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Ikelite underwater housings offer the perfect balance of durability, versatility, and affordability. Designed for divers and photographers, they perform reliably at depths of up to 60 meters. From wide-angle shots to macro close-ups, Ikelite delivers high-quality results. There are housings available for Sony, Nikon, Canon, Olympus / OM System, Fujifilm and Panasonic cameras.
Ikelite housings
The camera housing is built from durable polycarbonate, a material known for resisting corrosion and handling dives up to 60 meters (or about 200 feet) deep. The back panel is made of clear polycarbonate, giving you a clear view of the camera and its LCD screen at all times. Overall, the build quality feels solid and dependable, giving you confidence that it can stand up to underwater use.
Lens compatibility
Ikelite’s front port opening is spacious, accommodating most full-frame lenses. However, some lenses are just too big to fit. Larger lenses may also face restrictions on manual zoom and focus functions. To confirm if your lens will work, take a look at Ikelite’s port chart for the DL200 series cameras.
Flat ports and dome ports
Lenses are covered by stackable extension rings in different lengths, which means you can add on as needed, some lenses might only need one ring, while others require two. Ikelite currently offers three dome options for wide and medium-angle shots: two 8-inch domes (compact and large) and a smaller 6-inch version. For macro lenses, Ikelite has flat ports designed specifically for close-up work.
Vacuum system
Most Ikelite housings has a vacuum port where you can hook up an Ikelite vacuum pump to make sure everything's sealed properly before you dive. The pump is sold separately and is pretty big, so it can take up some space if you're traveling, but it works well. It’s a nice feature to have, giving you some extra peace of mind before hitting the water.
Weight
The DL200 housing is lighter than the previous model from Ikelite and depending on your camera, lens and port/dome setup, it can float quite a bit. This is usually balanced out with strobes or video lights. Plus, its lighter weight can make it more comfortable for moving around a lot, such as snorkeling, split shots or surf photography.
Revolutionize your underwater workflow with the Ikelite USB charging & data transfer bulkhead
At UWcamerastore.com, we're excited to introduce one of the most time-saving and efficient products for underwater photographers: the new Ikelite USB Charging & Data Transfer Bulkhead for Underwater Housings. Imagine this: You're heading out on a dive trip, you put your camera into its housing at the start and you don’t need to remove it again until you're packing up to head home. To make this possible, though, you need a way to download your photos and charge your camera without taking it out of the housing. That’s where this new bulkhead comes in. Discover how this innovative product can simplify your diving experience in the full blog post.
Comparison to Other Brands
When it comes to design and build, the Ikelite DL200 is a bit different from many other brands.. While some manufacturers use solid aluminum for their housings, which is often designed for specific camera models, Ikelite goes for a more universal approach. The DL200 can fit a variety of cameras by simply adjusting the button layout, making it less compact than custom-made aluminum housings, but more versatile.
In terms of durability, other brands often include features like double o-ring seals for added protection, which might give extra peace of mind in harsher conditions. While Ikelite's build quality is solid, these additional safety measures can offer more robust protection in certain cases.
When it comes to image quality, especially with wide-angle lenses, the DL200 does have some limitations. Wide-angle lenses can show softness at the corners when using focal lengths wider than 18mm (full-frame equivalent), especially depending on the aperture. Other manufacturers have designed better systems to maintain sharpness with ultra-wide lenses, offering better overall performance for wide-angle photography.
Price
One of the biggest benefits of choosing Ikelite is the price. The DL200 offers a strong, reliable housing system at a much more affordable cost than many other top brands. For underwater photographers, this makes it an attractive option, especially if you're looking for high-quality performance without spending a lot of money. While other high-end brands can be expensive, Ikelite gives you a great value for the price, making it a smart choice for both beginners and experienced photographers who want a reliable housing system without breaking the bank.
