ikelite DS-200 strobe and package kit réf # 3944.60

[funscuba]

What do u all think of this strobe and of it's package, is it really the one I need for my Nikon P5100 ? I mean is it really good question of quality ? Thanks for the help.

IKELITE Substrobe DS-200

 

[Larry C]

Great unit. Might be overkill for your P & S, but has plenty of light for even wide angle. I think they updated the battery pack so they're current and available. Better check compatibility with your preflash, though. Ikelite should have a chart with model compatibility.

 

[funscuba]

People r preferring the DS-125 to the DS-200, so what should u recommend me ? Doesn't the Ds-200 give more power to the flash in the water than the one ?

 

[MauiScubaSteve]

The 200 series has the fastest recycle time of any underwater strobe, is more powerful than any modern underwater strobe, has the widest angle of coverage, includes a modeling light that is bright enough to use as a primary light on a night dive and the battery will last over an hour even shooting frequently with the modeling light on the whole dive.

With the power set to 1/8th or 1/4th I can fire my 5050 in high speed continuous (4 frames in ~3 sec) and the strobe will fire on all four shots. (disclaimer; if it is late in a night dive the 4th shot of a 1/4th power burst has lower output). I have two SS200's and two DS200's, and the only drawback is weight out of the water and drag underwater; hauling a system with one or two 200's is more work than hauling nearly any other strobe package.

Using a Ferrari is not as easy as using an Escort, but there are advantages. If you are a freedive photographer chasing sharks through lava tubes and hoping to take more than one shot per breath hold, this strobe is the only way to go! Got big lungs, strong legs and long fins?

 

[funscuba]

Thanks for the infos, I got this reply from well known Ikelite retailer, what do u think :

The DS-200 is probably overkill for your camera. The choice is usually between the DS-51 and the DS-125. The DS-125 gives more power ranges,and has a bigger battery, and thus is better in some situations than the DS-51. You gain mostly a lot of weight with the DS-200, you really don't need anything beyond the DS-125. Thank you for asking.


And there is also the new DS-160 from Ikelite, what do u think of this one ?

 

[AndyT]

Something to think about - if you ever intend to upgrade to a dSLR then you will aready have the strobes you need. Never mind that they may be overkill for what you have at present. Just bear in mind that if you want hard wired TTL with a future camera purchase you will probably have to stick with Ikelite housings unless there is a converter available for use with others.

 

[MauiScubaSteve]

So I checked out all three on Ike's site; the model number of the 200 and 160 matches the strobe intensity at full power (200 watt seconds, 160 watt seconds), the 125 is 110 watt seconds, angle of coverage is 100 deg, 90, 90, full power recycle times are 1.6 seconds, 1.5 and 1 second (I stand corrected). With regard to recycle, at the same watt second intensity the 200 is probably faster because it has a stronger battery. The 200 and 125 have TTL, full, half, 1/4 and 1/8 power settings; the 160 has TTL, full and 9 fractional power settings (in half steps?).

The SS200 was built for film cameras (Nikonus V, Motor Marine II, SLR's). Digital cameras are much more light sensitive, so it is very rare to need 200 watt seconds; I almost never use half power and use full power when subjects are over 10 feet away (which does have an effect contrary to guide # rules). Mostly I like the recycle time and wide coverage, but the 160 with the diffuser has the same coverage and similar recycle time.

If I was buying now I would get the 160, no matter the camera. My 200's have lasted through 4 cameras, and will work with whatever I get next (I don't TTL).