Insufficient "sticktion" of Ikelite controls

[diverdoug1]

Has anybody else noticed an increasing tendancy of ikelite control contact points to slip inefectualy againts the camera controls without actuating them? It seems to occur with controls contact points that use the "hard dry" black rubber, instead of the more pliable, tacky grey rubber used on some of the other control actuators. This first happend to me with a nikon VR 105 lens focus ring. It would slip against the lens, without turning the focus ring. This was repaired by Ikelite by switching the peice of rubber that contacts the lens from the dry black rubber, to the "sticky pliable" grey rubber. My most recent problem is with my D300/s housing. I have paid to ship my housing to Ikelite twice, because the aperature control contact on the front of the housing slips ineffectualy against the aperature control dial on the camera body. It has been SENT BACK TO ME TWICE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM UNRESOLVED. I know that it is not just my camera body, because I have a control back for both the D300 and the 300S, and it happens with BOTH camera bodies. I guess I will be calling Ikelite on Monday, but this time, I think It would be only fair for THEM to pay for shipping this time! I hope that they can get this recurrent problem fixed. I have been using Ikelite for almost 20 years, but after 2 ruined photo trips, expensive shipping, and waiting for repairs that don't work, I am getting frustrated with them. I never used to have these problems with Ikelite. I will let you guys know if they will pay to ship it back AGAIN, and if they get it fixed this time.

 

[Ikelite Staff]

Are you experiencing these problems mostly on the surface or while diving? Some dial type controls will slip slightly on the surface but operate properly while under pressure. The lengths of many controls are fine tuned so that the controls don't push the camera/lens out of alignment while under pressure.

Repeated use of rubber tipped controls will also eventually wear down the rubber, causing less-than-ideal operation. To account for this normal wear-and-tear we do provide a spare set of rubber tips and tires with each SLR housing. I don't believe we include the rubber pads for the aperture control with the D300s housing, but I would be more than happy to send you some spares if you PM me your mailing address. I believe these will fix the problems you are describing.

Regards,
Jean / Ikelite
IKELITE Underwater Systems