Ikelite is shipping their 200DL housing for the Sony a7S III camera. Compatible with the company’s DL port system, the ABS-PC housing offers electrical strobe triggering as standard, or TTL via na optional converter. It ships with a vacuum port and an M16 accessory port for attaching an external monitor.

The Ikelite 200DL housing for the Sony Alpha a7S III is available to order now, priced at $1,695.

Press release

200DL Underwater Housing for Sony Alpha a7S III Mirrorless Digital Camera

Product # 71475
$ 1,695.00

A full featured and durable waterproof housing for Sony Alpha a7S III full frame mirrorless digital cameras. Suitable for scuba, snorkel, surf, pool, and any application in or around the water.

This housing requires the addition of a compatible DL Lens Port for waterproof operation. Lens Port not included.

View the DL Port Chart for Sony Alpha Series…

Sony Alpha a7S III Mirrorless Cameras

Five years after the release of the A7S II, Sony made good on its promise for a successor. This powerful full frame mirrorless is built for the serious videographer with a newly developed BIONZ XR™ image processing image and a new 12.1MP back-illuminated Exmor R™ image sensor, significantly reducing rolling shutter.

Exceptional low light performance is good news for the underwater videographer with ultra-high sensitivity expandable 80-409,600 ISO range and 15+ stop dynamic range for movies.

A new heat dissipation system makes continuous 4K/60p recording up to ‘at least’ one hour possible. This is achieved without fans or cabinet vents to keep the camera dust and moisture resistant.

A fast Hybrid AF system has 759 phase-detection AF points covering 92% of the image sensor. Sony claims the camera can deliver fast and accurate autofocus at light levels so low that the human eye struggles.

The electronic viewfinder (EVF) is the highest resolution available to date at 9.44 million-dots.

Hard core videographers will want to take some time with camera’s impressive list of specifications including 16-bit RAW output at up to 60p and 1-bit 4:2:2 internal capture (in codecs including H.265 and All-I H.264).

Lens Ports

This housing features our robust Dry Lock (DL) port system. “Dry Lock” refers to the placement of the o-ring on the outside of the port mount. This improves visibility and reduces the chances of water dropping onto your precious camera sensor. DL ports are the lightest on the market, yet robust and capable of standing up to rough surf. Attachment is quick and secure. A system of extensions can accommodate a huge variety of lenses with ease.

Most popular zoom lenses and select lens focus rings can be engaged using simple gearing that puts adjustment right at your fingertips. A large, soft-touch knob on the side of the housing makes fine tuned adjustments a breeze. Zoom and focus gears differ depending on which lens you are using. Zoom gears sold separately.

Read more: DL Port System for Sony Alpha Series Cameras (PDF)

Confidence

The unique rear seal design prevents accidental twisting or stretching of the o-ring for simple and confident assembly. We have eliminated the need for an o-ring groove or channel which can trap sand, dirt, or debris. Three double-passivated stainless steel locking lid snaps are simple to use and virtually unbreakable. The clear back allows you to see the o-ring form a solid, watertight seal as it closes.

Vacuum Testing

A vacuum valve is installed standard on the side of the housing. The vacuum valve is designed to be low profile to avoid interference with controls. The optional Vacuum Pump with Gauge # 47011 allows you to draw a vacuum on the housing to check for leaks prior to entering the water.

Drawing a vacuum on the system also provides extra security at the surface of the water, especially important when using the housing in rough surf.

M16 Accessory Port

The spare M16 threaded accessory port provides an attachment point for third party accessories including HDMI bulkheads.

TTL Exposure

This housings supports your choice of shooting with manual strobe exposure or adding a TTL converter depending on your application. The flash bulkhead is located on the top of the case to alleviate strain on the sync cord.

You can enjoy the fastest and most accurate TTL exposure on the market by adding the DL2 DS Link Sony TTL Converter Ikelite ST1 Hotshoe Kit # 46042 and a compatible Ikelite DS strobe. Exposure compensation can be used added or subtracted in the camera.

