200DL Underwater Housing for Sony Alpha a1, a7S III Product # 71476 Product Registration Please register your product within 15 days of purchase. Our product registration database is the quickest way for us to contact you in the event of a product update. To register, send a photo of the above registration label to us via ikelite@ikelite.com along with your name, address, and phone number.
Introduction Thank you for your purchase of Ikelite products. Our primary focus is to provide quality, professional grade products for use in and under water. Our products are designed, manufactured, and distributed from our sole facility in Indianapolis, USA where we started in 1962. We are available if you have any questions or want photo advice. Send us an email 24 hours a day to ikelite@ikelite.com. We strive to reply within 1 business day.
Important Notices » This housing requires a compatible DL lens port for waterproof operation (sold separately). The housing is not waterproof without a DL lens port attached. » A bulkhead cap or sync cord must be attached to the housing bulkhead for waterproof operation. Never submerge the housing in water without either a sync cord or bulkhead cap attached. » Do not pull the shutter trigger without a camera installed. You may accidentally detach or damage the control spring.
Contents Product Registration 1 Introduction 2 In the Box 2 Important Notices 3 Getting to Know Your Housing 6 Base with Quick Release Handle 9 Accessory Port 9 Top Accessory Mount 10 Vacuum Valve 10 Trigger Extensions 10 Setting Up Your Camera 11 Pre-Installation Checklist 11 Camera Settings 11 Exposure Settings 11 Back Button Focus 12 Power Save 12 Setting Up Your Housing 13 Removing the Port Hole Cover 13 Installing a Zoom or Focus Gear 14 Opening the Hous
Getting in the Water 24 Final Check 24 Entering the Water 25 Shooting Underwater 25 Learning about Underwater Photography 26 Maintaining Your Housing 26 Post-Dive 26 Lens Port 27 Storage 27 Servicing Recommendations 28 Lubricating Controls 28 Lubricating Push Buttons 29 Lubricating Control Shafts 29 Troubleshooting 31 Spare Parts 33 Limited Warranty 34 Service and Repairs 34 Contact Us 35 5
Getting to Know Your Housing Zoom gear retainer Port hole cover Bulkhead with cap Zoom / Focus Shutter Tray mounts Lens release Front dial 6 Vacuum valve
Menu Viewfinder C3 Rear dial AF-ON MENU C3 AEL Fn DISP ISO SONY A1, A7S III / 200 FT 71476 MADE IN USA O-ring C1 AEL MENU C3 Fn AEL Joystick Up / DISP Set Right / ISO Down Fn Left DISP ISO C4 / Delete Playback SONY A7S III / 200 FT MADE IN USA Up 7
Port mount recess Top mount Port mount Power Front o-ring Movie Accessory port Exposure compensation Bulkhead without cap C2 (custom 2) Drive mode dial (a1) Mode Lid snap hook Lid snap 8
Base with Quick Release Handle The hard anodized aluminum base plate attaches to your housing with the two 1/4” nylon washers and 1/4-20 x 3/8” screws. Tripod mount It is recommended to remove your base with quick release handle and thoroughly rinse the tray, housing, and hardware periodically. A central 1/4-20 threaded hole allows attachment of the base plate to a standard tripod. The base features additional mounting locations for attachment to a variety of Ikelite housings (hardware not included).
Top Accessory Mount The housing features a 1/4-20 threaded top mount. Ball and flex type mounts are available for the attachment of a GoPro camera, focus light, or other lightweight accessories. Vacuum Valve Your housing features a valve to check for leaks before entering the water. Use of the vacuum valve requires a pump, sold separately. Plug Valve lock » DO NOT remove vacuum valve plug unless you are plugging in a vacuum pump. » DO NOT submerge the housing without the plug installed.
Setting Up Your Camera Pre-Installation Checklist 1. Insert a fully charged camera battery. 2. Insert a properly formatted memory card. 3. Remove lens cap and any attached lanyard or neck strap. Camera Settings • Set Eye-Start AF to “Off.” • Set FINDER/MONITOR to “Monitor.” • Set Touch Operation to “Off.” • Set Release button to use dial to “Yes”.
