Backscatter strobe and snoot package

[macado]

I'm interested to hear how it works out. If the reviews are good I may have to pick one up for "nudi season".

This would be fantastic for nudibranchs at Peirce Island. I'm hoping to order one soon!

 

[deeper thoughts]

Anyone take test shots in the house?


The flash looks really weak when not using the snood

Am I doing something wrong?

 

[deeper thoughts]

Have a call into backscatter and sent a video of the flash output

 

[Pelagicsal]

Dived with Jon last week. I ordered mine last night.
Here’s his report on using the MF-1 OS-1 combo.
Backscatter MF-1 & OS-1

 

[deeper thoughts]

Backscatter is sending me a call tag to correct the issue
They are sending me a new one but back ordered (few weeks)

 

[bvanant]

I will post some in the studio pics later today comparing it to the S2000 and the Kraken 3000 ring flash.
Bill

 

[Glenn Charles]

Dived with Jon last week. I ordered mine last night.
Here’s his report on using the MF-1 OS-1 combo.
Backscatter MF-1 & OS-1

Thanks for sharing those images. I have mine and head to the Bahamas in two weeks. Looking forward to putting it through its paces. Definitely loving the size for a small travel kit.

 

[bvanant]

Here are some shots taken in the studio. Diving Saturday here in Los Angeles, will test it out.
The setup is a Nauticam OM-D EM-1 Mark II in a Nauticam housing, shooting the Olympus 30 mm lens. The setup is shown below. The camera/housing is on a tripod. The camera settings were 1/250 shutter speed, ISO 250, F/18. The flashes were triggered by the Olympus Flash on the camera. The subject is a plastic nudibranch sitting on a piece of dichroic glass (I shoot this way a lot). The strobe diffuser is 18 cm from the center of the nudibranch.

The First comparison is next.This shows the S2000 at -1.5 power compared to the Backscatter at power level 4

The next is the S2000 at -1.0 compared to Backscatter at power level 5.

The Final comparison is of the Backscatter at level 4 with the Kraken 3000

My conclusions are that the Backscatter LED flash is comparable to the Inon S2000 but approximately one/half stop less bright at comparable settings assuming that the Inon at Full is compared to the BS mini at level 6.

The only other LED flash that I have access to is the Kraken 3000 which is usable but about a stop and a half less bright. I look forward to shooting the BS Saturday here in LA, hopefully the local nudibranchs will co-operate.
Bill

 

[Glenn Charles]

Here are some shots taken in the studio. Diving Saturday here in Los Angeles, will test it out.
The setup is a Nauticam OM-D EM-1 Mark II in a Nauticam housing, shooting the Olympus 30 mm lens. The setup is shown below. The camera/housing is on a tripod. The camera settings were 1/250 shutter speed, ISO 250, F/18. The flashes were triggered by the Olympus Flash on the camera. The subject is a plastic nudibranch sitting on a piece of dichroic glass (I shoot this way a lot). The strobe diffuser is 18 cm from the center of the nudibranch.View attachment 556154

The First comparison is next.This shows the S2000 at -1.5 power compared to the Backscatter at power level 4
View attachment 556157
The next is the S2000 at -1.0 compared to Backscatter at power level 5.View attachment 556160

The Final comparison is of the Backscatter at level 4 with the Kraken 3000
View attachment 556161

My conclusions are that the Backscatter LED flash is comparable to the Inon S2000 but approximately one/half stop less bright at comparable settings assuming that the Inon at Full is compared to the BS mini at level 6.

The only other LED flash that I have access to is the Kraken 3000 which is usable but about a stop and a half less bright. I look forward to shooting the BS Saturday here in LA, hopefully the local nudibranchs will co-operate.
Bill

Super helpful Bill, thanks so much. I will have virtually the same setup, except the 60mm v. The 30. Looking forward to hearing your thoughts after your weekend dives.

 

[bvanant]

Dove with it yesterday here in LA. Cold and a bit surgey but got some interesting stuff. Will post later today
Bill