Ikelite Canon R8 Underwater Housing [Fiber Optic Update]

Key Features:

• DL Port System - The housing uses the DL Port System. The system o-ring placement is located outside the port mount which improves the o-ring visibility and reduces the chances of water dropping. It attaches quickly and securely. When using 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. This is one of our favorite gear knobs on any housing. Yeah, it's just a knob, but it isn't until you use an Ikelite housing that you realize how nice it can be to have a large knob!
• Vacuum System - The included Ikelite Vacuum Kit allows you to draw out air and check if your housing is completely sealed before diving. This provides you the peace of mind and assurance that your camera is safe inside the housing while underwater.
• TTL Exposure - An integrated fiber optic TTL transmitter communicates the camera's flash signals to compatible Ikelite fiber optic strobes for seamless flash integration and accurate exposure on every shot. Flash exposure compensation can be added or subtracted effortlessly in-camera. Use legacy Ikelite DS strobes with full fiber optic TTL functionality by adding an RC2 Fiber Optic Receiver to each strobe (not required for newer Ecko Fiber and RC-series strobes). Non-Ikelite fiber optic strobes can be used in manual exposure modes only. 
• Control and Setup - The ergonomics on Ikelite housings is great. The shutter and AF-ON levers stand out with super sensitive and natural feeling curved levers. All push-button controls are machined and hard anodized aluminum to reduce weight and resist salt build-up. The back of the housing is laser engraved with control symbols which will never fade or fall off. 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. 
• Viewfinder - The housing includes the Super-Eye Viewfinder provides an enhanced view of the camera's optical viewfinder when viewed through a dive mask. The viewfinder removes quickly and easily for the attachment of an optional Straight Magnified Viewfinder (Type 1) or 45° Magnified Viewfinder (Type 3)

The Canon EOS R8 in Review

The Canon EOS R8 is a lightweight, travel-friendly, full-frame camera body, the Canon EOS R8 Mirrorless Camera delivers outstanding picture and video capabilities for both photographers and multimedia content developers. Utilizing a newly developed sensor also found in the EOS R6 Mark II, the R8 features a 24.2MP CMOS sensor paired with a DIGIC X processor. Together, this combination gives great stills performance, amazing 4K 60p 10-bit video, and rapid focusing. That said, being an entry-level full-frame camera, there are some limits to the R8 including a lack of in-body image stabilization. The question is - will these limitations be a hinderance for underwater shooters?

The following images were taken on a recent trip to the Galapagos.

Canon EOS R8 Specs

• 24.2 megapixel full-frame CMOS sensor
• Dual pixel autofocus with animal eye autofocus tracking
• Low light autofocus down to -6.5 EV
• Uncropped 4K/60p video with C-Log3 recording
• 10-bit 4:2:2 internal recording 
• 1/200s flash sync speed
• 370 shot battery life using LCD
• Electronic first curtain shutter (only one mechanical shutter)
• 6fps burst shooting
• No in-body image stabilization
• Size: 132.5 x 86.1 x 70mm
• Weight: 461 grams

For other options, see our other recommended strobes see our Buyer's Guide for Best Underwater Strobes

For other options, see our other recommended strobes see our list of best underwater video lights.

Underwater Settings Guide: