body if I don't have to.

I do not have this lens, but this procedure is required for many large diameter lenses. However, you will soon find that the 17-40 is not wide enough. For WA work underwater you really need one of the 10/12-24's or the 15mm FE

4. And the regular zoom sleeve fit into the grooves of the zoom grip collar much better than the special collar that is supposed to fit the 17-40 lens.

I have heard this statement here before, you are not alone on this thought.

Thanks for the help!

I took my new rig into the pool yesterday as the first practical test. No problems at all. The dome port seal held just fine.

Two more questions about real use:

1. Is there a consensus on the best way to tether yourself to your rig?

2. How about covers to protect the dome when riding in skiffs or pangas, when other people's rigs are all piled in too.

Thanks for the help!

 

I took my new rig into the pool yesterday as the first practical test. No problems at all. The dome port seal held just fine.

 

Two more questions about real use:

 

1. Is there a consensus on the best way to tether yourself to your rig?

see recent discussion in beginner forum.

http://wetpixel.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=14368

2. How about covers to protect the dome when riding in skiffs or pangas, when other people's rigs are all piled in too.

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Ikelite ports come with neoprene covers.

For flat ports, I don't bother with the cover on the boat. For domes, I leave the cover on until I'm in the water, then stuff it down the neck of my wetsuit. I put it back on in the water before I hand the rig up to the boat.