Ikelite Canon EOS 7D Housing Tips

1. Neck Strap Connection

Connecting a neck strap to the camera body can be something of a nuisance. The strap needs to be removed in order to mount the camera body in the housing. One solution is to sew webbing loops to the fittings on the camera body. This held up quite well for several years on an EOS 20D.

• Quarter inch wide webbing is placed through the fittings on the camera body. Small quantities may be obtained at your local pet supply store in the form of collars and leashes for small pets.
• Use a rot resistant webbing and thread, e.g. nylon.
• Stitch at least twice across the width of the webbing so that failure of a single thread does not result in an expensive loss. Don't try stitching too close to the ends of the webbing.
• When attaching the snaps give the stitching a quick check.
• Black and red complement the Ikelite colors nicely.
• Sea-Dog nylon shock cord clips are lightweight, will not scratch equipment, will not corrode and are unlikely to disconnect unintentionally. I used p/n 652061.

There is plenty of clearance in the housing on both sides for the webbing loops without interfering with the camera controls:

2. Housing Retention

When diving it is a good idea to have a retention system that will allow you to let go of the housing if you need to address a more important issue. A coil cord has worked well.

• It provides a comfortable range of motion.
• It reduces entanglements.
• If the housing and its accoutrements become involved in something, e.g. a wreck, then you don't have one wrist strapped directly to the problem.

A pair of interlocked split rings, one large and one medium, are added to one side of the housing tray. Medium strength threadlock was used when replacing the wingnut.

Having both a Fastex-style male buckle and a clip on the free end of the coil cord will allow you to connect it to a spare buckle or D-ring on most BCDs.

Mating the buckles when the housing is out of the water reduces the chances of snagging while wandering on deck or bobbing in rinse tanks. If you want to free both hands during a dive you can either snap the buckles together or snap the extra clip to the split ring on the housing tray. The camera will then hang close to your BCD while you sketch on your slate. (For brief interludes I hold the housing between my knees so I can sign with both hands.)

(Shown accessorized with a Sea-Dog stainless spring gate snap hook, p/n 154250, on a split ring. A bit heavy, but bombproof.)

Before opening the housing after a dive you should remove the coil cord from the split rings. It is one less thing that may drip into the housing.

3. Name and Address Label

Adding a name and address label to the housing at least makes it possible for a Good Samaritan to return your equipment. A label may be placed on the bottom of the strobe controller, but it will not be visible when the tray is in place. A transparent label placed on an interior side of the housing provides a clue, even if unreadable, to the casual observer. Before placing a label in the housing ensure that it won't block your view of any vital controls or displays.

(Blurred for privacy.)

4. Battery Label

Camera batteries should be labelled. At a minimum it is helpful to claim ownership and note the date that the pack was placed in service. This makes it easier to select your newest, and presumably healthiest, pack for use on your most important dives.

• If you are using multiple packs then you may want to include the serial number on the label.
• Storing spare packs in a refrigerator will prolong their lifespan.

Owner's initials, date placed in service and serial number: