Ikelite has announced their housing for the Canon EOS RDS and 5DS R. Although the cameras are physically identical to the EOS 5D Mk III, the 5DS models have a different TTL protocol which causes DS strobes to overexpose when used in TTL mode. Ikelite are also offering an upgrade for current owners of 5D Mk III housings.

The Ikelite 5DS housing will be available from the end of July at a U.S.A. retail price of $1,800.

From the Ikelite website

Underwater TTL housing for Canon EOS 5D Mark III, 5DS, 5DS R DSLR.

We’ve designed this housing to offer one of the best performance to dollar purchases in the world. The Ikelite DSLR housing is a seamless blend of functionality, lighting integration, durability and waterproof integrity.

A compatible Lens Port is required for waterproof operation.

Camera Compatibility

While the Canon 5D Mark III, 5DS, and 5DS R cameras are identical in physical characteristics, the 5DS series utilize a newer TTL flash protocol. Older housings produced originally for the 5D Mark III camera, Product Number 6871.03, will cause Ikelite DS strobes to over-expose by at least two f/stops in TTL mode when used with these newer cameras. This can be compensated for by dialing in negative EV compensation through the back of the housing, or using the strobes in manual exposure mode.

Please refer to Canon 5D Mark III Housing Upgrade for complete details on compatibility and upgrade options.

The True TTL Advantage

Other housings simply waterproof your camera. An Ikelite TTL housing improves your photos. TTL or “Through-The-Lens” flash metering means the camera controls flash duration to properly expose an image. Our built-in proprietary circuitry tells your camera that a TTL external flash is attached, allowing the camera to adjust exposure more accurately than with slave TTL strobes.

Fiber optic slave flash units require the camera’s flash to fire every time. This creates a shutter lag as you wait for the camera’s flash to recycle in between shots, drains your camera’s battery life, and builds up heat inside of the housing. Ikelite electronics translate direct electrical impulses from your camera, triggering your strobe and precisely adjusting its power without the need to fire the camera’s flash. This eliminates the slave TTL strobe issues of signal interference, inconsistent exposure due to weak fiber optic transmission and false triggering caused by light rays bouncing off the water’s surface or your buddy’s flash going off.

Exposure Adjustment

Exposure adjustments directly through the back of the housing put the perfect shot within reach every time. Tweak your TTL exposure or take total manual control without taking your hand off of your housing. Controls on the back of the housing acts as a remote control for compatible Ikelite DS-series strobes. Access plus/minus exposure compensation in TTL mode, plus manual power settings in half-stop increments.

Ergonomics

An over-sized knob smoothly engages our unique system of universal zoom gears. We provide two zoom sets with each housing, one for use with most popular larger diameter zoom lenses and a second designed for use with smaller diameter zoom lenses. Both sets are lightweight and easy to install with no modification to the lens required. A variety of dome and flat ports attach with four locking latches for maximum security and quick changes between dives.

This housing includes a balanced aluminum tray with our signature quick release handles for easy attachment and removal of external lighting. An aluminum 1/4-20 threaded top mount provides an additional attachment point for lightweight accessories.

Product Number: 6871.04
U.S.A. Pricing: $1,800
Availability: End of July