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.
5.If you are shooting with the camera’s built-in flash and the cameras 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 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 need to use an external strobe such as the AF35, DS51, DS125, or DS160. With an external strobe you can position it so nothing blocks the light path between the strobe and the subject.
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Photo Tips (cont.)
4.Do not shoot down on subjects as they will quite often blend into the background and be difficult to see in the photograph. Shoot subjects straight on or shoot up at a slight angle using the blue water as a contrasting background.
5.Underwater flash is used to restore the warmer colors filtered out by the water as well as to illuminate the subject. When photographing underwater, set the camera to use flash on every shot. If the camera’s flash is set to AUTO and the sun is behind your subject, the camera may see enough light that it does not fire the flash. With the sun behind the subject, the subject is shaded (dark) and needs flash for a good exposure.
6.If over-exposure occurs, enable macro setting. If over-exposure continues, zoom in and back away from the subject.
7.If your camera consistently over or underexposes the image when using daylight or flash, you may want to adjust your camera’s exposure compensation settings (if offered on your model). Many cameras allow you to adjust both available light and flash exposure with an EV “Exposure Compensation” control in the camera’s menu.
8.Many photographers transfer their images to the computer where they can fine tune the appearance of the image. Many of the image manipulation programs make you think you can magically correct any image taken and make a good picture. Note that if the image is overexposed, much of the color is missing. If the color is missing you cannot adjust it. If images are slightly underexposed, the color is there, and you can adjust exposure to some degree. So, if you error in exposure, it is better to have the image slightly underexposed rather than over exposed.
General Tips (cont.)
6NOTE: Fogging of the port glass may occur due to a variety of environmental factors. To prevent fogging issues, always assemble the housing in a cool, dry area, and keep the housing out of direct sunlight. If fogging persists, insert a fresh dessicant packet inside the housing before each day of diving (dessicant packages are not available from Ikelite, however most camera
stores carry them).
7.Before placing your camera in the housing, it is a good idea to immerse the closed housing in a bucket or rinse tank to make sure it is watertight.
Photo Tips
1.The number one rule in underwater photography is to eliminate as much water between the camera and subject as possible. Get as close as you can to the subject, then use the zoom if necessary. If you are using flash, subjects beyond 6 feet (1.8m) will not have much color regardless of strobe power.
2.The camera’s built-in flash is very close to the camera lens. The flash can light up any suspended particles in the water and they can be recorded in your picture. This effect is called backscatter. To eliminate as much backscatter as possible, photograph close, photograph in clear water, and do not stir up the sand or silty bottom. If backscatter becomes a problem in the environment you are photographing, an external flash will help eliminate much of the backscatter.
3.Digital cameras have a slight lag time between when you press the shutter release button and the camera actually takes the picture. Hold the camera steady a second or two after pressing the shutter release button.
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Ikelite Limited Warranty
All Ikelite products are warranted against any manufacturing defects for a period of one year from the original date of purchase. Defective products should be returned prepaid to Ikelite. Ikelite will, at its discretion, repair or replace such products, and will return to customer prepaid. All other claims of any nature are not covered. Housing is pressure tested and warranted to 200’ (60m) maximum underwater depth. Except as mentioned above, no other warranty expressed or implied, applies to this Ikelite product.
Returning Products for Service
Ikelite is most interested in preforming any service to assure that all products perform as intended. For repair or service, return the product to the address below with your name, address, phone number and a brief description of the problem. Evidence of purchase date must be provided to obtain warranty service. Normal service turnaround time is approximately 2-3 weeks.
Ikelite Underwater Systems
50 W 33rd Street
Indianapolis, IN 46208 USA
When returning products send “attn. Repair Dept.”
317-923-4523
“general questions” e-mail: ikelite@ikelite.com
www.ikelite.com
