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Getting Started with Your Ikelite System
Your equipment has arrived. This step-by-step guide helps you get your Ikelite system assembled, tested and ready for its first dive.
- Assemble the housing and check the seals
- Vacuum test the system and install lens, port and zoom gear
- Set up strobes and check your camera-specific setup
- Prepare for your first dive and learn the basic care routine
Start Here
The most important things to understand before taking your camera underwater.
VIDEO
Housing Setup – Do's & Don'ts
Learn the correct way to assemble your Ikelite housing, including controls, port alignment, zoom gear retainer, O-rings and leak testing.
▶ WATCH VIDEO →
ARTICLE
Assembly + Care Checklist
A practical checklist covering preparation before your trip, assembly, vacuum testing, pre-dive checks, post-dive care and storage.
READ ARTICLE →
VIDEO
Vacuum Leak Testing
Learn how to create a vacuum inside the housing and confirm that the complete system is holding pressure before entering the water.
▶ WATCH VIDEO →
ARTICLE
O-Rings & Housing Maintenance
Learn which seals require lubrication, how to keep sealing surfaces clean and how to maintain the housing correctly.
READ ARTICLE →Lenses, Ports & Zoom Gears
Correct installation of the lens, zoom gear and port is essential for a properly functioning system.
VIDEO
Zoom Gear & Retainer Basics
See how the zoom gear retainer keeps the zoom or focus gear correctly positioned and engaged inside your housing.
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VIDEO
Canon RF 15–30mm Zoom Gear
See how the zoom gear clamp, gear sleeve, lens and dome port are installed and aligned on this popular Canon wide-angle lens.
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VIDEO
OM System 8–25mm Zoom Gear
A detailed example showing how the zoom gear, lens and compatible DLM port are installed and checked for correct operation.
▶ WATCH VIDEO →Strobes & TTL
Understand how your strobes connect to the system and how TTL and flash synchronization work.
ARTICLE
Strobe Firing, TTL & Sync Speeds
Understand TTL operation, flash synchronization and some of the most common questions about triggering underwater strobes.
READ ARTICLE →
VIDEO
Setting Up Ikelite Strobes
See how strobes, arms, sync connections and TTL components are connected to a complete Ikelite system.
▶ WATCH VIDEO →Camera-Specific Setup
Ikelite publishes complete assembly guides for many individual camera and housing combinations.
VIDEO
Canon EOS R5
Complete walkthrough covering camera installation, zoom gears, lens ports and vacuum testing.
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VIDEO
Canon EOS R7
Learn how the camera, zoom gear, port, tray, handles and vacuum system are assembled into a complete R7 underwater system.
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VIDEO
OM System OM-1
Follow the complete OM-1 installation from camera mounting and zoom gear installation to lens port, strobes and system testing.
▶ WATCH VIDEO →Your First Dives
Once your system is assembled and tested, these guides will help you handle and use it safely and comfortably underwater.
VIDEO
Diving with an Underwater Housing
Practical advice for your first dives, including preparing the system, handling it on the boat, entering the water, checking the housing during descent and caring for it after the dive.
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Balance Your Housing Underwater
Learn why front-to-back balance and buoyancy matter and how a properly balanced housing can improve stability and reduce wrist fatigue.
▶ WATCH VIDEO →Before Your Next Trip
A little preparation can prevent a small missing part from ruining a week of underwater photography.
VIDEO
Build a Spare Parts Kit
See which small but essential items are worth carrying when you travel, including spare O-rings, batteries, sync cords and other system-specific parts.
▶ WATCH VIDEO →Looking for Your Camera or Lens?
Ikelite publishes setup videos and technical guides for many cameras, lenses, ports, strobes, zoom gears and accessories. Search the complete Technical Advice library for your equipment.
SEARCH IKELITE TECHNICAL ADVICEStill Need Help?
If you are unsure how your particular camera, lens, port, zoom gear or lighting system should be assembled, send us the details of your setup.
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