As of January 1, 2025, all bulkheads and hotshoes are updated to our new connector system.
Advantages of the B3 Bulkhead
The new system has several important advantages:
- Slimmer and more flexible cabling makes it easier to route the hotshoe cable around other accessories like a USB-C charging cable or HDMI monitor cable.
- Flat-type connector terminations reduce the likhood of accidental wire breakage.
- Low profile design provides more clearance between the top of the hotshoe and the inside of the housing.
- Non-locking safety connector allows the connector to release if cable is strained instead of stressing or breaking wires.
Revolutionary Auto-Switching Feature
Hotshoes for Canon, Nikon, OM System, Olympus and Panasonic also introduce a new Auto-Switching feature to protect your camera and provide ultimate flexibility in switching between manual and TTL strobe systems.
The new auto-switching feature protects your camera and makes it even easier to add an optional DS Link TTL Converter.
The hotshoe is able to automatically detect when a compatible Ikelite TTL converter is connected. There’s no need to switch to a different hotshoe when using with a TTL converter.
This streamlines set-up of your system and makes it easier to carry redundancies when traveling on your trip-of-a-lifetime.
Sony Cameras
The Auto-Switching feature is not available for the Sony multi-interface shoe required for Sony TTL systems. It is necessary to purchase a compatible TTL hotshoe to add TTL flash capability to your Sony camera system.
Upgrading to the B3 Bulkhead
To upgrade to the new system, it is necessary to replace both the bulkhead and the hotshoe on your housing. You may need to upgrade your hotshoe and/or bulkhead when purchasing newer strobe accessories for an older housing.
Upgrade Kits
These Upgrade Kits provide everything you need to update to the new system: Bulkhead, Waterproof Bulkhead Cap, and Hotshoe.
Older clear housings and Ikelite housings featuring a right-angle bulkhead on the back of the housing are not compatible with these products. If you have non-working electronics, please contact us for upgrade opportunities.
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9295.15-CAN |
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9295.15-LMP |
B3 Bulkhead & Hotshoe Upgrade Kit for Olympus, OM System, and Panasonic |
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9295.15-NKL |
B3 Bulkhead & Hotshoe Upgrade Kit for Nikon (Left)* * Cord comes from left side when looking at the back of the hotshoe. See compatibility chart |
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9295.15-NKR |
B3 Bulkhead & Hotshoe Upgrade Kit for Nikon (Right)** ** Cord comes from right side when looking at the back of the hotshoe. See compatibility chart |
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9295.15-SYM |
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9295.15-SYT |
It's important to select the correct hotshoe for your camera. Hotshoes vary by camera manufacturer (Canon, Nikon, Sony, Olympus, OM System, Panasonic) and by the direction of the cable (left or right when looking at the back of the camera).
Use the Hotshoe Compatibility Chart to select the correct upgrade kit for your Nikon camera.
On housings for Nikon cameras, the hotshoe cable is directed to either the left of the right depending on the flash bulkhead placement.
Bulkheads
It's important to know the thread size of the bulkhead port in your housing to select the correct bulkhead. All Ikelite DL and DLM housings feature a 1/2-20 threaded hole.
Older Ikelite housings featuring a right-angle bulkhead on the back of the housing are not compatible with these products. If you have non-working electronics, please contact us for upgrade opportunities.
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46003-BKH |
B3 Bulkhead with 1/2-20 Threads (Ikelite DL & DLM housings) |
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46003-M14 |
B3 Bulkhead with M14 Threads (for non-Ikelite housings thread pattern M14 X 1) |
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46003-M16 |
B3 Bulkhead with M16 Threads (for non-Ikelite housings thread pattern M16 X 1) |
The new hotshoe has a slim, low-profile design to increase clearance in the housing and reduce interference with accessories like USB-C charging cables.
Hotshoes
It's important to select the correct hotshoe for your camera. Hotshoes vary by camera manufacturer (Canon, Nikon, Sony, Olympus, OM System, Panasonic) and by the direction of the cable (left or right when looking at the back of the camera).
Use the Hotshoe Reference Chart to select the correct hotshoe for your Nikon camera.
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46003-CAN |
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46003-LMP |
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46003-NKL |
* Cord comes from left side when looking at the back of the hotshoe. See compatibility chart |
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46003-NKR |
* Cord comes from right side when looking at the back of the hotshoe. See compatibility chart |
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46003-SYM |
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46003-SYT |
ST3 Sony TTL Hotshoe |
[Left Image] Legacy pre-2025 connector (left) vs current connector (right);
[Right Image] Legacy pre-2025 hotshoe (left) vs current hotshoe (right)
Cross-Compatibility
Bulkheads and hotshoes between the old system and the new system are not interchangeable. It is possible to upgrade systems by purchasing a new bulkhead and hotshoe.
Older Ikelite housings featuring a right-angle bulkhead on the back of the housing are not compatible with these products. If you have non-working electronics, please contact us for upgrade opportunities.
Identifying Your System
All housings shipped from Ikelite on or after January 1, 2025 (serial numbers 81200 and higher) come standard with the new system.
The new system is distinguished by:
- Black cable with red stripe
- Ikelite logo on top
- Connector is 8mm wide and 3.3mm thick
Using TTL Flash Exposure
Ikelite housings with an electrical bulkhead make it easy to upgrade your system to enjoy the many benefits of TTL strobe exposure. When you use a compatible Ikelite DS Strobe you can add TTL by simply choosing the corresponding DS Link TTL Converter:
- DL1 DS Link TTL Converter for Nikon
- DL2 DS Link TTL Converter for Sony**
- DL3 DS Link TTL Converter for Olympus, OM System, Panasonic
- DL4 DS Link TTL Converter for Fujifilm
- DL5 DS Link TTL Converter for Canon
** Requires the addition of an ST3 Sony TTL Hotshoe # 46003-SYT. Sold together as kit # 46046.
TTL flash is one of the easiest ways to improve your photography underwater.
Each DS Link TTL Converter features a convenient push button on the side to quickly switch back and forth between TTL and manual strobe exposure while underwater.
Note that the terminology can be confusing but there is a difference between manual camera exposure and manual strobe exposure. It is not only POSSIBLE but also RECOMMENDED to shoot manual camera exposure (Shutter Speed, Aperture, ISO, etc) while shooting TTL strobe exposure.
Manual Fiber Optic Transmitter
The Manual Fiber Optic Transmitter is designed to be combined with the hotshoe you received in your Ikelite housing.
If you purchased your housing prior to 2025, you will need to purchase a new hotshoe to use the Manual Fiber Optic Transmitter (Gen 2) # 44700-G2. See the Hotshoe Compatibility Chart to select the correct hotshoe.
Confused Yet?
There can be a lot of variables when it comes to choosing the right underwater photography equipment.
Let us know what camera, housing (with serial number), and strobes you're shooting and we can help you make the best choices. Send us an email today.
Additional Reading
Manual Camera Exposure VS Manual Strobe Exposure for Underwater Photography
Debunking the Myths Around TTL Strobe Exposure for Underwater Photography on DivePhotoGuide.com
Upgrade Your Nauticam | Installing an Ikelite M14 or M16 TTL Bulkhead
Bulkhead + Sync Cord Plug Material Change
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