Read more: DL2 DS Link Sony TTL Converter Underwater Photos

Reliable locking connectors between the hotshoe and bulkhead make it easy to install the TTL hotshoe or carry back up parts when traveling to remote locations.

Ergonomics

Good ergonomics are critical when you need to concentrate on composition, focus, and proper exposure. Large, curved control levers put the most important controls right where you need them: shutter and autofocus (via the AF-ON button). This combination allows you to shoot with or without back button focus, an advanced technique that is useful for tack sharp focus of super macro and fast moving subjects. Each lever can be extended using the optional Trigger Extension # 4077.95 for perfect spacing when using a right-hand handle.

The rotating controls are all operated intuitively via premium soft-touch knobs. An oversized, lobed knob puts the zoom/focus knob at your fingertips while your left hand stays on the handle. Stainless steel, direct-drive rotating controls are virtually fail-safe and user serviceable and adjustable in a pinch.

All rear camera buttons are accessible by smooth action, hard anodized aluminum push buttons for reliable performance and easy maintenance. These controls are clearly labeled by laser engraving on the back of the housing that never fades or falls off.

Set-Up

The camera mount is front-loading for easy installation and removal. A small mounting plate attaches to the bottom of the camera and secures in the front of the housing. The camera mounting plate does not need to be removed from the camera for surface use or when changing the battery or memory cards. The mounting plate features a 1/4-20 threaded mount on the bottom so that it can be attached to a tripod on the surface.

Viewfinders

The included SuperEye Viewfinder provides an enhanced view of the camera’s electronic viewfinder when viewed through a dive mask. The viewfinder removes quickly and easily for the attachment of an optional Straight Magnified Viewfinder # 6890.2 or 45° Magnified Viewfinder (Type 1) # 6891.1.

Read more: Straight vs 45 Degree Magnified Viewfinder for Underwater Shooting

Handling and Travel

The housing, tray, and handles have been optimized to reduce weight while maintaining strength and durability. The Right-Hand Quick Release Handle # 4077.02 (sold separately) can be added or removed depending on your needs. The precision machined aluminum base features 1/4-20 tripod mounting sockets and additional mounting locations for future accessories. The base and handle can be quickly removed when breaking down your system for travel.

A 1/4-20 threaded mounting point is located front and center on the housing above the lens port mount. This mount can be used to attach lightweight accessories like a focus light or GoPro camera.

If you’re shooting with two strobe or lighting arms, then a top handle can be added to carry to and from the dive site. Top handles are available in a Cable Grip # 4080.07 or Aluminum Top Handle # 4080.08. The rigid aluminum version provides additional mounting points for lighting and accessories.

Adding a dedicated focus light to your top mount or strobe arm is highly recommended for more accurate autofocus in low light settings.

Durability and Corrosion-Free Performance

Our white ABS-PC blend housing provides strength and corrosion-free performance year with minimal maintenance. ABS-PC is lighter than aluminum for convenience during travel and less drag underwater. The specially formulated color deflects the sun to keep your camera running cooler, longer. Compared to black or clear housings, the light color provides superior contrast for enhanced view of the camera, LCD screen, and o-ring seal.

Made in USA

Ikelite products are designed, built and tested in the USA. We use locally sourced, top-grade materials. Our housings are built by hand and individually tested for fit and function. Every unit is water pressure tested to 200 feet (60m). We back our products with over 50 years of experience and the best reputation for service within the dive industry.

Camera Compatibility

This housing is only compatible with Sony Alpha a7S III cameras as shipped by the manufacturer. Unless otherwise noted, this housing does not accommodate the use of add-on grips, battery grips, eyepieces, LCD covers, or other accessories.

Differences in lens and control placement prevent other Sony camera models from being used in or adapted to this housing. We are not aware of any other models which may be used in or adapted to this particular housing.