Back Button Focus Back button focus takes some adjustment to get used to but can be very valuable in a variety of shooting scenarios. Use the camera’s custom settings menu to set Pre-AF to “Off.” Set AF w/Shutter to “Off.” In the custom key settings, set AEL button to “AF-ON,” which initiates autofocus. Set AF/MF button to “AF/MF Cntrl Toggle.” The AEL button is conveniently accessed by a thumb lever on the side of the housing. Instead of half-pressing the shutter to obtain focus and lock focus, press AEL.
Setting Up Your Housing Removing the Port Hole Cover 1. Align the zoom gear retainer tool with the notches in the zoom gear retainer. Tool Retainer Port hole cover Port mount 2. Rotate the removal tool counter-clockwise until the retainer is free from the lens port mount. 3. Remove the port hole cover from the housing.
Installing a Zoom or Focus Gear 1. Place the zoom or focus gear (sold separately) into the lens port mount opening with the gear teeth toward the inside of the housing. Retainer Zoom or focus gear 2. Place the gear retainer into the opening around the gear.
3. Tighten the retainer by turning clockwise with the tool until snug. Do not overtighten. Opening the Housing 1. Push the lid snap lock forward and lift the curved end away from the housing. Lock 2. Lid snaps are designed to provide enough force to compress the o-ring for a proper seal. Keep firm pressure against the lid snap while lifting it away. 3. Repeat with remaining lid snaps. 4. Remove the housing back.
Installing the Camera 1. Remove any lanyard or neck strap which may be attached to the camera. 2. Check to see whether the camera’s lens will fit through the port opening of the housing. If not, the lens will need to be removed from the camera body and re-attached after the camera body is installed in the housing. 3. Remove the camera mount from the housing. If using the Sony a1, use Camera Mount # 95419 (packaged separately). If using the Sony a7S III, use Camera Mount # 95415.
7. Push housing control knobs in and check orientation with the camera. » The camera may be attached to a tripod using the 1/4-20 threaded mounting hole on the bottom of the mount plate. Attaching the Hotshoe 1. Orient the hotshoe with the arrow on top pointing towards the front of the camera. Camera hotshoe mount Housing hotshoe 2. Slide the housing hotshoe into camera’s hotshoe mount until it stops. » The hotshoe must be all the way forward in the camera mount for proper flash operation.
3. Make sure no controls or wires are interfering with the o-ring or the back of the housing. 4. Place each lid snap into the corresponding hook on the housing back. 5. Push the lid snaps towards the housing until they are flat against the housing and the lock has engaged. Close opposing lid snaps at the same time. 6. Check the o-ring seal. The o-ring should form a uniform, solid line visible through the back of the housing. 7. Check control functions. 8. Attach a lens to the camera body.
2. To reverse directions, lift and rotate the knob to move the lever to the other side of the control. » If the control knob stops and the desired effect hasn’t occurred, repeat step 2 to reverse directions. Attaching a Lens Port Refer to the appropriate lens port chart to find compatible lens ports for a wide variety of popular wide angle, zoom, and macro lenses. Choose a dome port for wide angle and zoom lenses.
Installing the Lens and Port 1. Attach the lens to the camera. If using a zoom/focus gear set that requires a clamp, make sure the clamp slots are aligned with the gear tabs. Test the function before attaching the port. 2. Check that the port sealing surface is clean and free of debris. 3. Apply a very thin, even layer of lubricant to the exposed portion of the front o-ring and to the lens port sealing surface. Avoid dry spots or uneven build-up of lubricant.
4. Align the port thumbscrews with the recesses in the housing’s port mount. Recess IKELITE Recess Thumbscrew Recess Thumbscrew Thumbscrew 5. Press the port firmly towards the housing until the base of the port is flush with the housing’s port mount. If there is resistance, remove the port and re-check that the thumbscrews are loosened and the o-ring is properly lubricated.
6. Tighten all three thumbscrews while holding the port firmly towards the housing. The thumbscrews should thread in completely until the head touches the port or extension body. If the screws are difficult to turn and/or they bottom out before their heads are flush, it is an indication that the port is not properly aligned. » Proper alignment is critical to waterproof operation. Check that your lens port is oriented correctly and fully seated before entering the water.
» To connect two strobes to the camera, you must use a dual sync cord. » A second slave strobe may be triggered optically off of a primary strobe connected by sync cord. Attaching a Sync Cord or TTL Converter 1. Remove connector protectors and bulkhead caps from each connection. 2. Apply a very thin, even layer of lubricant on all threads, sealing surfaces, and the exposed portion of the plug o-ring. Do not allow lubricant to get into the pins and receptacles of the plug or bulkheads.
