How to Install a Trigger Extension on Your Ikelite Underwater Housing

By John Brigham

Our curved trigger levers hug the case for a comfortable grip when you're hand-holding the side of the housing. But when you add a right hand quick release handle, you'll want to extend the trigger lever to put it right at your fingertips. The unique design also allows you to adjust the positioning of the lever to be perfectly tailored to your shooting style.

If you've seen any of my system configurations videos before, or talk to me in person at a show, you know that I always recommend using a Right Handle on your housing or Dual Tray Handle System. It just makes things easier to maneuver in the water and adds strobe points. When doing so, you're going to want to add Extensions to the lever controls.

In this situation we'll have one on the front and one on the back. That really allows you to not have to reach as far when you're diving in the water. When you're shooting all day long it's a comfort factor that you don't have to reach for both when you're talking about shutter and AF-ON. It allows you to use Back Button Focus method as well as pulling the trigger very comfortably with your right hand.

Trigger Extension Housing Compatibility

In this video you'll notice the lever control is on the larger DL housing and the DLM housing, that's because this is the same lever for both housings.

Housings produced before 2020 feature an older style lever which can be updated with our newer style.

ikelite trigger extension installation video

The octagonal interface on the extension and lever lets you choose where you find it to be most comfortable to access the control. For me, the best position is with the lever up so I can pull it like a trigger with my index finger. Some prefer to orient the lever so they "push" it with their thumb to activate the control.

Installing a Trigger Extension

Installing this extension is very simple. You're going to want to use the hex key that came with your housing and use that to loosen the screws in the lever itself. Once you have them loose, go ahead and just slide the lever off to the side and replace it with the extension. Use that same hex key, tighten the extension down. You'll want to make sure it's snug, but you don't need to over tighten it. Now you can put the lever back on over the extension and snug down the set screws into the extension.

In doing this I have never compromised a seal, I've never exposed an o-ring, so I don't have to worry about flooding the housing by adding this extension.

That's It!

Now your housing is set and ready to add a dual tray and handle and you're ready to get in the water and go diving. If you have any questions send us an email at ikelite@ikelite.com.

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.