0

Getting Started with Your Ikelite System

Your equipment has arrived. Here are the most useful Ikelite guides and videos to help you assemble, test and maintain your underwater camera system correctly.

Start with the housing and vacuum test, then continue with lenses, ports, zoom gears, strobes and camera-specific setup.

Start Here

The most important things to understand before taking your camera underwater.

Ikelite underwater housing controls and assembly VIDEO
Essential Setup

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 →
Ikelite vacuum leak testing VIDEO
Leak Testing

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 →
Ikelite O-ring lubrication and maintenance ARTICLE
Maintenance

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.

Ikelite zoom gear retainer VIDEO
Gear Basics

Zoom Gear & Retainer Basics

See how the zoom gear retainer keeps the zoom or focus gear correctly positioned and engaged inside your housing.

▶ WATCH VIDEO →
Canon RF 15-30mm Ikelite zoom gear installation VIDEO
Gear Installation

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.

▶ WATCH VIDEO →
OM System Ikelite dome and zoom gear installation VIDEO
Gear Installation

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.

Ikelite underwater strobes ARTICLE
Strobe Basics

Strobe Firing, TTL & Sync Speeds

Understand TTL operation, flash synchronization and some of the most common questions about triggering underwater strobes.

READ ARTICLE →
Ikelite DS strobe system setup VIDEO
Strobe Setup

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.

Canon EOS R5 Ikelite housing assembly VIDEO
Complete Setup

Canon EOS R5

Complete walkthrough covering camera installation, zoom gears, lens ports and vacuum testing.

▶ WATCH VIDEO →
Canon R7 Ikelite housing and tray assembly VIDEO
Complete Setup

Canon EOS R7

Learn how the camera, zoom gear, port, tray, handles and vacuum system are assembled into a complete R7 underwater system.

▶ WATCH VIDEO →
OM System OM-1 Ikelite underwater housing VIDEO
Complete Setup

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 →

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 ADVICE

Still 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.

LET US HELP YOU