Oly TTL Strobe controller from Mattias

[slowhands]

I do professional land photography with Nikon DSLRs, and am really sold on TTL strobe control based on all that experience. But I just don't have the budget for the Ikelite housing, Port, tray, arms and cords needed to put my D70 underwater, so I have been shooting my good old point and shoot Oly 5050/PT-015, with the Sea&Sea YS90DX and fiber optic slave cable. This works, kinda, but I would really rather not need to fire my Oly strobe just to fire my slave strobe, and I really want a direct TTL control of the strobe, not the indirect fiber optic one.

I'm thinking of upgrading to the 8080/PT023 so I can try the gizmo made by Matthias that claims to support reall TTL exposure --- with my existing strobe setup: tray, arms, and YS90DX. Big savings for me if it will work! But, I am not convinced this gizmo works reliably. Has this gizmo worked for those who have used it? Here is what I mean:

http://www.heinrichsweikamp.net/blitz/indexe.htm

I'm a little concerned about the flat cable between the camera shoe board and the bulkhead connector, that seems like it would fatigue and break if the camera was moved a lot, say to change batteries. And it looks like there is no attempt at moisture proofing the circuit, I guess we just pray it stays dry. But I've heard enough good reports I want to give it a try -- so, give me a push, guys and gals. Who uses it successfully, and what are the problems?

Oh, I wanna put a picture with this post, so here is a fun one of a bunch of newly hatched shrimp, just thousands like jewels, from Thailand, Koh Rin I think.

 

[padiscubapro]

I do professional land photography with Nikon DSLRs, and am really sold on TTL strobe control based on all that experience. But I just don't have the budget for the Ikelite housing, Port, tray, arms and cords needed to put my D70 underwater, so I have been shooting my good old point and shoot Oly 5050/PT-015, with the Sea&Sea YS90DX and fiber optic slave cable. This works, kinda, but I would really rather not need to fire my Oly strobe just to fire my slave strobe, and I really want a direct TTL control of the strobe, not the indirect fiber optic one.

I'm thinking of upgrading to the 8080/PT023 so I can try the gizmo made by Matthias that claims to support reall TTL exposure --- with my existing strobe setup: tray, arms, and YS90DX. Big savings for me if it will work! But, I am not convinced this gizmo works reliably. Has this gizmo worked for those who have used it? Here is what I mean:

http://www.heinrichsweikamp.net/blitz/indexe.htm

I'm a little concerned about the flat cable between the camera shoe board and the bulkhead connector, that seems like it would fatigue and break if the camera was moved a lot, say to change batteries. And it looks like there is no attempt at moisture proofing the circuit, I guess we just pray it stays dry. But I've heard enough good reports I want to give it a try -- so, give me a push, guys and gals. Who uses it successfully, and what are the problems?

Oh, I wanna put a picture with this post, so here is a fun one of a bunch of newly hatched shrimp, just thousands like jewels, from Thailand, Koh Rin I think.

Ihave one of his earliest versions taht I had to wire into an oly c-4000.. Its definately worth it..

 

[fatsuki]

I have the C-8080, PT-023, Sea & Sea YS90 Duo TTL strobe, tray and arm. I recently purchased Heinrich Mattias's TTL converter. I used it for the first time in November on over 20 dives in the Philippines. I works great. I noticed a huge improvement in my photos. I didn't have any problems with moisture or fatigue of the cable. My husband (thereefgeek) posted some photos of my setup here

http://www.scubaboard.com/showthread.php?t=114697&highlight=thereefgeek

 

[ABQdiver]

I'm shooting with the Oly 7070, and Oly housing, same strobe and have thought about going that way. Can you elaborate on the total cost and the pieces/parts that are needed??

Thanks,

 

[alcina]

You don't need to change from your 5050. You can get this to work with the 5050 just fine.

 

[AndyT]

I have just installed a Matthias bulkhead on my 7070 / PT-027 / S & S YS 90 Auto setup and did my first test dive today - it works really well . I only bought the bulkhead and am using a Sea & Sea single sync cable with it . Installation was a breeze .

I will post a pic later to show exposure etc.

Safe Diving

Andrew

 

[AndyT]

Posting this on as it was taken of a light subject on a light background - no blowouts ! Not a great photo , hope it serves the purpose .

Oly 7070 , f11 , 1/125

 

[slowhands]

You don't need to change from your 5050. You can get this to work with the 5050 just fine.

You are right, the 5050 has a hot shoe for the adapter, but alas the PT-015 has no bulkhead connector. They added it on the 5060 case, the PT-020.

I was reluctant to drill a big hole in the housing, because I have had bad luck drilling plastic due to crazing and cracking, and there is no room inside it anyway for the bulkhead connector. Also, I imagined it would destroy the resale value of the case.

So I sold the housing and bought the PT-023 and of course the C8080. I need the higher resolution for land photography anyway, 5 MP is not enough for enlargements and it was a backup, so I needed to upgrade. Also, the 8080 has faster shutter response, so I hope I will shoot fewer fish butts. I'm so tired of composing the perfect shot, then pushing the shutter, then waiting for the camera to fire, by that time the fish has turned away and the shot is ruined.

Thanks for all the inputs about the Matthias adapter, I will get it and post the results after my dive trip.

 

[SadiesMom]

You don't need to change from your 5050. You can get this to work with the 5050 just fine.

Alicina, does he make have the bulkhead for the 5050 (PT015) anymore? I see the converter on his website for the 5050 for 53 Euros, but the TTL bulkhead I see only says it goes down (model-wise) as far as a 5060.

I've heard so many wonderful things about these and have wanted one for a while, but it seems he's stopped supporting the 5050/PT015. But hey - maybe I'm missing something....if I am, let me know.....

 

[AndyT]

Why not e-mail Matthias and ask him what solutions he can offer for the 5050 / PT015 ? He is very helpful and gives a prompt reply .

Safe Diving

Andrew