Ikelite housing assembly

[nitrosoxide08]

Nice video Andy, do you find that with your ikelite housing the ports are a little loose even with the 4 port clips ?

[andyandvirg]

@nitrosoxide08 Thanks. Correct, the ports are not firmly held in place by the clips however they are still water tight. Underwater they are pushed firmly into place.

[nitrosoxide08]

@andyandvirg It's a little scary be honest. What about on the surface, i.e. snorkelling and photographing over/under shots have you had a leak sneak it's way in ?

[andyandvirg]

@nitrosoxide08 I do lots of split level shooting and never had a problem. Had 3 different Ikelite housings over 10 yrs, never had a flood so the system does work.

[Duskydriver]

Camera Porn!!

[meltdownman1]

Andy, a couple of questions:

Any recommendations with regards to luggage (e.g. think tank, lowepro) so as to be able to get both camera and uw housings through international flights carry on? I don't want to put new gear in checked luggage.

I see you are using foam to support the setup, any help on what kind and how many to use?

Finally, how is the balance on the setup? I've read that the Aquatica housing tilts backward unless you are using the glass dome port. How about Ikelite's?

[meltdownman1]

I have a Canon 5d Mark II and off to Palau and Truk in March. Looking for a housing and lighting setup.

Have u any feedback for setting up video lights on a rig such as yours? The DS161 dual flash and vid is lacking in power for the video portion of the setup from what I read. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

The Meltdownman

[andyandvirg]

@meltdownman1 I reckon for decent video you would need dedicated lights. I use a UK Light Cannon HID torch/video light on my Lumix LX3 for video. It's just adequate. Works well at night or under piers.

[andyandvirg]

@meltdownman1 I have only flown domestic with the camera gear and I just packed it all in a backpack wrapped in t-shirts and towels. From memory I carried on housing, camera, lenses, strobes and laptop. The foam is pool noodle threaded over the arm, I'm using 2 pieces about 120mm long. It does help a bit but not essential.

The Ikelite balance it fine, mainly the positioning of the Inon strobes dictate balance being quite heavy underwater.

[andyandvirg]

David, I've tried a Nano LED and a Fantasea 360 - both leaked after about 12 months. Just use a PrincetonTEC LED torch now.

[davidabr1964]

nice video!

what kind of focusing light are you using?

[AengusMo]

Panda, just repeating my comment on Facebook in case its of help to anyone or actually makes esnse....some say to put the port on before closing the back i.e.the last item attached may have some air-pressure challenges and the back handles that more evenly than a port (port clip may not 100% catch)....I hope that makes sense?

[andyandvirg]

Thanks Nunz, good point.

[sharqbite]

You da man Panda, nice work . one thing I would suggest is to replace the table cloth with some Vinyl just so non of those nasty bits of thread get anywhere

cheers

Nunz