DS TTL v S TTL v E TTl

[arun]

Hello to all out there. I have not posted anything for a long while though I am a frequent visitor to this site. I have just gotten into u/w photography and am already hooked onto it. I have a G9 and the Ikelite housing. Now comes the need for a strobe.

I have read all the links so far in this and other forums like Wetpixel and there has been a wealth of knowledge out there.

My question to all of you out there is in relation to the various ttl systems out there.

I know that if I buy the Ikelite DS 160 with the sync cord, I get the true ttl, but the Ike's are expensive, heavy and have proprietary batteries.

I am also looking at the YS 110a (DS TTL) and the Inon Z240 or D2000W Type 3 (S TTL). Obviously as a beginner, I would like to use the TTL systems initially whilst I gather more experience and then shift to manual lighting. So does the DS TTL and S TTL work as well as the Ike TTL? I am leaning towards the Inon Z240 or YS 110a because they can be hard wired to the Ike housing when I want to move to manual lighting.

I would love to hear from those who have experience with these strobes to help me cos I am seriously confused as to what I should get!

 

[AussieByron]

I have used the Ikelite DS125's for a few years no and have been very happy with them. TTL is flawless. If i had the extra money i would be looking at the DS160 to replace them.

Another option for you is to get the DS125's as I have seen them advertised for around the $650usd mark new to clear them for the new DS160.

Something to think about.

Regards Mark

 

[arun]

Thanks for your input, Mark. The DS 125 is retailing here in Malaysia for about USD 800 without the charger and sync cord. Together with the arms etc, it would set me back about USD 1115.00. Ouch!

Which is why I was looking at the Sea & Sea which there is a seller in HK selling for USD 399 without shipping. However, I am a bit apprehensive about the DS TTL and how well it would work.

 

[dbh]

I am not sure that the DS TTL will work with an Ike housing. I believe that TTL can only be achieved with ike strobes. It would help to know which camera & housing you are using. Also, sync cord or fiber optics?

Dave

 

[arun]

Dave, as I said in my opening post, I use the G9 and the Ikelite housing. I can attach a suitable strobe through the hotshoe but you are correct in that Ikelite strobes give you the "true" ttl when used with a sync cord and then only when you are in P, TV or AV mode but not in manual mode, when you have to use the strobe in manual as well.

The DS TTL is likewise available in the P, TV or AV modes because it uses the camera's pre-flash to judge the amount of light required and then uses the camera's flash quench to likewise quench the strobe. At least, that's the theory as I understand it. Inon have a similar system in their strobes.

This thread was meant to reach out to those who use the DS TTL (Sea & Sea) and S TTL (Inon) and have experienced the Ike strobes to tell me how the systems have compared.