GN20 (YS-01) vs. GN22 (YS-110a)

[vicp]

Hi All,

Granted, the YS-110a is more powerful than the YS-01 with guide numbers (in air) of 22 and 20, repectively, but how great is the difference really?

If I understand GN, it is (@100 ISO) distance times f-stop. So at f/4 times 5 ft. gives a GN of 20, while the same f-stop (f/4) time 5.5 ft. gives a GN of 22.

Does this mean that the YS-01 produces the same light intensity (the spread is just about the same) in air at 5' that the YS-110a does at 5.5'?

In water the difference would probably be even less.

I know that one can't have too much light, but as I am trying to decide between the YS-01 and the recommended YS-110a for a first strobe, is the 10% difference in light worth the ~50% increase in price, especially in an overhead environment (cave). I am thinking that a YS-01, with possibly a second one (or a YS-02) in the future, might a good solution (size and cost) for a point & shoot as well as any subsequent micro 4/3 or dSLR.

Am I missing something (with the Guide Numbers or anything else)?

 

[bvanant]

I think the guide number is in meters not feet but your point is the same. Underwater you would get about another few inches from the 110a compared to the YS01/YS02. Both have about 100 degree beam spread. In a cave environment, you will need all the light you can get. My general rule is that the GN of a strobe in water is about 3.5 times less than in air. That means in your example the YS01 has an underwater GN of 5.7 while the YS110a has a GN of 6.28. At f 5.6 you get 1 meter for the YS01 and 1.1 meter or so for the YS110a. Only you can tell us if that extra 4 inches is going to help.
Bill

 

[slowhands]

I don't think the difference in light output is significant. Sensitivity to light is logarithmic, so a 10% difference may not be perceptible. There may be other reasons to pick one or the other, such as smaller size (YS-01), faster recycle (YS110a), hardwired interface (YS110a) and so on. In my personal opiinion, if you travel much, go for small size and light weight, especially if you will have two strobes.

 

[vicp]

Bill,

Thanks for the reply.

Apparently guide numbers can be given relative to feet or meters (typically ISO 100).

The S&S strobes are in fact given relative to meters at ISO 100. As the magnitude of luminosity/brightness is logarithmic, I suspect that that a 10% increase is not that significant, but I may be wrong.

Obviously, If I had both strobes in question to use, the decision would be easier, but I am trying to make a buying decision based solely on specifications. Having no experience with either (or any other) underwater strobe, I am soliciting user's opinions.

Thanks again

 

[Warmwater Wank]

I've got a YS-110A and just got a YS-01 for another camera. I really like my 110A w/ my Canon G-10 but the YS-01 goes very nicely w/ the S95 it will be used with. The specs are quite close:
100A vs -01:
GNs as noted
Angle-105x105 vs 100x100
330 flashes ea on 4 NiMH batts
200' rated vs 250'
24.5oz dry wt w/ batts vs 17.6oz
UW wt: -.35oz for both

In short, not a lot of difference. The output adjust is 13 increments/110-A vs 10 for the -01 but I don't think that is a deal breaker either. Since the camera is not mentioned, the only possible tilt to the
110-A might be because it can take a synch cable. This could be nice for true TTL w/ a dslr or P&S housing that offered a synch cable port. The -01 would then do fine as a 2d slaved strobe on fiber optic(despite a +200 degree Kelvin difference w/ the -01, which is not a huge factor). Starting w/ the -01 IMO would not be a bad idea, you could always add in the 110-A (or higher power model) if you got more serious down the road. The -01 is a cutey and a solid contender, certainly worth consideration. // ww

 

[Nemrod]

It would be a noticeable but not significant increase in output. N

 

[Ardy]

Depends on what you pay for it as well. I was in this thought train about a year ago and bought the 110a as I like to buy as much light as I can afford and I read that it was a good step up from the 110. The O1 is a good buy if you want to 'retire' it to the slave later on and get a master flash this of course also depends on what level of photography you plan to get to.

At the moment the best prices I fond for new 110a's and 01's is approx~$US470 01 del v ~$US565 110a del at Splashphotography items - Get great deals on Underwater Strobes, P S Prosumer Housings items on eBay Stores! He was a delight to deal with when I bought my Inon Z240 a few weeks ago. No I don't get a kickback.

 

[JackConnick]

There's other differences besides the GN and specs. Don't get too caught up in the numbers. The YS-110a has two light tubes and can give a better quality of light. Same with the YS-250 vs 110a. The 250 has a round, circular light tube that gives a wider quality of light.

BTW, on those eBay deals you probably won't get a US warranty/service. You will have to return them to where you bought them to be returned for service.

Jack