This Ikelite housing, designed for the Canon EOS 7D has controls for every camera function except the multi-controller and flash "pop-up" button. All these dependable controls are conveniently placed at your fingertips, and kept water tight with Ikelite's pioneered Quad-Ring seal glands. The camera offers both digital stills and high-definition video. Now you can shoot both with one camera in one housing. A lever control operates the camera's setting/movie shooting button. When the camera is in video mode this control accesses recording start and stop with your thumb, while you can keep your grip on the housing's handle.
The housing allows eTTL operation when using Ikelite DS digital SubStrobes. In TTL mode you can fine-tune your strobe exposure using two push buttons on the back of the housing. This allows flash compensation of 4 f/stops, in half stop increments, both over and under the base exposure. You also have 8 manual power settings in half-stop increments. Settings are clearly indicated even at night by a series of LED lights. Other manufacturers' strobes can be used, but they cannot provide TTL exposure or be adjusted manually through the housing.
The auto focus system on the camera is very good, but does require a certain amount of light and contrast. When shooting under ledges, on night dives, or inside caves and wrecks, a focus light will allow the camera to focus faster. The housing features a 1/4-20 threaded mounting point in the center of the housing above the lens. This is the perfect place to attach a focus light or other accessories.
The Ikelite Super-Eye magnifier offers enhanced viewing when you're wearing a diving mask. The live preview feature of the 7D is accessible for framing your photos. The camera's large LCD screen can be clearly viewed through the back of the housing.
The housing's size and weight provide slightly negative buoyancy and superb handling underwater. Camera installation is quick and simple. An assortment of interchangeable lens ports allows use of most macro, wide-angle, and zoom lenses. Ikelite uses a simple and reliable 4-point locking system to attach lens ports to the housing. This fail-safe assembly consists of one sliding lock in each corner around the opening that accepts the port.
Lens port is not included.
Click here for Required Lens Ports.
After finding required parts on port chart, enter product numbers in B&H search box.
| Construction | Clear polycarbonate |
| Control Type | Mechanical |
| Controls | All |
| Depth Rating | 200' (60m) |
| Buoyancy | Slightly negative |
| Port | Not included, required accessory |
| Internal Flash Usable | No, blocked by housing |
| External Strobe Connector | Yes |
| TTL Compatible | Yes |
| Moisture Alarm | None |
| Color | Clear, black |
| Dimensions (WxHxD) |
9.5 x 6.75 x 6.5" (241.3 x 171.45 x 165.1mm) 13.25 x 8 x 6.5" (336.55 x 203.2 x 165.1mm) with handle attached |
| Weight (without Camera) | 7.15 lbs (3.24kg) |
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Most Liked Positive Review
Great housing- high value for money
This is my third UW housing, after an OEM Olympus, which was good, and then an Ikelite housing for the Canon G10, which was not as good as I hoped- I really struggled...Read complete review
This is my third UW housing, after an OEM Olympus, which was good, and then an Ikelite housing for the Canon G10, which was not as good as I hoped- I really struggled with the zoom control knob on the top which I didn't find intuitive at all. However, I decided to upgrade to this housing for my 7D, and I'm really pleased I did. It feels solid (a good thing, given the expense!) and all the main controls, including for a zoom if fitted, fall very easily to hand. I should say I have quite big hands though and if you have small hands you may find you have to move your hands around on the handles a bit. I certainly feel that if the pictures don't come out, it's my fault, not the system's.
My only concern is the port connection system, which seems pretty basic, but then basic is often a very good thing when it comes to things designed to go UW. The clear housing does also mean you can see the o-rings front and back, which is reassuring.
Finally, one of the reasons for choosing Ikelite was the relatively cheap expense of the ports- this is a real boon if you have a number of lenses you want to take UW.
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Most Liked Negative Review
Good, but at depth?
Had the thing shut down beyond 80ft, was diving in Yucatan Cenotes and the camera (7D) stopped functioning beyond 80ft. Couldn't get it to do anything in Manual or Auto mode. It was...Read complete review
Had the thing shut down beyond 80ft, was diving in Yucatan Cenotes and the camera (7D) stopped functioning beyond 80ft. Couldn't get it to do anything in Manual or Auto mode. It was stuck. Talked with another videographer about it and he said it is definitely the housing, not the 7D. Happened on every dive. Ikelite hasn't provided an answer for me. Hesitant to fully blame the housing. Otherwise nice housing.
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Reviewed by 12 customers
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Comments about Ikelite 6871.07 eTTL Housing for Canon EOS 7D:
I've used Ikelite housing and strobes for 4 years and they are great products. Had to upgrade the housing for my 7 D body. The only surprise was no toggle switch for the focus points on the camera but after discussion with some of my friends, found that you can set the camera focus to zones and change the focus point in quadrants. Haven't tried that out yet to know how that will work.
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Comments about Ikelite 6871.07 eTTL Housing for Canon EOS 7D:
I have been using this style of underwater housing now for 5 years. Ikelite has done some great upgrades to the port system to make it more secure. Along with that, they have functionally made sure all the buttons and levers work like they are suppose too. You can use your 7D underwater as well as you can use it on the surface.
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Comments about Ikelite 6871.07 eTTL Housing for Canon EOS 7D:
Wish you could use the joystick on the 7D. Otherwise a perfect product.
