How to shim the camera?

[JW13]

I just purchased the Ikelite U/W housing for my Canon SD880 camera. I have gotten as far as water-leak testing it in my bathtub and, so far, so good. But one issue I foresee is trouble with the knob that controls the zoom function because the camera does not seat itself well when placed in the housing. There seems to be a high spot in the middle where the camera body around the lens comes in contact with the inside of the housing (which is a ring that accepts the zoom lens when the camera is turned on). The result is that either the left side or the right side does not sit down flush with the ribs inside the case.

I assume that I will need to shim the camera on one side or the other (whichever one makes the zoom function work properly) so that it does not teeter-totter inside the case. I'm sure many people have dealt with this problem -- any suggestions on what to use for shims or any other advise to fix the anticipated problem?

Thanks!

 

[Bubbletrubble]

No shims should be required if the Ikelite housing was designed to fit your camera model.

What is the product number of the Ikelite UW housing?

I would ensure that the camera is secured properly on the mounting plate. Make sure that the bottom of the camera is flush with the plate before tightening the mounting screw.

Hope this helps...

 

[JW13]

The Ikelite housing product number is 6240.88. It should be the correct one, but it doesn't quite fit right.

 

[Bubbletrubble]

The Ikelite housing product number is 6240.88. It should be the correct one, but it doesn't quite fit right.

Yes, that is the correct housing for your camera.

My previous post was only applicable to the Ikelite housings that attach the camera to a mounting plate that is part of the rear wall of the case. The rear wall is then sealed to the case with an o-ring and two large clamps on either side of the housing.

Your Ikelite housing is the ultra-compact style. The camera should nestle inside the case nicely, and the buttons should all work once the housing is sealed. AFAIK, the camera shouldn't be moving around inside the case. If it doesn't work like this, it's possible that a plastic piece on the inside of the housing has broken off. Contact Ikelite to see how you should proceed. Good luck.

 

[JW13]

Unfortunately, the camera does move inside the case a little, which makes the zoom knob a little misaligned.

It doesn't look like any plastic parts are broken, it just looks to me like the barrel-shaped plastic part the lens fits into protrudes too far into the housing, by about 1/32 to 1/16 of an inch, which creates a fulcrum point for the camera to rock against.

 

[Doubler]

I would place the camera in the housing and using another camera take a picture of the fulcrum point. Then contact Ikelite with an explanation of the problem and the photo attached. Ikelite folks are very customer oriented and will fix the issue. May be a manufacture issue with the housing or possibly the camera body.

 

[popsiclediver]

Too bad you paid full pop for your housing, I have one for sale! Flooded cam, 100% user error!
But yes, my zoom was 'sticky' in that it stuck too far 'out' and the U-shaped zoom control would not be able to move back and forward properly. I ended up using the knob and the contacts 'outside', rather than 'captive'. In that I would have to 'tap' the zoom control and circle the knob all the way around left and right. I actually found that better for controlling the zoom since if the zoom is left engaged it wont shoot. The spring on the control knob was enough to disengage it all the time when I used it the 'new' way.
I always meant to call Ikelite about it, but would forget, until I was 60' FSW again...So I learned to live with it....until That Day....now I have a new Canon Set up, and ready to get wet!
Be extra careful with that SD880. Its a discontinued gem!

 

[JW13]

Sorry about the "flood". I know THAT DAY will come for me too some day. I'll hate to lose the SD880 -- it's such a nice little camera.

I understand what you are saying with your alternative arrangement. It might also work for me but my issue may be a little different -- I have a little gap where the camera zoom lever lines up with the u-shaped control arm in the case. If anything, I would like it to be a little tighter.

Does anyone have any experience with trying to shim inside the case?