Oly SP-350, which strobe should I use?

[Thomthumb]

As a pending new Oly sp-350 owner, I would like any suggestions for a strobe/light that can be had. It will have the Oly housing with it. Can anyone help as I know that this is an award winning combination to purchase.

Thanks,
Thom

 

[newdiver48]

I use an inon, Reefphoto helped me out with this in ft. lauderdale. Scott

 

[Larry C]

Both Inon and Sea & Sea have choices for optical or electrical firing. If you choose optical, the Inon lens base has a nice system for mounting the optical cord. Both Inon and Sea & Sea will support s-ttl shooting with the optical connection. If you get the Inon D2000W or Z240 or the Sea & Sea YS-110, you can also fire manually with an electrical cable connection or by using the Heinrichs/Weikamp bulkhead or the cable conversion using Heinrichs/Weikamp circuit board from Divervision, you can use ttl with electrical firing. Both the YS-110 and the Z240 also offer auto firing, allowing the strobe to determine the light if it is pointed at the subject.

 

[soonerwink]

I'm in the same ship you are looking to find a strobe for my SP-350. I was looking at the Sea & Sea YS-27 DX. I found one on ebay for 235.00. I just don't know if it will work with the SP-350

 

[gary-ramey]

I have the YS27DX and yes it works with the SP-350. Furthermore, you can set the flash level to slave mode, select a level of 1 (lowest flash output) and still trigger the strobe. This will conserve energy extending battery life. You have to manually select light levels on the back of the YS27DX since it has no TTL but it will work.
I'll also pass on a lesson learned the hard way. I originally purchased an FL20 flash and used an olympus housing. This worked great. I later added a 2nd strobe...first the Sunpak G-flash and then the YS27DX and both worked great being slaved off the FL-20 (FL20 had hardwired TTL). I grew to love this rig and setup but decided to upgrade when I had the cash. I purchased the E410 DSLR. It too works with the FL20 but due to some kind of wierd preflash issue the FL20 will not drive another strobe. Furthermore, there was no software to manually control the levels of the FL20 flash like there was in the SP-350. So I'm now looking at replacing the FL20 with another YS27DX and slave off the internal strobe on the E-410. In any case its another strobe purchase I really wasn't planning on until now.
If you're looking at TTL flash control (automatic) which is really preferred by me because as little as I dive I don't want to be messing around with flash levels under the water, then you really are down to a few strobe choices.
1. Housed Olympus Flash - Great if you're not ever going to add a 2nd strobe.
2. Inon - The D2000 and Z240 - super and preferred if you got the bucks.
3. YS110 or YS90Auto with a matthew Heinrichs adapter or an Athena cable.
4. Ikelite with their TTL sensor and housing.
5. Olympus UFL-1 underwater strobe - has wireless TTL but I have no idea how well it works. I do know the guide number is about half that of the YS27DX or YS110.


Underwater Strobe Comparison Guide - Digital Diver Network

 

[soonerwink]

Thanks for the tips on the SP-350 setup. I just ordered YS27DX on ebay for 235.00 plus 40.00 shipping from Hong Kong. It seemed like a decent price. I was looking at the sea life SL960D, but decided on the YS27DX because of the faster recycle time.

 

[gary-ramey]

Thanks for the tips on the SP-350 setup. I just ordered YS27DX on ebay for 235.00 plus 40.00 shipping from Hong Kong. It seemed like a decent price. I was looking at the sea life SL960D, but decided on the YS27DX because of the faster recycle time.

You'll want to get the Sea&Sea fiber optic cable as well. It will insure your strobe fires when you want it too.:14:

 

[RockyHeap]

Go for the full splurdge and buy the Ikelite housing and DS-125. Buy it right the first time instead of the 2nd or 3rd purchase with wasted money in-between

 

[CheddarChick]

DS-51, lusting after the HW TTL hotshoe connection......

 

[soonerwink]

You'll want to get the Sea&Sea fiber optic cable as well. It will insure your strobe fires when you want it too.:14:

Already ordered it and it comes with an offbrand fiber optic cable, I will see how well it works, and order a Sea & Sea later if I need to.