Sony 10-20mm PZ // Setting It Up in Ikelite 200DLM Underwater Housing [VIDEO]

An ultra-wide angle lens is key to getting close to your subject underwater, because reducing the distance between your lens and your subject will improve color and clarity in your photos and video.

The Sony E 10-20mm f/4 PZ G lens is a great option if you're looking for an ultra-wide rectilinear lens. John walks you through your dome port options and how to set it up inside of your Ikelite 200DLM Underwater Housing.

Keep in mind that your choice of lens port depends on which housing you have. Use the port chart references below to see what you need.

• DLM/A Lens Port Chart for Sony (a6000, a6100, a3600, a6400, a6500, a7C II, a7CR cameras).
• DLM/E Lens Port Chart (a6600, a6700 cameras).

 
Dome Port Options

A dome port is required to take advantage of the full angle of view of the lens and to minimize vignetting. There are two dome port options for shooting the 10-20mm PZ lens underwater with the DLM/E system like the Sony a6600 or a6700.

If you want the most compact, streamlined system than the DLM extended 6in. dome port is the way to go. But since the 10-20mm is a rectilinear lens, it will exhibit some softness and distortion around the edges of the image when using a smaller diameter dome. You want to be shooting at apertures of at least F/8 and ideally around F/11 or even smaller when using this compact dome port.

The larger DLM 8in. diameter dome port will give you better image quality around the edges and is also critical if you're planning to shoot any split shots where the dome is half in and half out of the water.

 

Zooming the Lens

With either of these options, you will need to use the power zoom feature of the lens to go from wide angle to telephoto. You could do that by reassigning the zoom to the rear buttons of the camera - Logan has made an excellent video showing you just how to do that. 

 

Attaching the Dome Port

What's nice about this is that we can leave the lens attached to the camera and we can install the camera and lens together through the back of the housing without having to deal with any gear sleeves.

Now, whether you're using the large dome port or the small dome port, the assembly method is going to be the same. What we're going to do is look at the three thumbscrews that are going inside the dome, and we're going to back each of those thumbscrews out so that they're not protruding to the inside diameter of the port. That'll prevent it from snagging an o-ring as you put it on to the housing. Take your finger and run it across the sealing surface and make sure that this is free of debris.

Then, use a very small amount of Ikelite lubricant and apply it to the o-ring on the port of the housing. It doesn't take much lubricant, this is just to overcome friction and it does not actually affect creating the seal. As you're doing this you'll check for debris in here. Then apply a little bit of that remaining lubricant on your fingers to the ceiling surface of the dome.

Now on the large dome you're going to notice that one of the thumb screws corresponds with the shade, that's going to line up with the top of our housing. Next triple check that the three thumbscrews are not protruding then place the dome port on the housing and gently press down until it's seated all the way around the circumference. Once in place, all we have to do is tighten down all three of the thumb screws. I like to apply a little downward force on the dome, making sure that it stays seated in place as I tighten down each of the thumbscrews. If you find that you can't reach in between the port and the housing to properly screw in the thumbscrews, you can use the tool. But keep in mind that you don't need to need to over-tighten these thumbscrews because they're just retention thumbscrews, they don't actually affect the seal. 

 

Installing the Camera and Lens into the Housing

Now that we have our dome port attached to our housing it's time to install the camera. All we have to do is open the back, release the locking mechanism and lift the lid snap to remove the back of the housing. Check the control placement to make sure nothing is in the way, slide the hot shoe on, and drop in the camera and lens together. Check the sealing surfaces for any debris before replacing the back, then simply take your lid snaps, place them back over the hooks, and then simultaneously tighten down and check that they're locked in place.

We don't have to mess with any gear sleeves because we're going to use the power zoom function of the lens. Learn how to assign power zoom to the directional buttons on your camera with this helpful tip from Logan. 

If you have any questions about this installation, please reach out to us via ikelite@ikelite.com - we're here and happy to help!

 

Additional Viewing

POWER ZOOM Your Sony PZ Lens Underwater [VIDEO]

Sony a6700 Setting it Up // 200DLM/E Underwater Housing [VIDEO]

Choosing an Underwater Housing for the Sony a7C II or a7CR

Customizing the Dial Functions on a Sony Mirrorless Camera for Underwater Use [VIDEO]

 

John Brigham is the Vice President & head of product development at Ikelite. He was born with a flair for design and an entrepreneurial spirit as son of Ikelite founder Ike Brigham. He worked his way up in the business and is a natural fit in the R&D side of things. John dives the equipment as much as possible to test product and put himself in the "fins" of the user. You may also find him on the other end of an email or phone call when you reach out for product advice and support. When he's not underwater he's flying drones, setting off rockets, training his German Shepherd "T2", and spending time with his family.