Flash Blocker on Ikelite housing?

[WOODMAN]

I have been meaning to ask this for quite awhile, so here goes. What use is that little plastic flash shield that comes with the ikelite (and I assume others) housing? I have never used it, and didn't see the need, but recently a few of my shots from night diving have shown a black shadow down in the lower left corner, as if something is blocking the flash partially. I don't think that these two things are connected, but??? Perhaps adding a second strobe would help with the shadow? I hang my d125 way out to the side, so I don't think the camera is blocking the flash. And again, what use is that plastic shield? Thanks for your help. Woody

 

[HowardE]

It is to block the internal flash which - when you're using an external strobe, you don't want to use the internal flash from your camera. It will increase the amount of backscatter you have (in general) in the images. Usually the internal flash is used only to trigger the external flash.

What kind of camera and housing are you using?

 

[JackConnick]

They make good Frisbees.

I just use black electrical tape to block off the flash, leaving a small spot for the optical sync cord or the external sensor to read.

Jack

 

[WOODMAN]

What kind of camera and housing are you using?

I am using my venerable C5050 (just about the last one that was out there on the retail floors when I got it) and the Ikelite housing. I guessed that the shield was supposed to block the internal flash, but I have not yet seen where this made any real difference, and have never seen anyone else use one on any kind of camera set-up. I was just wondering if it was worth the hassel of keeping it on there---

 

[HowardE]

I am using my venerable C5050 (just about the last one that was out there on the retail floors when I got it) and the Ikelite housing. I guessed that the shield was supposed to block the internal flash, but I have not yet seen where this made any real difference, and have never seen anyone else use one on any kind of camera set-up. I was just wondering if it was worth the hassel of keeping it on there---

Try NOT-Using the internal flash to light your subjects, and you'll probably see a difference.

Like Jack says - I did the same for my wife, with black Gaffer's (expensive duct tape) Tape.

 

[WOODMAN]

Oh, I forgot to mention- I do have the internal flash turned off and am just using the external flash with the 'my mode' setting. (should have said this right at first:shakehead - oh, well, they say it starts like this...)