Ikelite 7D housing

So back to my original question, does anybody have any suggestions or info about lenses and lens ports for an Ikelite housing with a Canon 7D camera?

The 15-85mm lens has a 3.2" diameter. The maximum diameter that physically fits an Ikelite port is 3.3" but since a zoom lens needs space for gears I think it may not work for the 15-85mm. Here is the blurb from the Ikelite website.

Maximum lens diameter is limited to 8.4cm (3.3"). Lenses up to 7.1cm (2.8") allow attachment of the standard zoom and clamp set. Larger diameter lenses require the special #5509.28 zoom and clamp set, included with all Ikelite dSLR housings.

You can find more info on this wide-lens gear here and as best I can see it works up to 3". I certainly would check with Ikelite or someone who has the actual hardware to test it out before getting the 15-85.

Finally, at the risk of becoming annoying, really think if this is the right time to make the jump. In addition to the points raised earlier, if your budget is already stretched, getting a housing with ports sets you back another $1500 or more. You don't mention a strobe but if you have to add that plus arms sync cords etc, add another $600-1000 or so. Adding a strobe to your P&S probably will do your UW images more good then going from P&S to dSLR with no strobes and is somewhat less distracting from diving than a full dSLR setup.

Bart

Ajag;

Again, without being condescending, you might want to wait on the housing. One factor is that the new housings are still coming out. The Ike is the first as far as I know. They were b/o but supposed to ship again this week. New 7D housings are due out within the next couple months from Nauticam, Sea & Sea, Aquatica and more.

As far as lenses I would recommend about 3; one is the Sigma 17-70 macro. Behind a dome port it can be used for "sort of" macro to sort of wide angle. Its a great beginners lens as you can shoot about anything with it and it's quite sharp. They have a new version with optical stabilization coming out. The second would be the 60mm macro, it's very versatile as well you can shoot great sharp macro as well as fish or buddy portraits. The thord lens is the 10-17 Tokina FE. It's a very wide lens that allows for close up focusing, sharp and not that expensive. As far as ports, consult the manufacturers website for their port charts and guides. For Ike I'd recommend the modular port system.

Jack

Ajag;

 

Again, without being condescending, you might want to wait on the housing. One factor is that the new housings are still coming out. The Ike is the first as far as I know. They were b/o but supposed to ship again this week. New 7D housings are due out within the next couple months from Nauticam, Sea & Sea, Aquatica and more.

 

As far as lenses I would recommend about 3; one is the Sigma 17-70 macro. Behind a dome port it can be used for "sort of" macro to sort of wide angle. Its a great beginners lens as you can shoot about anything with it and it's quite sharp. They have a new version with optical stabilization coming out. The second would be the 60mm macro, it's very versatile as well you can shoot great sharp macro as well as fish or buddy portraits. The thord lens is the 10-17 Tokina FE. It's a very wide lens that allows for close up focusing, sharp and not that expensive. As far as ports, consult the manufacturers website for their port charts and guides. For Ike I'd recommend the modular port system.

 

Jack

I've got the Tokina 10-17 with the ikelite 40D housing...love it.

MP

Yup, just confirmed the same thing (funny, also took nearly the same pictures of it). Also note that when this occurs (the flash going partially up), the camera is no longer usable due to an error message. It also attempts to pop it up three times before giving it up and generating the error message.

Do you think it would be possible to sand of a millimeter or so, so the flash could fire? In the photo it seems very close to the point where the flash would be open enough to be able to fire. Or would a millimeter sanded off of a small area compromise the proper functioning of the housing (i.e. no flooding)?

Cheers! Daan

Do you think it would be possible to sand of a millimeter or so, so the flash could fire? In the photo it seems very close to the point where the flash would be open enough to be able to fire. Or would a millimeter sanded off of a small area compromise the proper functioning of the housing (i.e. no flooding)?

 

Cheers! Daan

No, it only goes up about 2mm. Meaning, it's still about at least an inch (the entire height of the flash) from going up.

Sorry!

No, it only goes up about 2mm. Meaning, it's still about at least an inch (the entire height of the flash) from going up.

 

Sorry!

But it doesn't need to go up the entire height to flash to be able to fire. I measured it and it needs about 7 mm, which looks like it is almost there in the picture (but is hard to judge by the photo..). The height of the flash fully up is about 2 inches. If you pop up the flash you can also see a small button on the back corner under the flash on the side of the on/off switch. This is what controls whether the flash is able to fire or not (when this is pressed down it is not able to). Perhaps it is possible to alter the height of this little button so the flash is able to fire with the flash opened up to the extent possible in the picture..... I might try when i get my housing but i don't want to ruin the flash of my camera... Or do you think the light emitted by the flash of this partially opened flash would not be strong enough to trigger a strobe?