Ikelite DS161 or Inon z240?

[takohachi]

I've recently purchased a D90 with an Ikelite housing. While I'm waiting for the housing to get the manufacturer's port locking modification, I'm revisiting my strobe purchase plan. My plan is to buy one DS161 and at some point add a DS51.

I have a point and shoot setup with an Inon D2000 and I like how powerful and compact it is. The primary reason I'm considering Ikelite strobes for my SLR is Ikelite's lack of support for Inon sTTL capability. However, I am curious to know if there is a solution involving the hotshoe connection.

Does anyone have advice on how Inon strobes (specifically the z240) can be used effectively with the Ikelite SLR housing? I would like to make use of TTL if possible and prefer Inon's compact strobes over the DS161. I'm also looking for any positive reinforcement for the DS161/DS51 setup option.

 

[Maddog59]

I've recently purchased a D90 with an Ikelite housing. While I'm waiting for the housing to get the manufacturer's port locking modification, I'm revisiting my strobe purchase plan. My plan is to buy one DS161 and at some point add a DS51.

I have a point and shoot setup with an Inon D2000 and I like how powerful and compact it is. The primary reason I'm considering Ikelite strobes for my SLR is Ikelite's lack of support for Inon sTTL capability. However, I am curious to know if there is a solution involving the hotshoe connection.

Does anyone have advice on how Inon strobes (specifically the z240) can be used effectively with the Ikelite SLR housing? I would like to make use of TTL if possible and prefer Inon's compact strobes over the DS161. I'm also looking for any positive reinforcement for the DS161/DS51 setup option.

Takohachi,

I have the Inon z240/4's as my primary flashes and I am using them with a Sea & Sea dual sync cord and hot shoe hook up on my Patima housing via a Nikonos style connector. Like you, I am also looking to house a dSLR and when I purchased the flashes I had this factor in the back of my mind.

I'm not a big fan of FO cable connections, although I do carry one in my kit as a back up if the sync cord were to fail. I prefer a manual mode of flash when I'm taking photo's but that is just because that was how I was taught many years ago. (I like the creative control it gives me).

Having said all that, I am finding myself using the Inons in their External Auto setting more often and adjusting the output of the flash accordingly. I like this method as it allows me the creative control I need whilst giving me the speed advantage that it promotes by not have to work out what F-Stop to use with what shutter speed, especially since these P&S cameras have such limited range in apeture settings. I like to shoot in manual mode at low ISO settings (80 -100) so I need a flash with the punch to allow me to use higher shutter speed settings as well. The Z240 allows me this freedom.

I have not used the DS161's but I have had the oppotunity to play with one in the workshop! As far as output went, it was down on par with the Inons by about .5 stop when measured over a set distance with a flash meter and the video light is a great idea if your into shooting Video on the same dive as shooting stills. The unit as a whole was very large and heavy (compared to the Inons)and the use of a proprietary battery was limiting, but all in all a very good flash. One of the things I like most about the Z240's is the use of AA batteries and the fact I can get an easy 300 exposures out of a charge and of course its size and weight advantage. I would also take into account the fact you already have an Inon strobe and wolud only need to purchase the Z240 to be up to speed with both.

Takohachi, I know this doesn't answer all your questions regarding TTL and Ikelite compatability but I am just giving you my opinions on the ways you can use these strobes. And if all else fails you can use the Inon's in sTTL mode with a FO connection which works great for point and shoot photography or one style shooting with a dSLR system.



Peter

 

[takohachi]

Thanks for the reply, Peter. I will explore using the z240 in its External Auto mode and see if I can enjoy the creative freedom as you do. It makes sense in the long run, as my skill improves, but at the moment I'm still learning the camera and feel I could use the ease of TTL to minimize the load. I can give it a try with my current P&S setup first.

I don't believe I have the option of the FO connection since the flash is unable to open inside the housing, leaving me with just the hotshoe contact and nonTTL synch cable. I've had no problems with the FO connection on my P&S so I have total confidence in it and would use it if I could.

Video is not my primary interest, so the simple TTL hookup is the only reason I'm leaning toward the DS161. I have the luxury of time, though so I'll try to build some confidence in shooting with manual strobe settings and see if I can manage.

The z240 remains my favorite solution because of the other advantages that you've pointed out. I'm diving in cold water so I'm trying to keep the SLR setup as compact as possible, given all of the other gear I have to carry.

Scott