Ikelite DS Strobe Compatibility

Any Ikelite DS strobe may be used in manual exposure modes by attaching one or two with a compatible electrical sync cord. Current model DS strobes may be used in TTL exposure mode by adding the optional DL2 DS Link TTL Converter and an electrical sync cord.

Non-Ikelite Strobe Compatibility

SEA&SEA, INON, and Retra strobes with an electrical connection can be triggered in manual exposure modes using an electrical sync cord. Strobes without an electrical sync cord connection cannot be attached to this system unless slaved off of a hard-wired strobe.

Ikelite Non-Digital Strobe Compatibility

Older non-digital strobes featuring an ICS-5 electrical sync cord bulkhead can be used with this system in manual exposure modes.

Fiber Optic Compatibility

Fiber optic only strobes are not compatible with this installation. An external strobe must be connected by electrical sync cord.

Remote Triggering Compatibility

Strobes with remote slave capabilities may be triggered off of a flash attached to the housing by electrical sync cord. Ikelite DS strobes support remote triggering using the Optical Slave Converter # 4405 or the Water Wizard system (manufactured and sold by Aquatica).

Specifications

• 200’ (60m) depth rating
• Compatible with DL system lens ports
• Controls are provided for all camera functions except: Diopter adjustment, Control wheel, Joystick up/down/left/right (Joystick can be depressed); Control wheel functions may be accessed using the Front and Rear Dials
• 1/4-20 thread base mounts with 3.5” spacing
• Slightly positive buoyancy in fresh water
• Actual buoyancy varies depending on choice of lens and port
  Housing 4.67 lb (2121 g)
  Tray with left handle 11 oz (312 g)
• 9 x 7.25 x 6” (229 x 184 x 152 mm) Not including
• Vacuum valve included (pump sold separately)
• Included Ikelite ICS-5 bulkhead connector with manual hotshoe for reliable electrical triggering of underwater strobes; Optional TTL accessories provides automatic exposure with compatible Ikelite DS strobes
• ABS-PC construction is fundamentally corrosion-resistant
• Made in the USA; Individually inspected for fit and water pressure tested to depth
• 2 year limited warranty

In the Box

• Housing
• Rear O-ring # 0132.59 (installed)
• Front O-ring # 0132.45 (installed)
• Zoom Gear Retainer # 75900 (installed)
• Port Hole Cover # 0200.92 (installed)
• Waterproof Bulkhead Cap # 9104.7 (installed)
• Base with Left-Hand Quick Release Handle # 4077.67 (installed)
• Tool for Zoom Gear Retainer # 0945.06
• .050” Hex Key # 0945.11
• Silicone Lubricant 1cc Tube

Optional Accessories

Product # 71475
$ 1,695.00

Final Update Before Voting Closes in the 2020 DIVE Travel Awards

And here it is – the final update before voting ends in our 2020 DIVE Travel Awards. As with previous years, after nearly 6 months of nominations and voting, the last few days could make all the difference.

There have been some changes since the last update on 16 October – some big changes – especially at the top of the dive centre/resorts and liveaboards categories. Scuba Junkie has reclaimed its spot at the top of the leaderboard in the Best Dive Centre or Resort category, and Blue Corner has entered the Top 3 for the first time in this year’s awards, while Fiji’s Volivoli Beach Resort and Ra Divers maintains its third position. 

In the liveaboards category, Egypt’s Emperor Elite has taken the top spot from Indonesia’s Wunderpus, the first time an Egyptian/Red Sea liveaboard has placed first on the leaderboard since the awards began. 2018 winner Dewi Nusantara holds on to the third place it has occupied since September.

In the destinations category, Indonesia, as expected, is well out in front and Egypt maintains a good – but not completely secure – second place. As for third – the Philippines has been there for some time now, but a good push by any of the chasing destinations could see that change.

So – here’s the final leaderboard as of Monday, 26 October (click here for the previous update). Voting closes at midnight (GMT) on 31 October.

You can find a complete list of all the nominees at this link

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The DIVE Travel Awards 2020 Vote

How to enter:

1. Go to the box below and enter a valid e-mail address.
2. If you are using a shared computer and someone has already voted, you may need to click the ‘logout’ button underneath the picture in the voting module  –  .
3. Select your favourites from each category and press ‘continue’ to cast your vote. Select the next category and again pick your favourites.
4. If you are using a shared computer or iPad remember to ‘logout’ at the end so the next person can vote.

DIVE Travel Awards 2020

Small Print: We need an e-mail address to prove you’re not a robot. If you are not currently registered on our newsletter mailing list, once you have entered your e-mail address you will receive an automated e-mail asking if you’d like to join. We’d really appreciate it if you do, but we won’t hold it against you if you don’t (at least, not for very long, anyway!). If you do register, then you’ll receive our free weekly newsletter every Friday, plus we may send you occasional promotions or special offers, stories from our back-catalogues, travel news or competitions that are available exclusively to DIVE Magazine readers. We absolutely will not send your e-mail address to any third party without your express permission. Once you have registered you are free to unsubscribe, without penalty, at any time, using the links available in every message we send. 

DIVE Travel Awards FAQ

My favourite was nominated but I can’t vote for them.

Each year, only the Top 25 in each category of nominations go through to the final vote. The Top 10 will receive recognition as the best dive centres in the world. We’d love to include everyone who made it onto the list, but that would be impossible. We’ve published a complete list of all the nominations at this link.

How can that operator have so many votes?

Some people take the awards more seriously than others. The vote is free and fair and open to all, and some operators will spread the word to as many people as they can. Plus, you’d be amazed at the loyalty some dive centres can command from their customers. 

Why have you combined some dive centres?

We wanted to give as many dive centres and resorts as possible the chance to succeed, rather than have a handful of big names dominate the competition. We appreciate that each dive centre is run by its own unique complement of staff, but this way more names will appear on the list. The duplicates have been named in the order they placed as nominees, and will receive the same recognition as winners if they are successful.

Why are you asking for my e-mail address?

Firstly and foremostly, to prevent fraud. Secondly, because it signs up you (if you consent, of course) to our completely free and very fantastic weekly newsletter!

Project AWARE is a nonprofit organisation dedicated to protecting our big blue spaces. #TeamOcean is the passionate fundraisers out there, each doing their bit to help Project AWARE carry out the great work they do. And that’s where you come in…

When you #fundraiseathome for Team Ocean, you take the future of the seas into your own hands. Help us reach our 25K goal for 2020, and have fun simultaneously. It’s called FUNdraising for a reason!

To do your bit for marine conservation, raise awareness, and educate others, here are five fundraising ideas that you could try:

1. Rubbish art

8 million metric tonnes of plastic ends up in the ocean every single year. Why not repurpose some of that plastic into beautiful art? Searches for “ocean trash art” are up +39% on Pinterest this year, so we think people will be into it. You could organise a “build ocean trash art” workshop at a community centre or school and then invite people to come and view your creations for a £3 entry free. All proceeds go towards Project AWARE, and you get to flex your artistic talents in the process, win-win. 

2. Ethical is the new black

Did you know? Up to 1,500 gallons of water are needed to grow the cotton for a single pair of jeans. And, the fashion industry is responsible for 10% of humanity’s carbon emissions. This knowledge is an excellent incentive for organising clothes swaps in your local community. You could suggest a £10 entry fee, and everyone gets to walk out with a whole new wardrobe. One woman’s trash is another woman’s treasure! And it feels so much more comfortable to wear when you know it’s ethical.

3. Happy Birthday, Oceans

When your birthday rolls around, do you struggle to think of gifts that you want or need? Why not dedicate your birthday to giving back to the environment? Facebook allows you to create a charity fundraiser. Set one up, send the link to your loved ones, and request that they donate to Project Aware this year instead of buying you another scarf that may end up at the back of a cupboard. 