Pros
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Best Uses
Comments about Ikelite 6871.07 eTTL Housing for Canon EOS 7D:
Had the thing shut down beyond 80ft, was diving in Yucatan Cenotes and the camera (7D) stopped functioning beyond 80ft. Couldn't get it to do anything in Manual or Auto mode. It was stuck. Talked with another videographer about it and he said it is definitely the housing, not the 7D. Happened on every dive. Ikelite hasn't provided an answer for me. Hesitant to fully blame the housing. Otherwise nice housing.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Ikelite 6871.07 eTTL Housing for Canon EOS 7D:
I bought this for my 7D and I'm just in the process of learning how to use it properly as well as getting my dive skills mastered. The equipment is really good and fairly easy to set up with the exception of zoom rings (at least that's what I encountered with my Sigma 10-20mm). Maybe I'm doing something wrong. One quick word of advice, take it diving with some weights and tissue to check for humidity before taking the actual camera.
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Comments about Ikelite 6871.07 eTTL Housing for Canon EOS 7D:
Perfect! This housing is worth its wieght in GOLD! I'm a watersports photographer and being able to change your settings on the fly is a must! The housing allowes you easy and quick access to ALL of your functions and while it is heavy you dont have to worry about your setting and wether they are right or wrong BECAUSE you can check 'em through the body! This thing is also built like a tank thank god since I've taken a few spills with it, but it keeps on truckin!
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Comments about Ikelite 6871.07 eTTL Housing for Canon EOS 7D:
Used it for the first time at Turks & Caicos; everything worked well. Only draw back is that there's no button for the joystick button, but can be overcome by using other dials on the Canon 7D. It is bulky, but handled well in the water. Once you remove the camera to change a battery, you have to also take the dome/lens port off & refit each time which is a little annoying, but not a major drawback. Did not have time to research other housings due to last minute decision to purchase before a scuba trip, so cannot really compare to the ease of use with other housings, many of which are more expensive.
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Comments about Ikelite 6871.07 eTTL Housing for Canon EOS 7D:
Our production company does quite a bit of wedding/engagement related shoots. We love the new underwater housing case, it makes our job incredibly easier. What we used previously was essentially a glorified ziploc bag. While the case is a little heavier, it isn't too difficult to work with underwater.
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Comments about Ikelite 6871.07 eTTL Housing for Canon EOS 7D:
Great housing, albeit it heavy when out of water. Added stix floats to ULCS arms with DS-161 strobe and stix floats around macro lens for perfecting handling underwater. Am very pleased with performance after 3 wk. dive trip. Was lucky and snagged one used from B&H and it was in mint condition. Well worth the investment for quality photos. Wish it was smaller but for price can't be beat.
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Comments about Ikelite 6871.07 eTTL Housing for Canon EOS 7D:
I started my adventure with underwater photography with Canon 400D and dedicated Ikelite housing. I never had any issues or complaints towards the housing so when I upgraded the camera to Canon 7D I did not hesitate for a second and bought another Ikelite one for the new camera.
This housing is also very well built and it is easy to use. It allows for a full control of all camera functions (some limitations only relate to controlling lenses). Setting up and controlling strobe lights is easy and the fact that the user's manual is very short and not very informative does not matter. The transparent walls enhance the ease of usage and control of the camera. Attaching ports always made me feel a little nervous; however, so far it has never failed or was a reason for any problems during a dive. The housing for Canon 7D offers now doubled number of port clips compared to the Canon 400D housing.
I have a feeling that there could be a better place for the connecting socket for strobe lights. The socket and the cables do tend to get in the way when taking photos. It is not small or light. Above water does add lots of weight and is tricky when handling, but underwater it handles very well.
Overall, I think it is great gear offering reasonable price to value ratio that opens UW thrills to non-professional photographers.
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Comments about Ikelite 6871.07 eTTL Housing for Canon EOS 7D:
I have used an Ikelite housing for the 20D for the past five years. The housing for the 7D seems to be improved. There are four clips to hold the port in place instead of two and they close very easily. The sleeve for my wide angle lens also fits into place with ease, whereas the sleeve for the previous housing was a bit tricky.
I plan to use this snorkeling and expect it to perform as well as my previous housing. It is sturdy and the clear case allows one to see the multiple camera features. Helpful if you forget which button does what!
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Ikelite 6871.07 eTTL Housing for Canon EOS 7D:
This is my third UW housing, after an OEM Olympus, which was good, and then an Ikelite housing for the Canon G10, which was not as good as I hoped- I really struggled with the zoom control knob on the top which I didn't find intuitive at all. However, I decided to upgrade to this housing for my 7D, and I'm really pleased I did. It feels solid (a good thing, given the expense!) and all the main controls, including for a zoom if fitted, fall very easily to hand. I should say I have quite big hands though and if you have small hands you may find you have to move your hands around on the handles a bit. I certainly feel that if the pictures don't come out, it's my fault, not the system's.
My only concern is the port connection system, which seems pretty basic, but then basic is often a very good thing when it comes to things designed to go UW. The clear housing does also mean you can see the o-rings front and back, which is reassuring.
Finally, one of the reasons for choosing Ikelite was the relatively cheap expense of the ports- this is a real boon if you have a number of lenses you want to take UW.
Displaying reviews 1-12