5. Attach the other end of the sync cord to the bulkhead on your strobe. 6. Turn on the strobe(s). 7. Turn on the camera. Take a test photo to ensure that your strobe(s) are functioning properly. » A bulkhead cap or sync cord must be attached to the housing for waterproof operation. Never submerge the housing without either a sync cord or waterproof bulkhead cap attached. Getting in the Water Final Check 1. Re-check the rear o-ring seal.
Entering the Water 1. Before entering the water, turn the camera on and operate each of the housing controls to get a feel for using the camera in the housing. 2. We recommend entering the water without your housing to ensure you are comfortable and your life-saving equipment is in working order. Once you are stable, have someone pass your camera housing to you. 3. Submerge the housing at the surface of the water and visually confirm that there are no signs of water intrusion.
» It is important to respect all living creatures underwater, including people, marine life, and coral. Get as close as you can to your subjects when taking a photograph, but never touch or disturb the marine life. Learning about Underwater Photography Visit the Photo School section of ikelite.
4. Stow the housing in a shaded place where it is protected from impact and overheating. If no shade is available, cover the housing with a light colored towel or cloth. 5. Check the memory card capacity and battery life of your camera and strobe(s). Recharge as necessary. 6. Always re-check o-ring seals after opening the housing or removing the lens port. 7. Detach the cord plug or bulkhead cap and lubricate the threads, o-ring(s) and sealing surface(s) every 2-3 days during continuous use.
5. Store the housing in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and chemicals. 6. Before using the housing, check the tightness of the set screw in each control knob. Check each control gland to make sure they are snug. There is a slight chance that either could vibrate loose during travel. » Do not leave the camera and housing in direct sunlight for prolonged periods. Heat may damage the camera. » Do not transport with the camera inside of the housing.
Lubricating Push Buttons 1. Press and hold the push button all the way in. 2. Place a small amount of lubricant at the base of the push button shaft inside the housing. 3. Press and release the push button several times to work the lubricant into the o-ring. 4. If a push button control becomes difficult to push or if it sticks when depressed, soak the housing in warm, soapy fresh water. After a few minutes, operate the push button.
2. Remove the control shaft from the inside of the housing. 3. Clean and lightly lubricate the shaft, including the large outer end of the shaft. 4. If there is a spring associated with the control, make sure it is in its proper position. Control shaft Housing Control gland Knob set screw Control flat 5. Re-install the shaft from the inside of the housing. Rotate the shaft gently for smooth installation into the gland.
» Always take the housing underwater to depth without a camera after removing and re-installing controls. » Remove and re-install one control at a time. » DO NOT pull the shutter trigger without a camera installed. You may accidentally detach or damage the control spring. Troubleshooting Water enters the housing • Check and reinstall the rear and front o-rings. • Replace the o-rings if there are any signs of cracks or tears.
Strobe(s) will not fire • Turn on strobe. • Check the strobe(s) battery life. • Restore the camera to factory default settings. There are some camera settings that will prevent an external flash from firing. • Check camera settings recommended for use with an external strobe in the beginning of this manual. • Check that the sync cord is properly attached. • Check that the hotshoe connectors are plugged in properly. • Check that the housing’s hotshoe is pushed all of the way forward on the camera.
• If using a dome port, the lens must be able to focus to 12” (0.3m). If the minimum focus of the lens is greater than 12” (0.3m), add a +4 diopter to the front of the lens. • Check that no controls are being accidentally pressed. • Check that the shutter is not half depressed. If the shutter spring has been damaged by activation without a camera installed, it may not return properly. Adjust or replace the shutter spring.
Limited Warranty This Ikelite product is warranted against any manufacturing defects for a period of two (2) years from the original date of purchase. Defective products should be returned to Ikelite postage paid. Ikelite will, at its sole discretion, repair or replace such products, and will return to customer postage paid. All other claims of any nature are not covered. Except as mentioned above, no other warranty expressed or implied applies to this Ikelite product.
Contact Us If you have any questions about your product or need advice on getting the images you want, please get in touch with us and we’ll do everything we can to help you capture your unique perspective. Ikelite Underwater Systems 50 W 33rd St Indianapolis, IN 46208 USA +1 (317) 923-4523 ikelite@ikelite.