4. Dress down day

People love an excuse to ditch the unflattering office attire or uncomfortable school uniforms. And if it’s for a good cause, how can your boss or teacher say no? Suggest £2 per person, and everyone can come in for a day dressed in their favourite blue themed outfit to honor the sea. This could become an annual event every year on World Ocean Day (8th June), Earth Day (22nd April), or any other environmental days coming up.

5. Get your bake on

You don’t have to be Delia Smith to be able to bake delicious fish-shaped cookies or cupcakes with a little fondant octopus on top. How about setting up a bake sale at your school, office or community centre, with the theme of ocean conservation and selling your delicious creations? Encourage others to bring a stall too, and you’ll be raising money in no time.

For more ideas go to www.projectaware.org/fundraise, where you can also download your Fundraising Action Kit and create your personal or team fundraising profile.

Diving into History within St Helena’s South Atlantic Waters

The wreckage of the RFA Darkdale is home to myriad fish, many endemic to St Helena (Photo: St Helena Tourism)

Beneath the warm, clear South Atlantic waters of St Helena, at a depth of around 47 metres, lies the RFA Darkdale – a virtually intact Dale-class tanker of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA), sunk by a German U-boat not far from Jamestown Harbour during the Second World War. Today, the wreck is teeming with an abundance of marine life, much of it endemic only to the island – and ideally positioned for technical diving.

Launched on 23 July 1940, the 143m-long Darkdale arrived in St Helena in August 1941 as fleet oiler for the South Atlantic, where she sat in port for the next two months servicing a variety of Royal Navy ships that required refuelling during this time, including the HMS Dorsetshire and the aircraft carrier HMS Eagle.

The RFA Darkdale was a Dale-class oiler, identical to its sister ship, the RFA Cedardale (pictured above)

Around midnight on the 22 October 1941, a massive explosion tore through the RFA Darkdale, with a succession of secondary detonations enveloping the ship in flames. The skies above James Bay were lit with orange, the loud sounds of the explosions echoing through the valley in which Jamestown is located. Witnesses still alive today recall the immense tragedy of one of the most monumental events in St Helena’s long maritime history.

The Darkdale had been struck by four torpedoes launched from the German submarine U-68, and was rapidly overcome, capsizing and breaking in two – her stern plummeting to the depths almost immediately and her bow remaining afloat for a short time afterwards.

The hull of the Darkdale remained at the surface for several days following the attack (Photo: St Helena Museum)

Fortyone men lost their lives during the attack. Two were blown clear of the wreck and survived while seven others, including the captain, were on shore leave in Jamestown at the time. Today, they are remembered with a dedicated monument at the seafront in Jamestown, as well as at Tower Hill Memorial in London. The wreck was officially declared a war grave in June 1983. 

‘Divers treat the Darkdale shipwreck with the utmost respect, as you are diving through a memorial,’ says Helena Bennett, St Helena’s Tourism Director and diving enthusiast. ‘You realise that a piece of history actually happened here and the horrific nature of that history becomes apparent when you encounter the hull of the Darkdale – spilt by the torpedo. You begin to lose light due to the depth of the dive and are surrounded by the deep, dark blue as the wreck seems to emerge from the shadows and meet you on your descent – quite a chilling experience.’

Larger pelagic hunters are frequently spotted around the wreck (Photo: St Helena Tourism)

Together with its tragic history, exploring the RFA Darkdale encompasses the beauty of shipwreck diving, as you witness the effects of nature on the creations of man. It has attracted an abundance of marine life, often larger than that found around some St Helena’s shallower wrecks. Bullseye, Atlantic jacks and crevalley jacks surround the wreck, with pelagic wahoo and tuna frequently spotted. Several species endemic to St Helena such as the cunningfish, rockfish, greenfish and the plentiful St Helena butterflyfish can be observed up close and in fine detail, having made a home out of heartbreak.    

To dive upon the Darkdale is to come face-to-face with a waterlogged moment in time – visit the St Helena Tourism Website to read more about an experience not only for adventurers but also explorers of history.