Control Maintenance, General Tips | Ikelite A2000 IS, SA-100

Maintenance

The Ikelite Digital Housing should be given the same care and attention as your other photographic equipment. In addition to normal maintenance, we recommend that the housing be returned to Ikelite periodically to be checked and pressure tested.

1. Do Not leave the camera and housing in direct sunlight for prolonged periods. Heat may damage the camera.

2. Do Not ship the camera in the housing.

3. Before using the housing, always check the tightness of the set screw in each control knob.

Check each control gland penetrating the housing to make sure they are tight. There is a slight chance that either could vibrate loose during travel.

4. Keep the back o-ring clean and lightly lubricated. To lubricate, remove the o-ring from the back. Put a small amount of lkelite lubricant on your fingers. Pull the o-ring through your fingers to apply a light coating of lubricant. Only apply enough lubricant to make the o-ring feel slick. Do Not stretch the o-ring. This light coating of lubricant will help to keep the o-ring from drying out and will help to show a dark sealing line when the housing back is properly sealed.

5. Keep the area where the o-ring fits and the sealing surface of the housing clean.

6. Rinse the housing exterior thoroughly in fresh water after each salt water use. Dry with a soft cloth. Dry lens port to eliminate water spotting.

After several uses in salt water, soak the housing exterior in a mild soap solution, rinse and dry, before storing. When storing the housing, remove the back o-ring, lightly lubricate, and place in a plastic bag. Place the plastic bag with o-ring inside the housing for safe keeping.

7. If removing a housing push button, Do Not re-use the E-clip. Contact Ikelite for replacement E-clips (part #0319.12).

Control Maintenance Cont.

3. Some of the controls have a short shaft and cannot be pulled out exposing the shaft for lubrication. In the unlikely event one of these controls sticks or becomes difficult to operate you can remove the control from the housing and lubricate it, or return the housing to Ikelite for maintenance. To remove the control, loosen the set screw in the knob (allen wrench required); remove the knob. If there is salt or dirt build-up on the exposed control shaft, clean the shaft. Open the housing and gently slide the control shaft out of the control gland. Clean and lightly lubricate the shaft, including the end of the shaft. Slide the shaft back into the control gland and gently slide it back and forth a few times without fully removing the shaft from the gland. Replace the knob noting the flat area on the shaft. The set screw in the knob should tighten down against the flat area on the control, so the knob does not turn on the shaft.

Control Maintenance

Ikelite controls are designed to provide years of reliable service with minimal maintenance.

1. Push button controls require no maintenance other than rinsing in fresh water after saltwater use. If a push button control becomes difficult to push or if it sticks when depressed, soak the housing in luke warm fresh water. After a few minutes, operate the push button. If this does not correct the problem, return the housing to Ikelite for maintenance.

lubricate shaft

housing

pull out to expose shaft

2.Some of the controls have long shafts. These controls can be pulled out, exposing the shaft (see drawing).

To lubricate the control, gently pull on the knob until the stainless steel shaft is exposed. Lightly lubricate the shaft, then move the shaft in and out several times. This will lubricate the x-ring in the Ikelite control gland. This should be done before using the housing after a prolonged storage period, or once a week when the housing is in constant use.

General Tips

1. Due to the power required to operate the camera, flash, and LCD screen, it is a good idea to start each dive with a fresh set of batteries.

2. Some cameras reset their flash to AUTO when the camera is turned on. If you prefer another setting be sure to select it.

3. As soon as you enter the water, take a moment and check the housing to see that it is properly sealed.

4. Next, check to see if there are any bubbles on the face of the lens port. If there are, take your finger and remove them. If there are bubbles on the lens port they can produce soft focus spots in your photographs.

NOTE

5. If you are shooting with the camera’s built-in flash and the camera lens is set to the widest angle, you may need to zoom the lens slightly or a shadow may appear in the lower left corner of close-up photographs. The lens port may block some

control	housing	gland
control	housing	gland
shaft

Flat Tighten set screw down against this area when

replacing the knob. Lubricate end of shaft before reinserting into gland

Loosen set screw (allen wrench required)

of the light. Installing the flash diffuser will help to eliminate the shadow. (You can test this above water)

To shoot photographs closer than 2 feet (0.6m), you should use an external strobe such as the DS51 or DS160. With an external strobe, you can position it so nothing blocks the light path between the strobe and the subject.

SA-100, A2000 IS, DS160 specifications

The Ikelite DS160 flash is a powerful underwater strobe renowned for its performance in both professional and enthusiast photography. With an impressive guide number of 32, it provides ample light to capture stunning images even in challenging conditions. The DS160 features a durable construction with a corrosion-resistant aluminum body, making it suitable for both freshwater and saltwater environments. It boasts a recycle time of just 0.6 seconds, allowing for quick shot-to-shot recovery, which is crucial when photographing fast-moving subjects. Additionally, the DS160 offers versatile lighting options with a special modeling light that makes it easier to frame shots before triggering the flash. Photographers can enjoy an adjustable power range, which allows for precise control over lighting intensity, further enhancing creative possibilities.

The Canon A2000 IS is a compact digital camera that stands out for its impressive combination of user-friendly features and high-quality image capture. It is equipped with a 10-megapixel image sensor and a 6x optical zoom lens, giving users the ability to capture detailed images both close-up and at a distance. The A2000 IS also utilizes Canon's advanced image stabilization technology, which minimizes the effects of camera shake, resulting in sharper photographs in various shooting conditions. Its straightforward interface makes it accessible for beginners, while the ability to shoot in a range of modes allows for more advanced control when desired. The camera's compact size means it can easily be carried to new adventures, making it an ideal choice for travel or underwater photography with the right housing.

The Ikelite SA-100 is an exceptional underwater housing designed for superior performance and durability. Built to accommodate a range of compact digital cameras, including models from Canon, Nikon, and Panasonic, the SA-100 provides a reliable solution for underwater exploration. This housing features a lightweight yet robust construction, ensuring excellent pressure resistance while remaining easy to handle. One of its standout characteristics is the integrated vacuum system, which allows users to perform a pre-dive check to ensure the integrity of the housing. With control access to all essential functions of the camera, the SA-100 enables users to capture stunning underwater images easily. The housing is equipped with multiple accessory ports, offering compatibility with external strobes and other equipment to further enhance photographic capability underwater. Together, the Ikelite DS160, Canon A2000 IS, and Ikelite SA-100 create an exceptional synergy for underwater photography enthusiasts, ensuring high-quality results with reliable technology.