Advise on compact strobe + grip (TG-7 & PT-059)

[GustavSan]

Hi,

I just bought the TG-7 and the PT-059 housing for my upcoming dive & snorkeling trip in Sabah.

I am looking for a compact strobe/grip setup but can't really decide as there are many choices in different price levels.

Is the Sea And Sea Flash YS-01 Solis a good starting point for me? What plate + arm/grip should I consider to use with it? I was hoping to keep size to a minimum as I need to travel light.

Any better alternatives I should look into? I think I have budget for the YS-01 Solis but not sure if I want to spend much more than that.

 

[tursiops]

What kind of pictures do you want to take? Macro? Reef Scenes" Wrecks? Fish?
Do you think you might move to two strobes or a strobe and a video light, or just one strobe (that is, do you need a one-sided or a two sided tray)?
Ae you inerested in a "locline" type of flexible arm for your strobe, or do you want arms/balls/clamps?

 

[tursiops]

For strobes, the S&S would not be my first choice, but rather the INON S-220.
See these articles:

Which underwater light should I get for my Olympus Tough TG-7 or TG-6? | Mozaik UW

If you're following my articles you know that I always put lights first before everything else. Since everyone is now using the Olympus TG-7, it would be

www.housingcamera.com

Best Strobe for Underwater - The Ultimate Strobe Guide (Updated!) | Mozaik UW

If you landed here, it means that you are ready for the next step in underwater photography, and boy what a huge step it is! For those who still don't

www.housingcamera.com

Sea & Sea YS-01 Vs Inon S-2000 - Underwater Strobe Comparison | Mozaik UW

Both strobes are very popular. What are the main pros and cons between them and which is better value for money?

www.housingcamera.com

However, if you are only interested in macro, then the Backscatter MF-2 is extremely nice. It is just not very powerful.

 

[GustavSan]

Thanks a bunch. I am going to check out those articles.

As for your counter-questions , my first reply would be Reef Scenes 100%....but I know that most of the sites I will visit probably not have the best reef conditions. Most dive sites in Malaysia cannot be compared to dive sites in Sulawesi or Ambon, at least not the ones I will visit this year. That said, though I am not particularly interested in marco shots, I do like seeing them afterwards as a reminder of what great critters I saw. It might also simply be the best way to get some crisp pictures with my setup, as I know that the TG-7 should do great with macro.

Is there any solution that caters to the both? .

As for arms and such. I think I'd prefer a flexible arm, but mainly as this would mean less loose parts to travel around with in my mind. I would not mind starting out with 1 strobe, but with the option the expand at a later stage should I really get the hang of it.