New strobe has a saggy arm

[WhatAnIdea]

Hello,

I just purchsed my first external strobe (Ikelite DS-125) and I'm noticing that the ball sockets on the arms move freely enough that the strobe won't maintain it's position (in air). Now I realize everything is shiny, new, and liekly covered with silicon, etc... and there is a difference between being on land and being in the water... However, before I go on my next vacation I'd like to know if there is something I should do to prevent a saggy strobe arm? Nothing will be more frustrating than a dozen pictures with my strobe in the lens, ha ha ha.

Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Lou

 

[jarhed]

I haven't used Ike's arm system, but I do know that many do and are happy with the control it offers. I'm not sure if the ike design has o-rings on the balls to clamp onto. Most people perfer the Ultralight System which I use.

http://www.ulcs.com/

It has a ball with an o-ring set in it to obtain better holding power from the clamp. They're a bit overpriced, but I've been very happy with the functionality.

of course, if you get the opertunity, it's best is to test it prior to vacation.

Take care,
John

 

[Diver Dennis]

No worries about thew arms. Once they have been in the water a time or two all will be well. I did wash mine in dish soap when I first got them though and now use Aquatica arms.

 

[bobf]

The DS 125 weighs 2 pounds 12 ounces (1247g) on land. Due to the displacement of salt water when submerged, it weighs only 4-5 ounces (@142g) once under.

 

[WhatAnIdea]

Thanks for the responses. I pulled the arms apart; washed them with a little dish soap and I now see a big improvement. I expect that in water the arms will easily hold the 2 or 3 ounces securely in place.

Cheers!
Lou