Ikelite housing: Difficulties with rotating the shooting mode wheel

[jgl51]

The Canon A710IS has a wheel on top of it to select the shooting mode.
Ikelite uses friction (small piece of rubber) to turn the wheel from the housing.
This basically does not work.

Any one has found a solution?

Now I set the mode before diving and does not change it during the dive.

Thanks!

 

[OceanObsessed]

This happens on my housing (Ikelite with Nikon D70s) when the camera is not seated just perfectly against the back of the housing before you tighten the screw on the bottom. When it is not seated just perfectly...those rubber wheels don't always line up properly. Try loosening the screw that holds the camera down and see if the camera can be seated/algined better against the back window.
Hope this helps.
-Chris

 

[DiverDonn]

I just got the same rig ( haven't even gotten it wet yet) and noticed exactly the same thing. I think Ikelite is going to have to put a larger rubber wheel on the adjustment knob. I am not sure about aligning the bottome screws, because it seems that the tolerances are already pretty tight on the way the camera mounts in the housing-but I will try to play with it. I am able to change shooting mode but it is difficult and you have to watch carefully while you do it. I'll keep my ears and eyes open. DD

 

[jgl51]

I just got the same rig ( haven't even gotten it wet yet) and noticed exactly the same thing. I think Ikelite is going to have to put a larger rubber wheel on the adjustment knob. I am not sure about aligning the bottome screws, because it seems that the tolerances are already pretty tight on the way the camera mounts in the housing-but I will try to play with it. I am able to change shooting mode but it is difficult and you have to watch carefully while you do it. I'll keep my ears and eyes open. DD

I sent an email to Ikelite but have not gotten an answer. Seems one needs to increase the friction but with moderation!! Let u know if I get a reply

 

[jgl51]

Well still no reply from Ikelite. Very disappointed.
Also noted two other small problems:
1) The control for the zoom sometimes slips "over" the camera's zoom control wheel. Changing the posiiton of the camera forward is not possible and would negatively influence the rear controls!!

2) Sometimes the "shooting" lever of the housing does not go back fully upwards and then blocks the zoom control!!

I still hope to hear soon from Ikelite as I am going on a photo dive trip mid- or alte September.

Contrary to what I had read on this forum, and unless I get a real solution from Ikelite, I would NOT recommend Ikelite housing but rather suggest to go with the OEM model.

Happy bubbles .

Jacques

 

[DiverDonn]

Jacques:
I had a problem with the shooting lever spring, on the housing and returned it to Ikelite the first day I got the unit for very fast fixing. I spoke to Brett Foster : brett@ikelite.com who was very helpful- try emailing him directly.
One of the things he told me, that makes a difference is not to play with any controls- particularly the shooting lever unless there is a camera in the housing. If you do, it might dislodge the return spring and cause the lever to not fully return.
I had also noticed the problem with the Zoom lever, but by using a little care and a mm correction on the actual camera placement, got it to work OK.
I too am wondering if I should have gone with the Canon housing, but the depth limit bothered me, although many people who have it claim it is not an issue. DD

 

[jgl51]

Jacques:
I had a problem with the shooting lever spring, on the housing and returned it to Ikelite the first day I got the unit for very fast fixing. I spoke to Brett Foster : brett@ikelite.com who was very helpful- try emailing him directly.
One of the things he told me, that makes a difference is not to play with any controls- particularly the shooting lever unless there is a camera in the housing. If you do, it might dislodge the return spring and cause the lever to not fully return.
I had also noticed the problem with the Zoom lever, but by using a little care and a mm correction on the actual camera placement, got it to work OK.
I too am wondering if I should have gone with the Canon housing, but the depth limit bothered me, although many people who have it claim it is not an issue. DD

Thanks for the feedback.

Only small problem: I am in Switzerland and Ikelite is in the USA..... European rep is in Germany and never answers emails....

 

[ScubaSteve]

......The control for the zoom sometimes slips "over" the camera's zoom control wheel. Changing the posiiton of the camera forward is not possible and would negatively influence the rear controls!!

This is a problem with my Ikelite housing as well and it is the Nikon Coolpix P5000. A very definite design flaw / oversight on their part (or at the very least standardizing components/designs to the detriment of the buyer). I have considered affixing hard stops in there somehow but I need to figure out how to without jeopardizing the unit's integrity.

Contrary to what I had read on this forum, and unless I get a real solution from Ikelite, I would NOT recommend Ikelite housing but rather suggest to go with the OEM model.

I also have a Canon Powershot S50 and the Canon housing. It worked very well considering, however it is only half a system without the integrated strobes in my opinion. I may not buy Ikelite next time, but I will never buy a system again where the strobe is not operated (controlled) by the camera (which you cannot do (integrated) with most OEM housings).

Only small problem: I am in Switzerland and Ikelite is in the USA..... European rep is in Germany and never answers emails....

Ikelite, if a good company, would be happy to hear that their representation in any country was not working hard to handle their product. I would probably send them an email asking your questions and make it clear why you were forced to send the email to them. They should try to correct the responsiveness of their "representatives" (perhaps only in a perfect word though).

 

[jgl51]

Thanks to every one for the feedback.

Right now I am trying to get used to the system ..on Earth.
I have a three day photo / dive trip scheduled in a month and will see if I can live with these issues or not.
Then I may give the housing and camera to a friend of mine to put some mechanical improvements into it!

Maybe I get a reply from Ikelite next week...

Jacques

 

[OceanObsessed]

Thanks for the feedback.

Only small problem: I am in Switzerland and Ikelite is in the USA..... European rep is in Germany and never answers emails....

If I were in your shoes I would certainly call the US office of Ikelite www.ikelite.com. I have called them before and they are extremely responsive and helpful. I would also post your issues over at www.wetpixel.com. Ikelite representatives monitor and post on that site and you will probably get a quick response from Ikelite over there.
Hope this helps.
-Chris